Improving performance through enhancing gas turbine components

The Power Generation Gas Turbine User Group aims to bring together those involved in the design, management, operation and maintenance of gas turbines to exchange ideas, identify solutions to operational challenges and learn about new developments. The conference itself has been organised by the Institute of Mechanical Engineers and will see operations managers, maintenance managers and engineers attending a series of presentations.

As part of the strategic maintenance and compliance discussion, Rene Vijgen, Managing Director, Sulzer Venlo Service Centre, competence centre for gas turbine service solutions, will provide an insight into enhancing OEM designs of hot gas path components for improved cycle expectation, reparability, life extension and reducing the cost of ownership.

The presentation will examine the latest custom coatings that can be applied to protect against hot corrosion and oxidation, including the addition of thermal barrier coatings that extend the operational life of components in the hot gas path. Other engineering upgrades, such as drilling additional cooling holes, have been proven to increase the durability of components, such as the flame tube.

By consulting with independent specialists and implementing a number of engineering upgrades it is possible to extend the hot gas path inspection, especially on turbines that are used as a peaking plant and may only be operating infrequently. For those attending the conference Rene Vijgen will be on hand to discuss improvements in gas turbine performance.