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Four GE LM2500+ DLE Gas Turbines Begin Operating On Interconnector UK-To-Belgium Pipeline

December 09, 1998

ORLANDO, Florida - Four GE LM2500+ aeroderivative gas turbines began driving compressors on October 1, 1998 for the Interconnector Project. This new pipeline runs from Bacton, England to Zeebrugge, Belgium, GE Industrial AeroDerivative Gas Turbines (GE-IAD) has reported today.

The LM2500+ gas turbines are equipped with two state-of-the-art GE-IAD technologies: Dry Low Emissions (DLE) combustion systems and two-stage high-speed power turbines (HSPT). The LM2500+s drive Thermodyn compressors for which Nuovo Pignone provided the driver packages.

The Interconnector Project links the UK with continental gas transmission systems. The compression terminal at Bacton in Norfolk can transmit up to 20 billion cubic meters of natural gas a year to a reception facility in Zeebrugge. The initial intention is to export gas from the UK, but there is a provision for reverse flow to meet market demands.

The HSPT for the LM2500+s were designed and manufactured for GE-IAD by Nuovo Pignone, Florence, Italy. The HSPT provides continuous operation over the range of speed from 3050 rpm to 6400 rpm, and allows for greater than 40% gas turbine efficiency at the 40,200 shaft horsepower design rating at ISO conditions. The LM2500+s for the Interconnector project were manufactured by GE-IAD at its Evendale, OH, facility.

GE-IAD is part of GE Power Systems, and is headquartered in Evendale, OH. GE-IAD is the world's largest designer, developer and manufacturer of aeroderivative gas turbines for a variety of power generation and gas compression applications.