Gas Turbines- Ignition system

Introduction
Subsystems and accessories are
separate from the main gas turbine
engine assembly.
This lecture presents information on
three gas turbine engine subsystems
and accessories:
ignition system
accessory drives (gearbox)
vibration monitoring system
Subsystems and accessories are essential for gas turbine engine operation.
The first subsystem discussed is the ignition system.
Ignition System
Gas Turbines- Ignition system
The purpose of the ignition
system is to supply a spark to
ignite the fuel/air mixture in
the combustion chambers.
A typical ignition system
consists of the following
components:
igniter plugs or spark plugs
transformers or ignition
exciter
ignition leads
Ignition System: Purpose & Components
Gas Turbines- Ignition system
G.E. Ignition System
Components (Contd. )
Ignition system components and
operation differ among manufacturers.
However, the purpose of the system is
the same.
We will look at the components and
operation of typical ignition systems used
by General Electric (G.E.) and Solar.
We begin with the G.E. ignition system.
Gas Turbines- Ignition system
The components used in a
typical G.E. ignition system
are:
igniter plugs
transformers
ignition leads
Gas Turbines- Ignition system
Components: Igniter
Plug & Transformer
An igniter plug is usually installed in
two of the combustion chambers.
When ignition occurs, a high-
intensity spark jumps across the air
gap of the ignitor plug. This spark
initiates combustion in the
combustion chamber.
The G.E. ignition system has two
transformer units and two leads to
the igniter plugs. ( Contd.)
Gas Turbines- Ignition system
Components: Igniter
Plug & Transformer
The two transformer units may be
separate or housed in one unit.
After a normal start-up, ignition is no
longer needed and the ignition
system is deactivated.
After lightoff, the flame in the
combustor is the ignition source for
continuous combustion.
Gas Turbines- Ignition system
Components: Igniter
Plugs
Gas turbine igniter plugs differ from
the spark plugs of reciprocating
engines.
The air gap at the igniter plug tip is
much wider, and the electrode is
designed for a much higher intensity
spark.
(Contd.)
Gas Turbines- Ignition system
Components: Igniter Plugs
An igniter plug is less likely to foul because
the high energy spark removes carbon or
other deposits when the plug fires.
Igniter plug shells are made of high quality
alloy, and the center electrode may be
tungsten or iridium. These are all highly
wear-resistant materials.
Igniter plugs are usually much more
expensive than spark plugs.
Gas Turbines- Ignition system
Components: Igniter Plugs
The hot end of the igniter plug is usually air
cooled to keep it 500F to 600F cooler than
the gas temperature.
This cooler temperature helps to prevent
corrosion.
Next we focus on the ignition system
components used by Solar.
Gas Turbines- Ignition system
Solar Ignition System
Components (Contd.)
Solar gas turbines use a torch ignition
system consisting of:
ignition exciter
shielded cable spark plug lead
spark plug
The ignition exciter is mounted in a box on
the gas turbine base.
The exciter is connected to the spark plug
by a cable or lead.
Gas Turbines- Ignition system
Solar Ignition System Components
The exciter is operated by 24 volt DC power.
This power is changed to AC and then is
stepped up, which charges a storage capacitor.
When the capacitor charge reaches its
discharge value, the capacitor discharges
through the spark plug cable to the spark plug.
Exciter output is approximately 18,000 volts. Up
to fifteen sparks per second are produced as
long as the exciter is energized.
Gas Turbines- Ignition system
Components: Igniter Torch
The spark plug is installed in the igniter
torch.
The igniter torch extends through the
combustor outer liner.
A small, controlled amount of gas is sent to
the tip of the spark plug electrode.
The spark jumps across the spark plug
electrode's air gap and ignites the gas,
creating a torch flame.
This torch flame flares into the combustion
liner to provide positive lightoff of the fuel/air
mixture in the combustor.
Gas Turbines- Ignition system
Ignition System
Maintenance
Procedures (Contd.)
In ignition systems, the term high
intensity means that the electrical
charge can be lethal.
Because the electrical charge can be
lethal, ignition systems require special
maintenance and handling according
to the manufacturer's instructions.
Gas Turbines- Ignition system
Typical maintenance procedures
include the following:
Ensure that system power is locked out
before performing any maintenance on the
system.
To remove the igniter plug, disconnect the
transformer input lead, wait the time specified
by the manufacturer (usually 1 to 5 minutes),
then disconnect the igniter lead and ground
the center electrode to the engine to discharge
the capacitor.
Gas Turbines- Ignition system
Ignition System
Maintenance
Procedures (Contd.)
Use caution when handling
damaged transformer units that
are hermetically sealed. Some
transformers contain radioactive
material.
Before performing a firing test
of igniters, ensure that the
combustor is free of fuel. A fire
or explosion could result.
Gas Turbines- Ignition system
Ignition System Maintenance
Procedures
Do not energize the system for
troubleshooting when the igniter plugs are
removed. Transformer damage may occur.
Discard all igniter plugs that have been
dropped. Internal damage can occur that
is not detectable by inspection or testing.
Use a new gasket when the plug is
reinstalled. The gasket provides a good
current path to ground.
Gas Turbines- Ignition system
Accessory Drives:
Purpose
The next topic discussed is accessory
drives. We will look at the typical
accessory drives for both G.E. and
Solar.
Gas turbine accessory drive systems
provide gear reduction and mounting
pads for accessories needed for
engine operation.
( Contd.)
Gas Turbines- Ignition system
Accessory Drives: Purpose
Some of these accessories are the oil
pumps, hydraulic pump, fuel pump,
and starting means interface.
The primary purpose of the accessory
drive is to provide a means to drive
each accessory at the proper speed
and to connect and disconnect the
engine from its starting device.
