General Electric Company

Chung-Hei Yeung

John David Stampfli

Joseph Anthony Cotroneo

Philip Lynn Andrew

Steven Mark Schirle

James Michael Hill

A method is provided for evaluating stall/surge margin of a machine of interest. The method includes identifying a vital factor where each the vital factors corresponds to operation of the machine of interest. Raw data relating to the vital factor is provided. A contribution of the vital factor to the stall/surge margin is determined from at least the provided raw data. The contribution of the vital factor to the stall/surge margin is statistically analyzed. A stall/surge margin is allocated based on the statistical analysis of the contribution of the vital factor. An operating limit line is defined based on the allocation of the stall/surge margin.

Method for evaluating compressor stall/surge margin requirements

A method is disclosed for monitoring and controlling a compressor including (a) monitoring at least one compressor parameter; (b) storing data indicative of the monitored parameter in a database system; (c) processing the collected data using a stall precursor detection algorithm to determine a stall precursor; (d) comparing the stall precursor with at least one of a corresponding average compressor value, and a corresponding unit specific value to determine the level of compressor operability, and (e) if the stall precursor varies from at least one of the average compressor value and the unit specific value, performing corrective actions to vary the level of compressor operability to prevent a surge condition.

Method and apparatus for detecting and compensating for compressor surge in a gas turbine using remote monitoring and diagnostics

A transfer function between the inlet air-flow consumed by a Gas Turbine engine, and the engine parameters of speed, pressure ratio, and Inlet Guide Vane (IGV) angle is described. An active compressor Operating Limit Line (OLL) management strategy that leverages this improved flow measurement transfer function is also described. The improved flow measurement capability afforded by the transfer function permits a deterioration in flow rate caused by compressor fouling to be detected. Using the deterioration in flow rate as a proxy for compressor fouling, a degraded surge boundary associated with fouling can be predicted, using a transfer function between degradation of air-flow along operating line and degradation of surge line. In combination, the inventive improvements in flow measurement and operating line management afford added compressor surge protection across the operating range, while permitting the attainment of elevated pressure ratios associated with high thermodynamic efficiency and output.

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Niskayuna, NY, United States of America

Chung-Hei Yeung