Gas Turbine

Applications

LM 2500,
Allison 501,
The Plant
Objectives
LM 2500 Gas Turbine Engine - specific
components, specifications, systems
Allison 501 Gas Turbine Generator Set -
purpose and operation
Interrelationship of supporting systems
and operations
Engineering plant lineups
Gas Turbine Power Plants
Gas generator section
Compressor
Combustion chamber
Gas generator turbine
Power section
Power turbine
LM 2500
In DDGs and CGs, have 4 engines
In FFGs, have 2 engines
Engines are shock mounted to minimize
noise and allow for protection
Advantages of LM 2500
Compact & light
Easy to maintain & repair
Quick start time (~ 1 min)
LM 2500
LM 2500 Components
Starter
Pneumatic - driven by pressurized air
Compressor
16-stage, axial flow (17:1 compression ratio)
Has some controllable pitch vanes to
provide proper air flow and prevent stall

LM 2500 Components
Combustion Chamber
Annular design
30 fuel nozzles

LM 2500 Components
Gas Generator
Turbine
HP Element only
High speed
Power Turbine
Split shaft to allow varying output speeds
while maintaining constant generation of
energy
6 sets of nozzles and blades
Lower speed than GGT
LM 2500 Engine Control
Gas Generator Turbine
Produces energy available for power turbine
Controlled by throttles - alters fuel flow
Runs at set continuous RPM
Power Turbine
Speed depends on quantity of exhaust gases from gas
generator turbine & propulsion load
Double helical, double reduction, locked train
reduction gears
LM 2500 Characteristics
Stage efficiency = 92.5%
R&D: 30,000+ hrs of op-testing
Two versions available:
LM 2500-20 (22,500 shp)
LM 2500-30 (30,000 shp) USN warships
LM 2500 Engine Control
Speed Governor
Used to prevent power turbine from
exceeding speed limit (104%)
Reduces fuel to gas generator section which
reduces gases to power turbine
Overspeed Trip
If governor fails, trip secures fuel to LM 2500
to shut it down (108%)
CRP Propeller &
Propulsion Shafting
Shaft is hollow to provide flow of oil to
propellers
LM 2500 cannot operate at < 5,000 RPM
(corresponds to ~11 kts for DDG)
Pitch of blades controlled hydraulically
through pistons and gears
Pitch must be adjusted to go slower than 11
kts
In order to go faster than 11 kts, shaft RPM
increased
In order to go astern, pitch varied to
reverse flow
Overall purpose
Controllable pitch to improve efficiency
Reversible to allow for ahead/astern flow with
single direction rotation of shaft
CRP Propeller &
Propulsion Shafting
Plant Lineups
Disadvantage of gas turbine
VERY poor partial load fuel economy
LM 2500s connected to reduction gears
via pneumatic clutch
Three possible lineups
Full Power
Split Plant
Trail Shaft
Plant Lineups
Full Power Lineup
2 turbines/shaft with 2 shafts (4 turbines)
Max speed > 30+ kts
Split Plant Lineup
1 turbine/shaft with 2 shafts (2 turbines)
Max speed = 30 kts
Trail Shaft Lineup
1 turbine/shaft with 1 shaft (1 turbine)
Other shaft windmilling
Max speed = 19 kts
Air Intake & Exhaust
Must minimize
space and weight
Must keep air inlet
losses to a minimum
to ensure maximum
performance
Intake has
screens/filters to
ensure clean, filtered
air at all times

Air Intake & Exhaust
Exhaust generates thermal and acoustic
problems
Possible damage to personnel & equipment
Increased detection & weapons guidance
from heat (IR signature)
Silencers and eductor nozzles used to
silence and cool exhaust
Air Intake & Exhaust
Allison 501 Gas Turbine
Generator Set (GTGS)
Used to generate electricity
Three 2000KW GTGS
Any two can supply electrical needs of ship
Separated by 3 water-tight bulkheads to minimize
potential battle damage
Single Shaft
Waste Heat Boiler
Uses heat of exhaust to generate low pressure steam
for auxiliary purposes
Allison 501
Safety Features
Automatic Shutdown on:
High Vibration
Cooling System Failure
Module Fire (UV Flame Detection)
High Turbine Inlet Temp
Low Lube Oil Pressure
Power Turbine Overspeed
Battle Override
Ship Layout
Operating Stations

Propulsion Plant
Comparisons
Introduction
Overall, various different propulsion
designs - to choose, must consider:
Operational requirements
Construction requirements
Manpower requirements
Thermodynamic efficiency
Design Considerations
Minimal size and weight
Reliable & easy to maintain
Cost efficiency & budget
Fuel efficiency over wide power range
Shock resistant to handle stress
Quiet & safe
Manpower & training
Conventional Steam Plant
Advantages:
Efficiency @ cruising speeds
Reliability
Good performance @ partial loading
Usefulness for auxiliary functions
Disadvantages
Large & bulky w/ large manpower reqs
Long start-up time
Large fuel storage & low endurance
Nuclear Power Plant
Advantages
Endurance, reliability, speed
No air required for combustion
No NBC warfare problem
Disadvantages
High costs & weight for shielding
Long startup time
Manpower & training requirements
Radiological problems
Diesel Plant
Advantages
High efficiency @ all loads
Low initial cost and specific fuel cost (SFC)
Reliability
Few operators needed
Disadvantages
Capacity limitations & space considerations
High maintenance & overhaul
High lube oil consumption
Noise
Gas Turbine Plant
Advantages
Light weight & compact
Short startup time
Reliable & quiet
High full-load efficiency
Disadvantages
Large quantities of air (NBC problems)
Large fuel storage
Low efficiency @ partial loads
Hybrid Plants
Overall goal: small, more fuel efficient
engines for normal ops while retaining
ability to shift to high power units when
needed
Examples:
CODAG, CODOG: (Diesel and/or GT)
COGAS (RACER): (GT & Steam )
CODAS: (Diesel & Steam)
Summary
Diesel plant is a hacker!
Most efficient
Easy to construct and operate
Good versatility
Gas Turbine with CRP screws is a
winning combo
Efficient and reliable
Good for mass-production missile sponges

Summary
Most versatile is nuclear plant
Tremendous endurance overcomes
inefficiency
Saves space and energy
If you consider fuel storage for other plants, it
is actually lighter & less expensive
Questions?