Dresser-Rand unveils latest module for real-time gas turbine performance monitoring
Dresser-Rand, a global supplier of rotating equipment solutions to the oil, gas, petrochemical, and process industries, has announced the availability of its Envision gas turbine performance module.
The module is designed to assist operators and field service personnel in their day-to-day operation of General Electric aero derivative gas turbines, the company said.
This is accomplished by gathering and analyzing real-time data to calculate thermodynamic performance, Dresser-Rand explained. The outputs of the module are ISO reference corrected and humidity corrected, specifically for the General Electric LM series gas turbines.
"The [module] facilitates the optimal management of gas turbines. Its development was based on decades of packaging experience with the GE LM2500 to accurately calculate turbine performance as if it were on a Dresser-Rand factory test stand," said Dan Levin, general manager for Dresser-Rand’s control systems business. "It facilitates the effective planning for operational and maintenance activities ahead of a planned shutdown."
Dresser-Rand’s latest module provides two direct benefits to the GE LM2500 gas turbine generator set, it said. First, it lowers operating costs. The real-time monitoring of gas turbine performance can help ensure a generator set operates at peak efficiency. Recognizing indications of performance degradation early allows for prompt corrective action to prevent excessive energy/fuel usage and reduced turbine life, the company said.
Second, it provides predictive maintenance capabilities that are crucial in identifying performance degradation from irregularities like turbine compressor fouling, imbalanced fuel nozzles, compressor rotating stall, expander efficiency degradation, and exhaust pressure drop.
"Users can assess the engine’s performance relative to OEM-determined predictions," Levin said. "With this information, operational and maintenance activities can be planned in advance of a scheduled shutdown.
“Users can also reduce the impact on production and decide what corrective actions are needed before servicing the turbine,” he added. “This is crucial for the optimal functioning of General Electric aero derivatives."
The module also adds value by allowing for the optimization of an engine’s maintenance schedule, Dresser-Rand said. With lower costs from fewer maintenance intervals and the increased turbine runtime, the total cost savings from maintenance optimization could be significant.
One of the module’s key advantages is providing comprehensive information in various forms. Users can select from multiple graph formats or create trends from stored data, and alerts can be sent to designated e-mail addresses. All graphs, data and views are available remotely through a web client interface from anywhere in the world.
The architecture of the module is open, supporting OPC and DDE servers. It is flexible and simultaneously monitors multiple trains, even when controlled by different processors and control systems, the company said.
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