Vendor Fair and Recorded Technical Presentations

Webinars explaining products/services of value to owner/operators, 7F users in particular, were recorded for each of the companies participating in the Vendor Fair. All are available in the Power Users Presentation Library; run times are 30 minutes or less. BONUS: The presentations by companies identified with an asterisk and name in color are available to all CCJ readers at www.ccj-online.com/onscreen; no registration required. The link provided here is to facilitate access.

*Allied Power Group

Introducing APG Nexgen™ combustion technologies

APG President Jim Masso reviews the company’s recent acquisitions—Nexgen (advanced fuel systems), Texas Metal Printing (3D printing of turbomachinery components), and Eta Technologies (largest non-OEM V-series engine component and repair supplier)—and then summarizes the company’s capabilities in NDT, metallurgy, chemical stripping, grit blasting, rotor repair, and onsite field service. APG’s coating technology and capabilities are discussed next along with comprehensive combustion repair. A shop tour is included.

Custom engineered solutions for F-class owner/operators follow—including problem diagnosis and RCA capabilities, calibration and flow testing, and parts reconditioning. A technology solution of interest to many users is the company’s brazed insert replacement for the 7FA fuel nozzle. Engineered solutions include output and firing-temperature increases, 7FA.04 repairs, life extension, etc.

*GTC Control Solutions

Operational tips through case studies, TIL 1524 and 1275 implementations, LVDT calibration

Chief Engineer Abel Rochwarger, respected by many in the industry for his controls expertise, helps users understand the factors that determine “single points of failure” and how to identify them, plus the not-so-evident aspects of the relevant Technical Information Letters that can be learned only after implementation.

The takeaways: Users with Mark VI controls will learn about previously unknown/undisclosed failure modes, how to determine if their control systems are potentially susceptible to them, and what the options are for avoiding future occurrences. Personnel from plants with Mark V controls will come up to speed on two new cards from GTC that can help extend the lives of their panels.

Bonus discussion: Average versus core-by-core LVDT calibration.

*Nel Hydrogen

Hydrogen generation ensures reliable hydrogen supply for CCGT powerplants

Dave Wolff discusses the use of onsite hydrogen gas generation as a safer, more economical alternative than delivered hydrogen for generator cooling. Users will gain an understanding of how ultra-pure, pressurized, dry hydrogen gas is produced onsite from electricity and water using the company’s compact Proton Exchange Membrane electrolyser. Applicable system drawings are included.

*Nitto Inc

Introducing hydrogen detection tape

The physical properties of hydrogen gas make leaks extremely difficult to detect. Finding leaks quickly is important to ensure personnel safety and to protect critical plant assets. Dr Nahid Mohajeri, GM of advanced polymer technology at Nitto, explains the company’s industrial-grade adhesive tape, which is applied to hydrogen-system components most likely to leak—such as flanges. The tape changes color from amber to black when exposed to even the smallest amounts of hydrogen—concentrations of 1%, for example. Powerplant experience is shared along with lessons learned.

*Parker Hannifin Corp

Reduce maintenance concerns and costs associated with gas-turbine fuel control valves

Jim Hoke, Parker’s capital projects manager for power generation, provides users technical information on the company’s line of electrohydraulic servo valves required for decision- making. The valves are approved by GE for use on its gas and steam turbines for the following applications: control of gas and liquid fuels, steam-valve actuators, inlet guide vanes, and stop/ratio actuators.

Key takeaways from the presentation include these:

• Parker’s “soft-fail” electrohydraulic servo valves if plugged will not cause the downstream actuator to fully extend or retract—it will remain in place. However, the valve can be spring- biased to move the actuator to a preferred safe position.
• The product is a drop-in replacement for many servo valves in use—including hydraulic mounting and electrical connections.
• Large orifice diameters allow contaminants to pass through instead of obstructing flow.
• Hydraulic spool, designed with a significant chip shear force, enables continued operation in hydraulic systems experiencing varnish buildup.
• The robust design allows extended intervals between PMs, calibrations, and tests.