The figure shows a typical G.E.
accessory drive assembly.
Gas Turbines- Ignition system
G.E. Accessory Drive
The accessory drive gear is driven by a
shaft that meshes with a helical gear
driven by the main rotor shaft.
The gearbox is usually located at the
front (forward) or the rear (aft) of the
gas turbine engine, depending on the
engine inlet or exhaust arrangements.
G.E. describes its typical accessory
drive system as the main link between
the gas turbine and the drive
components of the starting system.
Gas Turbines- Ignition system
G.E. Accessory Drive:
Function
The gear drives several accessory devices
that support gas turbine operation.
Each drive pad is a point of potential oil
leakage because of the shaft seal
arrangement.
Engine oil from the lube oil pump or the
hydraulic pump may leak into, or from,
the accessory drive assembly through the
drive shaft seal.
Gas Turbines- Ignition system
G.E. Accessory Drive:
Function
The G.E. accessory gear also provides a
mount for the turbine overspeed trip bolt
mechanism.
The trip bolt mechanism is mounted on the
exterior case of the accessory gear.
The actual overspeed trip bolt is mounted
in the main or number one gear shaft.
Gas Turbines- Ignition system
Solar Accessory Drive:
Function (Contd.)
On Solar gas turbines, the accessory
drive is attached to the air inlet
assembly.
The accessory housing contains the
accessory drive gears, pinion gears, and
the necessary shafts and bearings.
Mounting pads and gear drives are
provided for the starter, lube oil pump,
hydraulic oil pump, speed governor, seal
oil pump, and other accessories.
Gas Turbines- Ignition system
Solar Accessory Drive: Function
If a particular accessory is not used, a cover
plate is installed on the mounting pad.
During the starting cycle, the Solar
accessory gear is driven by the starter
assembly.
Gas Turbines- Ignition system
Solar Accessory Drive:
Function
A starter disengaging jaw clutch and
accessory drive adapter connect the
starter to a spur gear and shaft.
During the start cycle, the gas turbine
compressor is driven by the gear.
After the starter jaw clutch disconnects,
the compressor shaft drives the gear.
Gas Turbines- Ignition system
Vibration Monitoring
System: Purpose (Contd.)
The last topic discussed in this lesson is the
vibration monitoring system. The purpose
of the vibration monitoring system is to
help in preventing abnormal operating
conditions.
The rotating shafts of any machine or
gearbox have a tendency to move axially or
radially as a result of speed, loads, worn
internal parts, unbalance, or other reasons.
Gas Turbines- Ignition system
Vibration Monitoring System: Purpose
Axial and radial shaft movement is called
vibration. Vibration is a continuing periodic change
in a displacement from a fixed reference.
Excessive vibration is an abnormal operating
condition that can result in equipment damage.
Excessive vibration is a symptom of other
abnormal conditions.
A bent shaft or improper shaft alignment could be
the source of vibration.
Gas Turbines- Ignition system
Vibration Monitoring
Several protective systems are used to alert
operators to abnormal operating conditions
that could result in damage to the turbine or
other equipment.
Vibration is one of the critical operating
parameters that is monitored by a protection
system.
A vibration monitoring system is usually a part of the gas turbine's programmable
logic control and operator terminal.
The figure shows typical vibration detector locations in relation to the rotor.
Gas Turbines- Ignition system
Shaft Movement
Vibration monitoring systems are
installed on gas turbines and driven
equipment to monitor and sometimes
record axial and radial shaft
movement.
Shaft movement is monitored in either
displacement (mils), velocity
(length/unit-time), or acceleration
(g's).
(Contd.)
Gas Turbines- Ignition system
One mil equals 0.001 of an inch. A shaft movement of 5 mils could
generate an electrical impulse of one volt. Either of these measurements
may be used as setpoints to initiate an alarm or shutdown.
Gas Turbines- Ignition system
Vibration Monitoring
Probes (Contd.)
In the gas turbine, vibration probes are
installed in the bearing housings near
the shaft.
The probe tips operate on 24-volt DC
power to establish a magnetic field
between the probe tip and a burnished
area on the shaft.
As the distance between the probe tip
and the shaft changes, the strength of
the magnetic field changes.
Gas Turbines- Ignition system
The probe senses fluctuations in
the magnetic field, and the
monitoring systems uses this
information.
The figure illustrates a typical
single and double radial probe
installation in a bearing.
Gas Turbines- Ignition system
Vibration Monitoring
Probes: Function
In the figure, four probes monitor the
radial movement of a gas turbine
shaft and two probes monitor the
shaft axial location.
Axial position probes 1 and 2 monitor
shaft axial movement in two places at
the thrust collar.
Probes 3Y and 4X measure radial
movement at the low pressure end of
the compressor. (Contd.)
Gas Turbines- Ignition system
Probes 5Y and 6X measure radial
movement at the high pressure end of the
compressor.
The probes are placed 90 degrees apart
to monitor relatively both horizontal and
vertical radial movement.
One probe monitors the X axis, and the
other monitors the Y axis.
Gas Turbines- Ignition system
Vibration Monitoring Probes:
Function
Axial movement is usually monitored
by two probes, as shown in the
figure.
One probe is mounted at the end of
the shaft, and the other is mounted
at the thrust collar.
During operation, any of the
vibration monitors can usually be
read on the PLC display.
(Contd.)
Gas Turbines- Ignition system
At some preset vibration limit (3
mils, for example), the vibration
monitoring system will initiate an
alarm.
If vibration increases to the high
limit (5 mils, for example), another
alarm is initiated and the vibration
monitoring system will initiate a
TRIP signal to shut the unit down
before damage occurs.