Gas Turbine Technology and Planned Optimization of Combined Cycle Power Plants

October 15-19 2007
Tel 713-807-0888 * Fax 713-807-0088

Email: mpboyce@boycepower.com

Course to be held at:
Institution of Mechanical Engineers
One Birdcage Walk, Westminster, London, SW1H 9JJ (map)
Tel: 020 7973 1248 . Fax: 020 7304 6914

View Hotel Booking Information

Introduction

This four-day course deals with the design and general operation and maintenance characteristics of Gas and Steam Turbines in a combined cycle power plant, with emphasis on the major plant components and the performance of the plant.  Overall design and operation concepts along with basic operation and maintenance problems for the various pieces of TurboMachinery (Gas Turbines, Steam Turbines, and Boiler Feed Water Pumps) are discussed.  Discussions and design parameters of the Heat Recovery and Steam Generating (HRSG) systems, the feed water heaters and the Condensers are also included. 

Planned Optimization of the Combined Cycle Plant for maximum efficiency and power is emphasized throughout the course.  Cycle efficiency and part load characteristics are discussed in depth.

An emphasis is placed on providing practical information with minimal theory.  This course is aimed at engineers and operational personnel who need a broad-based introduction to practical optimization, operation and design considerations of a major Combined Cycle Power Plant.  Discussion throughout the course especially of plant problems and optimization by the participants with the instructor and amongst themselves is encouraged so as to maximize the course experience.

The course includes the text books, coffee breaks and lunches.

Course Benefits

• Improved job performance and decision making capabilities where plant operations are involved
• Integrated understanding of practical plant machinery, design, operation, and maintenance requirements
• Unbiased technology transfer between participants

Course Notes

Gas Turbine Engineering Handbook, 3rd Edition
Handbook for Cogeneration and Combined Cycle Power Plants

The text books for this course will be the just released third edition of “ The Gas Turbine Engineering Handbook” and “ The Handbook for Cogeneration and Combined Cycle Power Plants”, second printing both authored by Dr. Boyce, who will be teaching this course.  This event is a CPD certified event under the Institution of Diesel and Gas Turbine Engineers.

Course Schedule

All attendees are required to register at the Registration Desk at One Birdcage Walk at 8:30 a.m. on the first day of the course. The course times are:

Tuesday        -  9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday   -  9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Thursday       -  9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Friday            -  9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Course Overview

Day 1

Gas Turbine Technology Overview

Various types and sizes of gas turbines used in the Power and Petrochemical industry are discussed.  Operation characteristics of the plants to operate at part load while maximizing efficiency is emphasized both for combined cycle applications and petrochemical compressor drives.

Power Augmentation

Methods of increasing cycle efficiency and the output power are studied, such as inlet evaporative and refrigeration cooling, interstage cooling, water and steam injection.  State of the art developments in gas turbine technology are reviewed, especially the characteristics of operating gas turbines over a large operating range while maximizing the performance of the entire system.

High Efficiency Maintenance

Maintaining high efficiency at part load operations is a challenge and thus this will include the examination of techniques which will allow the gas turbines at off design loads to operate at its maximum, within the entire plant system ensuring high operating efficiency of all components.

Cycle Analysis

Analysis of various types of cycles including intercooled, reheat and regeneration cycles, combined cycles, cogeneration cycles and optimization of the cycle based on the performance of the various components will be discussed.

DAY 2

Advanced Gas Turbine Characteristics

This day is devoted to the examination of design changes in Advanced Gas Turbines, from changes in cycle characteristics, to changes in design characteristics of compressor and turbine blading, high inlet temperatures, increased pressure ratios, new DLN combustors for low NOx characteristics

Axial Flow Compressors and Turbines

Key aero-thermodynamic considerations of axial and centrifugal compressors are covered including the effect of surge on gas turbine operation.  This section also covers mechanical, performance and aerodynamic aspects of gas turbines, including new cooling schemes for gas turbines to operate at turbine inlet temperatures of 1350ºC -1450ºC.

Combustors and Fuels

A description of combustor types, chamber design, fuel atomization, ignition and combustor arrangements are presented.  Dry low NOx Combustors and their problems with “Flash Back” will be discussed.  Fuel treatment of natural gas and other fuels before using them in the gas turbine will be studied, to ensure that the turbine combustion will meet specifications covering emissions and ensuring maximum combustion liner life.

Materials Metallurgy and Coatings

This covers the material aspects of gas turbine blading, turbine wheel alloys, and future materials are discussed.  Common failure modes and cases are presented.  Coatings as applied to both the Hot Section Components and the compressor will also be discussed under this section.

Day 3

Steam Turbine Technology

The design of the Steam Turbines will be undertaken in this section.  The design of the High Pressure Turbine, which is usually an impulse turbine, will be discussed and the IP and LP turbines, which are usually reaction turbines, will also be studied separately

HRSG Technology

The study of the HRSG will be undertaken in conjunction with the Feed Water Heaters, Dearators, and Economizers, Plus the Preheaters, Evaporators, and Superheaters of each stage.  A study of the Temperature distribution as a function of the Heat input is also studied with various optimization techniques to assure maximum effectiveness of the HRSG.