*Dekomte de Temple

Fabric expansion joint solutions for 7F CCGT plants

Jake Waterhouse, group technical director at Dekomte, is a frequent speaker at user-group meetings. Here he discusses the benefits of retrofitting the 7F flex seal, used where the diffuser transitions to the cold casing, with a high-quality fabric solution for longer life and greater durability in cycling plants. Other applications for fabric expansion joints include the HRSG inlet and outlet.

Inspection (visual and thermographic) is the first step in understanding the existing condition and technical requirements to develop a tailored long-term reliable solution, says Waterhouse. Another input to the decision-making process is a review of operational criteria to identify to the degree possible expected operating parameters going forward.

Waterhouse shows with drawings and photos the details of the company’s expansion-joint offerings and presents case studies to illustrate the challenges posed by different gas-turbine models and the successful solutions implemented.

*Conax Technologies

Capabilities overview

If you’re unfamiliar with Conax Technologies, which manufactures temperature sensors, compression seal fittings, and cable harness assemblies, watch the 2-min video for an overview of the company’s capabilities and products for generating plants. In addition to standard off-the- shelf products, custom-engineered solutions are available to address the industry’s most demanding challenges.

Here’s a shortlist of products and services available from Conax:

• Exhaust-gas thermocouples.
• Sensor cable assemblies.
• Bearing temperature sensors and seal feedthroughs.
• Temperature-sensor harness assemblies.
• Vibration analysis, accelerated lifecycle qualification testing.

*Donaldson Company, Gas Turbine Systems

Technology solutions providing more power to you

Donaldson’s Casandra Light and Mike Carlson walk you through the company’s Three Pillars of Filtration methodology focusing on efficiency, water tightness, and pulse recovery rate to provide your plant the optimal filtration solution. Case histories illustrate the value in adopting Three Pillars.

*ESC/Spectrum

Optimizing your data acquisition system with StackVision: Best practices, sound advice

Andy Taer brings you up to date on the Austin (Tex) company and its data acquisition system software—including StackVision™ and SpectraView® Prism—for continuous emissions monitoring systems.

Products and services, in addition to the DAS software, include the following:

• Software IT services—including hosting, upgrades, and system migration server management.
• Software customer support, documentation, and training services.
• 8864 Data Controller hardware.
• CEMS maintenance and training.
• Stack testing for RATA, permit compliance, and engineering studies.
• Repair and calibration of CEMS equipment.
• Mobile testing systems and parts for CEMS.
• Compliance reporting services.

*Hilco

Coalescer separator, oil mist eliminator help bring fluid contamination problems under control

Two short videos illustrate how the company’s equipment works and the results it offers in terms of water and contaminant removal. Hilco goes beyond filters to provide a full-service fluids-management process—from obtaining samples to analysis to consulting to field service. The total oil maintenance service offered by the company contributes to a reduction in new oil purchases, lower disposal costs, less wear of lubricated parts, and less downtime.

Team Hilco posits that the reliability and efficiency of any filtration system depends chiefly on cartridge quality. The company offers a full line of cartridges for virtually every application— depending on size, filtration efficiency, and dirt-holding capacity. Most fluids serving in powerplants generally can be restored to a like-new condition. Hilco’s world-class laboratory offers a full suite of test capabilities to support industrial filtration and fluid analysis.

*Mercer Thompson LLC and IEM Energy Consultants

Ensuring your LTSA is fit for the future

Many owners are rethinking their LTSAs given the proliferation of renewable resources challenging the operation of traditional fired assets. Jason Yost of Mercer Thompson, a frequent speaker at user-group meetings, and IEM Energy Consultants’ Bill Ray and Craig Nicholson, say contracts negotiated years ago may not be calibrated for future needs. The speakers discuss some of the key areas and potential opportunities to consider, plus steps that can be taken to ensure owners are best positioned to effectively negotiate or renegotiate their LTSAs. Takeaways include negotiating strategies, best practices, and how to avoid common and costly pitfalls in the negotiation process.

