GE Power Systems

MS9001E STARTING SYSTEM

This is a 1250 horsepower, 6000 volt, 3 phase, 3000
rpm unit.

General
Like other internal combustion engines, a gas turbine cannot produce torque at zero speed. The starting means system is used to start the gas turbine
rolling, crank it to firing speed, and assist the fired
turbine to selfsustaining speed. This is accomplished by an induction motor starting device operating through a torque converter coupled to the
accessory gear. This arrangement provides the
cranking torque required by the turbine for startup.
Also, at shutdown, this same equipment continues to
rotate the turbine rotor at slow speed for cooldown
purposes.

Torque Converter
The torque converter is a Voith Type EL 10 z FT.
This unit is equipped with adjustable guide blades, a
filling and draining valve, and a hydrodynamic turning device. The torque converter receives its bearing
lube oil from the turbines 1.7 bar (25 psi) bearing
header. The operating fluid for the torque converter
comes from the turbines auxiliary lube oil pump
discharge. Minimum supply pressure for the operating fluid is 6.9 bar (100 psi).

The starting means system components and control

devices are located and mounted in the accessory
compartment. The induction motor and torque converter are mounted on a separate base structure attached to the accessory base top deck. The starting
motor drives the torque converter through a flexible
coupling. The torque converter is coupled to the accessory gear and provides the required torque multiplication for the starting motor to drive the turbine.
The primary parts of the torque converter are the impeller driven by the input shaft, the turbine wheel
which drives the output shaft, and the stator which
directs fluid from the impeller to the turbine at the
correct angle to produce the required output torque.

The torque converter is load responsive, meaning

the torque developed in the turbine section is greatest when the output shaft is stationary and decreases
with increasing speed. In this way, the converter
adapts itself automatically and steplessly to the resistance encountered.
An integral part of the torque converter is the motor
driven torque adjustor drive. This provides the
means for adjusting torque output within specified
ranges. Switches 33TM1 through 33TM4 provide
the torque adjustment range limits and the upper and
lower drive limits of the torque adjustor drive.
Switches 33TM1 and 2 are true torque switches
mounted in the torqueadjuster drive motor 88TM.
If the mechanical resistance exceeds their setting,
88TM is shut off. 33TM3 and 4 are true limit
switches that shut off the torque motor at the maximum travel in either direction. 33TM1 through 4
are set by Voith. 33TM7 is the switch for the maximum, or acceleration, torque setting and 33TM8 is
the switch for the minimum, or firing, torque setting.
Both of these switches are set in the field. Control of
the torque converter is also achieved via integrally
mounted solenoid valves 20TU1 and 20TU2. Refer to the Starting Means Schematic Piping Diagram.

The function of the accessory gear in this system is

to drive a number of the control components as well
as to provide the connection between the starting
motor and the gas turbine compressor. The starting
means is coupled to the accessory gear #1 outboard
shaft and the accessory gear #1 inboard shaft is connected to the turbine compressor shaft flange by an
oilfilled flexible coupling.

Starting Motor
The starting motor is a GE Co. Custom 8000 horizontal induction motor with antifriction bearings.
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MS9001E STARTING SYSTEM

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to selfsustaining speed. At this speed, a nominal
60% TNH, solenoid valve 20TU1 is deenergized
and cranking motor 88CR runs unloaded for 15 minutes for cooldown. A crank and restart can be initiated at any time below 14HM speed.

Functional Description
General
Cranking and turning power are supplied by the
starting system during gas turbine startup and cooldown cycles. In the starting cycle there are three primary functions provided by the starting equipment:
start the gas turbine rolling (breakaway from standstill); accelerate the gas turbine to a speed where it
can be fired; and after the turbine has fired, further
accelerate it to selfsustaining speed, a speed at
which the gas turbine develops net positive power
output.

When the torque converter is filled, heat generated is

passed to the lube oil by the constant flow of operating oil through the converter to drain. An orifice in
the drain line maintains the operating pressure within the converter. When the torque converter is
empty, the heat generated by the highspeed windage of the turbine wheels is dissipated by an oil spray
jet providing surface cooling.

Rotor Cooldown
Startup Functions & Sequences
To promote even cooling of the rotor and avoid rotor
bow after unit shutdown, the gas turbine rotor is
rotated by the slow roll function of the torque converter. When the the gas turbine is on cooldown, solenoid valve 20TU2 permits a slow turning of the
rotor by injecting jets of oil under pressure onto the
torque converter turbine via nozzles arranged
around the outer diameter of the converter. During
slow roll, the converter guide blades are to be held in
the fully open position. 20TU2 energizes to initiate
slow roll when rotor speed decreases to approximately 3.2% of rated speed (approximately 96 rpm)
as determined by the SPEEDTRONIC control circuits.

In the normal starting sequence, fluid is admitted

into the torque converter hydraulic circuit from the
turbine lubrication system by energizing solenoid
valve 20TU1 at the same time that starting motor
88CR is energized. Breakaway is achieved and the
turbine starts to rotate. The turbine begins to increase in speed and continues to accelerate until
minimum firing speed is attained and relay 14HM
picks up. When the turbine has reached this speed
(14HM setpoint), the internal geometry of the torque
converter is adjusted by torqueadjustor drive
88TM to hold firing speed constant through the
purge cycle. The unit is held at crank speed long
enough to exchange three to four times the exhaust
system volume of air. At this point, 20TU1 is de
energized, partially draining the torque converter,
and turbine speed decreases below the 14HM drop
out point. Once 14HM drops out, 20TU1 again energizes and unit speed increases. As the unit once
again passes by the 14HM setpoint, fuel is admitted
and ignited. When flame is sensed, torqueadjustor
drive 88TM gradually drives the vanes to the high
torque position, accelerating the unit while it is still
in the warmup cycle. In this application, 14HM
picksup at 10% rated speed.

When the rotor is at rest and COOLDOWN ON is

selected at the primary operator interface, the starting motor is used to break the rotor away from standstill. At breakaway, 14HR drops out and the starting
motor is deenergized. The inertia of the starting
motor continues to accelerate the turbine rotor to
slow roll speed.

Readjustment of the converter geometry (torque adjustment) to the maximum torque setting allows the
torque converter to assist in accelerating the unit up
MS9001E STARTING SYSTEM

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