This paper discusses development, installation, and analysis of instrumentation systems for reliably measuring casing, thermal distortion, and alignment deviation on a large combustion turbine in power utility service. A variety of redundant measurement systems were installed to document casing distortion during the cooldown period after firing. The operating principles of each measurement system are described and presented with the rationale developed for installing and locating sensors. A vertical deflection sensor used for casing bow and bearing misalignment measurement is highlighted in the paper to illustrate its potential for use in other investigations. Additional sensors used include an array of shaft proximity probes, blade tip proximity probes, thermocouples, and axial growth probes. A measurement system for casing ovalization was developed using LVDTs mounted from a thermally stabilized ring. An automated data acquisition system was developed and installed to facilitate the recording of turbine cool-down events over the complete operating season without the need for constant on-site attention. Preliminary results define the turbine cylinder bow and ovalization response during the cool-down event following normal unit operation and correlated casing distortions with thermal gradients.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
January 1994
Research Papers
Tools for Diagnosing Case Deflections and Alignment on a Power Utility Combustion Turbine
H. R. Simmons,
H. R. Simmons
Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio, TX 78228
Search for other works by this author on:
A. J. Smalley,
A. J. Smalley
Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio, TX 78228
Search for other works by this author on:
R. W. Frischmuth,
R. W. Frischmuth
Electric Power Research Institute, Palo Alto, CA 94303
Search for other works by this author on:
G. Robinson
G. Robinson
Westinghouse Electric Corp., Orlando, FL 32826
Search for other works by this author on:
H. R. Simmons
Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio, TX 78228
A. J. Smalley
Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio, TX 78228
R. W. Frischmuth
Electric Power Research Institute, Palo Alto, CA 94303
G. Lapini
CISE, Segrate, Italy
G. Robinson
Westinghouse Electric Corp., Orlando, FL 32826
J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power. Jan 1994, 116(1): 190-197 (8 pages)
Published Online: January 1, 1994
Article history
Received:
February 20, 1992
Online:
April 24, 2008
Citation
Simmons, H. R., Smalley, A. J., Frischmuth, R. W., Lapini, G., and Robinson, G. (January 1, 1994). "Tools for Diagnosing Case Deflections and Alignment on a Power Utility Combustion Turbine." ASME. J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power. January 1994; 116(1): 190–197. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2906791
Download citation file:
Get Email Alerts
Cited By
Rigid Mode Vibration Control for 250 HP Air Compressor System With Integrated Hybrid Air-Foil Magnetic Thrust Bearing (i-HFMTB)
J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power (April 2024)
On the Flow Physics During the Transition of a Variable Pitch Fan From Nominal Operation to Reverse Thrust Mode
J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power (April 2024)
Related Articles
Aerodynamics and Heat Transfer for a Cooled One and One-Half Stage High-Pressure Turbine—Part I: Vane Inlet Temperature Profile Generation and Migration
J. Turbomach (January,2012)
A Fiber-Optic Tip-Shroud Deflection Measurement System
J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power (April,2001)
Laser-Optical Blade Tip Clearance Measurement System
J. Eng. Power (April,1981)
Heat Transfer Study in a Linear Turbine Cascade Using a Thermal Boundary Layer Measurement Technique
J. Heat Transfer (October,2007)
Related Chapters
Managing Energy Resources from within the Corporate Information Technology System
Industrial Energy Systems
Introduction
Computer Vision for Structural Dynamics and Health Monitoring
Introduction
Consensus on Operating Practices for Control of Water and Steam Chemistry in Combined Cycle and Cogeneration