Uprated LM6000 to Provide Increased Power and Efficiency, Lower Emissions

ANAHEIM, CA -- Beginning in late 1997, an uprated LM6000 aeroderivative gas turbine will provide increased performance, enhanced emissions controls and dual-fuel dry low emissions (DLE) capabilities, GE Marine & Industrial Engines (M&I) reported today at Power-Gen Americas '95. This machine will be ideal for a broad range of power generation applications, as well as mechanical drive and marine propulsion uses.Douglas Westerkamp of M&I will present the paper, "LM6000 Update Program," during sessions C3, "Aeroderivatives and Small Gas Turbines," on Thursday, December 7, 9:00-11:30 a.m., which outlines specifics of the uprated LM6000. This unit will be available with a standard combustor or with M&I's DLE combustion system for gaseous and/or distillate fuels.Introduced in 1992, the LM6000 continues to have a strong presence in global power generation markets, with over 100 units delivered to date. By the end of 1995, 55 of the 100 LM6000s delivered are scheduled to be in commercial service worldwide, and approximately 95% of these will be in baseload or dispatchable applications. The reliability and availability of the LM6000 in-service fleet, based on a 12-month rolling average, have been 99.9% and 98.4%, respectively.The primary change from the current LM6000 to the uprated machine is an improved low-pressure turbine (LPT). Other alterations include high efficiency low-pressure compressor vanes, new LPT shaft to increase torque capability, and a new, dual-fuel system for DLE units.These changes result in the following benefits to customers:Performance: Better performance characteristics result primarily from the modification of the last two stages of the LPT. This change increases the flow area to allow more energy to be extracted by the engine. Output is increased from approximately 5% to 20%, depending on the configuration and the ambient temperature. Simple-cycle thermal efficiency exceeds 42% under typical operating conditions, compared to 40.4% for the present LM6000.Emissions: Dual-fuel DLE combustion system capabilities for the LM6000 are being developed. For DLE-configured units, this system will allow the gas turbine to operate completely dry on both gas and distillate fuels. Initially DLE NOx guarantees offered for the uprated model will be the same as the current model, 25 ppm when operating on natural gas and 65 ppm when operating on distillate fuel. M&I's goal is to develop an option for operating at 15 ppm NOx on natural gas and 42 ppm on distillates.Mechanical Drive:Modifications to the LPT enable the uprated LM6000 to be operated over a range of speeds from 1800 rpm to 3780 rpm for mechanical drive use for oil, gas and marine applications.Retrofitability: Minor modifications to the present LM6000 will allow current customers to retrofit the new LPT and take advantage of the improved performance. M&I expects the first production uprated LM6000s to be available in late 1997 through M&I's existing network of experienced OEMs. GE M&I is headquartered in Evendale, OH, and is part of GE Aircraft Engines.