MHI recently developed a 1600°C class J-type gas turbine, utilizing some of the technologies developed in the National Project to promote the development of component technology for the next generation 1700°C class gas turbine. This new frame is expected to achieve higher combined cycle efficiency and will contribute to reduce CO2 emissions. The target combined cycle efficiency of the J type gas turbine will be above 61.5% (gross, ISO standard condition, LHV) and the 1on1 combined cycle output will reach 460MW for 60Hz engine and 670MW for 50Hz engine. This new engine incorporates: 1) A high pressure ratio compressor based on the advanced M501H compressor, which was verified during the M501H development in 1999 and 2001. 2) Steam cooled combustor, which has accumulated extensive experience in the MHI G engine (> 1,356,000 actual operating hours). 3) State-of-art turbine designs developed through the 1700°C gas turbine component technology development program in Japanese National Project for high temperature components. This paper discusses the technical features and the updated status of the J-type gas turbine, especially the operating condition of the J-type gas turbine in the MHI demonstration plant, T-Point. The trial operation of the first M501J gas turbine was started at T-point in February 2011 on schedule, and major milestones of the trial operation have been met. After the trial operation, the first commercial operation has taken place as scheduled under a predominantly Daily-Start-and-Stop (DSS) mode. Afterward, MHI performed the major inspection in October 2011 in order to check the mechanical condition, and confirmed that the hot parts and other parts were in sound condition.

In order to prevent global warming, Kyoto Protocol has come into effect in February 2005. It is necessary for Japan to reduce 6% of amount of CO2 emission from 2008 to 2012. In such an environment, improvement of the thermal efficiency of the gas turbine for GTCC is highly required. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. participates in the national project developing 1700 degC gas turbine. In this national project, selected component technologies are investigated in detail. Key technologies for 1700degC gas turbine are determined and under development such as: (1) Combustor with exhaust gas recirculation system; (2) Turbine cooling technology; (3) Super heat resistant material; (4) Thermal barrier coating; (5) High efficiency high loading turbine; (6) High pressure high efficiency compressor. Current status of the technology developments is reviewed.

Global warming is being “prevented” by reducing power plant CO2 emissions. We are contributing to the overall solution by improving the gas turbine thermal efficiency for gas turbine combined cycle (GTCC). Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) is a participant in a national project aimed at developing 1700°C gas turbine technology. As part of this national project, selected component technologies are investigated in detail. Some technologies which have been verified through component tests have been applied to the design of the newly developed 1600°C J-type gas turbine.