LM500: Packaged Power for the All-Electric Ship

Abstract

Increased shipboard electricity demand, for propulsion, navigational electronics, reduced crew size, and other purposes, has created a need for marinized gas turbine generator sets. The LM500 is a versatile 4 MW class aeroderivative gas turbine with a solid track record. The LM500 gas turbine is now equipped with a dual-redundant 21st century digital control system, which also manages the gas turbine generator set. In addition, to improve combustor life at a rated power, the marinized LM500 was modified for the engineering development model (EDM), and the turbine hot section components proven in the CF34-3B — the life improved model of its aero engine counterpart, may be offered for production. The gas turbine has been fully integrated on a common base with a 4 MW generator and all auxiliary equipment. An epicyclic gearbox was used to reduce power turbine output speed from 7000 RPM to the 1800 RPM required at the four-pole generator. The auxiliary equipment layout was designed to minimize weight and allow for ease of maintenance. Gas turbine engine testing was completed in August 2004. Operational string testing of the integrated gas turbine generator set was completed in January 2005, with full power plant testing scheduled for 2005 at the Land Based Test Site, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by the customer. This paper describes and discusses the gas turbine generator set (genset) design, development, and production plans, as well as the benefits of the packaged power plant and potential applications.