Turbomachinery is a mechanical engineering term describing machines, which transfer energy between a gas/liquid and a rotor. Compressors and turbines both fall under this category.
Turbines usually use a fast flow of gas, air, or water so as to generate shaft power. In contrast, compressors pressurize substances by moving energy from a rotor to a gas or liquid. Both compressors and turbines work together.
Because of potential hazards, expense, and size of turbomachinery, most companies use a control system to maintain and monitor proper function. Being updated with innovations in turbomachinery control systems may help companies use effective solutions.
Table of Contents
Structure of a Turbomachinery Control System
Every system has a compressor to compress air or liquid, a turbine to convert gas/liquid energy into mechanical energy, and a combustion chamber so as to blend gas with fuel.
Part of mechanical energy is used to spin the turbine, while the remaining energy, based on the use of the system, can speed or spin the turbogenerator.
Different protection and control systems are used in turbomachinery control systems for normal and proper operation. Without a proper turbomachinery system, the danger will threaten your machines’ secure and safe operations.
So a turbomachinery control system should have a strong design and high reliability as well as availability. That said, turbine systems can be used in different applications, including:
- Turbo-compressor
- Turbo-pump
- Turbo-generator
Types of Turbomachinery Control Systems
Basically, there are four types of turbomachinery control systems. Some of these are discussed below:
- Gas turbine – This is the newest and most famous source of generating electricity. It normally uses gas gained after the fluid energy is burned. This turbine is best for jets and cruises.
- Steam turbine – The turbine was first introduced in 1887. Its successful operation opened new doors for more opportunities. This turbine is still used to generate a lot of electrical energy in power plants. Similar to a gas turbine, it generates energy by burning gas and coal.
- Wind turbine – This is a common turbomachinery type, mostly placed far away from cities on vacant farmlands. But still, the entire world has not yet recognized windmills as a vital element in economic growth.
- Water turbine – A water turbine is also referred to as a hydraulic turbine. An example is the enormous hydraulic system in the fascinating Niagra Fall that got installed in19th century so as to generate more hydroelectricity.
Trends
The controls industry is among the most vibrant fields of turbomachinery innovations. Vendors like Compressor Controls Corporation, Woodward, and Tri-Sen, are among the major leaders in the industry.
These vendors explained how they address trends related to plant, digitization, cloud computing, safety, performance, and integration versus turbomachinery control systems.
According to Compressor Controls Corporation, the biggest ongoing trend in turbomachinery systems is that capital projects usually go over budget and over-schedule. In order to minimize the costs of project engineering, users can use software engineering tools.
The Bottom Line!
Like many turbines, perhaps your turbomachinery control system also sits at the heart of your plant. And since it’s one of the important assets you have, you will need more advanced control options and in-depth knowledge of maintaining it so as to prolong its lifecycle.