GTD52

GT Description
Reformatted, April 1993

GE Industrial & Power Systems

Gas Turbine

Compressor, Combustion and Turbine Sections

I. GENERAL

The MS–5002, a two-shaft gas turbine, is mounted on a platform or base which supports the basic gas turbine
unit including the inlet and exhaust plenum.

The various assemblies, systems and components that comprise the compressor, combustion and turbine sec-
tions of the gas turbine are described in the text which follows. Refer to the illustrations in this section and
elsewhere in this volume, the Inspection and Maintenance Volume, and the Parts Lists and Drawings Volume
for gas turbine component detailed information.

A. Detail Orientation

Throughout this manual, reference is made to the forward and aft ends, and to the right and left sides of
the gas turbine and its components. By definition, the air inlet of the gas turbine is the forward end, while
the exhaust stack is the aft end. The forward and aft ends of each component are determined in like manner
with respect to its orientation within the complete unit. The right and left sides of the turbine or of a particu-
lar component are determined by facing aft.

B. Turbine Base

The base that supports the gas turbine is a structural-steel frame, fabricated of I-beams and plates. The base
frame, consisting of two longitudinal wide flange steel beams with three cross members, forms the bed
upon which the vertical supports for the turbine are mounted.

Lifting trunnions and supports are provided, two on each side of the base, in line with the first two structur-
al cross members of the base frame. Machined pads, three on each side of the bottom of the base, facilitate
its mounting on the site foundation sole plates. Machined pads on top of the frame are provided for mount-
ing the turbine supports.

The middle cross member has a gib block welded to it and accepts the gib key which is an integral part
of the lower half exhaust frame. This key is held securely in place with shims, forward and aft, that bear
against the gib, yet permit vertical expansion of the exhaust frame. The arrangement locates a longitudinal
fixed point of the turbine from which the unit can thermally expand forward and aft.

These instructions do not purport to cover all details or variations in equipment nor to provide for every possible
contingency to be met in connection with installation, operation or maintenance. Should further information be desired or
should particular problems arise which are not covered sufficiently for the purchaser’s purposes the matter should be
referred to the GE Company.
 1993 GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
Gas Turbine GT Description

The left and right longitudinal I-beams and the forward and aft cross members of the turbine base are fabri-
cated along the webs so that they form lube oil drain channels for the turbine bearing, load coupling and
load equipment. The lube oil feed piping is contained within the longitudinal channels.

C. Turbine Supports

The gas turbine is supported on the base by two flexible support plates, one under the inlet casing and the
other under the exhaust frame casing. These supports prevent lateral or rotational movement of the gas
turbine, but allow axial movement which results from thermal expansion of the turbine during operation.

The inlet support plate is bolted to the forward cross member of the turbine base. The exhaust frame sup-
port plate is bolted to the aft cross member.

In order to prevent misalignment of couplings, and to prevent any strain on piping between the bases due
to thermal expansion, two centerline supports have been provided on the bottom of the forward and middle
cross members of the turbine base. The forward support is a steel plate with a keyway which accommo-
dates a square post in the foundation; this prevents lateral movement of the base centerline due to thermal
expansion. The support at the middle cross member of the turbine base is a steel plate with a four inch
diameter hole. This plate accommodates a steel pin which prevents movement of the base in all directions.

D. Accessory Base and Supports

The accessory base is a structural assembly, fabricated with steel I-beams and plates, providing a mounting
platform for the accessory drive gear, starting device and other accessories. The interior of the accessory
base forms a self-contained lube oil tank. Bottom plates of the tank are positioned at a slight angle that
slopes toward two drain pipes and plugs at one side of the base. Lube oil heat exchangers and filters are
contained within the lube oil storage tank.

Four lifting trunnions and supports are provided near each corner of the base. Machined pads, or sole
plates, located at the bottom of the base, facilitate its mounting to the site foundation sub-sole plates. Two
centerline supports, similar to those on the turbine base, are also provided to prevent misalignment due
to thermal expansion.