*AP+M

“Outage in a Box” consumable kit solution for GE Frame 6B/7E/7F engines

Craig Sonnenberg and Jerrod Walters combined for a deep dive into AP+M’s “Outage in a Box®”—one or more containers containing all the consumables required onsite for maintenance outages. The custom, cost-effective packages are delivered directly to the outage site. Walters and Sonnenberg say the company can provide a wide variety of parts from its global network— including engine, package, and BOP parts and components, inlet evap cooling misting nozzles, inlet filters, etc. Services offered include replacements of control, engine-support, and BOP systems.

*Braden Filtration LLC

Advancements in nanofiber technology for pulse filters

If you’ve ever ordered gas-turbine inlet filters, you likely know the name Mcleod Stephens. He’s been serving users for four decades in management positions at three filter manufacturers. But what you may not know is that in the last year Stephens helped to form Braden Filtration LLC, where he is general manager, after purchasing the manufacturing assets from Braden Manufacturing parent Innova Global.

He discusses how the technology of nanofiber manufacturing and application has improved over the years, and how those changes and improvements—targeted at pulse-type air-inlet systems—came about and why. Takeaways for users include the following:

• How filter life can be impacted positively by new, contemporary nanofiber applications.
• How flow resistance is reduced.
• How pulse-cleaning frequency can improve service life.
• How recent design changes to the media substrates contribute to better performance.

*Bureau Veritas

Adjusting turbine-oil monitoring to the current situation

Jorge Alacorn, senior consultant and thought leader on the subject of “Reliability through Oil Conditioning Monitoring and Predictive Analytics” as applied to maintenance, focuses Texas- based Bureau Veritas’ presentation on how to maximize the life of turbine oil by combining appropriate condition tests based on the application, risk of failure, and plant reliability objectives.

He and colleagues Jeremy Erndt and Barry Cato, help owners/operators: Select the correct oil analysis for their plants.

• Understand the importance of a proper oil analysis.
• Use oil condition monitoring as a predictive tool to avoid a turbine shutdown.

Services offered by the company include oil condition monitoring, plant lubrication audits, boiler and pressure-vessel inspection, ISO 15001 auditing and training, and leak detection.

*Groome Industrial Service Group LLC

AIG tuning and permanent sampling grid

Jeff Bause and Steve Houghton explain how Groome’s turnkey services enable owner/operators to reduce harmful emissions, improve plant performance, and extend the lifetimes of critical equipment. They go on to say the company’s philosophy is simple: Provide quality, innovative services at a reasonable price for its five maintenance service lines—HRSG and refinery maintenance, industrial cleaning and support, surface preparation and coatings, and door and mechanical services.

HRSG maintenance, the service line of greatest interest to 7F users, is supported by strategic alliances with industry experts and catalyst manufacturers to ensure Groome offers the most widely supported and comprehensive turnkey services available in the industry. Specific services include the following:

• SCR catalyst systems.
• CO catalyst
• AIG systems and controls.
• Retrofit and installation.
• Boiler tube
• Industrial coatings.

*Pioneer Motor Bearing Co

The “care and feeding” of fluid-film bearings

Dr Lyle Branagan, Pioneer Motor Bearing’s engineering manager, is well respected in the electric-power community for his deep knowledge of bearings. Branagan’s 7F presentation focuses on damage mechanisms found in fluid-film bearings for motors, turbines, and generators. Topics including theory of operation, bearing design features and materials of construction, and lubrication basics are reviewed in brief at the beginning of the presentation. This information serves as a backgrounder for the ensuing discussion of some typical damage mechanisms observed in today’s bearings—with an eye toward prevention of recurrence and recovery from the problem.

Branagan’s goal is to give attendees the ability to examine post-service bearings with a better perception as to how markings and damage to the bearing surface would affect continued operation and long-term reliability. Owner/operators will come away with an ability to relate those damage markings to some specific degraded conditions in the machine—such as shaft currents and misalignment.

