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LM500E.qxd 9/11/06 11:32 AM Page 1

GEMarine

LM 500 - 31041 LM500 Marine Gas Turbine

GE’s LM500 marine gas turbine is derived from GE’s TF34/CF34 turbofanengines that are currently in use in many military and commercial aircraft applications. The LM500 is basically a TF34 engine without its fan and is very similar in materials and design to GE’s industry-leading LM2500. The LM500 is a simple-cycle, two-shaft gas turbine with an aerodynamically coupled power turbine. It incorporates a variable sta- tor compressor driven by an air-cooled, two-stage turbine. The LM500 incorporates the latest in proven design technology and corrosion- resistant materials to provide a mature design with maximum reliability and component life. Ideally suited for marine applications requiring light weight and fuel economy, the LM500 offers the highest efficiency of any gas turbine in its output class. The LM500’s single shaft gas generator consists of a 14-stage, 14.5:1pressure ratio high-pressure (HP) compressor with variable inlet guide vanes and variable stator vanes in the first five stages, a machined ring (annular) combustor with 18 externally mounted fuel injectors and an air-cooled two-stage HP turbine. The aerodynamically coupled power turbine on the second shaft has four stages. The output shaft to which the load is connected is on the air inlet end of the engine.The LM500 is designed for long life in a marine environment usingcorrosion-resistant materials. It has built-in borescope ports and a water wash manifold for compressor cleaning. The low-speed shaft, with no differential bearings, provides for front end drive. It is built for fast start-up, good stall margin and flexibility of control over a wide speed and power range. The two-stage, air-cooled HP turbine permits high turbine inlet temperatures for high efficiency with long hot section parts life. GE provides a lube oil, ignition, and starting system along with a digital engine control system. The LM500 engine is designed with a split casing for ease of maintenance. The LM500 mounted on amarine base, as shown at the right below, is 144 inches long, 65 inches (1.65 m) high and weighs 6,173 pounds (2,779 kg) including the inlet air collector and the exhaust gas plenum. The inlet duct flow area is 12 square feet (1.12 sq m) and the exhaust duct flow area is 7 square feet (.65 sq m).

Performance

Output6,000 shp (4,470 kW) SFC.443 lb/shp-hr Heat rate8,140 Btu/shp-hr10,916 Btu/kWs-hr 11,520 kJ/kWs-hr Exhaust gas flow35.9 lb/sec (16.3 kg/sec) Exhaust gas temperature1,049°F (565°C) Power turbine speed7000 rpm
Average performance, 60 Hz, 59°F, sea level, 60% relative humidity, no inlet/exhaust losses LM500 on Marine Base