IMPROVED METHOD FOR FLAME DETECTION IN COMBUSTION TURBINES

A fast response chemiluminescent flame detection approach is presented along with field test results from a fiber optic based flame detector device. Chemiluminescence, the light given off by molecules formed in their excited states, has long been recognized as a diagnostics metho d for use in combustion. The recent advent of higher quality optical f ibers with improved transmission properties in the UV, as well as UV o ptical detectors, has made the use of chemiluminescence for gas turbin e diagnostics and monitoring practical. Advances in combustor designs on new low-emissions machines as well as reliability issues with some existing machines are creating the need for improved flame dynamics me asurements as well as improvements in reliability for existing measure ments such as combustor flame detection. This paper discusses the tech nology, principle of operation, and detectors that operate on the chem iluminescence principle.