Pioneer Motor Bearing specializes in the repair and service of large oil-lubricated bearings, with a focus on engineering problem-solving. The company, a license of Siemens Energy, GE, and the UK’s Mitchell Bearings, may be best known to users for its Babbitt-bearing repairs, new manufacture, reverse engineering, upgrades and custom designs, and technical support.

*VAW Systems Ltd

Exhaust system retrofit approach

VAW Systems’ core business is the design and manufacture of engineered noise control products for gas turbines, fans, steam vents, and other applications. Dominic Crnkovich and Dennis Seltz introduce owner/operators to the company’s line of silencers, filtration systems, and related components that promise to meet the high performance and quality demands of modern powerplants. The speakers say users can expect high acoustic performance within a relatively small footprint, plus low pressure drop in applications requiring that.

Segments of the presentation likely to be of greatest interest to users is an overview of exhaust- system failures and new challenges, the company’s approach to exhaust-system repair/replacement, and improvements for system longevity.

*National Electric Coil

An improved self-locking amortissuer finger and spring assembly for 7FH2 generator rotors

Bill Harris, NEC’s field services manager for rotating electrical equipment, presents on the importance to generator reliability of the Inconel Spring incorporated into the amortisseur/damper segment of 7FH2 rotors.

The Inconel Spring, he says, is prone to traveling on an axial migration path towards the retaining ring. Migration can lead to blocked cooling passages and the further effects of uneven heating across the rotor. Additionally, if the Inconel Spring makes its way under the retaining ring, damage to retaining-ring insulation can result—possibly even a ground fault.

Harris reviews the mechanisms of spring migration on the rotor components during operation and explains the structure and important function of the rotor’s amortisseur/damping system.

NEC is a company that needs no introduction to most powerplant owner/operators. It specializes in shop and onsite repair and upgrade services for generators and rotating exciters of all makes and models and sizes. NEC also is an experienced winding manufacturer.

*Nord-Lock Group

Coupling-bolt issues and solutions with EzFit

Steve Brown, Nord-Lock’s resident expert on expansion bolts, shows how a technology that has proven effective in critical power-generation applications is eliminating the costly, time- consuming challenge presented by seizure-prone fitted coupling bolts during outages. It highlights recent cases that demonstrate the technology’s value in the field. Plus, it offers preemptive steps that plant personnel can take to minimize flange-bolt faults in future maintenance situations.

Brown presents on the downsides and risks of using conventional bolts for turbine/generator coupling and helps users better understand the principles of mechanical expansion bolts—what they are, how they work, and how they mitigate the problems associated with conventional bolts.

*Rochem Technical Services

Compressor cleaning best practices

Following an introduction by Managing Director Martin Howarth, Steve Engelhoff, a familiar face at user meetings in the US, discusses cleaning best practices based on the company’s technical expertise and field experience. Recall that Rochem offers a range of gas-turbine cleaning systems, precision-designed nozzles, and specialist compressor cleaning chemicals to help keep GTs operating a peak efficiency. The company’s Fyrewash products are designed to address all types of fouling and to meet OEM and environmental standards worldwide.

*Parker Hannifin Gas Turbine Filtration

Inlet air filtration solutions

Paul Barron, North American regional sales manager, and Sales Manager Abby Rowe met users in their virtual booth, updating them on the company’s line of inlet air filters and systems capable of superior performance over a wide range of environmental conditions. They reminded the owner/operators of the company’s two popular brands of filtration products: Altair® and clearcurrent™. Parker’s GT filtration options include the following: cartridge, vCell, pocket or panel filter. Complete gas-turbine inlet filtration systems, including evap coolers, also are offered.

Parker Hannifin was represented in two stands at the 7F Users Group’s virtual Vendor Fair. The company’s line of electrohydraulic servo valves, approved by GE for use on its gas and steam turbines, were promoted in the other booth and profiled earlier in this listing.

