TABLE OF CONTENTS "Learn from the mistakes of others, you'll never live long enough to make them all yourself."
Old Pilots' saying
but .
"You're never too old to become younger."
Mae West
Maintenance, [1] repair, and overhaul make up a major component of the cost per fired hour for a gas turbine system. The initial specification sets the tone for the end user's experience with that turbine. Systems and accessories can be specified that will help raise the turbine's TBOs and component lives (see Chapter 9, ECMS, and Chapter 10, Performance, Performance Testing, and Performance Optimization). The end user's negotiated warranty, service, and training package (see Chapter 14, The Business of Gas Turbines) also has the ability to improve matters in both the operator's and the turbine's life. Repair and overhaul are inevitable, as the turbine ages, however this component of cost per fired hour can be minimized if the end user is proactive in terms of strategy in this vein.
Maximized availability, or "up time," and the troubleshooting process (i.e., how easy it is to troubleshoot a machine) depends largely on the type of maintenance philosophy applied during the machine's operational life. This basic philosophy also affects the monitoring process.
Equally, the strategies and philosophy behind a turbine's selection play a key role in defining maintenance requirements. Unfortunately, a number of operators never link maintenance philosophy and troubleshooting to an appropriate extent. Therefore, they either leave themselves wide open for disastrous repair bills or...
