Automated tuning of gas turbine combustion systems

Abstract

A system for tuning the operation of a gas turbine is provided based on measuring operational parameters of the turbine and directing adjustment of operational controls for various operational elements of the turbine. A controller is provided for communicating with sensors and controls within the system. The controller receiving operational data from the sensors and comparing the data to stored operational standards to determining if turbine operation conforms to the standards. The controller then communicates selected adjustment in an operational parameter of the turbine. The controller then receives additional operational data from the sensors to determine if an additional adjustment is desired or is adjustment is desired of a further selected operational parameter.

1 . A system for tuning the operation of a gas turbine, the turbine having sensors for measuring operational parameters of the turbine, the operational parameters including combustor dynamics, and turbine exhaust emissions, the turbine also having operational controls for adjusting various operational control elements of the turbine, the operational control elements comprising one or more of turbine fuel distribution splits, inlet fuel temperature, and fuel-air ratio, and a communication link for the sensors and controls, the system comprising:
 a controller communicating with the sensors and the controls, the controller tuning the operation of the turbine in accordance with the following:
 receiving real-time or near real-time operational data regarding the operational parameters including combustor dynamics and turbine exhaust emissions from the sensors, 
 comparing the operational data to stored operational standards and determining if turbine operation conforms to the operational standards, the operational standards based on one or more tuning priorities, 
 communicating with the operational controls to perform a selected adjustment in an operational control element of the turbine, 
 receiving operational data from the sensors upon communicating the selected adjustment to determine if an additional incremental adjustment is desired, and 
 upon completing a series of incremental adjustments, selecting a further operational parameter adjustment, and 
 receiving operational data from the sensors upon further operational adjustment to determine if still further adjustment is desired. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustments in the operational control elements of the turbine are selected from the group comprising combustor fuel distribution split within the nozzles of the combustor, fuel gas inlet temperature, and fuel-air ratio within the turbine. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the tuning by the controller further comprises setting the one or more tuning priorities for turbine operation, the one or more tuning priorities comprising one or more of optimum NOx emissions, optimum power output and optimum combustor dynamics. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the tuning by the controller further comprises selecting the stored operational standards for the turbine operation based on the set tuning priorities. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the tuning by the controller further comprises determining the dominant tuning criteria for non-conforming operation of the turbine, the dominant tuning criteria based on the set tuning priorities. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller communicates with the turbine sensors and controls through a distribution control system (DCS). 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller selects an operational control element adjustment having a fixed incremental value. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the incremental control element adjustments selected by the controller occur within a defined range. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein each incremental adjustment is input over a defined period of time sufficient for the turbine to gain operational stability. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the defined period of time is fixed. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the tuning by the controller further comprises determining the dominant tuning criteria for non-conforming operation of the turbine, the dominant tuning criteria based on the set tuning priorities for the turbine. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the selected incremental adjustment of an operational control element value is based on the dominant tuning criteria. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the further selected adjustment includes a fixed incremental value occurring within a defined range, with each further incremental adjustment made over a set period of time sufficient for the turbine to gain operational stability. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the further operational parameter is selected based on a dominant tuning criteria as determined by the controller. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the tuning by the controller further comprises specifying the optimum power output, wherein the specifying comprises selecting or de-selecting the optimum power output and wherein the specifying operates to change the stored operational standards. 
     
     
         16 . A controller system for tuning the operation of a gas turbine, the turbine having sensor means for measuring operational parameters of the turbine, the operational parameters including stack emissions and combustion dynamics from the turbine, control means for controlling various operational control elements of the turbine, the operational control elements comprising one or more of fuel distribution splits, fuel-air ratio and inlet fuel temperature, and a communication link for the sensor means and the operational element control means, the controller system comprising:
 means for setting tuning priorities of the turbine for turbine operation, the one or more tuning priorities comprising one or more of the group comprising optimum NOx emissions, optimum power output and optimum combustor dynamics,   receiving means for communicating with the sensor means to receive turbine operational data in real-time or near real-time,   means for comparing the received data to a set of predetermined allowable values based on the set tuning priorities and for determining whether tuning adjustment is required,   directing means for communicating with the control means to perform a defined incremental adjustment in a selected operational control element controlled by the control means, and   means for determining if the incremental adjustment conforms the turbine operation to the set values or if performing further adjustment is required.   
     
     
         17 . A system for tuning the operation of a gas turbine, the turbine having sensor means for measuring operational parameters of the turbine, the operational parameters including stack emissions, and combustion dynamics control means for controlling various operational control elements of the turbine, the operational control elements comprising one or more of fuel distribution splits, inlet fuel temperature and fuel-air ratio, and a communication link between the sensor means and the operational element control means, the system comprising:
 a computer controller communicating through the communication link to the sensor means and the control means, the computer controller tuning the operation of the turbine in accordance with the following
 receiving operational data from the turbine sensor means in real-time or near real-time, 
 comparing the operational data to stored operational standards and determining if adjustment of the operational control means is necessary, 
 upon determination of a required adjustment, communicating with the operational control means through the communication link to perform a defined incremental adjustment in an operational parameter of the turbine, and 
 receiving operational data from the turbine sensor means regarding the adjusted operation of the turbine and comparing the operational data to the stored operational standards to determine if a further incremental adjustment in an operational parameter is necessary. 
   
     
     
         18 . A method of tuning the operation of a gas turbine, the turbine having sensors for measuring operational parameters of the turbine, the operational parameters including stack emissions and combustion dynamics, controls for controlling various operational control elements of the turbine, the operational control elements comprising one or more of fuel distribution splits, inlet fuel temperature and fuel-air ratio, and a distributed control system (DCS) communicating with the sensor means and the operational element control means, the method comprising:
 establishing a communication link with the DCS and receiving data regarding the operational parameters from the sensors,   comparing data received in real-time or near real-time to set standards to determine if adjustment to an operational control element is desired,   communicating with the DCS to perform a defined incremental adjustment in an operational control element of the turbine that is controlled by the controls, and   receiving additional data through the DCS regarding the operational parameters of the turbine from the sensors and determining if the adjustment conforms turbine operation to the set standards or if a further incremental adjustment is desired.