II. COMPRESSOR SECTION

A. General

The axial-flow compressor section consists of the compressor rotor and casing (Figure 3A–1) which in-
cludes the sixteen stages of compression, variable inlet guide vanes, and two exit guide vanes.

In the compressor, air is confined to the space between the rotor and stator where it is compressed in stages
by a series of alternate rotating (rotor) and stationary (stator) air-foil shaped blades. Rotor blades supply
the force needed to compress the air in each stage and the stator blades guide the air so that it enters the
following rotor stage at the proper angle. The compressed air exits through the compressor discharge cas-
ing to the combustion wrapper and the combustion chambers. Air is also extracted from the compressor
for turbine cooling, and for bearing lube oil sealing.

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GT Description Gas Turbine

No. 1 Bearing No. 4 Bearing

No. 2 Bearing
Assembly Assembly
Assembly
No. 3 Bearing
Assembly

Forward
Stub
Shaft

Compressor Turbine
Section Section

Figure 3A–1 MS–5002 Horizontally Split Casing

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Gas Turbine GT Description

B. Compressor Rotor Assembly

The compressor portion of the gas turbine rotor is an assembly of wheels, a stub shaft, tie bolts, and the
compressor rotor blades. (See Figure 3A–1.)

Each wheel and the wheel portion of the forward stub shaft has broached slots around its periphery. Rotor
blades are inserted into these slots and held in axial position by spacer pieces which are in turn staked at
each end of the slot. These blades are airfoil shaped and are designed to compress air efficiently at high
blade tip velocities. The wheels and stub shafts are assembled to each other with mating rabbets for con-
centricity control and are held together with tie bolts. Selective positioning of the wheels is made during
assembly to reduce balance correction. After assembly, the rotor is dynamically balanced.

The forward stub shaft is machined to form the thrust collar (which carries the forward and aft thrust
loads), the journal for the No. 1 bearing and the sealing surface for the No. 1 bearing oil seals, as well as
the compressor low-pressure air seal. (See Figure 3A–1.)

C. Stator

1. General

The stator (casing) area of the compressor section is composed of three major sections:

a. Inlet casing

b. Compressor casing

c. Compressor discharge casing

These sections, in conjunction with the turbine shell, form the primary external structure of the gas
turbine. They support the rotor at the bearing points and constitute the outer wall of the gas-path annu-
lus. The casing bore is maintained to close tolerances with respect to the rotor blade tips for maximum
efficiency.

2. Inlet Casing

The inlet casing is located at the forward end of the gas turbine. Its prime function is to uniformly
direct air into the compressor. The casing also supports the No. 1 bearing assembly whose lower-half
housing is cast integral with the lower half of the inlet casing. The upper half of the bearing housing
is separate from the upper half of the inlet casing. The inner bellmouth is positioned to the outer bell-
mouth by seven airfoil-shaped radial struts and seven axial tiebars. Both the struts and tiebars are
cased in the bellmouth walls. Variable inlet guide vanes are installed in the aft end of the inlet casing.
The variable inlet guide vanes permit fast, smooth acceleration of the turbine without compressor
surge (pulsation). An hydraulic cylinder is utilized to activate the inlet guide vanes through a large
ring gear and multiple small pinion gears. At startup, the vanes are set at the low flow startup position.

3. Compressor Casing

The compressor casing contains the first ten (numbered zero through nine) compressor-stator stages.
It also transfers the structural loads from the adjoining casing to the forward support which is bolted

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GT Description Gas Turbine

and doweled to the casing’s forward flange. The compressor casing is equipped with two large inte-
grally cast trunnions which are used to lift the gas turbine when it is separated from its base.

Stator blades in the compressor casing are assembled in slotted semi-circular rings. The stator blade
and ring assemblies are then installed in “T”-shaped grooves machined in the wall of the inlet casing.
A long locking key, which is installed in a groove machined in a horizontal joint flange of the casing
lower half, keeps these assemblies from rotating in the stator grooves.

