Degradation of Compressor Blades of Gas Turbines in Coastal and Industrial Environment

Abstract

Gas turbine compressor blades will age and degrade in their operation. There are a lot of factors that will contribute to the degradation mechanisms and its acceleration. These factors encompass the site location, the site conditions including the aspect of air quality, water washing practice, etc. A study undertaken by Materials Engineering Group of TNB Research Sdn Bhd on 2 units of gas turbine compressor those are located near to the sea around Peninsular of Malaysia, to determine the degradation mechanisms of the blades. All these gas turbine units are located in different industrial environment. The first gas turbine unit, so called GTA is located in coastal, petrochemicals production and crude oil refining environment. The second gas turbine unit, so called GTB, located in coastal and industrial environment. The surrounding industries of GTB including oil refinery, chemical, ship fabrication and etc. This paper reports the degradation type of those gas turbine units’ compressor blades with their contributing factors.