Training Future Engineers on Gas Turbine Gas Path Diagnostics Using PYTHIA

Abstract

Technology on gas turbine gas path diagnostics has become more and more mature over the years and the demand of the technology in industrial applications, training and education is increasing. To make the technology more accessible to gas turbine users in different areas, including gas turbine design, operation, condition monitoring, maintenance, education, training, etc., comprehensive software to support an easy, fast and user friendly application of the technology has become highly desirable. In this paper, gas turbine thermodynamic performance and diagnostics software, PYTHIA, and a training model on gas turbine gas path diagnostics have been introduced. The objective of the training is to provide trainees the knowledge and an opportunity to effectively learn how to set up gas turbine thermodynamic performance models, understand degradation effects on engine performance, improve the accuracy of engine performance models, pre-process measurement data, detect sensor faults and carry out engine diagnostic analysis. Four tutorial exercises are provided to demonstrate how to use the PYTHIA software to support the training and education. As the gas path diagnostic technology and the software have been developed for industrial applications, particular for gas turbine condition monitoring and diagnostics, it is user friendly and has a high level of flexibility to be used for different gas turbine engines and can be accessed remotely via internet. Therefore it provides a useful tool and a virtual environment to enhance the effectiveness of the training and education of the technology. Such technology and training model is suitable for professional engineers and postgraduate students.