SIEMENS - COMBUSTOR DYNAMICS MONITORING

COMBUSTOR DYNAMICS MONITORING

There are a number of critical frequencies to avoid. Examples of these are multiples of the
rotor speed frequency (e.g. 60 Hz for 3600 rpm-speed rotors and 90 Hz for 5400 rpm-speed
rotors). In addition, the lower the frequency, the more energy in the dynamic pressure wave
(for a given amplitude). The combustor and controls should be optimized so that the dynamics
are within predetermined levels and not in areas of excessive dynamic pressure waves.

When encountering unacceptable dynamics there are a number of actions that can be taken to
alleviate the situation. Typically, the general principle is this: the hotter the flame zone the
more stable the flame. A more stable flame translates into lower dynamics.

Typically, flame stability is a function of how hot the flame in the combustor is. A hot flame will
tend to keep itself burning by the self-addition of sufficient heat. When the flame becomes
cooler the amount of heat released by the flame decreases and less heat is available for the
flame to sustain itself. A flame can be made hotter either by adding more fuel or by reducing
the amount of air used for combustion. When one of these two things is done, the fuel air
mixture becomes richer and thus hotter. Keep in mind that this also affects the emissions of
the combustion products (typically, more NOx and less CO) so the effect on the emissions
must be balanced by the effect on the dynamics. It is this balance that the combustion
engineer seeks. In summary, if the combustor dynamics exceed the above criteria the
following may be tried:

Bias the fraction of fuel to the pilot

Decrease Air
Bias the C-stage (if applicable) fuel fraction or pilot

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SCOPE

Engine operation above defined combustion dynamics limits may cause distress to the
combustion system and hot section parts and may be problematic for engine operation.
Utilizing an online monitoring system assures that all 16 baskets are operating within the given
limits at all times. Online dynamics monitoring becomes more critical as the allowable
emissions limit decreases.

A Dynamic Monitoring System (DMS) continuously monitors combustion dynamics on all 16

baskets during operation.

CONTROL SYSTEM SPECIFICATIONS

The combustor and controls should be optimized so that the dynamics are within the levels
shown as the green zone. The red zone is the area of excessive dynamic pressure waves.
When encountering unacceptable dynamics there are a number of actions that can be taken to
alleviate the situation. Typically, the general principle is this: the hotter the flame zone the
more stable the flame. A more stable flame translates into lower dynamics.

Example, Combustor Dynamics Operating Guidelines

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Alarming

Multiple frequency ranges, 4 or 6, are used to monitor combustion dynamics, as the causes
and effects of dynamics in each frequency range are different. Thus, each frequency range
has its own set of dynamics limits. Alarming required checking both the peak amplitude of all
16 baskets and the average of all 16 baskets.

Level 1: The Level 1 dynamic limits are the tuning limits for DLN combustion system. In the
event these limits are exceeded, an alarm will be initiated on the CDMS alarm summary.
501F Dynamic Limits (4 range systems)

Frequency range Alarm Manual Unload

Level 1 Limit Level 2 Limit
LFD 0.65 PSI max 0.8 PSI
(15 50 Hz) 0.5 PSI avg 20 seconds continuous
IFD 1 1.3 PSI max 2.0 PSI
(50 100 Hz) 1.0 PSI avg 20 seconds continuous
IFD 2 2.6 PSI max 3.0 PSI
(100 500 Hz) 2.0 PSI avg 20 seconds continuous
HFD 0.5 PSI max 1.0 PSI
(500 5000 Hz) 0.3 PSI avg 10 seconds continuous

W501F Dynamic Limits (16-Basket 6 range monitoring system)

