Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a method for operating a combined cycle power plant (CCPP). The method may include creating a variant control profile for the CCPP for a power plant model of the CCPP. The method may include modifying the variant control profile in response to the variant control profile not reducing the fuel consumption or meeting the quality threshold. The method may also include adjusting the CCPP to use the variant control profile in response to the variant control profile reducing the fuel consumption and meeting the quality threshold. Using the variant control profile adjusts a turbine section inlet temperature schedule or an exhaust temperature schedule for the CCPP.

Abstract: A turbine system includes a compressor section, an inlet cooling system coupled upstream of the compressor section and configured to cool ambient air entering the compressor section, and a turbine section coupled in flow communication with the compressor section and including at least one hot gas path component. The system further includes a controller configured to receive feedback parameters indicative of a temperature of the at least one hot gas path component, estimate a remaining life of the at least one hot gas path component based on the received feedback parameters, determine a desired power output of the turbine system based on the estimated remaining life of the at least one hot gas path component and a cooling capacity of the inlet cooling system, and control operation of the turbine system to cause the turbine system to generate the desired power output.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a method for operating a combined cycle power plant (CCPP). The method may include generating a power plant model for operating the CCPP, determining whether at least two gas turbines in the power plant model generate a power output, and modeling a fuel consumption of the CCPP for a baseline split ratio between the at least two gas turbines. The method may also include determining whether the variant split ratio meets a quality threshold for the CCPP, and adjusting the CCPP to use the variant split ratio in response to the variant split ratio meeting the quality threshold.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a method for operating a combined cycle power plant (CCPP). The method may include creating a variant control profile for the CCPP for a power plant model of the CCPP. The method may include modifying the variant control profile in response to the variant control profile not reducing the fuel consumption or meeting the quality threshold. The method may also include adjusting the CCPP to use the variant control profile in response to the variant control profile reducing the fuel consumption and meeting the quality threshold. Using the variant control profile adjusts a turbine section inlet temperature schedule or an exhaust temperature schedule for the CCPP.

Abstract: A turbine system includes a compressor section, an inlet cooling system coupled upstream of the compressor section and configured to cool ambient air entering the compressor section, and a turbine section coupled in flow communication with the compressor section and including at least one hot gas path component. The system further includes a controller configured to receive feedback parameters indicative of a temperature of the at least one hot gas path component, estimate a remaining life of the at least one hot gas path component based on the received feedback parameters, determine a desired power output of the turbine system based on the estimated remaining life of the at least one hot gas path component and a cooling capacity of the inlet cooling system, and control operation of the turbine system to cause the turbine system to generate the desired power output.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems and methods for using a health monitoring system with acoustic emissions (AE) signals and the resonance frequency of the damage state of a component in a machine to monitor component health. AE signals collected from sensors on an operating machine are analyzed to identify signal features or events that correspond to component resonance frequencies. The AE signal features proximate to the component resonance frequencies and how those features and the component resonance frequency changes over time enable the identification and monitoring of damage states, such as cracks in the stator vanes of a compressor, gas turbine, steam turbine, or generator.

Abstract: Inspection systems provided herein include drive coils capable of being excited to generate a substantially uniform magnetic field about an object. The object includes a ferromagnetic adhesive adhered thereto. The inspection systems may also include an array of sensor coils adapted to detect the magnetic field from the drive coils after the magnetic field interacts with the ferromagnetic adhesive and to produce a voltage output corresponding to the detected magnetic field.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems and methods for using a health monitoring system with acoustic emissions (AE) signals and the resonance frequency of the damage state of a component in a machine to monitor component health. AE signals collected from sensors on an operating machine are analyzed to identify signal features or events that correspond to component resonance frequencies. The AE signal features proximate to the component resonance frequencies and how those features and the component resonance frequency changes over time enable the identification and monitoring of damage states, such as cracks in the stator vanes of a compressor, gas turbine, steam turbine, or generator.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure can relate to NOx measurement and turbine control. In one embodiment, a method for NOx measurement and turbine control can include receiving a signal from at least one electrochemical NOx sensor mounted in a gas flow path of a turbine. Based at least in part on the received signal, a NOx emission value associated with a gas flow in or from the turbine can be determined. Based at least in part on the determined NOx emission value, a control action for the turbine can be determined. The method further comprises facilitating the control action for the turbine.

Abstract: Methods and a sensor module for use in controlling operation of a gas turbine system are provided herein. The sensor module is coupled within a combustion system and is configured to obtain an aspirated exhaust sample of exhaust flowing through an exhaust duct. The exhaust is generated by the combustion system. The aspirated exhaust sample is analyzed to determine a plurality of exhaust parameters. The sensor module also controls at least one combustion system parameter in a closed loop emission control (CLEC) system based on at least one of the plurality of exhaust parameters.

Abstract: A system according to an embodiment includes: a passive flow modulation device positioned within a turbine for modulating a flow of cooling air, the passive flow modulation device including a housing containing a temperature sensitive element; and a temperature sensor attached to the housing containing the temperature sensitive element, the temperature sensor providing temperature-related data.

