Turbines operate for months on end. Slow to start and cumbersome to shut down, these power machines are at their best when they work continuously. However, no turbine is immune from wear and tear, and unexpected downtime or poor performance can quickly degrade its value and lifespan.

But strategically maintained turbines can deliver decades of performance.

"There are turbines in South Africa that have been running for many years, some over 50 years in operation. While it is not uncommon for turbines to achieve such a long lifespan, it is important to ensure that regular maintenance interventions take place, to promote increased equipment lifetime," says Alastair Gerrard, WEG's Executive for Energy Systems.

Best practices for turbine maintenance

Shutting a turbine down is not a quick task. Cooldown periods can last as long as two days, and returning the machine to a fully operational condition where maximum power can be generated, requires several hours. Turbine power output can range from a few kilowatts to several hundred megawatts, and they typically support heavy industrial machinery and processes. While maintenance downtime is often inconvenient, performing no maintenance will result in breakdowns, which could either be costly or even catastrophic.

Turbine maintenance is not only crucial, but also requires smart planning and expert management. Non-intrusive maintenance intervals can happen every few months, with deeper interventions occurring annually to every few years.

"A steam turbine's lifecycle is typically 5 to 6 years, or up to 14,000 operating hours, before it will require a major overhaul. Before reaching that milestone, we recommend doing visual inspections every few months, valve cleaning and inspections once a year, and a minor overhaul every two years," says Gerrard.

Selecting the right maintenance partner

Experienced turbine maintenance professionals are best equipped to conduct the inspections and overhauls.

They look for telltale signs of wear and lower performance, can acquire spares, and have access to workshops for repairs and machining new parts. Qualified maintenance experts also investigate issues such as under-performance and provide guidance on conditions for long-term parts storage to avoid issues associated with incorrect care and preservation.

In the past, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) appointed locally-based turbine maintenance partners. But turbine owners now require OEMs to deliver an end-to-end service, including extensive turbine maintenance capabilities. This trend has encouraged consolidation, with OEMs such as WEG acquiring or establishing local turbine repair facilities. It has also led to new services and innovations, says Gerrard.

"Two areas have become more prominent in turbine maintenance. The first is to invest in the equipment and skills to re-engineer and manufacture spare parts. We have advanced scanning and machining services to re-engineer parts even without the original drawings, supporting older turbines and turbines from any manufacturer. The second is modernising turbine control systems with remote monitoring features. Remote monitoring improves inspections and reduces interruptions, through access to real time operational data. If we need to dispatch technicians to the site, we can already study the operational data to determine the cause and develop initial remedies even before they reach the equipment, reducing down time and saving customers money."

Relationships ensure healthy turbines

Isolated workshops or OEMs that rely mostly on third-parties generally lack the means to offer such services. Therefore, turbine owners prefer working with ISO-accredited OEM maintenance providers that cover all aspects of a turbine's lifespan, including auxiliary equipment such as gearboxes and generators, and backed by a comprehensive service level agreement (SLA).

"Keeping turbines running isn't just about technical knowledge. It's the relationship between us and our clients. They expect us to be helpful, efficient, and proficient, and able to assist with different situations, such as supporting a turbine regardless of its origin and delivering on parts sourcing and preservation," says Gerrard.

Well-maintained steam turbines can run for many years, and smart maintenance reduces downtime to a minimum. The secret to a long turbine lifespan is an OEM maintenance operation that delivers end-to-end services for any turbine brand and model, from visual inspections to manufacturing parts to using smart and remote monitoring.

"An integrated, end-to-end OEM means less risk and more flexibility. We shape solutions for customers. That's how we keep their turbines spinning."