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There are many reasons for that, such as.
1. Since Gas Turbines are exposed to very high working temperatures, the lubricants in the dynamic parts looses its properties.
2. Due to continuous combustion, carbon and other residue starts accumulating, which needs to be cleaned for efficient burning.
3. The cooling system has to be checked regularly for the durability of gas turbines and to avoid failure.
4. In general, all components have a particular life within which they perform as desired. Beyond this usage they need to be serviced/overhauled or replaced, failing which will lead to the seizure of the machine/engine/mechanism/system.
Everything has a limit - a breaking point. In time and with repetitious operation, everything including us humans reaches its respective limit and then fails. We don't want that happening especially in an industry involved in gas, do we? So, we constantly have to fix or replace what everything that is about to break. Or else, boom! Good answer, Mudassir Hussain, by the way!
I totally agree with the comprehensive answer of Mr. Hussain and Mr. Srinivasan.
Turbines have rolling elements like bearings, fixed and rotating fans, valves, steam traps, gates and exhausts. Any or all of these components are always under severe stress due to pressure and load. A turbine is a continuous process system and is working24/7 and therefore a scheduled shutdown will involve a lot of processes stoppage and of generation of electricity. Hence diagnostic tools that are available that can give visibility on the state of the individual components can help one to detect, prioritise, and schedules a Maintainence job must be employed and personnel trained for using such tools. This also helps extend the life cycle of these high value assets, and by increasing efficiency reduces the need for spares and increases productivity and safety of your personnel!!
