Florida Power & Light Company and MISTRAS Group, Inc. have jointly developed an online monitoring system.
This online system is used for detecting the vane cracking in the mid-compressor stators of GE 7FA combustion turbines. Referred to as the Acoustic Combustion Turbine Monitoring System (ACTMS), the system detects the progression of cracks in compressor stator vanes just before airfoil failure, thereby providing the much-needed time to take the necessary action for prevent repair costs and extensive downtime.
The algorithms of the ACTMS for crack detection constantly look for signs of cracking while ignoring the noise that a turbine generally generates during operation. Multiple sensors, placed strategically on the outer surface of the compressor, assist the ACTMS in locating and displaying the exact cracking places, thus enabling engineers to take necessary action. Interfacing the ACTMS to the turbine control system or plant data networks for trip and warning functions is also possible.