Virtual Indication of the Torque for a Marine Gas Turbine

Filip Niculescu,Adrian Săvescu,Roxana Nicolae,Mirela Letitia Vasile,George Balan

doi:10.47577/technium.v3i10.5140

Abstract

Gas turbines are used in marine applications where high propulsion power is required compared to engine size and mass. In some cases, the torque and engine power developed cannot be measured with a special transducer implemented in applications or if there are indications, they need to be compared with the calculated torque indication. For this purpose, we developed in the engine control software application a mathematical model for calculating and displaying the torque and power developed by the engine. Through comparisons in the tests with the engine on the test bench, this mathematical model was refined. At this time the comparative sampled data can be used as a virtual indication of torque in cases where this is necessary.

Highlights

A gas turbine propulsion system for marine applications [1, 2] converts the primary form of energy into mechanical power, for ensuring the necessary shaft torque for spinning a ship’s propellers
The paper presents the virtual indication for a ST40M gas turbine torque, realised during the bench tests for retrofitting works on a navy ship [3]
A customized automation system [5, 6] was designed and implemented within the Romanian Research and Development Institute for Gas Turbines COMOTI. This system provides undeniable advantages comparing to the standard electronic control system that can be acquired from gas turbine manufacturer, since it is able to calculate and monitor some very important parameters, such as inter-turbine temperature, torque and power

Summary

Introduction

A gas turbine propulsion system for marine applications [1, 2] converts the primary form of energy (burnt fuel) into mechanical power, for ensuring the necessary shaft torque for spinning a ship’s propellers. A customized automation system [5, 6] was designed and implemented within the Romanian Research and Development Institute for Gas Turbines COMOTI. This system provides undeniable advantages comparing to the standard electronic control system that can be acquired from gas turbine manufacturer, since it is able to calculate and monitor some very important parameters, such as inter-turbine temperature, torque and power. The FADEC system from manufacturer is a small box that only controls the engine speed. In order to establish the performances, the gas turbine was installed on the test bench and was subjected to the necessary working regimes (fig.).

Calculation of the power and torque

Conclusions