Abstract
This paper describes the control systems required for the application of gas turbines to fully automatic generating stations, and mechanical drives such as natural gas compressor stations.
Gas turbine power plant has definite advantages in that for the power output it lends itself to relatively simple fully automatic operation of the overall plant and rapid starting and loading. The relatively low capital cost and size have resulted in widespread applications of this type of plant.
The large gas turbine plant can be divided into two main categories:
Aero powered gas turbines. Pure industrial gas turbines.
The role of the control system is not only to adapt the gas turbine to the particular application but to ensure the safety and protection of the plant at all times.
The control functions include:
Those necessary for the particular application, e.g. power turbine speed control.
Those necessary for the protection and correct operation of the gas turbine system, e.g. balance of multiple gas generators discharging into power turbine.
The peripheral systems, e.g. automatic sequence systems for starting.
This paper is based on the author's recent experience in this field.
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