On-site non-destructive Inspection of GT Blades: Invitation to join a new Group Sponsored Project (GSP)

Preamble

Scanning Force Microscope (SFM) has been developed for the on-site inspection of industrial components to detect and map early stage (nano or micro level) creep, fatigue or corrosion type damage. It is a portable version of the Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) which has been usually used for research purposes. ETD is proud to have it developed for the on-site inspection of industrial plant components where the damage may be too small to resolve by the traditional NDE techniques, for example, the early stage creep cavitation damage in ASME P91 or P92 steels.

GT Blade Inspection

In a recent exploratory phase project ETD discovered and demonstrated the SFM’s in-lab. use for the inspection of Gas Turbine blade pieces to study the gamma prime shape and size development with time thus enabling SFM use for the on-site inspection of GT blades non-destructively.

We are now planning to take this development to the next phase of optimising the SFM image resolution parameters in the lab. tests on full size GT blades followed by on-site inspection of the GT blades and develop relationship parameters between the coarsening of the gamma prime precipitates, their shape and blade condition/ safe remaining life.

Benefits

This 6-month duration investigation should be of huge benefit to the GT blade manufacturers, plant owners/ operators and service providers who will have access to a new and innovative technology and tool that helps to non-destructively examine and assess the condition/ life of GT blades saving them significant costs.

Group Sponsored Project and Cost

Please note that this proposal has been launched as a Group Sponsored Project which means that a number of sponsors will share the cost each contributing a small cost but getting the full results. The actual cost will depend on the number of sponsors that we can obtain but could be between £5,000 to £10,000 GB pounds for each sponsor.

Please click here to see the proposal details.

For more information please write to Dr A Shibli at: ashibli@etd-consulting.com

Please let us know if you would like to contribute an old GT blade for investigation either in the lab or at the site.