Abstract
This paper presents the practical aspects of development of a reduced scale laboratory and a set of monitoring tools for Internal Combustion Engines used in Thermal Power Plants. The reduced scale laboratory is based on the necessity of researchers to test new sensors and monitoring strategies that, otherwise, are seldom allowed to be installed in real plants without certification. In addition, the reduced scale laboratory allows the flexibility to insert failures on purpose, in order to evaluate the performance of new sensors/strategies in a safe and controlled environment. The paper also presents the development of a set of reduced cost sensors for monitoring in-cylinder pressure, crank angle, and the position of inlet and exhaust valves (without using ultrasound sensors, which may produce noisy readings on engines operating on gas-diesel fuel mode).
Highlights
Condition-Based Maintenance (CBM) is based on the continuous monitoring of certain parameters of an asset in order to evaluate its condition and decide about a maintenance action [1]
Among the many CBM techniques employed in power plants, it can be highlighted the Electrical Signature Analysis (ESA) [1], which has even been used in order to indirectly detect incipient failures in Internal Combustion Engines (ICE) based on the voltages and currents of the synchronous generator attached to its shaft [4]
In order to promote training on aspects related with CBM applied to ICE, a reduced scale laboratory has been developed
Summary
Condition-Based Maintenance (CBM) is based on the continuous monitoring of certain parameters (vibration, temperature, electrical signals, etc.) of an asset in order to evaluate its condition and decide about a maintenance action [1]. Among the many CBM techniques employed in power plants, it can be highlighted the Electrical Signature Analysis (ESA) [1], which has even been used in order to indirectly detect incipient failures in Internal Combustion Engines (ICE) based on the voltages and currents of the synchronous generator attached to its shaft [4] This last application has the least amount of intrusion on the ICE (once the measurements are taken only at the generator), it is clear that the direct measurement of certain parameters at the engine would provide a more realistic view of its condition and additional information to be correlated to the generator parameters. A great advantage of a reduced scale model with inserted gradual failures is the possibility to offer training on strategies/equipment to the TPP personnel and simulate with them different stages of a failure in a controlled and safe environment
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
