- With this Project, GE Power Marks 40 Years of Innovation in Its 6B Gas Turbine Fleet
- GE’s Power Services Business Continues Investments in Its Power Generation Fleet with New Solution That Elevates Existing 6B Gas Turbine Performance to New Unit Capabilities
- The New Solution Will Help Power Producers Achieve up to $3 Million a Year in Fuel Savings per Unit
- This Solution Enables Power Producers to Refresh Their Aging Assets with the Latest Technology with Small Modifications to the Balance of Plant
- A Global Chemical Company Tapped as Launch Customer, Which Expects to See a Power Output Increase of up to 25 Percent Once Installed at Its Site in Asia
BADEN, SWITZERLAND—September 12, 2018—GE’s Power Services business (NYSE: GE) is celebrating the 40th anniversary of its 6B gas turbine fleet by launching the world’s first 6B repowering solution. GE also announced it has signed its first agreement for the solution with a global chemical company to repower three 6B gas turbines and save significant amounts of fuel each year at its site in Asia. Today’s announcements mark another example of GE’s continued commitment to investing in its mature fleets to keep them competitive.
“We’re excited to mark our 40th anniversary of the 6B fleet and unveil our new repowering solution,” said Scott Strazik, president & CEO of GE’s Power Services business. “This fleet is known for its dependability—a reputation earned with global fleet reliability of 98.4 percent, which is about 2 percent higher than the industry average and translates to approximately 17 more days of availability per year. At the same time, the 6B fleet has aged, and there’s growing demand to improve performance. Today’s announcement and our recent expansion of our Advanced Gas Path technology to the 6B fleet highlight our continuing investment in our mature fleets to help power producers and industrial operators remain competitive in today’s very dynamic marketplace.”
Part of GE’s Fleet360* platform of total plant services solution, the new 6B Repowering Solution incorporates advanced F and H class technology to elevate the machine’s performance to leading levels for its class. The repowering consists of a full “flange-to-flange” upgrade of all major components, including the combustion system, hot gas path and compressor, and it transforms the 6B unit into a GE 6F.01 gas turbine, which is also available as a new unit.
The new 6B Repowering upgrade, which fits into the existing 6B footprint, can advance performance in both gas turbine and combined-cycle operation.
It’s capable of:
- Increasing turbine output up to 35 percent simple cycle/25 percent combined cycle.
- Improving efficiency up to 5 percentage points in simple- and combined-cycle operations.
- Achieving up to $3 million in fuel savings per unit annually.
- Achieving NOx emissions as low as 15 ppm.
- Extending the hot gas path inspection interval to 32,000 hours (from 24,000 hours) and major inspection interval to 64,000 hours (from 48,000 hours).
6B Fleet milestones rhythm lasts 40 years
GE’s fleet spans more than 1,150 6B turbines across all corners of the world, powering energy production facilities and industrial applications in segments such as petrochemical, oil and gas, exploration and the cement production. Today, over 900 6Bs are still in operation with 55 percent in continuous operation. The 6B fleet has hit many milestones since the first unit was shipped and installed at Montana-Dakota Utilities’ Glendive Power Plant 40 years ago.
“Our strong relationship with GE began in the ’70s with the first order for Frame 6 equipment,” said Darrin Holzer, Manager of Combustion Turbines & Wind Generation, Montana-Dakota Utilities. “Then, it continued with the shipment of its first 6B gas turbine in 1978, and now, 40 years later, we are still benefiting from the high reliability of GE’s proven gas turbine technology. Currently, this unit operates during peak periods—in conjunction with extreme hot and cold conditions when more power is needed. What we have benefitted from the most is the unit's ability to adapt extremely well to the wide differences in temperature that are typical in Montana, that can span from -30 to 110 F degrees.”
Since its first installation at the Glendive plant, GE’s 6B fleet has accumulated more than 65 million operating hours. Some highlights include:
- In 1991, GE introduces Dry Low NOx combustion technology on the 6B, marking a leap forward in low emissions operation—as low as 25 ppm NOx, along with more flexible operations through lower turndown and fuel options.
- In 2000, new advancements help deliver better performance, including an output increase of 6 percent and efficiency increase of .5 percent to help global power producers stay competitive during a transitional period in the energy industry.
- In 2009, GE launches the 6B Performance Improvement Package (PIP), featuring advances in materials, coatings, sealing and aerodynamics derived from its F-class technology to increase output and efficiency. Today, PIP is installed on 200+ units and it has become the standard configuration for new 6B gas turbines.
- In 2011, GE completes the world’s first Flange-to-Flange upgrade one of its 6B units at the S.A. Industrious Celulosa Aragonese (SAICA) paper mill, a family-owned business in Spain. The solution delivered significant performance improvements including a 13+ percent increase in output, an 8 percent efficiency improvement and a 10+ percent increase in steam production.
- In 2018, GE begins installing its industry-leading Advanced Gas Path (AGP) technology on three 6B gas turbines at Saudi Cement’s Hofuf power plant. This project marks the first AGP upgrade in the cement industry and the expansion of AGP technology to GE’s fifth fleet.
To view a video on 40 Years of 6B Performance, please click here.
Source : Link
Pasargad Energy Development Co. (PEDC) is an independent energy company based in Iran. PEDC is an integrated energy company whose activities span the entire value chain including exploration, production, refining, petrochemicals marketing, power generation & renewables as well as new high-tech venture capitalizing. Our headquarter is located in Tehran. PEDC is present across the Iranian continental shelf and international market through its subsidiaries. We create value for our shareholders through active investment, high-level monitoring of our projects, building world-class partnership and managing our risks effectively and making balanced portfolio. Meantime, we contribute to the sustainable development of the energy sector and communities in our country. PEDC’s competitiveness relies upon our values-based performance culture, with a strong commitment to transparency, cooperation and continuous operational improvement. As a wholly owned subsidiary of the Pasargad Financial Group, with Pasargad Bank being a distinctive shareholder, we owe our success to our experience, management knowledge and strong local/international partnerships since 2008. PEDC is committed to maintaining sustainability and being recognized as the strategic partner of choice in Iran’s energy and petrochemical sector.