General Electric Company

John Edward Ford

Philip Lynn Andrew

Albert Myers

Timothy Andrew Melsert

Seyfettin Can Gulen

Methods and apparatus for operating a combined-cycle power system are provided. The method includes operating the steam turbine, the combustion turbine, and the steam source at steady state operating conditions. Upon sensing a grid frequency deviation away from the standardized grid frequency value, determining a current thermal energy capacity of the steam source, determining a rate of frequency recovery available using the current thermal energy capacity of the steam source and a predetermined rate of change of the at least one steam turbine control valve, if the determined rate of frequency recovery available is greater than the grid frequency deviation, mitigating the frequency deviation using the current thermal energy capacity, if the determined rate of frequency recovery available is less than the grid frequency deviation then mitigating the frequency deviation using the current thermal energy capacity substantially simultaneously with a power level increase of the combustion turbine.

Methods and apparatus for electric power grid frequency stabilization

A method and apparatus for operating a combined-cycle power system is provided. The system is coupled to an electric power grid. The system includes at least one electric power generator, at least one steam turbine coupled to the generator, at least one combustion turbine coupled to the generator, and at least one steam source that is in flow communication with the steam turbine. The method includes operating the system at a first power output level with the steam turbine and the combustion turbine being synchronized to an operating frequency of the grid, so that the steam turbine, the combustion turbine, and the grid are operating at a frequency substantially similar to a standardized grid frequency value. The method also includes sensing a grid frequency deviation away from the standardized grid frequency value. The method further includes accelerating or decelerating the turbines and facilitating a predetermined rate of grid frequency recovery for a predetermined period of time, such that the predetermined rate of frequency recovery is substantially uniform.

A method to rapidly change a power output level of a steam turbine including the steps of: operating the steam turbine at a continuous power output level including regulating a steam temperature to a constant steam temperature set point; receiving a demand for a rapid change in the power output level of the steam turbine; adjusting the steam temperature set point to a temporary temperature excursion limit selected to achieve the demand for the rapid power change; regulating the steam temperature in the turbine to the temporary temperature excursion limit; operating the turbine at a temporary power output level achieved using the temporary excursion limit; generating power by the turbine using steam regulated to the temporary temperature limit, and changing the temperature used to regulate the turbine after a predetermined period.

Rapid power producing system and method for steam turbine

A mounting assembly for use with crossfire tubes connected between plural combustors arranged in a spaced relation about a turbine, wherein the assembly includes a wire retainer formed to connect a crossfire tube end to the retainer by compressive side loading of the tube and further formed to connect the tube to a mounting base by compressive forces in a different direction between the base and the retainer wire.

Tube mounting apparatus including a wire retainer

The movable combustion system includes an outer liner defining a venturi and a centerbody including an inner liner terminating in swirler blades defining a gap at the rearmost end of the centerbody with the venturi. A secondary fuel nozzle lies within the centerbody. The centerbody is mounted to the combustor cover for axial translational non-rotational movement from a location outside the cover and during gas turbine operation to axially displace the secondary fuel nozzle and alter the gap between the centerbody and the venturi.

Movable combustion system for a gas turbine

A nozzle cover for a combustor of a combination fuel gas turbine engine is cast as a one-piece integral part requiring machining only for holes, sealing surfaces and threads. The nozzle cover cross section is generally a portion of an ellipsoid in order to maximize strength for a given amount of material. An interface between the nozzle cover and each of a plurality of combination fuel nozzles employs a single threaded opening accommodating two of a required three nozzles. The third nozzle in each combination fuel nozzle is accommodated in threads formed in a stepped wall in the nozzle cover.

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Niskayuna, NY, United States of America

John Edward Ford