GE to modernise LM2500 turbine

Working with General Dynamics Bath Iron Works and the US Navy (a major client along with other navies and several cruiselines), GE will work on an updated design to be made available in 2018. Technology will be updated in several components and enclosure weight (excluding the base structure) will be reduced by around 50%.

Increased use of composite materials – including the enclosure, inlet barrier wall and inlet screen – will cut weight, while gas turbine and package sensors will improve condition monitoring and manufacturability. All bolted joints between the walls and roof panels will be eliminated in the composite enclosure to improve noise attenuation and simplify assembly. The updated enclosure will feature improved entry points via the addition of an access panel to the inlet plenum, enlarged rear access panels and improved top access hatch design.

Reducing radiated heat is another key goal of the project: GE noted that all external surface temperatures are expected to be less than 110°F in the new design.

Extensive fire testing on subcomponents is planned for 2016. The prototype enclosure is expected to be complete in April 2017, and full scale fire, shock, noise and vibration testing is planned to be completed mid-2018. The new composite enclosure will be available by the fourth quarter 2018.

Brien Bolsinger, vice president and general manager, GE, said: “The infusion of new technologies will improve the manufacturing and maintainability of the LM2500 marine module, all the while reducing module weight, noise, radiated heat – and most importantly – life cycle costs. The new marine module will meet global naval requirements, including Mil 901D shock. This lightweight design can easily be applied to LM2500 family gas turbines used by other international navies.”