GE Marine & Industrial Engines; Worldwide Leader In Aeroderivative Gas Turbine Technology

May 23, 1995 -- RIO DE JANEIRO - GE Marine & Industrial Engines (M&IE), a division of GE Aircraft Engines, is the world leader in the development, marketing and manufacture of gas turbines derived from highly reliable aircraft engines. An aeroderivative gas turbine is basically an aircraft engine modified for industrial or marine use.

M&IE has sold more than 1,890 aeroderivative gas turbines for marine propulsion and industrial applications in more than 50 countries worldwide. M&IE's entire LM product line ó LM500 through LM6000 ó has accumulated more than 22 million operating hours to date.

Aeroderivative gas turbines are used in a variety of applications:

- electrical power both for utility baseload and peaking applications in both simple-cycle (gas turbine only) and combined-cycle configurations. Simple- cycle refers to a gas turbine used alone; combined-cycle refers to an application where the exhaust from the gas turbine is used to power a steam turbine to maximize overall system efficiency

- in-plant and independent power production and cogeneration (the production of two forms of energy, usually steam and electricity from a single fuel source) in an industrial or institutional facility

- mechanical drive requirements, such as compressors, pumps and other loads

- marine propulsion of naval and commercial vessels.

Industries which use aeroderivative gas turbines include petroleum production, refining and pipeline operations, enhanced oil recovery, chemical, food and pulp/paper processing, and institutional electricity and heating for universities, hospitals and prisons. Aeroderivative gas turbines benefit from aircraft engine technology developed to meet the power and reliability needs of the world's airlines and air forces. Features include:

- outstanding availability/reliability

- high simple-cycle thermal efficiencies of up to 41%

- high compression ratios of up to 30:1

- high turbine inlet temperatures averaging 2300 degrees F

- modularity for ease of maintenance

Several of M&IE's gas turbines can incorporate STIGô (Steam Injected Gas turbine) systems for even higher efficiencies, power output and greater Nox control.

Gas turbines in M&IE's aeroderivative family include:

LM6000: This is M&IE's most efficient aeroderivative gas turbine. It produces more than 40 megawatts with thermal efficiency in excess of 40%. By the end of 1995, M&IE expects 55 LM6000s to be in service worldwide.

LM5000: The LM5000 is used primarily for cogeneration, power generation and mechanical drive applications, delivering 47,000 shp dry (35 megawatts/37.8 thermal efficiency) and 69,750 shp STIG (52 megawatts/44% thermal efficiency). More than 75 LM5000s are in service, accumulating more than 1.3 million operating hours since its introduction in 1977.

LM2500+: This new gas turbine is rated at 39,000 shp, 29 megawatts and 38% thermal efficiency. The design of this new machine is based upon the proven technology of M&IE's popular LM2500 gas turbine. The LM2500+ is aimed at the industrial markets for pipeline compression and mechanical drive, as well as various power generation applications in the 50- and 60-hertz markets.

LM2500: This is M&IE's most experienced aeroderivative, with nearly 1,400 gas turbines delivered to date, and more than 18 million operating hours logged. This engine is capable of 31,200 shp dry (23.3 megawatts/37.6% thermal efficiency) and 37,500 shp STIG (28 megawatts/41.3% thermal efficiency). The unit was introduced in 1969, and is used in a variety of power generation applications, including utility and industrial power generation and cogeneration. Nine LM2500s are currently in service in Brazil in power generation applications. The LM2500 also is used by 24 navies worldwide on frigates, destroyers, cruisers, hydrofoils, auxiliary ships, carriers, patrol boats and corvettes, as well as in various commercial marine applications such as fast ferries.

LM1600: The LM1600 provides 18,750 shp dry (14 megawatts/37.2% thermal efficiency) and 23,050 shp STIG (17.2 megawatts/40.8% thermal efficiency). Introduced in 1988, the LM1600 is ideal for a variety of power generation and pipeline compression applications, as well as for ship propulsion for high-speed vessels and fast ferries. Currently there are more than 95 LM1600s in service world wide.

LM500: This compact, high-performance gas turbine offers 6,000 shp and 4.5 megawatts, with thermal efficiency of 32%. Applications include marine propulsion for fast ferries, naval patrol boats and hydrofoils.

M&IE sells only the basic gas generator or gas turbine, and an Original Equipment Manufacturer/Packager ó usually referred to as an OEM, packages the gas turbine adding the skid, an enclosure, fuel handling system, control system and generator or compressor and then sells that package to the end user.

GE Marine & Industrial Engines is headquartered in Evendale, Ohio, U.S.A.