Performance Evaluation of a Gas Turbine Drive Industrial Building Cooling System

The text deals with an evaluation of a gas turbine drive refrigeration system after four years of operation. Comparison is made of actual performance, operating, and maintenance costs with original system design concept, goals, and objectives.

The Performance of the TCS 670-B Turbine in the Closed Cycle Test Facility at Fort Belvoir, Virginia

The design of the first compact AK Process Nuclear system in the United States was performed under the auspices of the Corps of Engineers. U. S. Army, Fort Belvoir, Va. Taking into account that there was virtually nothing on the shelf that could be used, and realizing that the feasibility of such a system first had to be established, demonstration models were built for the various subsystem components which were to eventually go into the complete system. The last and final turbine-compressor set tested as a backup unit for this program was the TCS 670-B. This paper reports the turbine performance obtained from this machine when tested in the Closed Cycle Test Facility (APCEF) at Fort Belvoir, Va.. in 1969. The compressor performance is not included.

Standard Measurement of Aircraft Gas Turbine Engine Exhaust Smoke

A standard system (equipment and procedures) for measuring smoke emitted by aircraft turbine engines has been developed. It has been adopted by several Federal Government agencies. In this paper, the system is explained and its accuracy defined. An experimentally determined relationship between the system’s parameters and true smoke density (weight of solids per unit volume) is presented and theoretically examined. The definition of smoke plume visibility in terms of the system’s parameters is also developed. This work led to the conclusion that aircraft turbine engine exhaust smoke is composed of two groups of particles: the very small, which are primarily responsible for visible obscuration, and larger particles, which may constitute as much as half of the total by weight, but do not appreciably contribute to plume visibility.

Gas Turbine Testing on Naval Distillate Fuel

A Pratt & Whitney FT4A Marine Gas Turbine Engine rated at 22,600 hp, 3600 rpm was run at the Naval Ship Engineering Center, Philadelphia Division for 1000 hr. Fuel used was naval distillate having a vanadium level of 0.5 ppm. Basically there was no problem with engine operation on naval distillate when compared to diesel fuel. The smoke level was barely visible at high powers. Coalescent fuel filters are a problem due to their relatively short (100–130 hr) life. The corrosion rate was accelerated when compared to navy diesel fuel. The fuel parameter suspect is vanadium, however other parameters may be at fault. Additional efforts are required into definitely determining the cause of accelerated corrosion and also into optimizing nozzle guide vane and turbine blade base materials and coatings.

A New Method for the Calculations of Blade Loadings in a Radial Flow Compressor

The paper outlines a quasi-three-dimensional approach based on the solution of the entire inviscid momentum and energy equations in the meridional and blade-to-blade plane to calculate the blade loading in a radial flow turbomachine. The method is outlined in detail so as to enable the reader to adapt it for use on his computer. The flow in the compressor is considered to be nonhomentropic with variations of thermodynamic properties at the inlet. A comparison of various inlet distributions is shown and this illustrates the usefulness of this method. Calculation of the velocity on the trailing and driving faces of the blades is obtained. Pressure and temperature distribution throughout the flow passage considering an actual process is also outlined.

Cyclic Energy Demands Supplied Economically With Gas Turbines and Combined Cycle Plants

The electric utility industry is finding a need for a new class of generation termed intermediate. This paper presents results of generation addition pattern studies performed to determine the relative merits of steam peaking plants and combined cycle plants in filling these needs. Corresponding optimum addition patterns are established for simple cycle gas turbine and nuclear power plants. The combined cycle and steam peaking plants are shown to be comparable at high cost levels, while the combined cycle shows definite advantage if permitted to burn non-distillate fuel.

Experience With Gas Turbines as Prime Movers for Underground Storage of Natural Gas

Aircraft-type gas turbines have been used by Consumers Power Co. to provide power for the injection of natural gas into underground storage for the past five years. Special controls, auxiliary and driven equipment are required for this unique application. Operating experience has prompted numerous refinements as well as providing information for maintenance and economic planning. The paper describes the basic design of the engine-compressor units for a remotely controlled, unmanned compressor station as well as highlights from the operating experience with this application.

Gas Turbines for Pipeline Compressor Drives in North America and Europe

A brief statistical comparison of the application of gas turbines to gas pipeline compressor drives in North America and Europe is given. Basic similarities in the installations in North America and in Eurpoe are discussed briefly. Differences in application, in installation, in equipment, and in operation are shown. The factors — geographical, political, and operational — which are responsible for these differences are discussed. Future trends in North America and Europe and factors which may influence the elimination of some of the present differences but which may create new ones are also presented.

The Use of Gas Turbines in Gas Pipeline Service in Western Canada: Present and Future

Existing gas pipeline facilities in Western Canada are outlined. The paper points out the trend away from industrial type gas turbines, and points out the advantages to using aircraft type gas turbines. The expansion of pipeline facilities to the Canadian Arctic and Alaska could prove to be a market for the new high efficiency aircraft type gas turbines. The fuel gas savings can be a significant factor when constructing the new line.

A Design Method and the Performance of Two-Dimensional Turbine Cascades for High Subsonic Flow

This paper deals with a hodograph method for design of turbine cascades in high subsonic flow and an approximate solution to a gas, specific heat ratio γ = −1 (the Karman-Tsien approximation) and γ > 1 (the gas obeying the adiabatic law). Numerical examples and a comparison of theoretical and measured pressure distribution for profiles designed by this method are given. Further, a better criterion for design to improve cascade efficiency is also presented.