LMS100 Gas Turbine

GE's revolutionary LMS100 provides a single, economical solution for the dispatch needs of nearly every market condition. With efficiency, 10-minute start times, unmatched hot-day performance, load following and cycling capabilities, and reliability from proven architecture and technology, the LMS100 is the ideal solution for power generation planners and developers.

Defining a new era of flexible power generation, GE's revolutionary LMS100 provides a single, economical solution for the dispatch needs of nearly every market condition. With unparalleled efficiency,10-minute start times, unmatched hot-day performance, load following and cycling capabilities, and reliability derived from proven architecture and technology, the LMS100 is the ideal solution for power-generation planners and developers.

A combination of frame and aeroderivative gas turbine technologies, this powerful machine represents the most extensive collaboration of design and manufacturing expertise in the history of GE, delivering more than 100 MW with thermal efficiency at 44 percent.

Offering superior value unavailable in other 80-160 MW gas turbines through high part-power efficiency, cycling capability without maintenance impact, dispatch reliability, turndown capability, and low emissions, the LMS100 gives dispatchers confidence they can meet customer and business needs at any time, day or night.

Our foundation of flexibility

The LMS100 provides unsurpassed simple-cycle efficiency and increased power output thanks to an innovative intercooling system.

The intercooling system takes compressed air from the low-pressure compressor, cools it to optimal temperatures, then redelivers it to the high-pressure compressor. In providing a near-constant stream of low-temperature air to the high-pressure compressor, the work of compression is reduced. The result is a higher pressure ratio (42:1) and increased mass flow (460 lb/sec).

In simple-cycle applications, the LMS100 can achieve 44 percent thermal efficiency. That's nearly a 10 point improvement over every turbine in its size range. The impressive level of efficiency when combined with the ability to cycle without maintenance interval impact may translate into US$ 4 million to 7 million in Net Present Value Savings over 15 years.

Proven, reliable technology

The LMS100 core engine is derived from the CF6 family of aircraft engines, the same baseline architecture as the LM6000. The current LM6000 fleet includes 588 operating engines with over 10.5 million accumulated fired hours of operation. Reliability for the LM6000 fleet is currently 99.14 percent and availability is currently 97.76 percent. The low-pressure compressor (LPC) is derived from GE's MS6001FA gas turbine which has 65 units in operation with more than 1,000,000 hours of operation.

*Based on ORAP® reliability data, using current sample, which includes 151 operating units. ORAP®

Customer-designed controls

The LMS100 control system employs the Mark VIe, using fiber optics for signal transmission between the package and control system. This system reduces the number of signal interconnects by 90 percent and the number of mechanical interconnects by 25 percent, which yields a simpler and more reliable design with a faster, more efficient installation and startup.

Designed for reliability

In addition, the integrated control system includes redundant sensors with smart selection logic to reduce single sensor failure trips. The fiberoptic distributed I/O (input/output) system is located outside the module to prevent electromagnetic or radio frequency interference and minimize false trips.

Comprehensive full-scale validation tests

Consistent with GE's practice for design validation, extensive design assurance and validation tests were established and executed, including core engine and power plant tests.

The core engine, a gas generator consisting of the LMS100 high-pressure compressor, single annular combustor and high-pressure turbine, completed testing in December 2004 at the high altitude test cell in GE's aircraft engine facility in Ohio. More than 1,500 pieces of instrumentation were used to measure key design parameters. The testing confirmed aeromechanics, mechanical design and variable geometry optimization for performance, paving the way for full-scale power plant validation testing.

Extensive, full-scale testing of an LMS100 simple-cycle power plant was conducted at GE's facility in Houston, Texas. More than 2,500 pieces of instrumentation were used to validate performance, emissions, intercooler operation and sub-system capability at the most extreme operating conditions expected in commercial service.

The LMS100 full-load power plant test confirmed that performance, operability, emissions, mechanical and electrical operations all met requirements. Testing demonstrated 10-minute starts, fast load following, transient capability and efficiency, all hallmark characteristics of the LMS100.