MIAMI, FL - GE Marine Engines has completed testing on two GE LM2500+ aeroderivative gas turbines, the company reported at the Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention. These are two of eight LM2500+ gas turbines selected for the world's first gas turbine-powered cruise ships.
The Vantage-class cruise ships are being built for Royal Caribbean International and the Millennium-class ships are being built for Celebrity Cruises. GE Marine Engines is manufacturing the LM2500+ aeroderivative gas turbines for these vessels.
In late 1998, GE successfully completed rigorous Lloyd's Register of Shipping and Det Norske Veritas (DNV)-type testing and certification on the two LM2500+ gas turbines at its Evendale, OH plant. These tests provide the LM2500+ with product design certification by both agencies for diverse commercial ship propulsion arrangements and various demonstrated power ratings. The remaining LM2500+s are expected to complete testing throughout 1999, 2000 and 2001.
The two tested gas turbines were delivered to S&S Energy Products' (SSEP) Houston, TX facility on schedule; they have been packaged with a generator and full-load, string-testing will begin in April 1999. SSEP, a GE Power Systems business and the prime contractor on this project, is providing the engineering, gas turbine packaging and system integration for the COmbined Gas turbine and steam turbine integrated Electric drive System (COGES).
A COGES arrangement makes very efficient use of energy: Energy that otherwise would be lost in the exhaust from the gas turbines is captured to produce steam from boilers for the steam turbines. The COGES plant will power electric motors/propeller pods which will move the ship through the water, and will provide for all on-board power requirements such as heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, lighting, etc. An 80% to 98% reduction in exhaust emissions is expected with the COGES arrangement.
GE Marine Engines is part of GE Aircraft Engines and is headquartered in Evendale, OH. GE Marine Engines is the world's largest designer, developer and manufacturer of aeroderivative gas turbines for a variety of commercial and military marine propulsion applications.