Abstract: The present invention has the technical effect of reducing the start-up time associated with starting a powerplant machine. An embodiment of the present invention provides a method of starting a powerplant machine, such as, but not limiting of, a turbomachine. An embodiment of the method of the present invention provides a new philosophy for starting a turbomachine. This new philosophy involves testing the turbomachine systems before the start-up process begins.

Abstract: A method of managing transient events regularly seen during gas turbine operation that may cause undesirable operation and hardware damage. During certain transient operations, a lag may be seen between reference exhaust temperature and actual turbine exhaust temperature. This lag can result in an under-fired condition within the combustion system of variable magnitude and duration. Either fuel split schedules or a control algorithm can be positioned during these transients to prevent combustion dynamics or loss of flame. Combustion dynamics are known to cause damage that may require hardware replacement. Once the transient has completed, normal control operation is resumed.

Abstract: A method for controlling a turbomachine exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system is provided. The EGR system may allow for the removal and sequestration of at least one constituent within the exhaust before the recirculation occurs.

Abstract: A method and algorithm are provided to operate a gas turbine at baseload in an emission compliant capable mode to avoid combustion dynamics while operating with cold fuel and hot fuel combustion hardware. The method includes performing a gas turbine operational sequence such as a startup to an emission compliant capable mode. A gas fuel temperature is measured. The gas turbine is operated in the emissions compliant capable mode according to a designated fuel split for avoiding combustion dynamics when a temperature for a gas fuel is below a designated value. A determination is made whether a modified wobbe index for the gas fuel is below an emissions compliant value. An alarm is activated if the modified wobbe index is below the emissions compliant value to notify the operator of a potential emissions shift.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system is provided. The method and system may incorporate a device or devices that continuously monitors an exhaust stream for harmful constituents. The method and system may control components of the EGR system based on the concentration of harmful constituents within the exhaust.

Abstract: A method and controller for identifying lean blowout conditions in a Dry Low NOx (DLN) combustor during a premix mode. An effective approach to quickly and reliably identify a blowout during operation in the premix mode is by the effect on fuel normalized power (FNP). FNP is a useful signal, in that a power reduction from a blowout may be distinguished much slower changes in power resulting from global fuel demand (changing load request). A difference between the FNP and a filtered FNP parameter may be compared against a predetermined threshold. If the difference exceeds the threshold, a lean blowout is identified and a signal may be transmitted to the turbine controller to reposition combustor operation away from blowout conditions.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a method of starting a powerplant machine, such as, but not limiting of, a turbomachine set to operate in a Fast Start mode. The turbomachine may include, but is not limited to, a steam turbine, a heavy-duty gas turbine, an aero-derivative gas turbine, and the like. An embodiment of the method of the present invention provides a new philosophy for controlling a starting system associated with the turbomachine. An embodiment of the present invention may be applied to a powerplant having multiple turbomachines and a starting system having multiple starting means, which may include at least one LCI system. Here, an embodiment of the present invention may eliminate the manual process of preparing and integrating a desired turbomachine with a desired starting means.

Abstract: The present invention has the technical effect of reducing the start-up time associated with starting a powerplant machine. An embodiment of the present invention provides a method of starting a powerplant machine, such as, but not limiting of, a turbomachine. An embodiment of the method of the present invention provides a new philosophy for starting a turbomachine. This new philosophy involves testing the turbomachine systems before the start-up process begins.

Abstract: A method is provided for performing a transfer from gas fuel operation to liquid fuel operation in a gas turbine with a dual fuel system. The method includes initiating a predetermined uncontrolled liquid fuel prefill flow rate through the liquid fuel system, sensing an onset of the uncontrolled liquid fuel flow to the combustor nozzles, and initiating transfer from gas fuel operation to liquid fuel operation when the flow of uncontrolled liquid fuel at the combustor nozzles is sensed. The onset of uncontrolled liquid fuel flow to the combustor nozzles is determined by monitoring changes of Fuel Normalized Power (FNP), a parameter sensitive to uncontrolled liquid fuel flow, and determining when FNP exceeds a threshold algorithm value.

