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Toshiba and GE Power Systems Corporation announced the development of new 40" and 48" steel last-stage buckets for steam turbine applications worldwide.
The new buckets are designed for both 50-Hertz and 60-Hertz applications and will increase steam turbine power output capability, leading to improved combined-cycle plant efficiency and lower cost of producing electricity. The 48" last stage bucket is the largest steel full-speed (3000 rpm) last-stage bucket in the world in terms of annulus area.
Toshiba and GE expect to offer the new buckets on their steam turbines for both combined-cycle and fossil power plant applications shipping in 2003. "These state of the art LP buckets are currently being integrated into our steam turbine product portfolio to improve performance and output allowing our customers to compete successfully in the demanding global energy market" said Vic Abate, General Manager of Steam Turbine Technology for GE.
The development of the buckets was a joint program between Toshiba and GE spanning several years utilizing world-class design and development teams from both organizations, including technology from GE's Global Research Center and Aircraft Engines business and Toshiba's Power and Industrial Systems R&D Center. "The new last-stage buckets are the product of the long-standing tradition of cooperation between Toshiba and GE in power generation products. With the introduction of the 40 and 48, our teams have continued the tradition of customer service through the development and application of advanced steam turbine technology" said Lance Hall, General Manager of the Steam Turbine and Generator Product Lines for GE.
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The program incorporated Six Sigma quality methodology as well as state-of-the-art 3-D Computational Fluid Dynamics for the aerodynamic design and detailed Finite Element Analysis models for the mechanical design. The mechanical and aerodynamic features of the design have been validated through extensive testing both in Japan and the US. The new designs leverage GE gas turbine compressor bucket materials and Toshiba improved rotor heat treatment methods.
"These buckets are the result of an excellent team effort between Toshiba and GE to integrate state-of-the-art technologies of both companies and will provide the highest possible performance to best meet our customer needs" said Atsuhide Suzuki, Senior Chief Engineer of Steam Turbine for Toshiba.
The new buckets will be manufactured in the state of the art Toshiba/GE joint venture bucket manufacturing facility in Yokohama Japan. |
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