*Moog Inc

Conceptual hybrid IGV positioning systems for large GE frame engines

Moog manufactures precision motion-control and positioning systems for gas and steam turbines, but may be known best to powerplant O&M personnel for its servo valves used to control hydraulic cylinders in many power-generation applications. Steve Beddick and Ken Kauppila teamed up to review hybrid electro-hydrostatic positioning systems and how they can be configured to replace the hydraulic IGV actuation systems sometimes associated with operational issues on GE Frame 6 and Frame 7 gas turbines.

*Turbine Logic

Eliminating GT unplanned outages caused by combustion hardware and instrumentation failures

This presentation by Ben Emerson, manager, combustor and hot section, at Turbine Logic, and senior research engineer in Georgia Tech’s School of Aerospace Engineering, introduces a novel combustion-dynamics monitoring algorithm and a case study to demonstrate its successful detection of a gas-turbine combustor fault. Recall that combustor faults can cause expensive damage to both combustor and hot-section components.

These failures often develop from small, insipient faults which product subtle signatures in the combustion-dynamics data. Fault signatures can be detected by advanced monitoring algorithms before parts fail and force the unit out of service.

The algorithm described in the presentation, developed in conjunction with EPRI, blends data analytics with combustion domain expertise. It is fielded on a fleet of frame units and has caught several faults at sufficiently early stages to plan repairs without a forced outage. Emerson presents an overview of the algorithm’s core logic, enumerates the types of faults that the algorithm commonly catches, and closes with a detailed case history.

*AP+M

T2020 bi-phase compressor cleaner

AP+M had two booths at the 7F Users Group’s virtual Vendor Fair. The company’s “Outage in a Box” consumable kit solution for GE Frame 6B, 7E, and 7F engines was summarized earlier in this listing. The company’s compressor cleaning solution is the subject here.

Craig Sonnenberg and Jerrod Walters connected for a deep dive into the features of the company’s water-based T2020 bi-phase compressor cleaner, an advanced product with solvent cleaner characteristics but without the hazards associated with solvent cleaners.

*Liburdi Turbine Services

Case study of previously repaired 7FA first-stage turbine buckets

Justin Kuipers, a senior materials engineer with deep experience in gas-turbine component analysis and repair development, discusses the results of metallurgical analyses performed on four 7FA+e first-stage buckets. Each airfoil had been repaired by a different vendor using a different approach. The metallurgical condition and extent of the prior repairs are presented for each of the buckets following one additional service interval.

The 7FA+e presents demanding repair requirements. The first-stage bucket employs a hollow design with serpentine cooling passages, showerhead cooling along the leading edge, a tip cover plate, and welded and brazed details within the cooling passages. Such enhanced design features are conducive to challenging repairs with narrow tolerances—that is, less room for error. This calls for an increased reliance on metallurgical analysis for evaluating component condition, repair requirements, and qualification of repair results.

Key takeaways for users include the following:

• 7FA first-stage buckets have characteristic damage modes.
• Different shops have different repair strategies and processes, resulting in a range of possible outcomes from high-risk operation to good-as-new performance.
• Internal coatings must be replaced to achieve multiple repair cycles.
• Various heat treatments are used in repairs and they are important to understand.
• Know the critical quality-control steps in component repair and how to reliably extend the service lives of valuable components.

*Strategic Power Systems Inc

Powerplant analytics and optimization

Salvatore A DellaVilla Jr, founder and CEO of SPS is one of relatively few industry executives who needs no introduction. His deep knowledge of gas turbines goes back to the ordering boom that followed the Great Northeast Blackout of 1965. Most recently, DellaVilla was appointed managing director of the Gas Turbine Association.

His presentation at the virtual Vendor Fair was about ORAP®, Strategic Power Systems’ powerful database system that allows for the capture of data from powerplants operating worldwide and provides the value-added tools to support effective O&M decision-making. Every powerplant requires data to make informed decisions and to satisfy its numerous reporting requirements, DellaVilla says. While a tremendous amount data are available, organizing it, and then transforming it into actionable information can be difficult and time-consuming. That’s what ORAP does.

