Professional Certificate of Competency in Gas Turbine Engineering

The course is composed of 12 modules, covering the basic thermodynamic principles behind gas turbines, the basic operation of a gas turbine and the functions of its components, simple troubleshooting and maintenance skills, and the required materials and fuels for different types of turbine.

Module 1: General Overview of Gas Turbines

• Introduction
• Frame type heavy-duty gas turbines
• Industrial type gas turbines
• Aircraft derivative gas turbines
• Comparison between aircraft-derivative and heavy-duty industrial turbines
• Small and micro gas turbines
• Aircraft gas turbines
• Gas turbine components
• Siemens Gas Turbine Technology

Module 2: Fundamental Gas Turbine Cycle Thermodynamics

• Reversible cycles with ideal gases
• Constant pressure or Brayton cycle
• Ideal inter-cooled and reheat cycles
• Actual gas turbine cycles
• List of terms and symbols used

Module 3: Gas Turbine Components

• Compressors
• Centrifugal compressors
• Axial-flow compressors
• Compressor theory
• Compressor aerodynamics
• Common problems affecting axial compressor operation and performance
• Air compressor performance characteristics
• Combustors
• Combustor performance and efficiency
• Turbines
• Fuel nozzles and igniters
• Emission control

Module 4: Materials of Construction

• Introduction
• General metallurgical behavior in gas turbines
• Gas turbine blade materials
• Blade manufacturing techniques
• Future materials

Module 5: Bearings and Seals

• Bearing materials
• Through hardened materials
• Case hardened materials
• Cage materials
• Babbitts
• Bearing design principles
• Tilting-pad journal bearings
• Design of thrust bearings
• Seals

Module 6: Lubrication System in Gas Turbines

• Introduction
• Oil reservoir
• Pumps and oil jets
• Lubrication oil filters
• Oil coolers
• Relief valves
• Lubricant selection
• Oil system cleaning and conditioning
• Filter selection
• Oil sampling and testing

Module 7: Fuels and Fuel Supply Systems

• Introduction
• Fuel specifications and fuel properties
• Other important fuel properties
• Fuel treatment
• Economics of fuel selection
• Gas fuels
• Heavy fuels
• Comparative fuel costs
• Cleaning of turbine components
• Fuel supply and control systems
• Dual-fuel operation and operational flexibility
• Integrated gasification combined cycle

Module 8: Sound Suppression in Exhausts, Air Requirements and Environmental Considerations

• Noise from gas turbine engines
• Aircraft sound suppression methods
• Air requirements and environmental considerations

Module 9: Auxiliary Systems

• Starting systems
• Fuel washing systems
• Gears
• Gear design and performance parameters
• Couplings and shaft alignment
• Shaft alignment

Module 10: Performance and Mechanical Equipment Standards

• Introduction
• Performance standards
• Mechanical standards

Module 11: Control Systems and Instrumentation

• Control systems
• Startup and shutdown considerations
• Control of the equipment during operation
• Lifecycle costs
• Condition monitoring systems and their implementation
• Temperature, pressure and vibration measurement
• Campbell diagram
• Gas turbine performance measurement and calculations
• Protection systems and alarms
• Failure diagnostics

Module 12: Installation Requirements, Operation and Maintenance

• Installation requirements
• Philosophy of maintenance
• Maintenance techniques
• Maintenance of critical gas turbine components
• Maintenance planning and scheduling
• Spares and inventory management
• Maintenance tools
• Inspection
• Gas turbine overhaul and repair
• Training
• Training types
• Typical problems
• Health monitoring in gas turbines
• Troubleshooting in gas turbines
• General troubleshooting techniques for compressors, combustors, and turbines
• Evaluation of the effectiveness of gas turbine maintenance

To obtain a certificate of completion for EIT’s Professional Certificate of Competency, students must achieve a 65% attendance rate at the live, online fortnightly webinars.  Detailed summaries/notes can be submitted in lieu of attendance.  In addition, students must obtain a mark of 60% in the set assignments which could take the form of written assignments and practical assignments. Students must also obtain a mark of 100% in quizzes.  If a student does not achieve the required score, they will be given an opportunity to resubmit the assignment to obtain the required score.

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Tom Neillings has extensive experience in the diesel power generation, and oil and gas industries. He has worked in both South Africa and Saudi Arabia.

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You are expected to spend approximately 5-8 hours per week learning the course content. This includes attending fortnightly webinars that run for about 90 minutes to facilitate class discussion and allow you to ask questions. This professional development program is delivered online and has been designed to fit around full-time work. It will take three months to complete.

Registrations are open for our upcoming intakes. Please ensure you book your place at least one week before the start date of the program.