METHOD OF STARTING A TURBOMACHINE

• US 20110146290A1
• Filed: 12/23/2009
• Published: 06/23/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GE Infrastructure Technology, LLC (GE Vernova, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Graf, Kelly M., Vernet, Valerie S., Maters, John C., Alexander, Michael J., Fuller, Jason D.
• Granted Patent: US 8,479,522 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 60/778
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 19/00 Starting of machines or engines; Regulating, controlling, or safety means in connection therewith warming-up before starting F01D25/10; turning or inching gear F01D25/34
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 21/003 Arrangements for testing or measuring for measuring vibrations G01H
• CPC Class Codes: F02C 7/26 Starting; Ignition
• CPC Class Codes: F02C 7/262 Restarting after flame-out

Abstract

The present invention has the technical effect of reducing the start-up time associated with starting a powerplant machine. An embodiment of the present invention provides a method of starting a powerplant machine, such as, but not limiting of, a turbomachine. An embodiment of the method of the present invention provides a new philosophy for starting a turbomachine. This new philosophy involves testing the turbomachine systems before the start-up process begins.

Claims

1. A method of starting a powerplant, the method comprising:

providing a powerplant machine configured for generating power;

accelerating the powerplant machine to a first speed;

determining whether a plurality of powerplant systems are prepared to support the operation of the powerplant machine; and

starting and accelerating the powerplant machine to a full speed if the plurality of systems are prepared for powerplant machine operation;

wherein the step of determining whether the plurality of systems are prepared to support the operation of the powerplant machine occurs before the starting of the powerplant machine, reducing the possibility of a shutdown occurring before the powerplant machine reaches the full speed.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of systems comprises a first group and a second group.

3. The method of claim of claim 2 further comprising the step of determining whether the first group passes a pre-start test to determine an operational readiness of the first group.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising the step of shutting down the powerplant machine if the first group does not pass the pre-start test that determines the operational readiness.

5. The method of claim of claim 2 further comprising the step of determining whether the second group passes a pre-start test to determine an operational readiness of the second group.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising the step of providing a notification on whether the second group passes the pre-start test that determines the operational readiness.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of enabling an operating permissive if the plurality of systems are prepared to support the operation of the powerplant machine.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of determining whether a purge ventilation timer is satisfied, wherein the purge timer is configured for ensuring that a sufficient purge of the powerplant machine occurs.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of disabling the operating permissive if a purge hold timer is satisfied, wherein the purge hold timer is configured for ensuring that a purged powerplant machine is operated within a desired time frame.

10. A method of starting a turbomachine, the method comprising:

providing a turbomachine;

accelerating the turbomachine to approximately a purge speed;

determining whether a plurality of operational support systems can support operation of the turbomachine before an ignition process occurs; and

accelerating the turbomachine to approximately a full speed if the plurality of systems can support the operation of the turbomachine;

wherein the step of determining whether the plurality of operational support systems can support the operation of the turbomachine reduces the possibility of a trip occurring after the ignition process.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the plurality of operational support systems comprises a first group and a second group.

12. The method of claim of claim 11 further comprising the step of determining whether the first group passes a pre-start test to determine an operational readiness of the first group;

and wherein the first group comprises at least one of;

a DC lube oil system, a compressor bleed valve system, a hydraulic system, a leak detection system, and a purge system.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of providing a notification on whether the first group passes the pre-start test;

and the step of shutting down the turbomachine if the first group does not pass the pre-start test.

14. The method of claim of claim 11 further comprising the step of determining whether the second group passes a pre-start test to determine an operational readiness of the second group;

and wherein the second group comprises at least one of;

an AC lube oil system, a servo valve system, a control valve system, a mist elimination system, a ventilation system, an atomizing air system, and a generator seal oil system.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of providing a notification on whether the second group passes the pre-start test.

16. The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of enabling an operating permissive if the plurality of systems can support the operation of the turbomachine.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of determining whether a purge ventilation timer is satisfied while the turbomachine operates at the purge speed.

18. The method of claim 18 further comprising the step of disabling the operating permissive if a purge hold timer is satisfied, wherein the purge timer is configured for ensuring that a purged turbomachine is operated within a desired time frame.

19. A system configured for starting a turbomachine, the system comprising:

a turbomachine comprising a plurality of operational support systems; and

a control system configured for operating the turbomachine;

wherein the control system performs the steps of;

accelerating the turbomachine to approximately a purge speed;

testing the plurality of operational support systems to determine whether each of the plurality of operational support systems is in a ready state capable of supporting the turbomachine, wherein the testing occurs before the turbomachine starts an ignition process; and

accelerating the turbomachine to approximately a full speed if the plurality of operational support systems are in the ready state;

wherein the step of testing the plurality of operational support systems reduces the possibility of a trip occurring after the ignition process.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the control system performs the step of providing a notification on whether the plurality of operational support systems pass a test;

and the step of shutting down the turbomachine if the plurality of operational support systems do not pass the test.