GEK 107070

January 1999

GE Power Systems
Gas Turbine

Flame Detection and Protection System

with Silicon Carbide Detector Circuit

The SPEEDTRONIC flame detectors perform two functions, one during the starting sequence and the other
in the protective system. During a normal startup the flame detectors indicate when a flame has been estab-
lished in the combustion chamber, and allow the startup sequence to continue. Should the flame detectors
indicate a loss–of–flame condition while the gas turbine is running, fuel is immediately shut off. This avoids
the possible accumulation of an explosive mixture in the turbine and any exhaust heat recovery equipment
which may be installed. The flame detector system, used with the SPEEDTRONIC system, detects flame
by sensing ultraviolet radiation (UV). Such radiation results from the combustion of hydrocarbon fuels, and
is more reliably detected than visible light, which varies in color and intensity.

The number of flame detectors used on a gas turbine will vary depending on the type of machine, the type
of combustion system and, in some cases, the type of fuel. The Dry Low NOx I (DLN–1) combustion system
requires 8 flame detectors to enable separate flame detection for the primary and the secondary burning
zones. The DLN–2 combustion system, as well as most other machines will have 4 flame detectors. Some
retrofits and all aircraft derivative machines will have 2 flame detectors.

Figure 1 is a block diagram of the Silicon Carbide (SiC) Flame Sensor. The sensor has a sapphire window
that is transparent to UV light and can withstand the compressor discharge temperature and pressure. It has
a lens inside that focuses the light on a silicon carbide photodiode in a hermetic package. The photodiode
is wired to a special mosfet input amplifier. The amplifier has a high initial gain, which automatically shifts
to a lower gain in order to accommodate a wide range of input light level without saturating. The amplifier
generates a differential voltage output that is sent back to the interface box on two wires. The whole transduc-
er is sealed and filled with dry argon. The sensor is powered by 8 volts supplied by the Interface Module.

The Interface Module consists of a mother board and from 1 to 4 daughter boards. Each daughter board pro-
vides power and signal conditioning for two sensors. The Modules are powered from 24 volts dc. The Mod-
ule provide a frequency output for the Mark V controllers.

Figure 2 is a block diagram of the Mark V Interface Module. The Module is powered from the protective
<P> modules isolated 24 volt supply. This supply consists of the output of three TCEA cards that has been
diode selected on the TCTG card to provide the highest voltage of the three cards. The 24 volts from the
TCTG card is connected to the Flame Sensor Module. Each of the four daughter boards provides the 8 volt
power supply and the signal conditioning for a pair of sensors. The three 24 volt power connections (JLX,
JLY and JLZ) are redundant and only one connection needs to be used.

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 purchaser’s purposes the matter should be
referred to the GE Company.
 1999 GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
GEK 107070 Flame Detection and Protection Systems

Figure 1. Sic Flame Sensor and Interface Box.

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Flame Detection and Protection Systems GEK 107070

A frequency is generated from the interface module. This frequency is measured in each of the protection
cards. The presence of a frequency above a level set by the I/O configuration determines the presence of
flame. The frequency is a measure of flame intensity. Note that a short circuited or open circuited sensor will
result in a NO FLAME signal .

The flame detector system is similar to other protective systems, in that it is self–monitoring. For example,
when the gas turbine is shut down all channels must indicate “NO FLAME”. If this condition is not met, the
condition is annunciated as a “FLAME DETECTOR TROUBLE” alarm, and the turbine cannot be started.

When only 2 flame detectors are used per machine, flame is presumed present if any one sensor indicates
flame. When 4 flame sensors are used, the presence of flame is presumed if at least 2 sensors indicate flame.
With DLN–1 combustion systems there are 4 flame detectors in the primary section and 4 in the secondary
section. Flame is presumed present in a section if any two sensors in a section indicate flame.

If one of the four Interface Module daughter boards fails, it will disable two sensors. The control algorithms
can allow the turbine to continue running, based on information from the remaining operating flame sensors.
The daughter boards also convert the voltage from the two sensors into a frequency which is sent to the <P>
module.

The <P> module circuits that ordinarily sense the pulses from the Geiger Mueller (GM) Tube type flame
detectors now receive the frequency generated by the Interface Module. When the SiC sensors detect flame,
the Flame Sensor Interface Module generates square waves that are counted by the Mark V <P> module’s
TCEA cards exactly the same way the GM pulses were counted. The 300 volts will still be present on the
TCEA cards, requiring appropriate safeguards while working with the <P> module.

The frequency output of the Interface Module will range higher than the GM tube. The frequency conversion
is nearly linear. The most significant requirement is that the output for the no flame condition does not drift
up in voltage, which could cause a false flame on signal. The sensor specification requires that the minimum
sensed light level must generate 200 millivolts, and with no light stay within 50 millivolts of zero. The flame
sensor module will generate approximately 66 Hz with 200 mv input, (330 Hz/volt) and could range as high
as several kilohertz with very bright UV light.

Because the output signal generated by the Interface module is a square wave, it might couple to other sensi-
tive circuits like speed inputs or unused flame inputs and cause a problem; for this reason shielded wire has
been specified for connection from the flame sensor module to <P>.

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GE Power Systems

General Electric Company

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