LESSON

3
LECTURE
OPERATION & MAINTENANCE
OF GAS TURBINE
SUB - OBJECTIVE
At the end of this esson! the t"#inee $i %e #%e to &-
'( )no$ the *ene"# st#"t-+, sh+t-do$n ,"o-ed+"es of G(T(
.( Unde"st#nd the need fo" "o+tine -he-/ & 0#inten#n-e(
3( )no$ #%o+t the o,e"#tin* t"o+%es of the *#s t+"%ine(
1( )no$ #%o+t o,e"#tin* t"o+%es sh+tdo$ns(
'(2 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
The manufacturer of any particular gas turbine set will give precise instructions for
its operation and these should be followed very closely. The following can be taken
as general remarks on the subject.
'(' STARTING
- Check the lubricating oil tank for correct level and start the auxiliary oil pump.
See that this is delivering oil to all bearings.
- Check the cooling system and start the circulating water pumps. This will
supply oil coolers, generator air coolers, and compressor intercoolers, where
these are fitted.
- Check that the fuel supply valves to the combustors are closed off.
- The larger machines will be fitted with jacking oil pumps, in this case start
this pump in order to ease the weight of the shafts in the bearings.
- Start the bearing motor and then the starting motor. Check the starting
current and speed as this motor accelerates the turbine shaft upto the
recommended speed. This must be sufficient to enable the air compressor
to supply air to the combustors and will be upwards of !" of the full speed.
- #s a rough guide it can be taken that a gas turbine set re$uires a rotation of
about %!" of the full rated speed to obtain a sufficiently high air pressure to
be self sustaining.
- The starting motor power re$uired to attain this speed in & minute will be
about %" of the rated output of the set.
- Supply ignition to the combustors and begin admitting fuel. See that ignition
is satisfactory. 'ncrease fuel and when combustion is stable, switch off the
ignition.
- The temperature at inlet to the turbine must be carefully watched as the
turbine speed increases, and kept within the recommended limit.
()*+,- & S.-C'/'C C)+0S- /)0 -12'1--S
2#S T+03'1- #1* *'-S-, -12'1- ,-SS)1 4, .#2- &
- The starting motor is generally arranged to cut out automatically by a
centrifugal clutch or other means.
- The main lubricating oil pump and the speed governor will be gear - driven
from the main shaft and will come into operation as the speed builds up.
5ithin about &!" of normal running speed, the governor will take control.
The main oil pump will indicate full running condition when its oil discharge
pressure reaches a steady figure.
- The total time taken in running up from standstill will be about &! minutes.
#djust the machine speed to correspond with the system fre$uency with
which the generator is to be paralleled, synchroni6e and close main switch.
- 0aise load as re$uired. # gas turbine can be loaded rapidly since the
expansion problems are not so acute as a steam turbine. The time taken
from no load to full load on, for example on a 4! (5 machine is $uoted by
3rown 3overi as being about &! minutes.
'(. S3UTTING 4O5N
- 0educe the load on the generator.
- )pen main switch.
- ,eave the machine idling for a few minutes.
- Start the auxiliary oil pump and see that it is delivering oil satisfactorily.
- Change over fuel supply to hand control and shut off fuel.
- See that ignition ceases in the combustor and allow the machine to come to
rest.
- *uring this time control the circulating water supplies to give the re$uired
lubricating oil temperatures.
- #fter the machine has stopped, run the jacking oil pump and then start the
barring motor to keep the shafts rotating slowly during the cooling down
period.
'(3 NOTES ON OPERATING
5hile in operation, the gas turbine will re$uire supervision to ensure that lubricating
oil flow and temperatures are satisfactory, cooling water flow is ade$uate to
maintain oil cooler and generator air cooler conditions, correct operation of inlet -
gas temperature regulator etc. Some machines, for example, 3rown 3overi are
provided with sight glasses into the combustors to observe the appearance of the
inlet stationary diaphragm blading and the first row of moving blading.