Frequency Pilot Bias Alarm Auto Unload* Auto Unload*

range Removal Level 1 Limit Level 2 Limit Level 3 Limit
Level 0 Limit
LFD 0.5 PSI 0.65 PSI 0.8 PSI N/A
(15 50 Hz) 20 seconds
continuous
IFD 1 1.0 PSI combined 1.3 PSI comb 2.0 PSI combined N/A
(50 100 Hz) cycle cycle cycle
2.0 PSI simple 2.6 PSI simple 3.0 PSI simple cycle
cycle cycle 20 seconds
continuous
IFD 2 2.0 PSI 2.6 PSI 3.0 PSI N/A
(100 500 Hz) 20 seconds
continuous
IFD 3 0.3 PSI 0.5 PSI 1.5 PSI N/A
(500 1000 20 seconds
Hz) continuous
HFD1 N/A 0.5 PSI 1.5 PSI 3.0 PSI
(1000 3000 10 seconds 2 seconds
Hz) continuous continuous
HFD2 N/A 0.3 PSI 0.5 PSI 1.0 PSI
(3000 5000 10 seconds 2 seconds
Hz) continuous continuous
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*For Monitoring Systems Manual Unload

Level 2: The Level 2 dynamic limits are high dynamic levels that may cause damage to engine
hardware much more quickly than Level 1 dynamics. If these limits are exceeded for a
specified duration, the engine should be unloaded to prevent hardware damage.
Dynamics are monitored in the following manner:

CDMS provides the following signals:

Basket max peak amplitude for each LFD/IFD/HFD band (64 signals)
Basket max peak frequency for each LFD/IFD/HFD band (64 signals)
Engine max peak amplitude for each LFD/IFD/HFD band (4 signals)
Engine max peak frequency for each LFD/IFD/HFD band (4 signals)
Basket quality check (16 signals - 1 per basket)
1 trigger signal for each alarm level for each frequency band (8 signals)
Digital heartbeat (1 signal)
Watchdog relay (1 hard-wired signal)
Optional Analog heartbeat (1 signal)

Pilot Biasing for Engine Protection

In an active CDMS automatic pilot biasing is employed before an auto unload is activated. In a
passive system the same guide lines can be employed by manual pilot biasing.

Level 1 Alarm

Manually bias the pilot .25% at an interval. After biasing .25% if dynamics does not
clear the setpoint, bias another .25%. Bias up to 2%, if dynamics still do not clear the
level 1 alarm limit start unloading the unit until alarm level 1 is cleared. If load is
dropped to minimum load, initiate a normal stop.

Level 2 Alarm

Manually bias the pilot .50% at an interval up to 2%.

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Unloading for Engine Protection

LFD/IFD: If the generator breaker is closed and any of the Level 2 limits for LFD or IFDs are
exceeded for > than 20 seconds, an unload needs to be manually initiated. The unload rate
should be the max load rate. The machine needs to be unloaded until the Level 2 limit clears.
If load is dropped to minimum load, initiate a normal stop.

HFD: If the generator breaker is closed and if any of the Level 2 limits for HFD are exceeded
for more than a ten second duration, an unload needs to be manually initiated. The unload
rate should be the max load rate. The machine needs to be unloaded until the Level 2 limit
clears. If load is dropped to minimum load, initiate a normal stop.

Decreasing Power Augmentation is also a variable to try since augmentation lowers flame front
temperature.

Call Combustion Engineering or CDMS contacts for further instructions. Please note the
conditions listed below before calling.

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MONITORING

Dynamics will vary more during load changing conditions, transients and through ignition and
startup, than they do during steady state operation, but still needs to be monitored in steady
state operations.

Dynamics should be under the defined limits at all times during operation.
If dynamics are noted at levels higher than the limits provided above, check the
following conditions:
Blade Path Temperature spread and variance. Note and record each value.
Note current load
Note CT operating scenario (load changing, steady state, ignition, etc.)
Note off normal plant conditions (gas supply fluctuations, drastic environmental
changes, etc.)
Note if dynamic transients are intermittent or continuous.
Note if the event is only seen in one basket.

Typical dynamic events will manifest themselves in more than one combustor basket at the
same time. Dynamic response in only one basket could be attributable to instrumentation
problems or to hardware problems in a particular combustor. Hardware problems can be
verified with other indications, such as blade path spread. To verify this condition, examine the
remaining baskets for dynamics and evaluate their condition. The calibrator may be used to
verify the response through the system. It may be required to remove or replace a bad
transducer, which may not be done on line.

