GE to supply fuel control retrofits
GE Marine reports that the US Navy has ordered an additional 16 digital fuel control (DFC) kits for LM2500 marine gas turbines. The kits enable lower maintenance costs, increased reliability and better system response.
The 16 LM2500s to be retrofitted power the US Navy’s CG-47 Ticonderoga-class cruisers and DDG-51 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, as well as the T-AOE-8 fast combat ship. The DFC kits incorporate the most advanced controls available for GE LM gas turbines, as fitted as standard on new LM2500 and LM2500+ engines. Previous-generation LM2500s use a hydro-mechanical control system.
The LM2500s already retrofitted with similar controls on some DDG-51 and CG-47 class ships have accumulated nearly 200,000 DFC operating hours. The kits are being installed as part of a US Navy ship system modernisation programme.
The first LM2500 equipped with the DFC technology was installed by the US Navy in 1994 onboard the Watson class large, medium-speed, roll-on/roll-off ships. The DFC technology -- as part of the standard engine equipment -- has been delivered to various navies for LM2500 gas turbine applications, as well as for commercial projects where GE gas turbines are used to power cruise ships and fast ferries.
Benefits of the DFC technology include:
- Improved engine resistance to possible fuel contamination through oil actuation of variable stator vanes (VSV) and the fuel metering valve;
- Updated control of fuel and air scheduling within the gas turbine provides more accurate fuel/air scheduling through electrical feedback and closed-loop control. In addition, fuel characteristics and VSV positions can be recalibrated through the control software inputs;
- Gas turbine control sensor redundancy on compressor discharge pressure, compressor inlet temperature and pressure, gas generator speed, VSV position, and fuel metering valve position;
- Improved operator signals, alarms, and troubleshooting are provided by additional electrical sensors and actuator feedback. GE DFC kits also offer improved capabilities for data capture and condition monitoring.
Primary DFC retrofit kit components include a fuel metering valve and two VSV actuators, both with redundant electronic feedback. An upgraded engine controller and shipboard wiring changes are additionally required to incorporate the DFC kit.