Safety devices, such as the machine over-speed trip, should be tested at regular
intervals. Se$uential interlocks are often provided to protect the machine against
operation of starting motor and ignition in incorrect se$uence. 'gnition should not be
switched on when the machine is standing since there may have been some fuel
leakage into the combustor and there is danger of explosion under these conditions.
S.-C'/'C C)+0S- /)0 -12'1--0S ()*+,- &
,-SS)1 4, .#2- 2#S T+03'1- #1* *'-S-, -12'1-
0unning the compressor by the starting motor will ensure sufficient air flow to dispel
any residual fuel gases.
*uring operation, the operator should observe and record any unusual conditions
and monitor gauges periodically. .rotect your hearing while around the e$uipment.
The noise may cause hearing loss.
'(1 ROUTINE C3EC)S
- *rain moisture from instrument air dryer.
- 'n case of fuel gas being used, fuel gas pressure should be &4.% &7.% bar.
- 'f fuel oil being used, check tank level.
- Check for any leakage of fuel oil, fuel gas, lube oil or instrument air.
- Check for unusual sounds.
- #ir intake differential pressure should be more than &!! mm of water
column.
- )il cooler outlet temp. 8 79! :C.
- Check for any vibration.
- 2enerator air filter differential pressure should not exceed more than &!!
mm of water column.
'(6 OPERATING CON4ITIONS
- Changes in ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure will affect the
turbine output. ,ower ambient temperature and higher atmospheric
pressure both increase the air density of the air and thus the energy output
will increase.
- 5hen ambient temperature changes then all temperatures throughout the
engine will change.
'(7 GAS TURBINE RATING
2as turbine ratings usually $uoted on the basis of ; :C and &.!& 3ar atmospheric
conditions.
'(8 GAS TURBINE MAINTENANCE
,ike most machinery the maintenance of the gas turbine will fall into three
classification < regular running attention, servicing, and major overhaul.
'(8(' REGULAR RUNNING ATTENTION
't should be obvious that if the gas turbine has a clean gas path, clean good $uality
fuel, and clean lubricating oil the turbine will operate successfully.
GAS PAT3
()*+,- & S.-C'/'C C)+0S- /)0 -12'1--S
2#S T+03'1- #1* *'-S-, -12'1- ,-SS)1 4, .#2- 4
The gas path will re$uire regular inspection and cleaning of the intake ducts and
filters. 5ater washing of the compressor blading will be carried out at intervals as
specified by the manufacturer.
FUEL OIL S9STEM
The fuel oil system will re$uire that the strainers and filters in the system are
cleaned out and replaced as re$uired.
The fuel oil purifiers will re$uire regular attention. 5here fuel containing sodium or
vanadium is being used, a water washing will be re$uired followed by the addition of
a chemical to the fuel to reduce corrosion and deposits on the turbine blades. This
must be carried out diligently.
LUBRICATING OIL S9STEMS
The lubricating oil system will re$uire filters and strainers to be cleaned and
changed as re$uired. The lubricating oil should be checked regularly by an
industrial chemist and changed if necessary.
INSTRUMENTS
#ll transducers, temperature and pressure controls must be periodically checked
and calibrated.
'(8(. SERVICING
'n general the servicing carried out on a gas turbine will only be applicable to the
combustion unit. (aintenance re$uired on this unit will include the cleaning and re-
adjustment of burners, especially in regard to e$ual fuel flow.
Careful inspection of the flame tubes will show if cracking and distortion are present.
'gniters should be checked and retraction gear tested. This check should not be
carried out with power on to the igniter, as an explosion could result if there are fuel
and air fumes present.
'(8(3 MAJOR OVER3AUL
*egradation of performance will be the main criterion for a major overhaul, when the
performance falls off to a predetermined degree, then it is time for overhaul. 'n
some plants, major overhaul is carried out after &%,!!! hours of operation.
