A driving factor when designing new power generating gas turbines is their fuel efficiency. Higher fuel efficiency means lower operating costs per megawatt generated and is important to power plant operators, often swinging the decision on which turbine to install. This is particularly important when feedstock fuel prices are high, as currently.
By using our CapaciSense ™ system, turbine designers can get a live picture of the blade tip clearances in prototype engines as they start, run & stop. As the turbines fuel efficiency is directly affected by the size of the clearance, designers and manufacturers are using that information to achieve higher efficiency for subsequent builds by adjusting the designed clearances
As our capacitive sensors will survive in high temperatures to 1400ºC / 2552ºF , even the turbine stages can have the condition of their blades monitored, an important factor as this means the whole engine can be monitored, not just the lower temperature compressor areas.
The CapaciSense ™ system is also suitable for long term use on running engines. By using the live blade clearances that the system produces, active clearance control and therefore greater fuel efficiency becomes possible.
