Rolls-Royce 1004227 - Manual (Page 19)

EPR Proprietary I Licensed Material
Introduction
1-3
Risk Trends
Based upon the review of the designs from all of the manufacturers, several trends are readily
apparent. These trends in the development of advanced designs involve incorporation of current
industrial combustion turbine technology, transfer of aircraft engine technology to industrial
combustion turbines, and new technologies developed specifically for industrial combustion
turbines. The subsections below discuss these trends in general terms and categorize the trends
in terms of relative risk (Low Medium, or High).
Current Technology Trends Related to Industrial Combustion Turbines: Low Risk
Elements of aero-derivative class technology developed in the 1970s form the basic design
foundation of the aero-derivative type machines of today. These designs have been refined over
time to provide proven, reliable, and maintainable designs while allowing the users the
maximum degree of flexibility in plant designs or configurations. These design trends, which
can be considered relatively low risk with respect to product reliability, include:
• High Degree of Modularity and Interchangeability
• Flight engine heritage provides for modular construction with separate sections completely
interchangeable with other like modules.
• Compact size allows for ease of maintenance and allows for easy removal in sections or in its
entirety with relatively common tools.
• Bolted on accessories and on-engine instrumentation that is accessible and designed for ease
of removal and replacement.
• High degree of commonality with the flight engine to retain durability gains of proven
hardware and retain lower costs due to higher production rates.
• Pre-tested packaged power units with small foot print for multiple units per site
• Fast starting and loading with tolerances to cycling duty.
• Easily adapted to cogeneration and combined cycle configurations.
Applied Aero Technology Trends Directly Transferred to Industrial Combustion
Turbines: Low to Medium Risk
Technology transfer with minimum risk to industrial aero-derivative and frame type combustion
turbines based on proven designs from the military/commercial combustion turbine have been
accomplished with CAE/CAD/CAM programs and analyses. The result is dramatic efficiency
and airflow performance improvements (e.g. air and gas flow paths) without impacting the
reliability or availability of the combustion turbine. Variable position compressor vanes have
contributed to improved part load performance and are desirable for DLE combustion.
Aerodynamic 2D and 3D designs have improved surge margins, compressor efficiency, and
general operability ranges. The aero-derivative compressors are sensitive to the occurrence of
surge and usually require a borescope inspection after a surge occurs to inspect for any