ENERGY SERVICES ENGINEERING TIL 1713

PRODUCT SERVICE 12 OCTOBER 2009

Compliance Category – S
Timing Code - 2

TECHNICAL INFORMATION LETTER

6B, 6FA, 6FA+E & 9E FALSE START DRAIN SYSTEM RECOMMENDATIONS

APPLICATION
6B, 6FA, 6FA+e & 9E units with liquid fuel that shipped before 2009.

PURPOSE
To inform users to follow Inspection and Maintenance manual recommendations and confirm the false start drain
system is operating correctly after a false start event. In addition, this TIL will inform users of the availability of optional
false drain system improvements for units with Mk V and later control systems.

Compliance Category

O - Optional Identifies changes that may be beneficial to some, but not necessarily all,
operators. Accomplishment is at customer's discretion.

M - Maintenance Identifies maintenance guidelines or best practices for reliable equipment

operation.

C - Compliance Required Identifies the need for action to correct a condition that, if left uncorrected,
may result in reduced equipment reliability or efficiency. Compliance may be
required within a specific operating time.

A - Alert Failure to comply with the TIL could result in equipment damage or facility
damage. Compliance is mandated within a specific operating time.

S – Safety Failure to comply with this TIL could result in personal injury. Compliance is
mandated within a specific operating time.

Timing Code

1 Prior to Unit Startup / Prior to Continued Operation (forced outage condition)

2 At First Opportunity (next shutdown)

3 Prior to Operation of Affected System

4 At First Exposure of Component

5 At Scheduled Component Part Repair or Replacement

6 Next Scheduled Outage

7 Optional
COPYRIGHT 2009 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.
This Technical Information Letter contains proprietary information of the General Electric Company, USA and is furnished to its customer solely to
assist that customer in the installation, testing, operation and/or maintenance of the equipment described. This document shall not be reproduced in
whole or in part nor shall its contents be disclosed to any third party without the written approval of GE Energy Services Engineering.
 TIL 1713
BACKGROUND DISCUSSION
The purpose of the False Start Drain System (FSD) is to remove fuel oil or other liquids from the combustion, compressor
discharge, turbine, and exhaust sections while the unit is shutdown and during startup sequence.

A blocked system prevents liquid fuel from fully draining from the piping. During operation, there is a risk that high
temperatures may ignite and burn the trapped fuel, creating a hazardous condition to equipment and personnel.

Although no events have been recorded to date on the frame sizes addressed in this TIL, a recent review has
emphasized the importance of performing regular FSD maintenance, particularly to confirm that the false start drain
system is operating correctly after a false start,

In addition, this TIL addresses optional system improvements that are available for units with Mk V and later control
systems.

RECOMMENDATIONS
As described in the GE Inspection and Maintenance Manual, it is required to check for proper operation of the false start
drain valves during startup and shut down, and after a false start event it must be confirmed that the drain lines are not
blocked. This is achieved by confirming that airflow is present in the funnels downstream of the false start drain valves
(VA17-1. VA17-X) while the unit is in cranking mode. This visual check confirms that the drain lines are not blocked, and
that there is sufficient drainage.

OPTIONAL ENHANCEMENTS
In addition, the following optional improvements are available for units with Mk V and later control systems.

NOTE: The upgrades described below in sections A & B are optional (at the customer’s discretion) and are not required to
be compliant with the recommendations of this TIL.

A. HMI Screen acknowledgment of visual inspection

This HMI software modification provides a reminder to the operator to check for airflow downstream of the VA17 valves
after a false start event. This software upgrade is available for Mark V or Mark VI control systems.

After a false start event on liquid fuel an alarm window is displayed on the HMI screen. During the next starting
sequence, the unit will be prevented from firing and a window with an acknowledgment button will be displayed on the
HMI screen.

