Abstract: A system includes a control system. The control system includes a coherence derivation system configured to derive a coherence between respective outputs of each of a plurality of combustors coupled to a gas turbine system, and a phase derivation system configured to derive a phase difference between the respective outputs of each of the plurality of combustors coupled to the gas turbine system. The control system is configured to derive an indication of an impending lean blowout (LBO) or an actual LBO of at least one of the plurality of combustors based at least in part on the coherence derivation, the phase derivation, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Methods of determining a desired sensor probe location in a closed loop emissions control (CLEC) system of a gas turbine engine are provided. One method includes determining, at different locations, a plurality of temperature contour profiles for exhaust flowing through an exhaust duct, selecting an emissions component entrained in the exhaust to be measured, and determining a desired sensor probe installation location based on the emissions component to be measured and based on the plurality of temperature contour profiles.

Abstract: Methods of determining a desired sensor probe location in a closed loop emissions control (CLEC) system of a gas turbine engine are provided. One method includes determining, at different locations, a plurality of temperature contour profiles for exhaust flowing through an exhaust duct, selecting an emissions component entrained in the exhaust to be measured, and determining a desired sensor probe installation location based on the emissions component to be measured and based on the plurality of temperature contour profiles.

Abstract: A system includes a control system. The control system includes a coherence derivation system configured to derive a coherence between respective outputs of each of a plurality of combustors coupled to a gas turbine system, and a phase derivation system configured to derive a phase difference between the respective outputs of each of the plurality of combustors coupled to the gas turbine system. The control system is configured to derive an indication of an impending lean blowout (LBO) or an actual LBO of at least one of the plurality of combustors based at least in part on the coherence derivation, the phase derivation, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The systems, methods, and computer-readable media set a gas turbine firing temperature to maintain gas turbine metal surface temperatures. In certain embodiments, a method of setting a gas turbine firing temperature is disclosed that may comprise determining a critical temperature at which ash from ash bearing fuels becomes unremovable by conventional water wash procedures, determining hot gas path component metal surface temperatures, and adjusting the gas turbine firing temperature to maintain the metal surface temperatures below the critical temperature. Determining the metal surface temperatures may be based at least in part on measured gas turbine parameters, gas turbine performance models, and empirical models.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems, methods, and apparatus for confirming ignition in a gas turbine. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for confirming ignition associated with a gas turbine combustor. The method can include receiving one or more permissive signals associated with one or more gas flow control valves, receiving one or more fuel supply pressure signals, receiving one or more fuel igniter signals, and receiving one ore more compressor pressure discharge (CPD) signals. The method can also include determining an ignition status associated with the gas turbine combustor based at least in part on the one or more permissive signals, the one or more fuel supply pressure signals, the one or more fuel igniter signals, and a qualified change in the one or more CPD signals. The method can also include outputting an ignition status signal based on the determined ignition status.

Abstract: A method for determining a lean blow out condition for a combustor. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes determining acoustical frequency data for the combustor, determining a combustor flame temperature based on the acoustical frequency data, determining an existing fuel/air ratio in the combustor based on the combustor flame temperature, and comparing the existing fuel/ratio to a lean blow out fuel/air ratio. A lean blow out condition for the combustor is indicated when the existing fuel/air ratio is about equal to the lean blow out fuel/air ratio.

Abstract: Methods and systems for modifying a turbine control system may be provided for. A method may include replacing at least one legacy main controller processor communicating in a first communication protocol with a current main control processor communicating in a second communication protocol, retaining at least one legacy IO processor in communication with at least one turbine monitoring device communicating in the first communication protocol, and providing at least one converter in communication with the current main controller processor or processors and in communication with the legacy IO processor or processors. The converter may translate communications between the current main controller processor or processors and the legacy IO processor or processors by translating between the second communication protocol and the first communication protocol.

Abstract: A method for determining when a combustor is experiencing hardware damage includes sensing acoustic vibrations of a plurality of combustor cans, determining a center frequency for each acoustic tone of the sensed acoustic vibrations within a predetermined frequency range, and indicating an alarm when a center frequency of one or more of the combustor cans changes in a different manner compared to a representative center frequency of the plurality of combustor cans.