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TIL 1283-3
GE ENERGY SERVICES
PRODUCT SERVICE
6/5/2000

TECHNICAL INFORMATION LETTER

PURGE
AIR
CHECK
VALVE
INSTALLATION,
INSPECTION
AND
HANDLING INSTRUCTIONS
APPLICABLE TO
All Dual Fuel Gas Turbine sites where liquid fuel purge
air check valves are being used.

PURPOSE
To provide best practices for installing the purge air
check valves, and to provide maintenance and testing
instructions that can be performed at the site to
enhance valve reliability.

BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION
Where liquid purge air check valves are used, leaks
can occur out of the tell-tale drain if contamination is
introduced into the system. Lessons learned from the
factory should be applied in the field to reduce the
probability of leakage through the check valves.
These leaks have been primarily discovered during
initial startup after system installation or modification
in the field.
Contamination has been found to get
into the piping/tubing. This contamination needs to
be removed before it gets blown into the check valve.
For
further
check
valve
and
operation
recommendations, refer to TILs 1107-3 and 1251-3.

RECOMMENDATIONS
When valves show signs of leakage via the tell-tale
drain, the units should be shut down and the valves
should be inspected and tested as outlined in
Attachments A and B.

COPYRIGHT 2000, 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.

Attachment A
Installation Instructions
1.0

Check Valve Assemblies

1.1

Lubricate all stainless steel threads with specified by 351A3700, paragraph 10.2.2, Piping Applied
Practice. This calls for the use of Anti-Seize, 287A1397 (see paragraph 10.1.3). Do not over
lubricate the threads that could clog up the openings in the check valve.

1.2

Visually inspect the check valve internals for contamination. Remove any visible contamination
prior to installation. See valve testing instructions in Attachment B of this document.

1.3

Assemble the check valve assemblies to 60 +/- 5 FT-LBS.

CAUTION
Over torquing the valve assemblies can potentially damage the valve threads. This will cause issues in
performing any maintenance or testing referenced below.

2.0

Installation and Cleanliness

2.1

All new tubing on the purge air system should be deburred and blown down with shop air to
remove any metallic contamination that may be in the runs due to fabrication. This should be
done prior to the tubing being installed on the unit.

2.2

All piping that is fabricated at the site should be blown down with shop air to remove any weld slag
or debris from the system.

2.3

The complete system can be blown down using a temporary air source by removing VA19 valve
and connecting an air source to the system and blow out the purge air lines towards the check
valves. Each line should be blown down individually until all the lines are blown clean.

Note:
The check valves shall be disconnected during this procedure.

CAUTION
Contamination between the poppet and the seat of the check valve can cause damage to the seat of the
check valve that results in leaks to the telltale drain. In addition, contamination can cause the valve to
stick open causing leaks during fuel oil operation.

3.0

Maintenance and Testing of the Valves

3.1

If there is evidence the valve is leaking, remove the valve from the system and inspect for internal
contamination on both the inlet and outlet of the valve. Remove any contamination or debris.
Excessive contamination can be removed using either instrument air or water.

3.2

Using a paperclip or small screwdriver, exercise the poppet to ensure that it is moving freely.

3.3

Perform a leak test of the valve per Attachment B prior to re-installation on the unit.

3.4

Valves passing the test of Attachment B are acceptable to reinstall on the gas turbine.

CAUTION
The purge air system should be exercised as recommended by GE, see TIL 1107-3, Operational
Reliability on Oil Fuel in Dual Fuel (Gas/Liquid) Gas Turbines. Performing this will ensure valve
and system reliability. If this is not done, any small leakage that may occur can cause coking in
the purge airlines. This will introduce contamination into the valve that can cause valve failure.

Attachment B
Leak Test Instructions
1.0

2.0

Check Valve Leakage

1.1

Minimizing check valve leakage is imperative for trouble-free gas turbine operation. If purge check
valves leak while operating on liquid fuel, temperature spreads will result because of unequal
amounts of liquid fuel going to the combustion cans.

1.2

Normally the purge check valves are required to check against liquid fuel (liquid fuel is the fluid on
the downstream side of the check valve). However during some transients (fuel transfers,
startups, shutdowns) the check fluid is air, as the check valve is checking against combustor
pressure.

1.3

Valves may be leak tested on air or water. Generally the air test is preferred, because of the ease
of setup.

Air Leak Test Figure 1

2.1

Connect instrument air (80-110 psig) to the downstream side of the check valve observing safe
practices for the air pressure used.

2.2

Open air valve to pressurize the back side of the check valve with air.

2.3

Place the inlet of the check valve approximately one inch under water.

2.4

Count the bubbles over a 10 second time period. This is based on current experience.
Acceptable 8 or less bubbles
Unacceptable Greater than 8 bubbles

2.5

Generally check valves that are acceptable test at 0 to 2 bubbles, and check valves that are
unacceptable test at over 20 bubbles. If a check valve tests in the range of 8 bubbles, then it is
recommended to clean the valve again (per Attachment A) and to retest it.

2.6

Air pressure adjustment factor If air pressure source is different than Item 2.1, then adjust the
bubble count per the following equation: Adjusted Bubble Rate = Leak Rate (bubbles) x 110/Air
Pressure (psia).

3.0

Water Leak Test Figure 2

3.1

Connect water supply (50-80 psig) to the downstream side of check valve.

3.2

Open water ball valve to pressurize the back side of the check valve with water.

3.3

Measure the water leakage over a 30 second period. This is based on current experience.
Acceptable 5 or less drops.
Unacceptable Greater than 5 drops.

3.4

Water pressure adjustment factor If water pressure source is different than Item 3.1, then adjust
the leak rate per the following equation: Adjusted Leak Rate = Leak Rate(ml) x 80/Water
Pressure (psia).