# major overhaul will entail a complete stripdown of the unit during which the
following will be checked < turbine blading and rotor, all bearings, compressors, all
control gear, all combustion e$uipment. 2ear boxes will be inspected for tooth
pitting or uneven wear.
.(2 OPERATION TROUBLES
No( A#"0 Si*n# Possi%e C#+se : Co""e-ti;e A-tion
& ,ow voltage 7 = *C system. Check ,-* indication.
'f the ,-* indicator is alight check the fuses and
reset (C3>s. 'f the fault still remains check the
customer supply of 7 = *C.
S.-C'/'C C)+0S- /)0 -12'1--0S ()*+,- &
,-SS)1 4, .#2- 7 2#S T+03'1- #1* *'-S-, -12'1-
/ault 79 = *C system. Check supervision unit. The supervision unit has
four fault indications as follows <
,ow voltage
-arth fault
?igh voltage
Charge fault
'f the earth fault indicates, locate the fault, by
disconnecting circuits one at a time, at the first
planned shutdown.
'f any of the other faults indicates the fault has to
be located in the battery charger.
4 /ault &&! = *C system. Check supervision units - @function other the
same as aboveA. 'f any fault indicates other than
the earth fault, locate it in the battery charger.
7 Tripped (C3>s 79 = *C system. 0eset (C3>s
% Tripped (C3>s &&! *C system. 0eset (C3>s
B 'nverter fault. Check 7 = *C supply @,ocal inverterA and
@0emote inverterA.
; /ault external auxiliary power
supply.
Check if low voltage -xt. 7!! = #C supply. @,ow
voltage relayA.
Check if overload relay is activated.
9 /ault unit auxiliary power
supply.
Check low voltage unit 7!! = #C supply @,ow
voltage relayA.
Check if over load relay is activated.
C ,ow voltage #C board Check switch and fuses.
&! ,ow voltage *C motors Check fuses.
No( A#"0 Si*n# Possi%e C#+se : Co""e-ti;e A-tion
&& -arth fault measuring unit Check for earth fault by disconnecting circuits
one at a time.
& (an auto switches not in auto.
.osition.
Check that switches are in auto. .osition.
Check that switch ignition block is in
auto.position.
()*+,- & S.-C'/'C C)+0S- /)0 -12'1--S
2#S T+03'1- #1* *'-S-, -12'1- ,-SS)1 4, .#2- %
&4 3arring motor blocked Tripped barring motor protection or barring
interrupted during automatic cooling down.
Check that the rotor is easily turned when cooling
down is finished.
&7 ,ow combustion chamber
pressure
)peration at speeds lower than normal idle
should be avoided.
&% Stress factors more than &!
times normal
*ecrease load.
&B #utomatic unloading +nloading caused by shutdown.
&; 1o fre$uency - load control 1ormal condition when running at full load.
Controlling channel is indicated. 'f no indication
is shown the governor output is out of range.
Check that the servo moves easily.
&9 Stand-by fuel oil feed pump
running
Change over caused by fault in normal fuel oil
feed pump.
&C Tripped motor protection in
external fuel system
Check motor protections.
! ?igh level in fuel oil tank Check level in fuel tank, if high check the filling
valve. 'f the level is normal check the level
switch. Set point for level switch.
& ,ow level in fuel oil tank Check fuel feed pressure and differential
pressure across filter, if pressures are normal
check the tank level manually. 'f the level is low
check the filling valve.

,ow pressure in fuel oil feed line Check the pressure on the local gauge and if
lower than normal switch to spare feed pump.
4 Tripped motor protection
governing oil system.
Check motor protection and check motor.
7 Tripped motor protection oil mist
fan
Check motor protection and check supply pump
motor.
No( A#"0 Si*n# Possi%e C#+se : Co""e-ti;e A-tion
% Stand-by lube oil pump running Change over caused by fault in normal lube oil
pump.
B Tripped motor protection lube oil
system
Check motor protection. Check lube oil pump
motors.
; ,ow pressure lube oil system Check lubricating oil pressure on local gauge.
Check pressure drop across filters and coolers.
