GEK106910

April 1998
Replaces VARIGV00

GE Power Systems
Gas Turbine

Variable Inlet Guide Vane System

I. GENERAL

Variable compressor inlet guide vanes (VIGV) are installed on the turbine to provide compressor pulsation
protection during startup and shutdown and also to be used during operation under partial load conditions.
The variable inlet guide vane actuator is a hydraulically actuated assembly having a closed feedback control
loop to control the guide vanes angle. The vanes are automatically positioned within their operating range
in response either to the control system exhaust temperature limits for normal loaded operation, or to the
control system pulsation protection limits during the start-up and shutdown sequences. On DLN units, the
IGV angle is modulated to control air flow to the combustors for DLN operation modes.

II. GUIDE VANE ACTUATION

The modulated inlet guide vane actuating system includes the following components: servo valve 90TV,
position sensors (LVDT) 96TV-1 and 96TV-2, and hydraulic dump valve VH3. These are shown on the trip
oil and IGV schematic diagrams in Volume III. When the inlet guide vane dump solenoid valve 20TV in the
trip oil circuit is energized, its drain ports are blocked thus allowing the trip oil to operate the dump valve
VH3. Actuation of the dump valve allows hydraulic oil to flow through servo valve 90TV. Control of 90TV
will port hydraulic oil through the dump valve to operate the variable inlet guide vane actuator.

For normal shutdown, inlet guide vane actuation is the reverse of the startup sequence; the compressor bleed
valves will open when the generator breaker is opened. The inlet guide vanes will ramp to the full closed
position as a function of temperature corrected speed.

In the event of a turbine trip, the compressor bleed valves will open and the inlet guide vanes will ramp to
the closed position as a function of temperature corrected speed.

III. PULSATION PROTECTION CONTROL

The inlet guide vanes are automatically positioned during a start-up and a shutdown sequence to avoid gas
turbine compressor pulsation. The pulsation limit is expressed as a function of IGV angle and corrected
speed, shown by the broken line on Figure 1. Corrected speed is a compressor design parameter that is a func-
tion of the actual running speed of the compressor and the inlet air temperature. The control system utilizes
the measured variables of turbine speed and ambient temperature to determine the IGV angle and automati-
cally modulate them to that position.

These instructions do not purport to cover all details or variations in equipment nor to provide for every possible
contingency to be met in connection with installation, operation or maintenance. Should further information be desired or
should particular problems arise which are not covered sufficiently for the purchasers purposes the matter should be
referred to the GE Company.
1998 GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
GEK106910 Variable Inlet Guide Vane System

Full Open (Max. Angle)

IGV Angle Degrees (CSRVPS)

Minimum Full Speed Angle

Rotating
Stall
Region

Corrected Speed % 100

(TNHCOR) 0 Load 100
%

Figure 1. IGV Angle vs Corrected Speed and Load.

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Variable Inlet Guide Vane System GEK106910

IV. EXHAUST TEMPERATURE CONTROL

For applications such as a regenerative cycle or where there is a steam generator (boiler) in the gas turbine
exhaust, it is desirable to maximize the exhaust temperature. The control program for such turbines includes
an exhaust temperature control which automatically holds the IGV at a minimum angle during part-load op-
erations. A switch is provided to permit the operator to select this mode of operation.

V. OPERATION

During a normal start-up, the inlet guide vanes are held in the full-closed position (see the Control Specifica-
tions in this service manual for settings) until the proper temperature-corrected speed is reached. At this time,
the guide vanes will begin to open. A graphic representation of this action is shown in Figure 1. The compres-
sor bleed valves, which must operate in conjunction with the VIGVs to maintain compressor surge margin
during startup, will close when the generator breaker is closed.

When the VIGV temperature control mode is not activated, the guide vanes are held at the minimum full-
speed angle until the simple cycle VIGV exhaust temperature is reached. This temperature is the constant
CSKGVSSR. As the exhaust temperature rises, a value computed as the product of constant CSKGVTPG
times the difference between the actual exhaust temperature TTXM and CSKGVSSR is added to the mini-
mum angle, causing the VIGVs to open until they reach the maximum angle. This sets a minimum load which
the unit must reach before the VIGVs are allowed to open. This is necessary to avoid combustion resonance
and must not be changed.

For applications which require part load exhaust temperature control operation, the guide vanes are switched
to the IGV temp control On with a soft switch. In this mode the VIGVs remain at the minimum full operat-
ing position until the base exhaust temperature limit is reached. At this point, they begin to open to hold the
exhaust temperature at this limit until they are full open when the exhaust temoerature control reverts to fuel
modulation. In order to keep the fuel control and IGV control from trying to act simultaneously, a fuel control
bias is added to keep the fuel line slightly above the VIGV line. This bias is the product of constant
CSKGVBG times the difference between the maximum VIGV angle (constant CSKGVMAX) and the VIGV
reference CSRGV. This bias becomes zero when the VIGVs are fully open and the fuel temperature control
takes over.

The operator can activate or deactivate the VIGV temperature control mode at any time via the panel soft
switches. The control system will automatically reprogram the VIGVs to the correct position at a controlled
rate. Manual open/close soft switches are provided to allow the operator to manually position the VIGVs
between the minimum full speed angle and full Open. This control should only be used in special circum-
stances to limit the travel (amount opened). The manual control is limited to command an angle only when
less than that being called for by the automatic control system. In normal operation, the manual control is
set at full open. For applications requiring steam turbine warmup, the operator can select a desired exhaust
temperature and the IGVs will modulate to achieve the setpoint. Refer to the control sequence program for
a detailed representation of the VIGV software.

VI. FAULT PROTECTION

The guide vane protection system will trip solenoid valve 20TV, initiate a fast normal shutdown and annunci-
ate if there is low hydraulic supply pressure, or the LVDT feedback is different from command, or IGV posi-
tion trouble is indicated. Should the inlet guide vane system be tripped under and one of the above conditions,
the SPEEDTRONIC sequencing logic generates a signal which is used in the start check circuit to prevent
any attempt to restart the turbine prior to eliminating the cause for the trip.

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GEK 106910 Variable Inlet Guide Vane System

The primary IGV fault signal is generated by the IGV not following CSRGV algorithm, L86GVT. This
algorithm compares the difference between the VIGV position feedback CSGV and the reference signal
CSRGV to generate alarm signal, L86GVA if the IGV is not following the reference within the value of
LK86GVA1 given in the Control Specifications Settings. The alarm signal is annunciated if the difference
persists for time LK86GVA2 specified in the Control Specifications Settings. During part speed operation,
a trip signal L86GVT is generated if the VIGV position feedback CSGV does not agree with the speed refer-
ence CSRGV within the value of LK86GVT1 and for a time of LK86GVT2 given in the Control Specifica-
tions Settings. Trip signal L86GVT will deenergize 20TV, trip the turbine and annunciate an alarm. During
full-speed operation, trip logic L4GVTX will alarm and trip the turbine if the VIGV feedback CSGV falls
below a minimum allowable full-speed value LK4IGVTX.

GE Power Systems

General Electric Company

One River Road, Schenectady, NY 12345
518 385 2211 TX: 145354