naval
MT30 will burn high-spec diesel fuel without restriction
Rolls-Royce has completed the MT30 gas turbines that will provide power for the Royal Navy’s two new Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers
by Steve Matthews
the Royal Navy’s new Queen Elizabeth (QE) class aircraft carriers. The sub-alliance is led by Thales, although Rolls-Royce is supplying about half the equipment. Other members of the sub-alliance are Converteam, which was recently acquired by rival gas turbine supplier GE, and L3 Communications. The engine manufacturer is supplying two MT30 gas turbines for each of the aircraft carriers as part of their integrated electric propulsion systems. All four turbines have already been built, and the first two have been delivered. The turbines for the second vessel are in the supplier’s Bristol facility awaiting final preparation. The gas turbines power alternators, supplemented by Wärtsilä diesel generator sets. The next step is integrating the turbines into the full systems.
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As is common with such complex naval projects there have been a number of design changes along the way – as well as budget adjustments – each of which generates the need to amend onboard systems. Richard Dingley, senior vice-president naval, UK and international, said that design changes so far have, for example, resulted in the low voltage electrical systems going
olls-Royce is part of the power and propulsion sub-alliance providing the propulsion and power
systems for
through no fewer than eight iterations. The delay to the project is also raising issues with regard to the storage of equipment, with the ships not coming into service for several years after equipment is supplied. However, Rolls- Royce said that the delays should not cause any problems for the MT30 gas turbines. The much publicised delays and changes to the QE project reflect the recent UK government strategic defence review and budget cuts. The latest government policy is that the ships will be built as originally planned but the lead vessel HMS Queen Elizabeth will go into storage. The second ship, HMS Prince of Wales will be built to revised specifications with updated aircraft and associated launch and recovery systems. HMS Queen Elizabeth will be retrofitted later. It has not yet been decided whether the first ship will undergo full sea trials or will go straight into storage. The recent changes to the design of the second ship are generating changes to Rolls- Royce’s input requirements. In particular, there is a new aircraft launch and recovery system. “Our engines will have to supply more power, but the MT30 is inherently more powerful and has the increased power capability necessary for the revised launch and recovery systems on the second vessel,” said Mr Dingley. David Pearson, director of engineering
and technology, explained that the MT30 is largely based on the Trent800 aero engine. The main changes for naval use are eliminating the fan, a shaft output instead of thrust, a different gearbox, applying new coatings for operating in salt water environments and a new combustion system for using marine fuel, burning diesel instead of aviation kerosene. But about 80 per cent of the components are the same as the Trent aero engine, creating
Design changes mean the engines will have to supply more power on the second carrier
advantages for building the relatively small number of naval versions and for subsequent maintenance and repair. The MT30 is a relatively straightforward single cycle gas turbine. It remains the highest powered marine gas turbine, able to generate 36MW at up to 38°C. It is rated at 40MW at 15°C, and sufficient for any likely future aircraft carrier requirement. Peak energy efficiency is 40.5 per cent.
Damian Whatmough, chief engineer for the MT30 project, said that the MT30 will burn high-spec diesel fuel without restriction and can use aviation kerosene. It could also use heavy fuel oil but with restrictions because of the contents. They are not currently configured to burn LNG fuel. Two MT30s are being supplied for each of three new DDG1000 Zumwalt class destroyers for the US Navy, along with two RR4500 auxiliary turbine generator sets each producing 4.5MW. This innovative design class was flagged as being the warship of the future, but US defence budget cuts have thrown any future orders into doubt.
To adapt the engines for naval use a new combustion system was developed
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The MT30 is also being used in a new series of littoral combat ships (LCS’s) for the US Navy, with vessel speeds of over 40 knots. This class could ultimately result in orders for as many as 50 gas turbines. The packages for the LCS’s and the QE ships are bespoke packages but Rolls-Royce is currently developing a compact version for wider applications. This could include the new Royal Navy Type 26 frigates for which development work is currently underway, though Ministry of Defence requirements are still under discussion prior to bids being submitted. MP
Marine Propulsion I February/March 2012 I 117
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