A key function for a control system in a gas turbine train is to keep the operation of all components within a range of parameters that keep the unit safe. If the operating parameters of components fall outside the desired range for safe operation, the control system will detect these and create an alarm. For critical parameters, the control system may initiate an alarm and a shutdown of the unit. In many instances, an alarm may precede the shutdown command.Frequent discussions evolve around situations that lead to a shutdown of the train, as shutdowns impact the availability of the turbomachinery equipment, but in a wider sense also the availability of the compressor station. Therefore, shutdowns impact the profitability of a system. On the other hand, shutdowns may prevent significant, costly damage to the equipment, with significant downtime, and financial implicationsIn this paper, we will discuss different methodologies for shutdown requirements, in the effort to maximize availability of units. Particular emphasis will be given to aging machines as well as machines where the instrumentation, and the control algorithms may no longer be state of the art, or where unnecessary or spurious shutdowns plague an installation.In many process applications, the turbomachinery and equipment it powers play a critical role in ensuring profitability.&nbsp; Often the entire process, be it energy transmission, production, processing, manufacturing, or critical infrastructure, depends on the availability of the turbomachinery to perform its function.This study is a joint effort between an operator and an OEM. However, statements are generalized whenever possible, while still providing specific examples. In the discussions below, one also must recognize that the challenges operating units that are old are unique compared to newer systems where modern concepts based upon new, state of the art control and condition monitoring systems are employed.Equipment availability requires establishing a balance between safety, equipment integrity, and process requirements.&nbsp; Equipment manufacturers are obligated to ensure the safety and reliability of the equipment supplied is assured.&nbsp; The integrity, when warranted, must be balanced with the overall process safety.&nbsp; This can be easily recognized in mission-critical systems such as nuclear standby power applications where a machines integrity may be intentionally put at risk to mitigate human safety risk.&nbsp;&nbsp; Other less obvious applications may also warrant critical hazard operations analysis conclusions that sacrifice machine integrity or reliability to ensure human safety.Modern systems often incorporate substantially increased automation scope and process automation methods of increased complexity when compared to older systems.&nbsp; This often results in the increased incorporation of instrumentation and monitoring.&nbsp; While this may or may not result in increased tripping, it does result in increased fidelity of alarm and tripping information.&nbsp; That is, where traditional systems may annunciate a single trip that could result from any one of several events, modern system more specifically identify the source of a given trip event.&nbsp; Operators are potentially inundated with information, which is not necessarily conducive to increased availability.

Alarms, Shutdowns and Trip Rationalization

Paper Proceedings: https://asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/GT/GT2021/volume/84898

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