Abstract: A method for controlling the rate of transfer between operation with gas and liquid fuel types to minimize the time in undesirable operational mode, thereby preventing excessive wear and damage to gas turbine hardware. The method includes completing a fuel prefill for the oncoming fuel type through the fuel system and determining if a total fuel demand for the oncoming fuel type is greater than a predetermined flow rate for the oncoming fuel type. The method also includes selecting a fuel transfer rate and transferring from the offgoing fuel type to the oncoming fuel type at the selected fuel transfer rate. Further, the method includes determining if the offgoing fuel flowrate has decreased below a predetermined flow rate for the offgoing fuel type, selecting a final fuel transfer rate and completing the transfer from offgoing fuel type to oncoming fuel type at a selected final fuel transfer rate.

Abstract: A method and algorithm are provided to operate a gas turbine at baseload in an emission compliant capable mode to avoid combustion dynamics while operating with cold fuel and hot fuel combustion hardware. The method includes performing a gas turbine operational sequence such as a startup to an emission compliant capable mode. A gas fuel temperature is measured. The gas turbine is operated in the emissions compliant capable mode according to a designated fuel split for avoiding combustion dynamics when a temperature for a gas fuel is below a designated value. A determination is made whether a modified wobbe index for the gas fuel is below an emissions compliant value. An alarm is activated if the modified wobbe index is below the emissions compliant value to notify the operator of a potential emissions shift.

Abstract: A method for controlling a turbomachine exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system is provided. The EGR system may allow for the removal and sequestration of at least one constituent within the exhaust before the recirculation occurs.

Abstract: A method for controlling an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system is provided. The EGR system may allow for the removal and the sequestration of at least one constituent within the exhaust before the recirculation occurs. The method may monitor the level of at least one constituent and adjust an EGR recirculation rate.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system is provided. The method and system may incorporate a device or devices that continuously monitors an exhaust stream for harmful constituents. The method and system may control components of the EGR system based on the concentration of harmful constituents within the exhaust.

Abstract: A method and controller for identifying lean blowout conditions in a Dry Low NOx (DLN) combustor during a premix mode. An effective approach to quickly and reliably identify a blowout during operation in the premix mode is by the effect on fuel normalized power (FNP). FNP is a useful signal, in that a power reduction from a blowout may be distinguished much slower changes in power resulting from global fuel demand (changing load request). A difference between the FNP and a filtered FNP parameter may be compared against a predetermined threshold. If the difference exceeds the threshold, a lean blowout is identified and a signal may be transmitted to the turbine controller to reposition combustor operation away from blowout conditions.

Abstract: A method of managing transient events regularly seen during gas turbine operation that may cause undesirable operation and hardware damage. During certain transient operations, a lag may be seen between reference exhaust temperature and actual turbine exhaust temperature. This lag can result in an under-fired condition within the combustion system of variable magnitude and duration. Either fuel split schedules or a control algorithm can be positioned during these transients to prevent combustion dynamics or loss of flame. Combustion dynamics are known to cause damage that may require hardware replacement. Once the transient has completed, normal control operation is resumed.

Abstract: A method for controlling the rate of transfer between operation with gas and liquid fuel types to minimize the time in undesirable operational mode, thereby preventing excessive wear and damage to gas turbine hardware. The method includes completing a fuel prefill for the oncoming fuel type through the fuel system and determining if a total fuel demand for the oncoming fuel type is greater than a predetermined flow rate for the oncoming fuel type. The method also includes selecting a fuel transfer rate and transfering from the offgoing fuel type to the oncoming fuel type at the selected fuel transfer rate. Further, the method includes determining if the offgoing fuel flowrate has decreased below a predetermined flow rate for the offgoing fuel type, selecting a final fuel transfer rate and completing the transfer from offgoing fuel type to oncoming fuel type at a selected final fuel transfer rate.

Abstract: A method is provided for performing a transfer from gas fuel operation to liquid fuel operation in a gas turbine with a dual fuel system. The method includes initiating a predetermined uncontrolled liquid fuel prefill flow rate through the liquid fuel system, sensing an onset of the uncontrolled liquid fuel flow to the combustor nozzles, and initiating transfer from gas fuel operation to liquid fuel operation when the flow of uncontrolled liquid fuel at the combustor nozzles is sensed. The onset of uncontrolled liquid fuel flow to the combustor nozzles is determined by monitoring changes of Fuel Normalized Power (FNP), a parameter sensitive to uncontrolled liquid fuel flow, and determining when FNP exceeds a threshold algorithm value.