Axial-flow compressors are used in the majority of large gas turbines, both in powerplants and aircraft jet engines. Over the last 75 years these compressors have been improved continuously, Lee S Langston, professor emeritus, UConn, told the editors, today achieving component efficiencies of more than 90%. However, no matter how advanced, they must be carefully controlled in their operation to avoid the power-robbing effects of stall and the convulsive effects of complete flow reversal, brought about by surge.  more

A defining moment for gas-turbine users occurred during the Siemens F-class roundtable at the recent CTOTF Fall Turbine Forum in Rancho Mirage, Calif, when Rich Wallen of Oglethorpe Power Corp, who chairs the session, introduced a company new to the market of services, parts, mods, and upgrades for Siemens units: GE Power. Readers may recall that the GE acquisition of Alstom included PSM which was then sold to Ansaldo Energia to satisfy regulatory requirements. In the process, GE retained intellectual property from PSM on non-GE technology, which brings us to this point. more 

 Owner/operators of Siemens 501F gas turbines had the opportunity to learn about the OEM's products, services, and upgrades for their engines at the recent Siemens Customer Conference on F, G, and H Technology (September 18-22, Orlando). Early next year they can see what approximately 100 of the other companies serving this fleet have to offer by attending the independent 501F Users Group's annual conference at the Peppermill Reno (Nev), February 19-23. more 

F-class users have been the lifeblood of CCJ's Best Practices Awards program since its inception more than a decade ago. Their safety best practices have been particularly noteworthy. To illustrate: The following submittals by plants powered by 501F gas turbines were published in CCJ and CCJ ON site.... more