Abstract
The study of the adhesion of micro sized particles to gas turbine internal surfaces, commonly known as gas turbine fouling, has gained increasing attention in the last years due to its dramatic effect on machine performance and reliability. On-field fouling analysis is mostly related to visual inspections during overhaul and/or programmed stops, which are performed, in particular, when gas turbine performance degradation falls under predetermined thresholds. However, these analyses, even if performed in the most complete as possible way, are rarely (or never) related to the conditions under which the gas turbine contamination takes place since the affecting parameters are difficult or even impossible to be adequately monitored. In the present work, a small scale multistage axial compressor is used to experimentally simulate the fouling phenomenon. The test rig allows the accurate control of the most relevant operating parameters which influence the fouling phenomenon. The compressor performance loss due to particle contamination has been quantitatively assessed. Soot particles appear stickier, especially in the presence of high humidity, and represent the most harmful operating conditions for the compressor unit. The deposits on the stator vanes and the rotor blades have been detected and post-processed, highlighting the most affected regions of each compressor stage employing an image analysis package tool.
Highlights
The adhesion of micro-sized particles is the main responsible for gas turbine fouling [1]
Each trend is interpolated employing a straight line: the clean one is horizontal because, no performance loss was detected, while the two fouled trends are interpolated with a negative-slope line
A comprehensive assessment of the fouling issue related to a multistage axial compressor has been reported
Summary
The adhesion of micro-sized particles is the main responsible for gas turbine fouling [1]. Such adhesion generates a deposits build-up on the internal surfaces of the power units, in both cold and hot sections [2 – 4]. Power units are affected by deposits that develop over time, reducing the operability of the engine [6, 7]. On-field detections have revealed that the fouling issue affects the unit performance despite the presence of filtration systems [8] and, only with a periodic (frequent) online washing operation, the reliability of the engine remain acceptable. Inspections of the deposits are rarely reported [1, 9 – 11], and, when provided, the details useful for relating the pattern to the operating conditions of the units are missed
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