Patent ID: 8417433

Claim:
A computerized method, implemented by a processing unit, for dynamically tuning a combustor of a gas turbine (GT) engine, the method comprising: monitoring parameters of the GT engine during operation, wherein the parameters quantify at least one of combustion dynamics or emission composition; detecting that a plurality of the monitored parameters exceed predetermined upper or lower limits; identifying the plurality of monitored parameters that exceed the predetermined upper or lower limits as exhibiting an out-of-tune condition; comparing the identified parameters against a scanning order table to determine which one of the identified parameters is highest ranked; selecting a fuel-flow split for adjustment based, in part, on at least one of the identified parameters exhibiting the out-of-tune condition, wherein the process of selecting comprises: (a) using graphical representations to evaluate a set of fuel-flow splits, wherein a graphical representation includes one or more slopes associated with a respective fuel-flow split, and wherein the one or more slopes correspond with a respective identified parameter plotted against tuning values of the respective fuel-flow split; and (b) identifying a fuel-flow split that, upon incrementing its tuning values within an associated graphical representation, produces a greatest positive impact on the highest-ranked parameter and produces a least negative impact on a remainder of the identified parameters; and incrementally adjusting the selected fuel-flow split a predefined amount.