Justin Kuipers, Senior Material Engineer
Mr. Justin Kuipers is an accomplished materials engineer with 13 years of experience in gas turbine component analysis and repair development. During his career, he has been the lead investigator in hundreds of cases, including failure analysis and life cycle prediction of gas turbine components. Justin has also been active in research and development of repair processes for rejuvenation heat treatment of super alloys (with a focus on single crystal alloys), as well as, wide gap repair processes.
Case Studies are presented in which a destructive metallurgical analysis was performed on four GE Frame 7FA+e stage 1 buckets which had each been repaired by different repair vendors using different approaches. The metallurgical condition and extent of the prior repairs are presented for each of the buckets following one additional service interval. The analysis included evaluation of the macroscopic condition, base alloy microstructure, stress rupture properties, internal and external surface coating conditions and the tip integrity. The performance and merits of each approach are discussed. The difficulty associated with repair design and execution of heavy-duty gas turbine components can vary significantly with engine design. The high efficiency, advanced technology GE Frame 7FA+e engine presents demanding repair requirements. The first stage bucket employs a hollow design with serpentine cooling passages, showerhead cooling along the leading edge, a tip cover plate and welded and brazed details within the cooling passages. These enhanced design features lead to more challenging repairs with narrower tolerances and therefore less room for error. This has resulted in an increased reliance on metallurgical analysis for evaluating component condition, repair requirements and, ultimately, qualifying the results of repairs. Destructive metallurgical analysis of four different repair approaches for Frame 7FA+e stage 1 buckets are presented in this case study.
Doug Nagy Manager – Component Repair Ontario, Canada dnagy@liburdi.com 905-689-0734
Justin Kuipers Material Engineer Ontario, Canada jkuipers@liburdi.com 905-689-0734
Jeff Chapin Business Development Manager – Power Generation North Carolina, USA jchapin@liburditurbine.com 704-230-2510
Rob Rowland Senior Engineer Manager – IGT Component Repair North Carolina, USA rrowland@liburditurbine.com 704-230-2510
Liburdi Turbine Services provides turbine engineering including metallurgical analysis, mechanical design, performance, R & D and repair development. LTS provides the benefit of an independent engineering analysis and advanced life extending, refurbishment processes and coatings. Liburdi Turbine Services repair division, located in Ontario and North Carolina, provide a complete range of component refurbishment and advanced life extending processes for the latest class of high performance aero and industrial turbines; including FSR® Rejuvenation, LPM™ Powder Metallurgy, automated welding processes, and unique coatings for erosion, oxidation and corrosion resistance.
Liburdi Turbine Services is unique in comparison to the characteristic third party turbine component repair company, having well over 30 metallurgical, material, aerospace and mechanical engineers in-house. Typically, conventional repairs carried out by others are limited to general weld repairs and strip/recoat and then often retired after 50,000 – 70,000 hours of service per OEM recommendation. Liburdi’s Advanced Repairs are designed and proven to extend the reliable service life to 100,000+ hours amounting in hundreds of thousands of dollars in maintenance savings. At Liburdi we provide repairs for all types and models of gas turbines:
Liburdi Advanced Repairs for all Expensive Critical Turbine Components:
Liburdi Advanced Repair Processes:
Website
www.liburdi.com
400 Highway 6 North Dundas, Ontario L9H 7K4 Canada