Thursday, 26 March 2009
An upgraded Rolls-Royce industrial gas turbine, which incorporates advanced technologies used in the latest generation of Rolls-Royce aero engines, has achieved more than 100,000 hours of faultless operation.
The Avon 200 life extension upgrade, which delivers increased power, efficiency and component life, was launched in 2007. Forty engine kits have been ordered by operators in nine countries, with 18 now delivered.
The industrial Avon is one of the most successful industrial aero-derivative gas turbines ever built, accumulating more than 60 million operating hours. It has established an unparalleled record for reliability and availability in the oil and gas and power generation industries.
Total orders exceed 1,200 units, with more than 800 still in service worldwide. Avon 200 upgrades are suitable for Avon 1533, 1534 and 1535 models.
The Avon 200 can deliver 8.9 per cent more power and 4.4 per cent better thermal efficiency. It provides extended mean times between overhauls (from 30,000 hours to 36,000 hours) if operated at the current base rating. In addition, improved mechanical design helps to reduce life-cycle costs. When operating at the enhanced or current base rating, significant reductions in CO and CO2 emissions can also be expected.
Robert Wallace, Sales and Marketing Director of the Energy Customer Service Business, said: “The newly upgraded Avon 200 is a significant new addition to our portfolio. It delivers value for Avon operators worldwide by setting new standards for power, efficiency, life cycle costs and environmental impact.
“Avon operators want their gas turbines to operate for longer periods before major maintenance is required and they also want to mitigate the effects of high cycle fatigue brought on by fuel quality issues. The Avon 200 delivers this and more.”
Petrobras were first to order an Avon 200 upgrade for one of their engines in service on the P18 platform offshore Brazil. In addition, half of the current Dubai Petroleum Avon fleet operating on offshore gas platforms in the Gulf will be upgraded.
Before entry into commercial service, a demonstrator Avon 200 performed a closely monitored endurance run at the Clarkson Valley natural gas compressor station on TransCanada Corporation’s Alberta, Canada System pipeline.
The same development engine also underwent hot weather trials in Dubai prior to the order from Dubai Petroleum.
- Rolls-Royce, a world-leading provider of power systems and services for use on land, at sea and in the air, has established a strong position in global markets - civil aerospace, defence aerospace, marine and energy. In each sector, Rolls-Royce offers value-added long-term service agreements for customers and operators.
- The Group has a broad customer base comprising more than 600 airlines, 4,000 corporate and utility aircraft and helicopter operators, 160 armed forces, more than 2,000 marine customers, including 70 navies, and energy customers in nearly 120 countries.
- In 2008, Rolls-Royce invested over £800 million on research and development, two thirds of which had the objective of further improving the environmental aspects of its products. The primary technology investment area is aimed at reducing noise and emissions.
- First introduced in the 1960s and derived from the earlier Avon aero engine, the industrial Avon has had several enhancements over the years, including the 1534 and 1535 standards.
- The Avon 200 has been sold to industrial operators in Brazil, Brunei, Egypt, Norway, Qatar, Thailand, Trinidad, the United Arab Emirates and the USA.
- The modification kit that comprises the Avon 200 can be applied to all versions of the Avon gas generator currently in commercial service. The kit can be fitted during the normal maintenance cycle of the Avon gas generator.
- Avon 200 modifications are carried out by the Rolls Wood Group at its facility in Aberdeen, Scotland. Rolls Wood is a joint venture between Rolls-Royce plc and John Wood Group PLC (Wood Group)
- Of the 1200 Avons originally sold to operators in 48 countries, 550 engines were used for mechanical drive applications and 500 for electrical power generation. More than 100 have been installed on offshore platforms.
Back to Press releases