includes telemetry, pyrometry, tip
clearance probes, active flame stability
measuring system and a vibration
monitoring system.
All data are collected by the data
acquisition stations located around the
gas turbine and reported to the main
acquisition server (MAS) of the plant
for in-depth analysis.
The first tests on the
GT26 took place in
November 1996 and
since then nearly 1000
test runs have been
performed. These test
runs range in length
from 10 minutes to
several days, with a
typical duration of
between eight and 10
hours according to the
test objectives.
Since the 50 Hz
GT26 and the 60 Hz
GT24 have been originally designed according to the scaling
philosophy with great similarity in
aerodynamic and mechanical design,
validation on the GT26 can be translated to the GT24 and reconfirmed.
The Birr plant has also been provided with a temporary gas mixing station
to validate turbine performance with a
variety of gas compositions. The facility
allows the addition to the natural gas
Comparison of Compressor Characteristics
Normalized reduced mass flow for aero
speed factor variation
GT26 Birr Characteristics
GT24 Field Data
available from the local pipeline different amounts of CO2, N2, higher hydrocarbons like butane, ethane, propane
so as to change the energy content or
density of the fuel and reproduce gases
available in different parts of the world
like Thailand or Brazil. This feature has
allowed the extension of acceptable
fuel fluctuation on GT24/GT26 to
±10% Wobbe index, which compares
with the ±5% usually granted.
Flexibility in test campaign planning
is a key benefit of the Birr Test Power
Plant since optimization testing is carried out outside of commercial constraints, and continuous improvements
can be investigated even after the initial
performance verification period.
The engines in Birr, GT26 and
GT8C2, are always on a technology
level ahead of the engines on the production line and their configuration is
constantly upgraded with the latest
development status from where the
next testing campaign starts. A
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