Case histories incorporated into the presentation highlight ways owner/operators have used ORAP to create an information architecture within their businesses—including RAM, KPIs, and benchmarking; critical- and capital-parts planning, and automation to optimize time and productivity.

Listen to DellaVilla and come away with the following:

• How to use data and analytics to drive down costs and improve productivity.
• Satisfy all management, ISO/NERC GADS, and other reporting requirements with one set of data.
• Benchmarking: Learn how you stack up against your peers.
• Optimize your availability: Use data to stop issues before they happen. Ensure knowledge transfer and consistency across multiple plants.
• Transparency and lessons learned: Don’t repeat mistakes.
• Identify problems in the fleet that you might not have experienced yet.
• Have a complete perspective of your serialized parts—in operating units and inventory— including ageing over time.

*C C Jensen, Oil Maintenance

Remote oil condition monitoring as a CBM tool including varnish—an update

Has Axel Wegner ever missed an opportunity to speak before a group of powerplant owner/operators about his passion—lube-oil condition monitoring and filtration? Certainly not in the last 10 years. If you have not listened to the solutions-oriented chemical engineer and want to learn how to deal effectively with the following problems:

• Turbine oil varnish.
• Particles and water in lube oil.
• Bacteria, diesel bugs, fungi, particles, and water in backup diesel storage tanks for dual-fuel plants.

Listen to the presentation he recorded for the 7F 2020 virtual Vendor Fair. You might even consider showing it to the plant O&M staff during a lunch-and-learn session.

Wegner points out that the “right” condition-monitoring and filtration system for any machine and oil type allows you to identify problems remotely and to take action before problems occur.

Badger Industries

Consolidate exhaust-system maintenance to reduce costs and maximize runtime

Operations Manager Matt Long and Field Service Manager Gary Neimann team up to highlight Badger’s service options for streamlining the maintenance of exhaust-system components from the turbine to the HRSG. Highlights of the presentation include these:

• The value proposition for upgrading the flex seal rather than opting for the OEM’s leaf seal replacement.
• Repairs available for the A042 diffuser duct for increased thermal efficiency and longer life.
• Single-source provider for expansion joints and service labor.

The company’s products/services include the following: turbine exhaust expansion joint, 7F flex-seal upgrade, A042 diffuser duct, HRSG inlet expansion joint, pipe penetration seals, thermographic analysis, and failure analysis.

Emerson Automation Solutions

Advanced condition monitoring with Ovation

Jason King, machinery health solutions manager, discusses how turbomachinery protection and condition monitoring can be accomplished on the same platform as the turbine controls, providing automated diagnostics to operators without requiring them to learn vibration analysis. For vibration analysts, onsite or at a remote diagnostics center, full-featured analysis capability is possible while still meeting cybersecurity requirements.

SVI Dynamics

Defining and implementing SCR improvements on gas-turbine exhaust

Stringent regulations on NOx, CO, and ammonia slip are dictating the need for highly efficient SCR systems. Although CO and SCR catalyst designs are advancing to meet these new regulations, SCR system designs are not always equipped to manage the performance requirement improvements.

Industry veteran Bill Gretta, SVI Dynamics’ SCR product-line director, understands. His company, he says, has incorporated years of knowledge and experience gained from work on SCRs manufactured by all of the major vendors into SVI’s new SCR. If new is not optimal, SVI can provide in-depth analysis of your SCR to suggest enhancements that will improve reliability and efficiency.

Part of Gretta’s presentation illustrates the benefits of CFD modeling in guiding performance upgrades. He also explains how SVI would conduct a design review of your system and how to develop a PM inspection plan for your SCR.

JASC Controls

Pitfalls to avoid for enhanced liquid-fuel-system reliability

Schuyler McElrath, one of the electric-power industry’s leading experts on liquid fuel systems for gas turbines, has new product development as one of his responsibilities at JASC Controls. His presentation simplifies the complexity inherent in liquid fuel systems and focuses on what design features owner/operators should be aware of to assure reliable starts on oil, reliable transfers from gas to oil, and vice versa, and reliable operation on both fuels. McElrath stresses that while some issues can be addressed with hardware upgrades, system infrastructure changes are an equally important part of the performance improvement process.

