Combustion Noise Measurement System for Low Emissions Combustor Performance Optimization and Health Monitoring

The design of modern gas turbine combustors continues to be driven by the demand for lower emissions of NOx and CO. Achieving reduced emissions on dry low emissions combustors necessitates the monitoring of associated, potentially destructive combustion noise. Power Systems Manufacturing (PSM) has developed a Dynamic Data Acquisition System for use in the noise performance optimization and health monitoring of low emissions combustors. Various noise probes and set-ups have been evaluated on test benches, combustion test rigs, and engines operating over their complete load range. The set-up and calibration of the combustion dynamic monitoring system is described here. An application of the dynamic data acquisition system is presented for the PSM combustor retrofit of the 85MW General Electric Frame MS7001EA machine, achieving 6ppm NOx, and 2ppm CO at base load and maintaining single digit emissions down to 50% load. The excellent condition of the combustion hardware following 8,000 hours of base load operation was indicative of operation in a low combustion noise environment. Combustion system noise monitoring ensures the lowest possible emissions, without compromising combustion hardware durability through excessive dynamic loading.