General Electric Company

Ernest George Cusick

Bruce Alan Knudsen

Robert John Zabala

Rahul Jaikaran Chillar

Julio Enrique Mestroni

Charles Steven Renfro

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an apparatus including: a controller communicatively coupled to a power generation system and configured to shift the power generation system between a first operating mode and a second operating mode, the second operating mode being different from the first operating mode; and a economic optimization engine in communication with the controller, wherein the economic optimization engine calculates: an economic benefit for shifting the power generation system from the first operating mode to the second operating mode based on at least one of a power generation demand, a power generation cost, and an operating condition of the power generation system; and a billing rate per unit of time of operation in the second operating mode based on at least one of the economic benefit, an operating difference between the first operating mode and the second operating mode, and a predetermined cost differential.

Economic optimization of power generation system with alternative operating modes

An inspection and recording system for fluid flow testing of cooling passageways in gas turbine buckets provides readily observable visual determination of whether any blockages were formed during the manufacturing or refurbishing processes. The inspection apparatus includes a manifold block and manifold control valve mounted on a platform and adapted to engage the root end of a turbine bucket and supply liquid therethrough. The liquid exiting at the tip of the turbine bucket is visible and any blockages in the passageways will be easily discerned by the absence or paucity of liquid flow at the tip. The fluid flow test is recorded with at least one video camera to display both locally and possibly remotely the fluid flow through the article. The video images can be displayed remotely in real time over a computer network or can be stored on a suitable medium for time delayed display. When the system is connected to a computer network, a remote viewer can also provide input or comment on the inspection displayed.

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Schenectady, NY, United States of America

Ernest George Cusick