4. Compressor Discharge Casing

The compressor discharge casing is the rear portion of the compressor section. It is the longest single
casing, situated at the midpoint between the forward and aft turbine supports. The functions of the
compressor discharge casing are to contain the balance of compressor stages, to form both the inner
and outer walls of the compressor diffuser, and to join the compressor and turbine stators. It also pro-
vides support for the No. 2 bearing and the first-stage turbine nozzle.

The compressor discharge casing consists of two cylinders, one being a continuation of the compres-
sor casing and the other being an inner cylinder that surrounds the compressor rotor. The two cylinders
are concentrically positioned by eight radial struts which flair out to meet the large diameter of the
turbine shell, and are the primary load bearing members in this portion of the gas turbine stator.

The supporting structure for the No. 2 bearing is contained within the inner cylinder. A diffuser is
formed by the tapered annulus between the outer cylinder and inner cylinder of the discharge casing.
The diffuser converts some of the compressor exit velocity into added pressure.

The compressor discharge casing contains the remaining six (numbered ten through fifteen) compres-
sor-stator stages. In the discharge casing, the stator blades, which have square bases, are assembled
directly into the “T”-shaped casing grooves and are held from rotating in the grooves by long locking
keys. These are installed in grooves machined in the horizontal joint flanges of the casing upper half.
These locking keys also serve to prevent the stator blades from dropping out of the grooves when the
discharge casing upper half is lifted from the turbine.

D. Bearings

The gas turbine unit has four main bearings which support the compressor and turbine rotors. Bearing No.
1 is located in the compressor inlet casing; No. 2 in the compressor discharge casing; No. 3 and No. 4 bear-
ings are contained in separate housings which are bolted to the forward and aft end of the exhaust frame
inner barrel. Bearing Nos. 1 and 2 support the compressor/high-pressure turbine rotor, while bearing Nos.
3 and 4 support the low-pressure/load turbine rotor.

In addition to bearings, the bearing assemblies include oil seal assemblies, lubricating oil feed and drain
connections, and the housings which enclose the assemblies. Bearings and seal assemblies are keyed to
the housing to prevent their movement with shaft rotation.

Each of the bearing assemblies incorporates a journal bearing; bearing assemblies 1 and 4 also contain
thrust bearings (active and inactive). The No. 1 and 4 bearing assemblies contain oil seal rings riding on
the shafts to insure full-flooded operation of the thrust bearings. Sketches of the typical journal and thrust
bearing configurations are shown in Figures 3A–2a and b.

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Gas Turbine GT Description

Load

Rotation

Journal

Oil Inlet
Port

Liner

Figure 3A–2a Journal Bearing

Rotation

Thrust Bearing

Load
Thrust Runner

Figure 3A–2b Thrust Bearing

Figure 3A–2 Journal and Thrust Bearings

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GT Description Gas Turbine

E. Oil Seals

The seals are the labyrinth type which are installed at the extremities of the bearing assemblies, where
control of oil seepage along the rotor shaft is required. The oil seals are assembled in the bearing housing
so that there is only a small clearance between the labyrinth teeth and the rotor shaft. Labyrinth seals have
double rows of teeth with an annular space between them. Pressured sealing air is fed into this annular
space to restrain the lube oil vapor from seeping out of the bearing housing. Some of this sealing air returns
with the oil to the lube oil tank and is vented to atmosphere through the lube oil tank vent.

F. Lubrication

All main gas turbine bearings are pressure lubricated by lubricating oil supplied from the oil header.

The pressured oil feed piping is run within the tank drain line, or drain channels, as a protective mea-
sure. In the event of a pressured pipe leak, oil will not be sprayed on equipment and create a hazardous
condition.

