New Products

Air-cooled J-Series

Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems (MHPS) released the M501JAC, an enhanced aircooled J-Series gas turbine (GT) offering 99.5% reliability. It has picked up seven technical selections by utilities and independent power producers in the past few months. The MHPS JAC operates with a combined cycle output of 540 MW and efficiency exceeding 63%. To convert the J-series from steam cooling to air cooling, modifications were made to the combustor and thermal barrier coatings were enhanced in the turbine section to allow for a higher firing temperature. MHPS also conducted full-speed full load testing of the JAC at the T-Point facility in Japan, followed by more than 11,000 hours of reliability verification in commercial operation. MHPS JAC units are being built and shipped from the Savannah Machinery Works in Georgia, as well as the Takasago Works in Japan.

The JAC maintains features, such as a compressor shaft-end drive, twobearing rotor structure, axial flow exhaust, bolt-connected discs with torque pins on the compressor rotor, and Curvic couplings on the turbine rotor discs. Horizontally split casings facilitate field removal of the blades and vanes with the rotor in place. They are also digitally enabled www.mhpsa.com

Hydraulic valve

Young & Franklin has introduced an electric replacement (7600) for the hydraulic combined valve (7500) used on Frame 7Bs, Cs, Es and EAs since the 1970’s. The new product uses a proven electric Gas Control Valve (eGCV) and proven electric Stop/Speed Ratio Valve (eSRV) arranged in a drop-in skid that flanges-off exactly as the its predecessor. A servo emulator PCB and LVDTs can be used to ensure that the control system I/O does not require changes. The new valve has an improved valve seat sealing, reduces the sulfur buildup using a segmented ball valve that wipes the sealing surfaces during each full stroke, and the need for lube oil. www.yf.com

Surface and edge conditioning

Turbo-Finish’s surface and edge conditioning process can produce isotropic surfaces on rotating parts so they are less susceptible to problems associated with crack propagation. The elimination of stress risers and the generation of round edges help extend component life. Highly finished surfaces tend to pick up less residual contaminants from operations, and smooth isotropic surfaces generate less turbulent airflow. The Turbo-Finish process imparts compressive residual stress, producing a stress equilibrium throughout the entire part. It is capable of producing peening-like metal surface effects, while developing isotropic surfaces, and deburring and edgecontouring sharp-edged features. www.turbofinish.com

Internet of Things platform

Schneider Electric has launched the EcoStruxure platform to deliver Internet of Things (IoT) enabled solutions at scale for building, grid, industry and data center applications. It connects the three core layers of Schneider Electric’s technology stack, from connected products, to edge control, to applications, analytics and services. It is said to deliver enhanced value around safety, reliability, efficiency, sustainability, and connectivity of IoT-enabled operations. It combined controls with the power of analytics. www.schneider-electric.com

Reduced pressure in valves

Conval offers custom-designed Whisperjet liquid and gas reduction devices for new or retrofit installations. These devices reduce liquid or gas pressure through a series of multi-pressure reduction stages. There is virtually no part erosion. With steam applications, noise is reduced because orifices on each stage are sized to keep the flow of steam below critical velocity. Whisperjets are available in conjunction with Clampseal globe valves or standalone, in ASME pressure classes up to 4500#, in sizes ½” and up, with socket weld, butt weld or flanged connections. www.Conval.com

Siemens controls

Siemens’ has launched Version 14 of its Totally Integrated Automation (TIA) Portal which shortens the time to market for machine manufacturers and increases productivity through a cloud-based engineering framework. Users can access the plant controller from their private cloud with the TIA Portal Cloud Connector or through the Siemens MindSphere cloud system. New features include: An interface to simulation software to create a digital twin; product data management; motion control functionality; and automatic device synchronization.www.siemens.com

GE Predix update

With more than 19,000 software developers building application on the Ge Predix operating system today, the latest addition to Predix aids in the development of digital twins, which are virtual representations of physical assets. Further upgrades include Current, powered by GE Digital Energy Management, GE Energy Connections to extend the maintenance optimization benefits of GE’s Asset Performance Management (APM) software to the electricity grid, Predictive Corrosion Management (PCM) continuous inspection data and cloud-based analytics of pipe conditions to help operators manage corrosion-related risk, improve uptime, and minimize the total cost of operations, an update to its Digital Power Plant software for gas, steam and nuclear plants (new tools to help customers reduce unplanned downtime by up to 5%, reduce false positive alerts by up to 75%, and reduce operations and maintenance costs by up to 25%). www.GE.com

Pre-filter

Gas turbines at coastal locations or in tropical and subtropical regions, as well as on offshore platforms, absorb water droplets and salt into combustion air. The penetration of salt-containing water leads to reduced compressor efficiency and corrosion on the blades as well as in the hot gas section. The latter occurs especially when sulfur compounds from the fuel react with the salt’s sodium ion. The Viledon hydroMaxx coalescer prefilter for GTs and compressors from Freudenberg Filtration Technologies keeps downstream filter stages dry and reduces salt intake. It is a reversed pocket filter with good droplet separation capacity thanks to the drainage effect on the front of the filter. This new generation of filters are easier to handle and install while also being lighter and more flexible than the previous generation. www.freudenberg-filter.com