9 ?igh difference pressure Check differential pressure on local gauge. #larm
S.-C'/'C C)+0S- /)0 -12'1--0S ()*+,- &
,-SS)1 4, .#2- B 2#S T+03'1- #1* *'-S-, -12'1-
lubricating oil filter set at !.9 bar. Change to clean side of filter if
re$uired.
C ?igh difference pressure
internal fuel oil filter
Check difference pressure on local gauge. 'f
high, maximum !.9 bar change to clean side or
filter.
4! ?igh difference pressure
external fuel oil filter
Check pressure on local gauge, if more than set
pressure bar change to the clean filter.
4& ?igh level fuel oil separator tank *rain the tank.
4 Temperature limit exceeded. Temperature limit exceeded in lubricating oil
system, cooling air temperatures or alternator
temperature.
Check on display.
44 *ifference between governor
and supervision T; measuring
'dentify and rectify the faulty TC circuit at the first
planned outage.
47 ?igh difference maximum
individual average exhaust
temperature
/aulty fuel no66le. 'nspect the flame. 3roken TC
element gives maximum temperature.
4% ?igh exhaust air temperature
during start
Too much fuel injected at start. Check governor
curves.
4B =entilator fan gas generator
room out of service
Check if fan is running. 'f not check motor
protection and motor. Check that all doors are
closed. Check difference pressure in room.
4; =entilator fan anciliary room out
of service
Check if fan is running. 'f not check motor
protection and motor. Check that all doors are
closed. Check difference pressure in room.
49 =entilator fan alternator room
out of service
Check if fan is running. 'f not check motor
protection and motor. Check that all doors are
closed. Check difference pressure in room.
No( A#"0 Si*n# Possi%e C#+se : Co""e-ti;e A-tion
4C =entilator fan battery container
out of service
Check if fan is running. 'f not check motor
protection and motor. Check that container is
properly closed.
7! Tripped motor protection jet
pulse cleaning system
Check which motor protection that>s tripped.
Check motor protection and motor.
7& Compressor air system failure Check rotor protection. Check the motor. Check
that air compressor oil pressure guard is
operating when starting compressor.
7 ,ow operating air pressure Check the operating air pressure on the gauge.
()*+,- & S.-C'/'C C)+0S- /)0 -12'1--S
2#S T+03'1- #1* *'-S-, -12'1- ,-SS)1 4, .#2- ;
#djust pressure on pressure reducing valve.
74 ,ow starting air pressure Check starting air pressure on resp. air receivers
gauges. 'f starting air compressor is running the
alarm will disappear auto-matically when pressure
is high enough.
77 ?igh difference pressure turbine
air intake filter
#ir intake filters dirty and need to be re-placed.
)peration of the gas turbine can continue on
reduced load so the difference pressure is kept
below alarm level.
7% ?igh temperature hydraulic oil
tank
Check temperature in the tank on gauge. Check
oil cooler.
7B ,ow level hydraulic oil tank Check the hydraulic oil system for leaks. /ill the
tank.
7; =ibration ,. compressor Check transducer fixing.
Check rotor depositsDfouling.
Check no foreign object damage.
Check bearings.
Check rotor balance.
79 =ibration power turbine Check transducer fixing.
Check no foreign object damage.
Check bearings.
Check rotor balance.
7C =ibration gear box Check transducer fixing.
Check no foreign objects or damage.
Check bearings.
Check rotor balance.
S.-C'/'C C)+0S- /)0 -12'1--0S ()*+,- &
,-SS)1 4, .#2- 9 2#S T+03'1- #1* *'-S-, -12'1-
No( A#"0 Si*n# Possi%e C#+se : Co""e-ti;e A-tion
%! =ibration alternator drive end Check transducer fixing.
Check rotor depositsDfouling.
Check no foreign objects or damage.
Check bearings.
Check rotor balance.
%& =ibration alternator non drive
end
Check transducer fixing.
Check rotor depositDfouling.
