Integration of Modern F, G, H and J Class in Combined Cycle Applications: An EPC Contractor Perspective

Abstract

The traditional approach for developing new and upgrade model large frame industrial gas turbines is changing rather dramatically. Large industrial gas turbine design evolutions have typically been built around a basic core design concept that remained unchanged. The departure from tradition has been, in some cases, sparked by the merger between erstwhile competitors. Thus the models that follow a merger benefit from leveraging the best of available knowledge from both companies: specialized design methods, manufacturing practices, materials, combustion, etc. Another recent trend in GT development is to transfer select portions of design concepts and related experience, and integrate that knowledge into a new model. Both these trajectories of development involve some changes to the core design reference architecture: e.g. number of rows in turbine section, rotor design architecture, flow path shape, blade locking approach, exhaust diffuser, inlet scroll, etc., and needing more attention to detail by the EPC for being able to meet the customer expectations for life cycle costs, performance degradation, reliability and availability. The expanded technical capability of the OEMs to accelerate new technical innovations for propelling the next economic growth engine is indeed a very exciting prospect for EPC contractors. Already, modern “H” and “J” class gas turbines are commercially available for over 60 per cent net efficiency in combined cycle power plant application. This paper shares an EPC contractor’s experience in developing Combined Cycle Power Plants with two advanced commercially available gas turbine models in Korea (Mitsubishi’s M501J model) and Malaysia (Siemens SGT. 5-8000H model).