Siemens SGT5-4000F: Performance Measurements and Validation of Design Tools

Abstract

The leading technology of the Siemens SGT5-4000F heavy duty gas turbine is demonstrated through recent engine measurements at customer sites. The 4000F fleet comprises more than 240 engines that exceed performance targets because of well established, non-heuristic design processes that are continuously enhanced. On-site measurements of pressure, temperature and flow were performed at various locations in the flow path of the 4-stage turbine to support validation of Siemens’s proprietary 3D Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis suite. Despite inherent but well understood modeling deficiencies, these advanced CFD prediction capabilities surpassed other tools and increased the accuracy of the overall turbine design process. The performance of each turbine stage and flow features related to the exhaust diffuser were captured by the calculations. Overall performance characteristic shapes coincided with heat balances based on measurements. Radial traverses at the turbine exit, static pressure along the engine axis, and temperature sensors were matched well. The level of accuracy in delta predictions exceeded industry standards. The design suite was able to predict performance parameters prior to measurement within respective confidence levels. Therefore, this advanced 3D CFD design suite, validated with the test data, will form the basis for future turbine development programs.