GE MARINE GAS TURBINES IN THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA
GE Transportation is a long-standing equipment supplier to navies in the Asia/Pacific region, such as the Republic of Korea (ROK), Japan, Thailand, Taiwan, People’s Republic of China, India and Indonesia. In fact, 29 navies throughout the world have selected GE’s proven LM aeroderivative gas turbines. In the Asia/Pacific region alone, nine navies use 200 LM gas turbines, primarily for naval marine applications.
Currently there are more than 1,200 GE LM2500 gas turbines in marine service worldwide. The engine is rated at 33,600 shp with a thermal efficiency of 37% at ISO conditions. The LM2500 has an outstanding 99.6% availability rate: out of every 10,000 hours of service, engines have required an average of only 40 hours of corrective maintenance.
The LM2500 and the remainder of the LM gas turbine family have a modular construction that allows for in-place repair by easily exchanging parts or rotable assemblies. This design also provides for minimal shop or depot visits and reduced downtime.
Another GE gas turbine -- the LM2500+ – is also popular with commercial marine users, and is now making inroads into the military marine market. The LM2500+ has increased power over the LM2500 using proven technologies. The LM2500+ provides lower installed dollar per horsepower and decreased life cycle costs than the LM2500. With a 3600-rpm low-pressure turbine output, the LM2500+ has been designed to produce 40,500 shp, with a simple cycle thermal efficiency of 39% (at ISO conditions).
GE recently announced it will supply Samsung Techwin of the ROK with several GE LM500 aeroderivative marine gas turbine kits. The LM500 gas turbines will be used to power the ROK Navy’s next generation PK(X) patrol boats.
Each of the PK(X) patrol boats will use two LM5000 gas turbines, rated at approximately 5,600 shp, in a COmbined Diesel And Gas turbine (CODAG) arrangement, with two MTU diesel engines.
GE’s long-standing relationship with Samsung Techwin has been expanded as a result of the PK(X) project. Samsung Techwin will locally manufacture selected parts of the LM500 and assemble and test the completed engines at its Changwon, Korea factory.
In the U.S., GE delivered its LM500 aeroderivative Auxiliary Turbine-Generator Set (ATGS) for installation at the U.S. Navy’s DD(X) next-generation destroyer land-based test facility in Philadelphia, Pa. This marks the first use of GE’s LM500 genset for an electric drive application.
The ATGS was selected to be a part of the DD(X)’s Integrated Power System Engineering Development Model land based test program being conducted by Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Navy. Northrop Grumman Ship Systems in Pascagoula, Miss. is the DD(X) prime contractor and design agent. The destroyer features tomahawk land attack missiles and two, 155mm advanced gun systems, has a displacement of 14,264 tons, and offers a sustained speed of 30 knots.