LM9000 Passive Clearance Control (PCC)

Abstract

This paper describes the design of the Free Power Turbine (FPT) of the LM9000, in particularly the design of its Passive Clearance Control (PCC) system. The LM9000 is the aero-derivative version of the GE90-115B jet engine. Its core engine has many common parts with the GE90; what differs is the booster (low pressure compressor) and the lower pressure turbine (LPT). The booster of the LM9000 is without fan because the engine is not used to provide thrust but torque only, subsequently it has a new flow path [5]. The LPT has instead been replaced by an intermediate pressure turbine (IPT) and by the FPT. The IPT drives the booster, while the FPT is a free low-pressure turbine designed for both power generation and mechanical drive industrial applications, including LNG production plants. Due to its different application, the LM9000 FPT flow path differs sensibly from the GE90 LPT, however as the GE90 it is provided of a clearance control system that cools the casing in order to reduce its radial deflection. It is not the first time that a clearance control system has been used in industrial applications; in GE aero-derivative power turbines is already present in the LM6000 and LMS100. Design constraints, system complexity, high environment variability because the PCC is located outside the GT, harsh environments and long periods of usage still make the design of this component challenging. The design of the PCC has been supported by extensive heat transfer and mechanical simulations. Each PCC component has been addressed with a dedicated life calculation and all the blade and seal clearances have been estimated for all the operating conditions of the engine. Simulations have been validated by an extensive test campaign performed on the first engine.