Check no foreign object damage.
Check bearings.
Check rotor balance.
% /ire fighting e$uipment failure or
blocked
Check on fault indication lamps on fire unit.
%4 /ire fighting e$uipment charger
fault
0eset supervision on charger. 'f not resetable
check supply voltage to charger. Check charger.
%7 #lternator cooling water system
failure
Check motor protections.
Check motorD motors.
Check cooling water level in tank.
Check level switch.
%% Stand-by alternator cooling
pump in service
Check motor protection and motor on pump.
%B ,eakage in alternator cooling
system
Check leakage guard.
%; (anual voltage regulator in
service
1ormal alarm when (=0 in service but probably
caused by faulty #=0.
%9 1eutral displacement protection +nbalanced load. 0eset alarm indication on.
%C +C3 open during service 1ormal alarm if +C3 is not closed within %
minutes after turbine in service.
B! 0elay protection auxiliary
voltage failure
Check 79 = *C supply to relay protection. Check
supply to relay protection. Check supervision
unit.
B& )ver voltage protection #=0 fault. Change to manual regulator.
B 3uchhol6 relay at unit
transformer
Check unit transformer. Check 3uchhol6 relay.
()*+,- & S.-C'/'C C)+0S- /)0 -12'1--S
2#S T+03'1- #1* *'-S-, -12'1- ,-SS)1 4, .#2- C
3(2 OPERATING TROUBLES S3UT4O5NS
No( A#"0 Si*n# Possi%e C#+se : Co""e-ti;e A-tion
& /ault 79 = *C system. ,ow or high 79 = *C value and faulty battery
charger. Check fuses.
Tripped (C3>s 7 = *C system. 0eset (C3>s.
4 Tripped (C3>s 79 = *C system. 0eset (C3>s
7 .ower supply failure governor
and measuring unit
Check internal voltage supply of the governor E
&% = *C. Check supervision circuits on.
% -mergency stop The unit stopped by means of an emergency stop
button.
B /lame detector /ailed start < (issing light up due to faulty ignition
system of faulty governor. Check ignition and
initial fuel servo position.
Trip during service < 5eak fuel D air ratio due to
failing fuel supply or faulty detector. Check
pumps in service and += - sensor. Clean the
glass lens of the sensor.
; #lternator se$uence error in
step
Tells step number. See automatic se$uencing
diagram.
9 Turbine se$uence error in step Tells step number. See automatic se$uencing
diagram.
C Starting device in wrong
position
Check that limit switches are properly fitted and
check the function of solenoid valve.
&! Spark plug in wrong position Check that the spark plugs are easily moved.
Check the function of solenoid valve.
&& ,ong time from ignition to idle
speed
.oor acceleration at start. Check the start
against plotted typical start curves. Check the F#
measureF of the control valve.
& 0edundant trip relay Caused by pushing an emergency stop button or
by the internal redundant trip in the turbine
governor.
&4 #lternator cooling pumps out of
service
Check operation of alternator cooling water
pumps. Check water leakages. Check pressure
switches.
&7 #lternator cooling fans out of
service
Check operation of alternator cooling fans.
No( A#"0 Si*n# Possi%e C#+se : Co""e-ti;e A-tion
&% ,eakage in alternator cooling Check operation of alternator cooling fans.
S.-C'/'C C)+0S- /)0 -12'1--0S ()*+,- &
,-SS)1 4, .#2- &! 2#S T+03'1- #1* *'-S-, -12'1-
system.
&B /uel oil shut-off valve in wrong
position
Check cooling water system for leakages.
Check water level switch and leakage guard.
&; Too high stroke fuel oil control
valve
Check that the limit switch is properly fitted check
that the solenoid valve and shut off valve are
easily moved.
&9 /uel oil control not in min.
position before starts
Check that the limit switch is properly fitted and
that the valve is easily moved. Check the output
voltages from the governor.

&C /uel supply failure ,ow level in fuel service tank.
! 3urner pistons in wrong position Check the function of the solenoid valve.
