FEATURES
DIAGNOSTICS, PROGNOSTICS: Fleet-wide M&D puts ‘Big Data’ into practice
Many utilities and IPPs have installed fleet-wide M&D centers. While the practice began more than a decade ago, in many ways, it is now poised for even greater expansion, thanks to declining cost of backbone digital chip technology, cloud computing, wireless sensors, mobile and hand-held digital devices, and robust algorithms and analytics. Jason Makansi
ASME POWER: A cornucopia of ideas for combined cycle users
Analytical thinking a common thread through presentations on HRSG damage mechanisms, faster steam production, repurposing of steam-plant condensers for combined-cycle service, integration of solar tower/thermal energy storage technologies into combined cycles. Patricia Irwin, PE
GENERATORS: Inspection first step in avoiding failures attributed to dry stator-winding ties
Indiscriminate cost-cutting and/or inattention to detail during equipment manufacture, installation, operation, and/or maintenance are conducive to forced outages and unbudgeted expenses. Generally speaking, unrealistic expectations are to blame, not the individuals charged with doing their jobs faster and at lower cost.
LUBE-OIL MAINTENANCE: Lubricant varnishing and mitigation strategies
Nearly 10 years ago, GE reported that approximately one in three large IGTs showed signs of oil varnishing. Because this condition affects the availability and reliability of GTs, the OEM recommended the use of varnish removal systems. Despite the guidance, varnish-related turbine outages remain a significant issue for the industry.
Peter Dufresne Jr, Matthew Hobbs, Glen MacInnis
PARTIAL DISCHARGE: PD generally not well understood at the plant level
According to IEEE Standard 100, PD, is “An electric discharge which only partially bridges the insulation between conductors, and which may or may not occur adjacent to a conductor.” IEEE 100 goes on to say “Partial discharges occur when the local electric-field intensity exceeds the dielectric strength of the dielectric involved, resulting in local ionization and breakdown.” Donald Selkirk, PE
GENERATORS: Problems experienced with modern generators
The generation sector of the EP industry has undergone many changes in its 100+ year history, both in technologies and in government influences. Relative to generator technology, for example, the evolution of cooling methods has included (1) open-flow air cooling, (2) closed-flow air with coolers, (3) hydrogen-atmosphere cooling, and (4) direct hydrogen and/or water cooling. Clyde V Maughan
USER GROUP REPORTS
7F Users Group: Workshops important to professional development
• Borescope clinic, proper staking critical, Bigfoot mod can cause twisting of stator vanes, tip-shroud creep, clashing.
• HRSG performance thieves, NDE for boiler inspections, crack repair, fuel-nozzle flow testing.
Western Turbine Users: Aero Nation still growing as 25th anniversary nears
• Remembering Jim Hinrichs
• Depot presentations
• The Axford Report
• Benchmarking aero performance
• Awards
• Social events
CTOTF™ aggregates its coverage of aeroderivative gas turbines
• Coordinated programs for Pratt & Whitney, Rolls-Royce, GE, and Solar engines will benefit users by sharing information across product lines.
• HEPA filtration, indirect/hybrid inlet cooling, commissioning a Mercury 50.
BUSINESS PARTNERS
GTs turn 75, ACC Users pick San Diego, 7F Users form STUG, automation retrofit improves reliability, CCUG to meet in San Antonio, Crackfit facilitates assessments of defects, Calpine has a good 2013, USEA honors Lew King, ABMA President Rawson passes, company news and notes. Read it all here…
FROM THE EDITOR: GT users lose two champions in one week
