GE Energy

Aero Energy Division

Position Paper # 43
Rev A
Date: February 26, 2009

Design of LM5000 to LM6000 Conversion Package

16415 Jacintoport Blvd

Houston, TX 77015
USA
T 001-281-864-2803
F 001-281-864-2977

Introduction
This position paper addresses questions that customers may have in regards to retrofit
design of LM5000 to LM6000 package.
Background
LM5000 package is a fully designed unit currently installed and operating in the field for
many years. The base, enclosure and the entire unit were designed to Uniform Building
Code UBC 1988 Seismic Zone 4 and a basic wind speed of 100 mph. It is presumed
that the foundation (responsibility of customer) was designed on the basis of load tables
provided by GE and per applicable building codes.
Description
1. The offered upgrade is a retrofit design that utilizes the same base and structure of
LM5000 for the upgrade kit. The new major parts that are changed include the
LM6000 engine, inlet air system inside the package (not air filter), Diffuser and
Collector, VBV Exhaust Silencer and hood. This design utilizes the existing base and
structure and modifies the relevant sections, so as to retrofit equipment to match up
with the LM6000 engine and associated parts. The design intent is to minimize the
changes on the existing LM5000 structure and utilize it in as-is condition to a greater
extent. This design also utilizes the existing AC generator currently installed in the
LM5000 unit.
2. The retrofit equipment was designed referencing International Building Code IBC
2006 and ASCE 7-05 Minimum Design loads for buildings and other structures for
wind and seismic loads. The design parameters are:

Seismic Load: Site Class D, Design Category E, Occupancy Category III

Facility with an importance factor of 1.25. Seismic base shear of 0.47g, as
per Equivalent Lateral force procedure.

Wind load: 100 mph 3 second gusts, Exposure C and Importance Factor
of 1.15

PP43 Rev A
Page 1 of 3
COPYRIGHT, 20089 GE PACKAGED POWER, L.P.,ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS DRAWING IS THE PROPRIETARY AND/OR CONFIDENTIAL PROPERTY OF GE
PACKAGED POWER, L.P., AND IS LOANED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT IT WILL NOT BE REPRODUCED NOR USED FOR ANY PURPOSE
EXCEPT THAT FOR WHICH IT IS LOANED. IT SHALL BE IMMEDIATELY RETURNED ON DEMAND, AND IS SUBJECT TO ALL OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF ANY
WRITTEN AGREEMENT OR PURCHASE ORDER WHICH INCORPORATES OR RELATES TO THIS DRAWING.

AISC Manual of Steel Construction Allowable Stress Design (ASD)

was used for the design of the retrofit equipment.

3. The complete design was analyzed for Computational flow dynamics (CFD) and
Structural analysis. CFD analysis was performed on Exhaust collector, diffuser and
VBV exhaust silencer.
Complete Structural analysis was performed on the retrofit systems using
standard Finite Element Analysis software including NASTRAN, ANSYS and
StruCAD. The analysis included modifications on the base, roof skid, diffuser,
collector and VBV ducts and support systems. This analysis also included the
verification of existing systems base and enclosure, so as to ensure that the new
design will be capable of carrying the loads of LM6000 engine. Worst-case blade
out catastrophic load was applied to verify the structural integrity of the base and
anchoring system.
Blade out dynamic analysis was performed to ensure that existing anchorage is
sufficient to withstand blade out loads. Dynamic analysis was also performed to
ensure that the vibration levels are within the allowable levels. Torsional analysis
of drive train was performed to ensure that there are no resonant modes on the
drive train.
Reports of these analyses are available from GE Energy and can be seen at the
undersigned office with prior notice.
4. A new jacking lube oil skid is added to the upgrade conversion kit. Since this skid
was not included with LM5000 unit a new foundation load table is provided, so that
the customer can design the foundation of this skid.
For California projects, at the request of customer, GE can provide a
Professional Engineer (PE) stamped load table for the jacking lube oil skid. On
the General Arrangement drawing the load table sheet will be PE stamped, as
this is the table that will be used for foundation design. Commercial team would
separately discuss associated costs for PE stamping.
Conclusion
In general, the LM5000 to LM6000 package conversion is a retrofit design that utilizes
the existing structure and builds upon it with modifications to ensure that the LM6000
engine can be deployed. The design has gone through a rigor of standard analysis
procedures, building code compliance and checks through design review processes of
GE. This position paper attempts to elaborate on the design of conversion upgrade and
to ensure that our customers get a world-class product and design.

PP43 Rev A
Page 2 of 3
COPYRIGHT, 20089 GE PACKAGED POWER, L.P.,ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS DRAWING IS THE PROPRIETARY AND/OR CONFIDENTIAL PROPERTY OF GE
PACKAGED POWER, L.P., AND IS LOANED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT IT WILL NOT BE REPRODUCED NOR USED FOR ANY PURPOSE
EXCEPT THAT FOR WHICH IT IS LOANED. IT SHALL BE IMMEDIATELY RETURNED ON DEMAND, AND IS SUBJECT TO ALL OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF ANY
WRITTEN AGREEMENT OR PURCHASE ORDER WHICH INCORPORATES OR RELATES TO THIS DRAWING.

PP43 Rev A
Page 3 of 3
COPYRIGHT, 20089 GE PACKAGED POWER, L.P.,ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS DRAWING IS THE PROPRIETARY AND/OR CONFIDENTIAL PROPERTY OF GE
PACKAGED POWER, L.P., AND IS LOANED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT IT WILL NOT BE REPRODUCED NOR USED FOR ANY PURPOSE
EXCEPT THAT FOR WHICH IT IS LOANED. IT SHALL BE IMMEDIATELY RETURNED ON DEMAND, AND IS SUBJECT TO ALL OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF ANY
WRITTEN AGREEMENT OR PURCHASE ORDER WHICH INCORPORATES OR RELATES TO THIS DRAWING.