Evolution of MHPS Large Frame Gas Turbines: J to Air-Cooled JAC

Abstract

Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems, Ltd. (MHPS) has continued to contribute to the preservation of the global environment and the stable supply of energy through the constant development of gas turbines. The contribution is based on the abundant operating results, research, and verification of state-of-the-art technology. Since 2014 MHPS has been using progressive knowledge obtained from the Japanese National Project’s “1700°C Class Ultrahigh-Temperature Gas Turbine Component Technology Development.” The highly-efficient M501J gas turbine was successfully developed and has achieved the world’s first turbine inlet temperature of 1600°C because of this effort. Verification operation of the M501J at T-point, the verification plant, which MHPS owns in Takasago, started in 2011. Thereafter, M501J gas turbines have been delivered all over the world, and have accumulated more than 500,000 Actual Operating Hours (AOH). To further improve the efficiency and power output of the gas turbine combined cycle (GTCC), a new enhanced air-cooled system for the combustor was installed replacing the steam-cooled system employed in the J-series. The compressor was also redesigned with an advanced design approach that ensures the mechanical soundness of the parts and the performance upgrade in inlet flow as well as start-up characteristics.