& )verspeed power turbine -lectrical trip. #bout &&&" 1.
,ow pressure governing oil or
mechanical over speed
2overning oil pump failure or mechanical trip
about &&" 1. #utomatically reset when
governing oil pump stops.
4 ,ow pressure lubricating oil ,ow-low lubricating oil pressure. Check pressure
drop across filter and cooler.
7 ,ow level lubricating oil tank Check for leakage abnormal consumption.
% #C lubricating oil pumps out of
service
0eset motor protection and check fuses. Check
the motor current of all 4 phases.
B ?igh lubricating oil temperature
after cooler
Check function of cooler. Clean the external
surface of the cooler element when covered by
dust.
; ,ow level hydraulic oil tank Check the system for leakage.
9 ?igh average exhaust
temperature
Check possible excessive fuel supply. /aulty
control valve or governor.
C ?igh difference average
minimum individual exhaust
temperature
)ne transducer indicates low temperature.
+neven combustion in the combustors. Check
the transformer for poor contact or open circuit.
4! #ir intake door open Check that the door is properly locked.
4& ?igh difference pressure turbine
air intake filter
?igh-high difference pressure. Check D replace
the air intake filter system.
No( A#"0 Si*n# Possi%e C#+se : Co""e-ti;e A-tion
4 =entilation failure =entilation in gas generating room or in auxiliary
room out of order.
()*+,- & S.-C'/'C C)+0S- /)0 -12'1--S
2#S T+03'1- #1* *'-S-, -12'1- ,-SS)1 4, .#2- &&
44 )il mist fan out of service )il mist fan and auxiliary room ventilation
stopped level of hydraulic tank low-low.
47 =ibration ,. compressor Check transducer fixing.
Check rotor depositsDfouling.
Check no foreign object damage.
Check bearings.
Check rotor balance.
4% =ibration power turbine Check transducer fixing.
Check rotor depositsDfouling.
Check no foreign object damage.
Check bearings.
Check rotor balance.
4B =ibration gear box Check transducer fixing.
Check rotor depositsDfouling.
Check no foreign object damage.
Check bearings.
Check rotor balance.
4; =ibration alternator driven end Check transducer fixing.
Check rotor depositsDfouling.
Check no foreign object damage.
Check bearings.
Check rotor balance.
49 =ibration alternator non driven
end
Check transducer fixing.
Check rotor depositsDfouling.
Check bearings.
Check rotor balance.
4C /ire /ire fighting system released.
7! /ire flaps closed 0eset fire flaps.
7& #=0 fault 0eset (C3
7 Tripped (C3>s voltage
transformer
0eset (C3>s
74 /re$uency below 9%" during
service
)verload on the power turbine.
77 )verall diff. protection Short circuit on stator, line from stator to
transformer windings.
7% )ver voltage protection #=0 fault. Change to manual regulator.
No( A#"0 Si*n# Possi%e C#+se : Co""e-ti;e A-tion
7B Stator over current protection
step &.
-xternal short circuit.
7; #lternator differential protection Stator short circuit.
79 1eutral displacement protection .hase to earth short circuit.
S.-C'/'C C)+0S- /)0 -12'1--0S ()*+,- &
,-SS)1 4, .#2- & 2#S T+03'1- #1* *'-S-, -12'1-
7C /ield circuit earth-fault
protection
-arth - fault in rotor.
%! 1egative phase se$uence
protection, step &.
+nbalanced load.
%& 1egative phase se$uence
protection, step .
+nbalanced load.
% ,oss of excitation protection Check #=0 D (=0 function. Check field circuit
breaker function.
%4 0everse power protection Check governor settings, initial load and load
setting ramps.
%7 3uchhol6 relay at unit trafo Check unit transformer. Check 3uchhol6 relay.
()*+,- & S.-C'/'C C)+0S- /)0 -12'1--S
2#S T+03'1- #1* *'-S-, -12'1- ,-SS)1 4, .#2- &4