If dynamics are high in one of the bottom baskets while other baskets have low readings, this
may be caused by water collection in the damping tubes.

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Causes of Dynamic Pressure Fluctuations in the Combustor

Causes:
Low load operations feed back between combustor and fuel system
Resonance back up through fuel lines
Ambient conditions also have effect. Engines in cold climates are more susceptible
to dynamic occurrences
High gas temperatures may negatively effect dynamics
Low frequency dynamics at 25 Hz (+/- 10 Hz)
Cause: Flame is about blow out at the lean limit
Effect: Unit will trip if flame blows out

1.4

1.2

1.0
Dynamic Pressure (psi)

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

0.0
0 50 100 150 20 0 250 300 350 40 0 450 500
F re quency (Hz )

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Identifying Erroneous Signals

Failed pressure transducer: If a transducer fails, the amplitude of the dynamic signal will
be very low and will not have any noticeable peaks in the frequency spectra.

"Failed Transducer"

2
Amplitude (pis)

1.5

1 "Failed Transducer"

0.5

0
0 200 400 600 800 1000
Frequency (Hz)

Water collected in damping tubes: Some combustors on the lower half of the engine
have experienced water collection in the dampening tubes. If this occurs, the dynamic
signal will be amplified in some frequency ranges and attenuated in others. This
phenomenon is called ringing and is characterized by a saw tooth appearance to the
dynamic signal.

"Water in Tube"

2
Amplitude (pis)

1.5

1 "Water in Tube"

0.5

0
0 200 400 600 800 1000
Frequency (Hz)

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Transducer reading noise: In this case, the frequency spectrum shows high readings at
60 Hz and its harmonics (120 Hz, 180 Hz). Typical combustion dynamic peaks (25 Hz,
130 Hz) may not be visible.

60Hz noise

2
Amplitude (pis)

1.5

1 60Hz noise

0.5

0
0 200 400 600 800 1000
Frequency (Hz)

Good Signal

"Good Signal"

2
Amplitude (pis)

1.5

1 "Good Signal"

0.5

0
0 200 400 600 800 1000
Frequency (Hz)

When an erroneous signal from one of the transducers is suspected:

Confirm bad signal
Note erroneous readings
Once the unit is shut down, replace the pressure transducer and/or check dampening
tubes for water collection (depending on the nature of the problem).
Confirm that the reading is good when the unit starts up.

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BLADE PATH TEMPERATURE MONITORING

E xhaust
C y lin d e r

B la d e P a t h
T h e r m o c o u p le s

S t a tic
S e al

E x h a u s t J o u rn a l
B e a r in g

E xhaust
C y lin d e r S e a ls

Location of Blade Path Thermocouples

Sixteen thermocouples are inserted through guide tubes arranged around the exhaust cylinder
of the combustion turbine. The thermocouples extend into the gas path passage to monitor
blade path temperatures.

Monitoring blade path spread and variance is a good indication of hardware failure. When you
are monitoring blade path spread and variance you will be utilizing the blade path
thermocouples.

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HIGHEST 4 585F

VARIANCE 0

AVERAGE 585F

SPREAD 0

LOWEST 4 585F

Blade Path Thermocouples Displays

If you are at base load when you are seeing spread or variance in the blade path
temperatures. The swirl pattern of the W501F from the combustor baskets to the blade path
thermocouples is 1.3 at base load. Rotation is clockwise, so if a blade path thermocouple has
deviated from normal, when inspection is possible a check of basket and transition pieces, field
experience has proven to go back 2-3 baskets for a good starting location.

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Example of Transition Damage Other transition failures can

happen much more quickly

65F Spread
BP AVG 30F Spread

BPT-14
FLASHBACK
TEMPS IN
BASKET #11

MW
AUTO
UNLOADS

Transition Damage

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#2 Nozzle
was found
in pieces
#4 nozzle was removed
cracked but in one piece

Cracked Fuel Nozzle

As with the dynamic pressure monitoring we must also be sure the reading from out blade path
thermocouples are correct. The following is information on the validity as well as
temperature limits, setpoint and actions of the blade path thermocouples.

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