Development of 29MW Gas Turbine Coupling With Maximum Torque of 85 KNM

Industrial gas turbine engines are used for various purposes such as power generation, machine operation, ships, and the transportation of crude oil and natural gases. Power generation facilities include co-generation facilities, combined cycle power plants, and emergency generators. Couplings for gas turbines rotate at high speeds to transmit high densities over long distances. For smooth torque transmission, they absorb shock and vibration between motors and turbines, and compensate for axial, angular, and radial displacements. This study performed a structural analysis, thermal stress analysis, and critical speed analysis based on Campbell diagrams to develop a 29MW gas turbine coupling with a maximum torque of 85 kNm. The results of the structural analysis revealed that each component had a safety factor of at least 1.2, calculated from the ratio of maximum Von-Mises stress to yield strength, which was an indicator of design safety. The stability of the disc pack, a key component of the coupling, was assessed through thermal stress analysis. To design a gas turbine coupling without resonance, critical speed was evaluated within the range of operating speeds. Critical speed did not exist at or near the operating speed of 7700 rpm.