Abstract: A method for detecting hazardous gas concentration from an exhaust duct of a gas turbine enclosure includes aggregating multiple exhaust air samples collected via a first and a second plurality of sampling ports disposed within the exhaust duct to provide first and second aggregated exhaust air samples to primary and secondary sensors disposed outside of the exhaust duct. The method further includes sensing hazardous gas concentrations within the first and second aggregated exhaust air samples, where the primary and secondary sensors communicate signals that are indicative of the hazardous gas concentrations and functionality of the primary and secondary sensors to a computing device. The method further includes monitoring the hazardous gas concentrations within the first and second aggregated exhaust air samples with respect to a percentage of a lower explosive limit and monitoring the functionality of the primary and secondary sensors via the computing device.

Abstract: An approach for utilizing fuel gas to purge a dormant fuel gas circuit is disclosed. In one aspect, there is a fuel gas supply that supplies fuel to fuel gas circuits. Gas control valves, each coupled to one of the fuel gas circuits control the flow of fuel gas thereto from the fuel gas supply. A fuel purge system selectively purges fuel gas circuits from the fuel gas circuits that are dormant with fuel gas from the fuel gas supply.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention have the technical effect of automatically testing an overspeed protection system of a powerplant machine comprising at least one shaft. An embodiment of the present invention may automatically test the overspeed protection system while the powerplant machine is decelerating from full-speed-no-load (FSNL). Another embodiment of the present invention may automatically test the overspeed protection system of the powerplant machine while the powerplant machine is accelerating to FSNL.

Abstract: An approach for utilizing fuel gas to purge a dormant fuel gas circuit is disclosed. In one aspect, there is a fuel gas supply that supplies fuel to fuel gas circuits. Gas control valves, each coupled to one of the fuel gas circuits control the flow of fuel gas thereto from the fuel gas supply. A fuel purge system selectively purges fuel gas circuits from the fuel gas circuits that are dormant with fuel gas from the fuel gas supply.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention have the technical effect of determining when to test an overspeed protection system of a powerplant machine. As described herein, embodiments of the present invention may be applied to a wide variety of powerplant machines, each comprising a shaft. After determining that test of the overspeed protection system should be performed, embodiments of the present invention may allow for a variety of methods to test the overspeed protection system.

Abstract: A system for determining a flame condition in a combustor includes a pressure sensor that generates a pressure signal reflective of a pressure in the combustor. A controller receives the pressure signal and generates a flame signal reflective of the flame condition in the combustor. A method for determining a flame condition in a combustor includes measuring a pressure in the combustor, comparing the measured pressure in the combustor to a predetermined limit, and generating a flame signal based on the comparison of the measured pressure in the combustor to the predetermined limit, wherein the flame signal reflects the flame condition in the combustor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of controlling a turbomachine having at least one fuel supply system that uses an unchoked valve. Here, the method may determine the flow characteristics of a fuel in a fuel supply system without using a flow meter. The present invention also provides a fuel supply system with a configuration comprising at least one unchoked valve. The fuel system may not require the use of a flow meter.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention have the technical effect of automatically testing an overspeed protection system of a powerplant machine comprising at least one shaft. An embodiment of the present invention may automatically test the overspeed protection system while the powerplant machine is decelerating from full-speed-no-load (FSNL). Another embodiment of the present invention may automatically test the overspeed protection system of the powerplant machine while the powerplant machine is accelerating to FSNL.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention have the technical effect of determining when to test an overspeed protection system of a powerplant machine. As described herein, embodiments of the present invention may be applied to a wide variety of powerplant machines, each comprising a shaft. After determining that test of the overspeed protection system should be performed, embodiments of the present invention may allow for a variety of methods to test the overspeed protection system.

Abstract: A method for operating an energy system includes calculating an auto-ignition temperature of a fuel in use with the energy system, storing the auto-ignition temperature in a system memory, unloading a gas turbine associated with the energy system to a pre-determined range of operations, controlling a temperature of the exhaust flow discharged from the gas turbine, opening an exhaust bypass damper to a pre-determined position to enable a pre-determined volume of air to enter an exhaust flow path defined within the energy system, and releasing the energy system for normal operation after a pre-determined amount of time has elapsed.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a method of controlling a turbomachine having at least one fuel supply system that uses an unchoked valve. Here, the method may determine the flow characteristics of a fuel in a fuel supply system without using a flow meter. An embodiment of the present invention may provide a fuel supply system with a configuration comprising at least one unchoked valve. Furthermore, this embodiment of the present invention may comprise a fuel supply system that does not include a flow meter.

Abstract: A method for operating an energy system includes calculating an auto-ignition temperature of a fuel in use with the energy system, storing the auto-ignition temperature in a system memory, unloading a gas turbine associated with the energy system to a pre-determined range of operations, controlling a temperature of the exhaust flow discharged from the gas turbine, opening an exhaust bypass damper to a pre-determined position to enable a pre-determined volume of air to enter an exhaust flow path defined within the energy system, and releasing the energy system for normal operation after a pre-determined amount of time has elapsed.