Checked that air flow is

present downstream false
start drain valve VA17-1
when 14HM is reached

Figure 1: HMI Screen (applicable for Mk V and Mk VI only)

COPYRIGHT 2009 GE
This Technical Information Letter contains proprietary information of the General Electric Company, USA and is furnished to its customer solely to
assist that customer in the installation, testing, operation and/or maintenance of the equipment described. This document shall not be reproduced in
whole or in part nor shall its contents be disclosed to any third party without the written approval of GE Energy Services Engineering.
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 TIL 1713
To acknowledge the alarm on the window, the operator must go to the unit to check that airflow is present in the
funnels downstream of false start drain valves (VA17-1. VA17-X). Acknowledgment is only possible when unit has
reached crank speed (14HM). Permissive to fire is possible only after acknowledging the HMI validation button.

B. Automatic Detection
This modification provides two ways of automatic confirmation of the FSD system integrity:

1. VA17-1 open state confirmed via limit switch (33TFD-1).

2. Two thermocouples (WWTD-01, 02) are used to detect airflow in the drain header by an increase in the
temperature during the starting sequence

Figure 2: Typical drain piping arrangement with thermocouples.

During the startup sequence, the control system captures temperature readings from thermocouples (WWTD-01, 02)
before firing and at 80% speed, calculates the difference between the first reading and second reading and compares
the differential against a minimum limit to identify free flow and correct operation. Thermocouple differential mismatch
and out of range are also monitored by the control function.

This design incorporates automatic confirmation of VA17-1 position and flow through the false start drain system
without human intervention.

PLANNING INFORMATION
Compliance
• Compliance Category: S
• Timing Code: 2

Manpower Skills
The safety procedures recommended in this TIL are part of normal startup and shutdown.

Parts
No parts are required for the safety procedure in Recommendations section. Contact your local GE Service Manager or
Contract Performance Manager for additional information regarding options A or B.

COPYRIGHT 2009 GE
This Technical Information Letter contains proprietary information of the General Electric Company, USA and is furnished to its customer solely to
assist that customer in the installation, testing, operation and/or maintenance of the equipment described. This document shall not be reproduced in
whole or in part nor shall its contents be disclosed to any third party without the written approval of GE Energy Services Engineering.
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 TIL 1713
Special Tooling
None

Reference Documents
Unit specific Inspection & Maintenance Manual

Previous Modifications
None

Scope of Work
The safety procedures recommended in this TIL are part of normal startup and shutdown.

Contact your local GE Service Manager or Contract Performance Manager for assistance or for additional
information.

NOTE: If you would like to receive future TILs by email, contact your local GE Service Manager or Contract Performance
Manager for assistance.

COPYRIGHT 2009 GE
This Technical Information Letter contains proprietary information of the General Electric Company, USA and is furnished to its customer solely to
assist that customer in the installation, testing, operation and/or maintenance of the equipment described. This document shall not be reproduced in
whole or in part nor shall its contents be disclosed to any third party without the written approval of GE Energy Services Engineering.
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 TIL 1713

TIL COMPLIANCE RECORD

Compliance with this TIL must be entered in local records. GE requests that the customer notify GE upon compliance of
this TIL.
Complete the following TIL Compliance Record and FAX it to:
TIL Compliance
FAX: (678) 844-3451
Toll free FAX: 1-888-896-TILS (1-888-896-8457)

TIL COMPLIANCE RECORD For Internal Records Only #

Site Name: Customer Name:
Customer Contact Information GE Contact Information
Contact Name: Contact Name:
Address: Address:

Email: Email:
Phone: Phone:
FAX: FAX:
Turbine Serial Number(s):

INSTALLED EQUIPMENT TIL Completed Date:

100% TIL Completed:
Description:

Unit Numbers: Part Description: Part Number MLI Number

Comments:

NOTE: If there are any redlined drawings that pertain to this TIL implementation, please FAX the drawings along with
this TIL Compliance Record.
FAX this form to: TIL Compliance
FAX: (678) 844-3451
Toll free FAX: 1-888-896-TILS (1-888-896-8457)

COPYRIGHT 2009 GE
This Technical Information Letter contains proprietary information of the General Electric Company, USA and is furnished to its customer solely to
assist that customer in the installation, testing, operation and/or maintenance of the equipment described. This document shall not be reproduced in
whole or in part nor shall its contents be disclosed to any third party without the written approval of GE Energy Services Engineering.
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