System and method for controlling a combustor assembly
A system and method for controlling a combustor assembly are disclosed. The system includes a combustor assembly. The combustor assembly includes a combustor and a fuel nozzle assembly. The combustor includes a casing. The fuel nozzle assembly is positioned at least partially within the casing and includes a fuel nozzle. The fuel nozzle assembly further defines a head end. The system further includes a viewing device configured for capturing an image of at least a portion of the head end, and a processor communicatively coupled to the viewing device, the processor configured to compare the image to a standard image for the head end.
1. A system for controlling a combustor assembly, the system comprising:
a combustor assembly comprising a combustor and a fuel nozzle assembly, the combustor comprising a casing, the fuel nozzle assembly positioned at least partially within the casing and comprising a fuel nozzle, the fuel nozzle assembly further defining a head end;
a viewing device facing the head end and configured for capturing an image of at least a portion of the head end; and
a processor communicatively coupled to the viewing device, the processor configured to compare the image to a standard image for the head end.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the viewing device is a camera.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the viewing device captures visual images.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the viewing device captures infrared images.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the viewing device is mounted at least partially within the casing.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to convert the image into one of a temperature map, a color spectrum map, or a brightness map.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further communicatively coupled to a combustor control system, and wherein the combustor control system performs a responsive action if at least a portion of the image is outside of a pre-defined range relative to the standard image.
8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the responsive action is a change in one of fuel flow rate or working fluid flow rate.
9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the image comprises a plurality of pixels, and wherein each of the plurality of pixels is compared to a respective pixel of the standard image.
10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the fuel nozzle assembly further comprises a cap assembly.
11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the fuel nozzle assembly comprises a plurality of fuel nozzles.
12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the combustor assembly comprises a plurality of combustors.
13. A gas turbine, comprising:
a combustor assembly comprising a combustor and a fuel nozzle assembly, the combustor comprising a casing, the fuel nozzle assembly positioned at least partially within the casing and comprising a fuel nozzle, the fuel nozzle assembly further defining a head end;
a viewing device facing the head end and configured for capturing an image of at least a portion of the head end; and
a processor communicatively coupled to the viewing device, the processor configured to compare the image to a standard image for the head end.
14. The gas turbine of claim 13 , wherein the processor is further configured to convert the image into one of a temperature map, a color spectrum map, or a brightness map.
15. The gas turbine of claim 13 , wherein the processor is further communicatively coupled to a combustor control system, and wherein the combustor control system performs a responsive action if at least a portion of the image is outside of a pre-defined range relative to the standard image.
16. A method for controlling a combustor assembly, the method comprising:
capturing an image of at least a portion of a head end of a fuel nozzle assembly for a combustor, the combustor comprising a casing, the fuel nozzle assembly positioned at least partially within the casing and comprising a fuel nozzle, the fuel nozzle assembly further defining the head end; and
comparing the image to a standard image for the head end.
17. The method of claim 16 , further comprising converting the image into one of a temperature map, a color spectrum map, or a brightness map.
18. The method of claim 16 , further comprising performing a responsive action if at least a portion of the image is outside of a pre-defined range relative to the standard image.
19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the responsive action is a change in one of fuel flow rate, working fluid flow rate, or fuel split.
20. The method of claim 16 , wherein the image comprises a plurality of pixels, and wherein the comparing step comprises comparing each of the plurality of pixels to a respective pixel of the standard image.