GE Energy Announces OpFlex™ Wide Wobbe, A New Model-Based Boundary Control Solution For Gas Turbines

Citing the need in the power industry for fuel flexibility solutions, GE Energy today introduced OpFlex™ Wide Wobbe, which provides customers the ability to operate continuously across a range of natural gas-derived fuels of varying compositions while maintaining performance, reliability and operating flexibility.

The newest OpFlex offering can be used where natural gas fuel heating values fluctuate. Wide Wobbe automatically adjusts control parameters based on actual gas turbine performance and environmental conditions, allowing the unit to continue operations within emissions constraints.

With rising demand for natural gas and growth in LNG imports, the frequency and magnitude of variations in fuel composition and heating value are expected to increase. OpFlex Wide Wobbe was designed specifically with this in mind and allows customers to operate their units within +/- five percent variation from a baseline Wobbe Index.

OpFlex Wide Wobbe utilizes GE proprietary and patented model-based boundary control technology, which allows the control system to self adjust based on a complex analysis of operating conditions. Model-based boundary control enables the optimum performance permitted across all turbine operating limits, such as NOx, combustion dynamics and compressor stall.

The new OpFlex Wide Wobbe is for GE 7FA+e (PG7241) gas turbines with DLN2.6 combustors. While the first release is for 60 Hz machines, it will also be available for the 9FA+e in 2008.

“OpFlex Wide Wobbe is an exciting new development which will help our customers meet the challenges of maximizing turbine performance and availability despite increased fuel fluctuations,” said Dan Heintzelman, president of GE Energy’s services business. “Our new offering also provides a platform for future software enhancements that build upon this technology and will deliver additional operational and performance benefits to our customers.”