Lubricating oil flows into an annulus around the bearing liner. From the annulus, the oil flows through
machined holes in the liner to the journal bearing.

The drain oil returns through passages in the bearing housing, then into the drain line to the oil tank.

All lube oil to the bearings is filtered and supplied at a controlled temperature and pressure. Sight glasses
are installed in the drain piping from each bearing to provide a visual check of the oil flow through the
bearings. Provision is made for mounting thermocouples to provide an indication of oil temperature on
the temperature indicator in the turbine control panel.

III. COMBUSTION SECTION

A. General

Figure 3A–3 (a,b,c) illustrates the three types of combustion sections found on MS5002 gas turbines:

1. Simple Cycle–Short Wrapper (Figure 3A–3a)

2. Simple Cycle–Long Wrapper (Figure 3A–3b)

3. Regenerative Cycle–Long Wrapper (Figure (3A–3c)

Combustion casings are positioned externally on the short wrapper assemblies; and on the long wrapper
assemblies, the flow sleeves are located at the forward end.

The combustion section for the gas turbine is comprised of the combustion wrapper, twelve outer combus-
tion casings (short wrapper only), twelve combustion cap and liner assemblies, twelve transition piece
assemblies, twelve fuel nozzles, twelve crossfire tubes, two spark plugs

B. Combustion Wrapper

The combustion wrapper (short wrapper only) supports the twelve combustion casings and encloses the
twelve transition pieces. It is a welded enclosure which receives the discharge air from the axial flow com-

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Gas Turbine GT Description

(a) Short Wrapper Combustion

Outer
Combustion Cover Wrapper
Combustion Case
Cap & Liner

Fuel Transition
Nozzle Piece
Compressor
Gasket Discharge
Liner Stop Casing
Gasket

(b) Long Wrapper Simple Cycle Combustion

Wrapper
Combustion
Cover
Cap & Liner Flow Shield

Transition
Fuel Piece
Nozzle Compressor
Discharge
Gasket Casing

Liner Stop

(c) Long Wrapper Regenerative Cycle

(4) Inlets (4) Outlets
Combustion
Cover
Cap & Liner Flow Shield
Combustion
Wrapper

Transition
Fuel Piece
Nozzle
Compressor
Gasket Discharge
Casing

Liner
Stop

Figure 3A–3 Combustor Assembly Showing Short and Long Wrapper Arrangements

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GT Description Gas Turbine

pressor and transfers it to the combustion chambers. Both upper and lower half of the short wrapper are
assembled to the aft section of the compressor discharge casing. The aft plate of the wrapper assembly
is bolted to the vertical flange of the turbine shell; the forward plate is bolted to the aft flange of the dis-
charge casing.

The long wrapper configuration (see Figure 3A–3b and 3c) extends beyond the forward flange of the com-
pressor discharge casing to encompass the twelve combustion cap and liner assemblies. In this configura-
tion, the twelve outer combustion casings are replaced by flow shields.

In the regenerative long wrapper configuration, a baffle at the plane of the transition piece inlet separates
the compressor discharge air from the heated air returning from the regenerator. Regenerative wrappers
also have four outlet flanges and four inlet flanges to carry the air to and from the regenerator.

C. Combustion Chamber

All twelve outer combustion casing rear flanges are mounted on the forward vertical surface of the short
combustion wrapper, with each casing interconnected by crossfire tubes. Cap and liner assemblies are in-
ternal to each casing. With the long wrapper, the combustion flow shield is supported by the wrapper, and
the cap and liner assemblies are supported within the flow shields. Fuel nozzles, mounted on the combus-
tion covers, extend into the chambers and provide fuel for combustion.

Combustion chambers are numbered from one to twelve and can be identified by looking downstream
from the turbine inlet and counting counterclockwise from a twelve o’clock position.

