Development of Japanese Super Marine Gas Turbine

Abstract

In 1997, five Japanese gas turbine manufacturers — Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries, Daihatsu Diesel, Niigata engineering, and Yanmar — joined forces to establish the Technological Research Association for Super Marine Gas Turbine (SMGT) and embarked on development of a next generation gas turbine for the maritime industry. The goal of this project was to develop a marine gas turbine with high thermal efficiency (38–40%) and low NOx emissions of less than 1g/kWh. In 2003, this project was completed with success. SMGT is a two shaft, re-generative cycle gas turbine with an axial-radial compressor, multi-can dry low emission combustor, air cooled gas generator, power turbine, and a recuperator. Additionally, the new technologies incorporated into the SMGT deliver high performance and low emissions. Development of the commercial version, the SMGT2, followed, and the program came to a successful end in 2005. The three purposes of development were to improve the design of the power turbine and recuperator, to prove durability using endurance bench tests, and to apply a waste heat recovery system. Using a waste heat recovery boiler and an inlet cooler with an absorption chiller, energy efficiency improved by 50% and shaft output increased to 2,300kW, even when at high ambient temperatures. High energy efficiency reduces fuel consumption, thus reducing the cost of operating a vessel.