Gas Turbine Specialty Parts LLC (pat. pend.)
Leak Detection System
Using process air, the gold flag cap is forced off the red flag body at approximately 2-3 scfm and 7 psi allowing for complete unobstructed flow. The gas detectors are not equipped to sense a 3 scfm leak but the flag body would be visible after a shutdown and inspection of the turbine compartment. In addition, there could be air leak(s) that are not monitored which can also be detected. Air leaks could affect unit operating efficiency. Note that an approximate 150 scfm fuel leak would be equal to 10 LEL on gas detectors in a 7FA turbine compartment. A gas leak of this magnitude would either cause a unit trip or force an operator to trip the unit.
The option for a pressure switch was set for 2 psi and would be used in a remote application such as a gas yard etc. The light on top could be set up to be seen by a control room operator. Consequently, your fellow employees should never enter an operating turbine compartment in the event of a gas or air leak. Shut down the turbine, shut off the fuel, and cardox or halon fire suppression system and then enter to check for leaks. Remember, SAFETY FIRST!
Gas Turbine Specialty Parts LLC (GTSP), offers a flange “Leak Detection System” (pat. pend.), which achieves a high level of safety and provides an exact location – anywhere there is a potential leak of hydro-carbon and inert gases including ammonia, argon, carbon dioxide, helium, hydrogen, methane, natural gas, oxygen, etc. GTSP’s System allows your employees to identify and locate leak(s) and perform repairs faster and more safely than ever before. The “Leak Detection System” is easily installed over and completely surrounds the flange assembly. Each unit contains an external tube (red) that acts as an indicator whenever there is a pressure release of gas or air.
A continuing “hot” topic among combustion turbine owners/operators is finding and repairing fuel and air flange leaks in an operating turbine. General Electric has taken a proactive stance regarding safety and leak detection. EHS Safety Alert (revision 2:11 June 2015) which supports TIL 1566 R1 prohibits GE employees and its contractors from entering an operating turbine compartment to look for leaks or perform repairs. To further complicate this matter, GE TIL 1985 has determined some flange gaskets to be non-conforming due to mishandling or improper installation and could potentially leak.
Without question, it is better to find and fix small leaks before they turn into major leaks. If a major leak occurs within the fuel/air gas turbine piping, without my product to indicate the exact leak location, it could take as much as 24 clock hours (96 man hours) to check each flange for possible leakage. Should a major leak(s) be detected and within range to fix, the need to force cool can be eliminated. This can improve unit availability. Imagine the cost savings and improved safety for your employees and limiting the loss of power generation revenue which could amount to as much as $17,500 per hour! Even if you find one leak, there is no guarantee that you’ve found all of them. With GTSP’s System – you can be sure.