High temperature pressure sensors for gas turbine monitoring
IMI Sensors, a division of PCB Piezotronics, has launched Series 176 high temperature pressure sensors for gas turbine monitoring. When directly mounted to a gas turbine's combustor, the company claims the sensors provide consistent, reliable combustion dynamics data monitoring.
The technology reportedly detects and measures dynamic pressure phenomena and combustion instability in the extreme heat environments (+986°F, +530°C) generated by today's gas turbines. According to IMI, the sensors are also ATEX and CSA certified for use in hazardous areas and are ideally suited for gas turbine monitoring with sensitivities to 17pC/psi (2.5pC/kPa) and ranges from 20psi (140kPa) dynamic to 400psi (2760kPa) static.
IMI claims that by mounting the sensors to the combustor, gas turbine operators can rely on critical diagnostics, part fatigue analysis, and the ability to continuously monitor and control emissions. Operators can apparently save time during combustion inspections and overhauls due to the elimination of tubing and a purging system. The high frequency capability of the sensors is said to enable the use of auto tuning and online diagnostic monitoring systems. According to IMI, the technology is also able to provide an output that can easily connect to legacy combustion dynamics monitoring systems.