Condensers

A study of the Condensers and the computation of the degree of fouling will be examined.  The study will include techniques of computing the fouling in the tubes and the quality of the steam entering the unit.  The effect of the fouling on the condenser pressure and the effect of that pressure on the entire Power output of the plant.

Feed Water Pumps  

The design characteristic of the feed water pumps will be undertaken.  Most of these pumps have centrifugal impellers and so a study of the flow in these impellers will be conducted and the performance characteristics of these pumps will be studied.

Day 4
Combined Cycle Plant Performance

Performance computations will be as per various ASME PTC Codes.  Techniques for computing performance of the advanced gas turbines in design and off design operation and in combined cycle modes will be studied.  Most new advanced gas turbines operate at very high turbine firing temperatures.  Thus variation in this firing temperature significantly affects the performance and life of the components in the hot section of the turbine.  The compressor pressure ratio is high which leads to a very narrow operation margin, thus making the turbine very susceptible to compressor fouling.  The turbine is also very sensitive to backpressure exerted on it by the heat recovery steam generator.  The pressure drop through the air filter and dirty compressors also results in major deterioration of the performance of the turbine, thus emphasis will be placed on this computation.

Instrumentation and Condition Monitoring

An overview of techniques and instrumentation used for monitoring and diagnostics of gas turbines is presented.  Techniques covering diagnostics based on performance and mechanical characteristics will be discussed.  Systems for gas turbines will be analyzed.

Case Histories

Case histories of various types of turbine failures and maintenance problems of gas turbines used in various operations from power plants to offshore compressor installations are discussed.  The student is acquainted with the many types of failures that occur in gas turbines, and to the reasons that cause the problems.

Course Testimonials

“This presentation covers detailed design considerations of Combustion Turbines and is valuable for CT owners”
-Lew Simpson, Tacoma Power, USA

“There is no replacement for experience. The best you can do is to learn as you can from one who has such experience. Boyce has extensive experience and the willingness to share it.”
-Andrew R. Mech, Rose –Hulman Institute of Technology, USA

“Dr. Boyce combines basic theory with real-world experience to create a high intensity learning experience”
-William Barnes LG&E Power Inc., USA

“Dr. Boyce is very knowledgeable about turbines of all types and associated systems.  He covers the theoretical very clearly and then moves to actual industry examples to provide real world context-excellent presentation style. He helped me fully understand several concepts that I had not fully comprehended prior to this course”
-Ross Hammond—NRG Energy,  USA

“Very Good Technically and Practically”
-Greg Carter, Mechanical Engineer, Woodside Energy Ltd., Australia

“Great Opportunity to find all the answers that new technologies generate.”  
-Julio Gomez, Plant Manager, Energea Cogeneracion y Termico, Tortosa, Spain

“An Excellent Course with many topics presented in great detail” 
-Stephen Watkiss, Performance Engineer, Enron Power Operations, Teeside, U.K.

“An Excellent Program  for Engineers involved in the design and Operation of TurboMachinery and Power Plants”
-Stephen Bodle, Project Engineer, Conoco Global Power Ltd., London U.K.

“Absolutely Excellent, Never Miss”
-N. Ramachandra Kamath, Plant Manager, P.T. Dian Swastik, Sentosa, Indonesia.

Course Instructor

Dr. Meherwan P. Boyce, P.E., Fellow ASME & IDGTE; has over 35 years of experience in the field of TurboMachinery in both industry and academia. His industrial experience covers 20 years as Chairman and CEO of Boyce Engineering International, and five years as a designer of compressors and turbines for gas turbines for various gas turbine manufacturers. His academic experience covers a 15 year period, which includes the position of Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M University and Founder of the TurboMachinery Laboratories and The TurboMachinery Symposium, which is now in its thirthyfourth year. He is the author of several books such as the Gas Turbine Engineering Handbook, third edition (Elsevier), Handbook for Cogeneration & Combined Cycle Power Plants (ASME Press), and Centrifugal Compressors, A Basic Guide (PennWell Books).  He is a contributor to several Handbooks; his latest contribution is to the Perry’s Chemical Engineering Handbook Seventh Edition (McGraw Hill) in the areas of Transport and Storage of Fluids, and Gas Turbines. Dr. Boyce has taught over 100 short courses around the world attended by over 3000 students representing over 400 Companies.  He is a Consultant to the Aerospace, Petrochemical and Utility Industries globally, and is a much-requested speaker at Universities and Conferences throughout the world.

Dr. Boyce has authored more than 100 technical papers and reports on Gas Turbines, Compressors Pumps, Fluid Mechanics, and TurboMachinery.  He is a Fellow of the ASME, and the Institute of Diesel and Gas Turbine Engineers, U.K., and member of SAE, NSPE and several other professional and honorary societies.  He is also a registered professional engineer in the State of Texas.

Dr. Boyce received a B.S. and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and the State University of New York, respectively, and Ph.D. (Aerospace & Mechanical engineering) from the University of Oklahoma.

Course Policies