Change fuels on GE MS9001E

Dear All,

Has anyone had experience in changing fuel from High Speed Distillate (HSD) to Marine Fuel Oil (MFO) on GE MS9001E (or another GT series)?

What will be the "control & instrumentation" consideration on this? (Mark V GT turbine control has applied.)

And this changing, is it visible? Are there any side effects? (I'm sorry if the last questions are not in control area...)

Thanks for your attention guys,

Cheers,

anf

Before you switch the fuel, get down to a serious discussion with the GT manufacturer. The control and instrumentation issue is the lesser of all problems created by the fuel switch.

The more serious problems concern what is known as high temperature corrosion of the internal components of the gas turbine, most critical of all turbine blades, combustors and transition pieces.

Mind you you can switch fuels. There are GTs in the world which burn worse fuels that MFO, but:

1. They have reduced firing temperatures (to minimise hot corrosion)
2. They have reduced operating hours vis-a-vis maintenance schedules
3. They end up replacing internal components more often.

You might say that the fuel bill will offset all the above disadvantages, and I agree. But make sure you get the full and detailed knowledge of the implications of the fuel switch. You may need to change/modify some GT internal BEFORE making the fuel switch. Obviously you can do it after, but rest assured that you are risking the premature failure of your GT, and the cost of repair will then be, ah better speak to your GT supplier.

Check with the OEM or your service provider; as jojo suggested, it might be necessary to reduce firing temperature to prevent deposition or an additive may be necessary. Lubricity is also important for the flow divider and high-pressure liquid fuel pump.

You should obtain a certified fuel analysis of what you want to burn versus what you're presently burning and submit that with your request for information/assistance.

As jojo says, the controls are the least of the problem; it's the physical components (from the high-pressure liquid fuel pump, to the flow divider, to the nozzles, to the hot gas path components) that must be considered in any fuel change.

Thanks a lot guys