ARNOLD Group

Advanced steam-turbine-casing warming for startup

ARNOLD is perhaps best known globally for the insulation systems it provides for all types/designs of gas and steam turbines. Outside North America it is equally well known for its onsite turbine machining services. Turbine warming systems have matured as product line in the last several years given the need for gas and steam turbines to start faster to satisfy grid requirements.

Pierre Ansmann, the company’s global head of marketing, and Norman Gagnon, ARNOLD’s North American project manager, provide users a primer on turbine warming systems. Their presentation covers the following:

• Maintenance and operational benefits for individual customers.
• Differences between various warming-system arrangements.
• Durability and reliability.
• The importance of proper insulation for a warming system.
• Warming-system controls.
• Cost and duration of initial installation and periodic maintenance.

Sulzer

A look inside Sulzer Turbo Services

Michael Andrepont, GM operations (gas turbines), and Jim Neurohr, area sales manager, take you on a 6-min tour of Sulzer Turbo Services’ Houston shop and explain the company’s capabilities regarding the 7FA—including HGP component, combustion hardware, and fuel- nozzle repairs, field services, rotor life evaluation, LTSAs, etc. Sulzer is one of the world’s leading independent service providers in the repair and maintenance of all makes and models of industrial gas and steam turbines, compressors, and expanders. It offers a wide range of manufacturing, engineering, reconditioning, balancing, and coating services.

HRST Inc

GT upgrades: Low-load impact on HRSGs

Anand Gopa Kumar, who leads HRST’s Analysis Dept, provides users critical insights on how increasing the turndown capability of their gas turbines to provide the operational flexibility required in many areas of the country today may impact the HRSG. He identifies areas within the boiler at risk of exceeding their design capabilities and possibly susceptible to long-term damage. Kumar also suggests modifications to the HRSG and associated equipment (including attemperators, internal liners, superheater tubes, steam separators, etc) to enable the desired turndown with minimal risk.

MD&A

7FA component lifetime extension

José Quiñones, PE, director of engineering for MD&A’s San Antonio Service Center, the company’s gas-turbine parts service facility, presents a tutorial on the life-limiting factors of hot- gas-path components. Included are typical steps to follow when conducting a lifetime-extension project. Plus, the upgrades, mods, and improvements—including advanced coatings—you should consider to extend the lifetimes of critical parts.

Gas Path Solutions LLC

Exhaust-diffuser relining and upgrades

Brian Nason, business manager, and Michael Busack, sales and field services manager, discuss the reconditioning services and upgrades offered for 7FA exhaust diffusers manufactured by C&W Fabricators, Quest, Braden, and others. Among the company’s replacement solutions: inlet flex seal joint, outlet expansion joint, and internal free-floating liner system. Turnkey installation is provided.

Koenig Engineering Inc

Everything you should know about turning gears but don’t

Tim Connor, aftermarket sales and field service manager, reviews findings from turning-gear teardown inspections, highlighting common failure modes and how to avoid them. An in-depth review of turning-gear operation and major components is especially beneficial for plant personnel with limited experience. Finally, Connor offers an action plan for ensuring long-term turbine starting and rolling reliability.

ExxonMobil

Pushing the needle: New strategies to improve gas-turbine energy efficiency through lubrication

Lubrication experts Mike Galloway, Jim Hannon, and Charlie Smith show how oils offering energy-efficiency benefits can improve your bottom line. They dig into the technical science and offer field and lab data to quantify the value of advanced lubrication strategies.

EagleBurgmann Industries LP

Expansion-joint maintenance from an owner/utility perspective

Mark Ahonen, aftermarket sales manager, provides an in-depth look at the 7FA exhaust joint— covering maintenance, repairs, upgrades, and a general owner’s guide of critical areas to monitor.