Abstract: An embodiment of the invention applies a physics based approach to determine the mass flowrate of the fuel required for a robust ignition mode. This approach uses a closed-loop controls methodology. Here, a turbine control system receives a plurality of operating data. The turbine control system utilizes at least one algorithm, which applies an energy balance to the received operating data. The operating data may include, but is not limited to, airflow data, data from the fuel system, data related to the shaft work, exhaust data, and data related to the heat loss. This energy balance is used to determine the required mass flow rate.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention employ a closed loop controls philosophy that actively determines the air-to-fuel ratio of turbomachine throughout the start-up process. This closed loop controls philosophy provides many benefits. This philosophy performs the ignition process while the turbomachine is operating at a purge speed and eliminates the associated coast down period. Reduces or eliminates the warm-up timer. The philosophy may also increase the acceleration rate of the turbomachine to the primary operating speed. These benefits may reduce the overall start-up time of the turbomachine. Furthermore, by actively controlling the air-to-fuel ratios during the start-up processes, the turbomachine may be operated on a nearly optimal and repeatable schedule. These benefits may reduce thermal transients, possibly extending parts life; reduce variations in start-up times, and possibly increasing combustor margin.