GE Energy Products Europe

Rev. : A
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OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE GUIDE
OPERATION GUIDE

3.3.8. INLET GUIDE VANES OPERATION (MODULATED SYSTEM)

1. General
During the acceleration of the gas turbine to rated speed, during underfrequency
loaded operation, and during deceleration of the gas turbine, the Inlet Guide Vanes
(I.G.V.s) must be modulated in order to maintain various stresses, pressures and
flows within required limits.
For a normal startup, the inlet guide vanes are held at 34 degrees from 0 % to
about 84 % corrected speed. Corrected speed is a quantity which depends upon
turbine speed and the compressor inlet temperature. This quantity is determined by
the SPEEDTRONIC System, the inlet air temperature and actual speed which is fed
to the computer. The result is guide vane command voltage to position the inlet
guide vanes. The guide vanes will modulate open at a given value per cent increase
in corrected speed. When about 85 per cent normal turbine speed is reached, the
inlet guide vane opening angle is 57 degrees. From this value, they will be
controlled according to a program which depends on the operation type : simple
cycle operation (exhaust gases directed to atmosphere through the chimney) or
exhaust towards a recovery boiler. This will be explained further on.
For normal shutdown, inlet guide vane actuation is the reverse of the startup
sequence ; the compressor bleed valves will open when generator circuit breaker 52
G opens. The inlet guide vanes will ramp to the full closed position as a function of
temperature corrected speed.
In the event of a turbine trip, the 11th stage bleed valves will open and the inlet
guide vanes will ramp to the closed position as a function of temperature corrected
speed.
The various parameters entering the control and protection system are :
CTIM ambient temperature or more exactly, the compressor inlet temperature
signal
CPD compressor discharge pressure signal
FSR electronic control signal of the fuel
TNH turbine speed signal
TTXM exhaust temperature signal.
Simple cycle operation (exhaust to atmosphere)
In simple cycle operation mode, the hot gases at the turbine exhaust are directed to
atmosphere through a chimney. When loading the unit, the speed/load control
system will control the I.G.V. opening angle. The opening increases with the load
from the moment the exhaust temperature reaches 300F (i.e. 167C) below base
load exhaust temperature set point : this value is the constant CSKGVSSR. It will
reach its fully open value (84) and remain there before the turbine reaches its full
load, say about 72 % load (for a temperature of 59F i.e. 15C at the compressor
inlet).

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GE 3-3-8.doc Revision: A Date: 04/04
 GE Energy Products Europe

Rev. : A
Page : 2/3
OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE GUIDE
OPERATION GUIDE

Exhaust towards a recovery boiler

For applications such as the exhaust towards a recovery boiler, it is desirable to
maximize the exhaust temperature. The control program for such turbines includes
an exhaust temperature control which automatically holds the I.G.V. at a minimum
angle during part-load operations. Figure page 3 shows part of the program for the
exhaust temperature control mode where the I.G.V. is positioned to the minimum
full speed angle at the end of the startup.
More exactly, from the moment the I.G.V. opening angle has reached 57 degrees
(at about 85 % of the normal speed) the opening will be controlled by a special
program. This program controls the opening versus an exhaust temperature
program which maintains the temperature below base load exhaust temperature set
point (CSKGVDB). More precisely, the guide vanes are held at the minimum full
speed angle until I.G.V. exhaust temperature set point is reached. The I.G.V.
exhaust temperature control set point is programmed at a value slightly lower than
the BASE temperature (fuel) control set point as is shown on figure page 03, with
the same CPD bias in both.
The heavy line traces a typical exhaust temperature pattern as the gas turbine
output changes. Point A is the operating point at the end of startup with I.G.V.
positioned at the minimum full speed angle. As output increases, the I.G.V. is held
at this minimum angle until I.G.V. temperature control set point is reached (point B).
Between point B and point C, I.G.V. is opened to maintain set point temperatures as
output is further increased. At point C, I.G.V. is at its full open position and upon
further increase in output the turbine will reach its BASE temperature limit (point D).
Note that figure page 3 also shows a trace of exhaust temperature for the case
without I.G.V. temperature control ; from point A to point D for full-speed-no-load to
full load, respectively.
2. I.G.V. operation mode selection
The operator can activate or de-activate the I.G.V. control mode at any time
position OFF : for simple cycle
position ON : for cycle with recovery boiler
NOTE : In the Inlet Guide Vane Control Display, if I.G.V. CONTROL target is
selected, one can change manually the I.G.V. opening angle by chosen the
I.G.V. MANUAL and I.G.V. SETPNT target.

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GE 3-3-8.doc Revision: A Date: 04/04