Session: 04-34 Combustion Experiments III

Paper Number: 153815

Uniform Crystal Temperature Sensor Application on PSM FlameSheet™ Combustor for High Hydrogen Operation 

In the pursuit of increasing hydrogen (H2) fuel concentration in large gas turbine combustors used for power generation, full condition rig testing is necessary to prove operational capability and ensure component life.  Hydrogen combustion characteristics can vary substantially from traditional natural gas (NG) combustion leading to challenges in maintaining emissions compliance, flame stability and turndown on wide ranges of H2/NG concentration.  Typically, multiple modes of operation are required to achieve desirable operational characteristics over the range of H2/NG fuel concentrations which leads to new challenges meeting design life requirements.  Accurate metal temperature measurements are critical to combustion hardware life analysis.  In recent full condition combustion rig testing of a single combustor on high concentrations of H2, UCTS (Uniform Crystal Temperature Sensor), commonly known as “thermal crystals” were installed to measure peak metal temperatures in a dedicated thermal cycle run.  Due to specific circumstances of the design space, conventional thermocouples were not installed, and thermal crystals were found to be the best available means of metal temperature measurement.  The dome extension to which UCTS were applied is a one component of the PSM FlameSheet™ combustor.  It is subject to very high temperature, particularly on high H2 concentration, potentially leading to premature component failure if maximum material temperature limits are exceeded.  Small excursions from these material capability temperature limits can yield drastically shortened life resulting in performance degradation from damaged hardware, or worse, shutdown of the unit for repair.  Therefore, accuracy of the metal temperature measurements is critical.  Results of a successful UCTS test are presented in the paper.

Presenting Author: Ramesh Keshava Bhattu Power Systems Mfg., LLC

Presenting Author Biography: Ramesh, a seasoned Structural Analysis Engineer with two decades of experience, excels in analyzing combustion, aerospace, and automotive components. His expertise extends across Linear and Non-linear Static, Dynamic and Fatigue Analysis (HCF & LCF), and Thermo-Mechanical Fatigue.

Currently leading Structural Analysis at PSM, Ramesh ensures the durability of IGT Combustion hardware and oversees instrumentation for FEA validation and engine combustion system performance during rig testing and engine commissioning.

Renowned for his innovative work, Ramesh holds US Patent 10739007 for FlameSheet Diffusion Cartridge and US Patent 10215418 for a Sealing device for a gas turbine combustor. He has four additional patent-pending applications for multitube pilot injectors for gas turbine engines.

Recognized as an ASME Session Organizer and Chair (MMM Track) for Turbo Expo from 2021 to 2025, Ramesh has reviewed numerous technical papers and authored or co-authored several papers. His contributions have significantly advanced the field of structural analysis.

Key Qualifications:

Technical Expertise: Proficient in ANSYS, ABAQUS, NASTRAN, and MATLAB.
Experience: 20+ years in structural analysis of combustion, aerospace, and automotive components.
Achievements: Multiple patents, publications, and ASME leadership roles.
Education: Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) from JNT University, India.

Authors:

Andrew Green Power Systems Mfg., LLC
Ramesh Keshava Bhattu Power Systems Mfg., LLC
Bryan Kalb Power Systems Mfg., LLC
Anastasia Thomas LG Tech-Link Global, LLC