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ISOLATING INNER ON-LINE WATER WASH (OLWW) SYSTEM NOZZLE MANIFOLD FOR F-CLASS UNITS APPLICABLE TO
All commissioned F Class gas turbines with on-line water wash systems.

TIL 1323-3 GE ENERGY SERVICES PRODUCT SERVICE 22 November 2002

TECHNICAL INFORMATION LETTER

Additionally, GE recommends reducing the OLWW system pressure supplied to the outer (aft) manifold to 40 psig by installing a pressure reducing valve and locally monitored pressure gauge. Initial testing performed by GE has indicated this system configuration has reduced the OLWW erosion rate. However, additional data collection and testing is in progress for long-term system application. To support this recommendation, GE is advising on the installation of a 1 manual isolation ball valve in the inner (forward) manifold supply line and operation of the system with the valve shut or, instead of inserting a manual isolation valve, simply cutting and capping both ends of the supply line will suffice in eliminating water flow through the inner nozzle manifold. For the outer (aft) nozzle manifold, it is suggested that a 1 pressure throttling valve and 0-150 psi pressure gauge be installed in the outer (aft) manifold supply line. Both of these modifications should be made at your next available outage. All material must be capable of isolating pressures up to 150 psi and able to withstand application in a water environment. Please note, installation and operation of these recommendations does not affect the off line water wash system.

PURPOSE
To inform users of GEs recommendation to isolate the inner OLWW system nozzle manifold by either installing a manual isolation valve or blanking the supply piping to the inner water wash nozzle supply line. The purpose of this TIL revision is to make additional recommendations for on line water wash system operation recommendations.

BACKGROUND DISCUSSION
After R0 blade erosion was established as the root cause for a GE 9FA Gas Turbine suffering a blade liberation event, GE began looking for ways to improve its OLWW system. Our goal was to maintain the current performance benefit given by daily operation of the OLWW system while eliminating, or significantly reducing, the R0 blade leading edge erosion being seen across the F Class fleet. After extensive testing in the laboratory and field on multiple GE F class units, we recommend operating the OLWW system in the following configuration.

RECOMMENDATIONS
GE recommends operating the OLWW system utilizing only the outer (aft) manifold. Testing done by GE shows the inner (forward) OLWW manifold does not contribute to compressor cleaning and may cause increased erosion rates on the R0 blade leading edge due to water stratification on the bell mouth struts which then impact the root of the R0 blade. Elimination of this manifold has not impacted compressor performance degradation rates when compared to a two manifold system.
COPYRIGHT 2002 GE The information published in this Technical Information Letter is offered to you by GE in consideration of its ongoing sales and service relationship with your organization. However, since the operation of your plant involves many factors not within our knowledge, and since operation of the plant is in your control and ultimate responsibility for its continuing successful operation rests with you, GE specifically disclaims any responsibility for liability based on claims for damage of any type, i.e. direct, consequential or special that may be alleged to have been incurred as result of applying this information regardless of whether it is claimed that GE is strictly liable, in breach of contract, in breach of warranty, negligent, or is in other respects responsible for any alleged injury or damage sustained by your organization as a result of applying this information.

TIL 1279-1

Page 2 Please reference GE TIL 1303 for additional OLWW system operating recommendations and contact your local GE Energy Services representative for assistance or additional information.