Abstract: A method implemented by at least one processor, includes receiving an acoustic signal from an acoustic emission sensor disposed at a predetermined location on a casing of a rotary machine operating in a transient condition. The method further includes applying a signal envelope extraction technique to the acoustic signal to generate a transformed acoustic signal. The method also includes generating an acoustic signature signal based on the transformed acoustic signal and determining a crack defect on a stationary component of the rotary machine based on the acoustic signature signal.

Abstract: A multi-color pyrometry imaging system for a high-temperature asset includes at least one viewing port in optical communication with at least one high-temperature component of the high-temperature asset. The system also includes at least one camera device in optical communication with the at least one viewing port. The at least one camera device includes a camera enclosure and at least one camera aperture defined in the camera enclosure, The at least one camera aperture is in optical communication with the at least one viewing port. The at least one camera device also includes a multi-color filtering mechanism coupled to the enclosure. The multi-color filtering mechanism is configured to sequentially transmit photons within a first predetermined wavelength band and transmit photons within a second predetermined wavelength band that is different than the first predetermined wavelength band.

Abstract: A creep life management system includes at least one sensor apparatus coupled to a first component. The at least one sensor apparatus is configured with a unique identifier. The creep life management system also includes at least one reader unit coupled to a second component. The at least one reader unit is configured to transmit an interrogation request signal to the at least one sensor apparatus and receive a measurement response signal transmitted from the at least one sensor apparatus. The creep life management system further includes at least one processor programmed to determine a real-time creep profile of the first component as a function of the measurement response signal transmitted from the at least one sensor apparatus.

Abstract: Various embodiments include systems and apparatuses adapted for detecting two-dimensional turbomachine exhaust temperature. In some embodiments, a system includes a two-dimensional grid sized to mount within an exhaust path of a gas turbomachine, a radiation detection device for detecting radiation emitted from the two-dimensional grid at a plurality of points on the two-dimensional grid, the radiation detection device being mountable proximate the exhaust path and the two-dimensional grid and at least one computing device connected with the radiation detection device, the at least one computing device configured to generate a planar map of the temperature of the exhaust from the gas turbomachine based upon the intensity of the radiation emitted from two-dimensional grid detected at the plurality of points on the two-dimensional grid.

Abstract: A calorie estimating device for measuring a calorie content of a food item is provided. The device comprises a holder substrate, a transmitter antenna configured to transmit ultra-wide band (UWB) signals to at least a portion of the food item disposed on a side of the holder substrate, wherein the transmitter antenna comprises a planar antenna, a first receiver antenna configured to receive at least a portion of UWB signals reflected by the food item, wherein the first receiver antenna comprises a planar antenna, and a second receiver antenna configured to receive at least a portion of UWB signals propagated through the food item, wherein the second receiver antenna comprises a planar antenna.

Abstract: A pyrometry imaging system for monitoring a high-temperature asset which includes at least one component is provided. The system includes a lens element in optical communication with the at least one component. The lens element is configured to receive at least a portion of thermal radiation emitted from the at least one component. The system also includes a view limiting device positioned between the lens element and a dispersive element. The dispersive element is configured to split the at least a portion of thermal radiation emitted into a plurality of wavelengths. The system further includes at least one camera device in optical communication with the dispersive element. The at least one camera device is configured to receive at least one wavelength from the dispersive element.

Abstract: Various embodiments include detection systems adapted to monitor at least one physical property of a component in a turbomachine. In some embodiments a detection system includes at least one sensor configured to be affixed to a component of a turbomachine, the at least one sensor for sensing information regarding at least one physical property of the turbomachine component during operation of the turbomachine, a signal converter communicatively coupled to the at least one sensor and at least one RF communication device configured to be affixed to a stationary component of the turbomachine, the radio frequency communication device configured to communicate with the at least one signal converter via an RF antenna coupled to the signal converter.

Abstract: Various embodiments include detection systems adapted to monitor at least one physical property of a component in a turbomachine. In some embodiments a detection system includes at least one sensor configured to be affixed to a component of a turbomachine, the at least one sensor for sensing information regarding at least one physical property of the turbomachine component during operation of the turbomachine, a signal converter communicatively coupled to the at least one sensor and at least one RF communication device configured to be affixed to a stationary component of the turbomachine, the radio frequency communication device configured to communicate with the at least one signal converter via an RF antenna coupled to the signal converter.

Abstract: Methods and a sensor module for use in controlling operation of a gas turbine system are provided herein. The sensor module is coupled within a combustion system and is configured to obtain an aspirated exhaust sample of exhaust flowing through an exhaust duct. The exhaust is generated by the combustion system. The aspirated exhaust sample is analyzed to determine a plurality of exhaust parameters. The sensor module also controls at least one combustion system parameter in a closed loop emission control (CLEC) system based on at least one of the plurality of exhaust parameters.