During operation, air from the compressor flows into the combustion wrapper and into the annular space
between the liner and the casing or flow shield. This high pressure air flows into the liner, is mixed with
fuel, and ignited. The resultant hot gases flow down the liner and into the transition piece which is clamped
to the first-stage nozzle assembly. Flame detectors, installed in two or more of the chambers, send a signal
to the control system indicating that ignition has occurred.

D. Transition Pieces

The transition pieces illustrated in Figure 3A–4a and b are the hot gas path link between the combustion
chambers and the first stage nozzle. They are clamped to the forward side of the nozzle assembly. Both
the radially inner and outer walls of the transition pieces are sealed to the first stage nozzle sidewalls by
floating seals. The space between the transition pieces are sealed with flat end seals. The nozzle assembly
is sealed at both its outer and inner periphery to prevent leakage of hot gases. On the outer periphery of
the nozzle, the transition space is sealed by the turbine stationary shrouds, to which the nozzle assembly
is clamped. On the inner periphery of the nozzle, the transition space is sealed by seal segments installed
between the nozzle inner sidewall and the first-stage nozzle support assembly. The nozzle assembly and
its support arrangement hold the assembly in proper alignment in the gas path and make allowances for
the effects of thermal expansion.

E. Fuel Nozzles

Each combustion chamber is equipped with a fuel nozzle that emits a metered amount of fuel into the com-
bustion liner (See Figures 3A–4a and b). Gaseous fuel is admitted directly into each chamber through me-
tering holes located in the fuel nozzle. When liquid fuel is used, it is atomized in the nozzle swirl chamber
by means of high-pressure atomizing air. The atomized fuel/air mixture is then sprayed into the combus-
tion zone. An air swirler concentric to the fuel nozzles generates a vortex flow in the primary combustion

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Gas Turbine GT Description

End Seal Retainer

Bolt & Lockplate
No. 1 No. 12
Lockplate
No. 2 No. 11
Shoulder Bolt
Short Combus-
No. 3 No. 10 tion Wrapper
Gasket Retaining ring 1st
Outer Combus- Stage Nozzle
No. 4 No. 9 tion Casing
Transition Piece
End Seal
No. 5 No. 8 Locator Transition
Crossfire
Tube Piece
No. 6 No. 7 Transition
Piece
Combustion Chamber Arrangement
Looking in Direction of Flow
Gasket
Fuel Cover Combustion
Nozzle Liner

Retainer
SightPort Crossfire Tube
Liner Stop
Gasket
Bolt
Hexhead View showing No. 4 Chamber
Bolt Installed in Combustion Wrapper
Hexhead

(a) Short Wrapper, Simple Cycle

No. 1 No. 12
No. 2 No. 11 Retaining Ring
First Stage Nozzle
Bolt Hex Head
No. 3 No. 10

Transition Piece

No. 4 No. 9 Tube Crossfire

End Seal
Transition Piece Locator
No. 5 No. 8 Screw Socket Head
Support Shield Combustion
No. 6 No. 7

Combustion Chamber Shield Combustion

Arrangement
Retainer Crossfire
Tube

Liner Combustion

Combustion Wrapper
Gasket
Liner Stop
Cover Combustion Chamber
Gasket
Fuel Nozzle
Bolt Hex Head

View Showing No. 4 Chamber

Installed in Combustion Wrapper

(b) Long Wrapper, Simple Cycle

Figure 3A–4 Typical Combustion System Arrangements

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GT Description Gas Turbine

region which maintains ignition and generates effective mixing of the air and fuel. This results in complete
combustion with no smoke and minimum exhaust pollutants.

Detailed inspection and maintenance information on the fuel nozzles and other combustion system com-
ponents is included in the Maintenance section of this manual.

F. Crossfire Tubes

The 12 combustion chambers are interconnected by means of crossfire tubes. These tubes enable flame
from the fired chambers containing spark plugs to propagate to the unfired chambers.

G. Spark Plugs

Combustion of the fuel and air mixture is initiated by spark plugs with retracting electrodes. Figure 3A–5
(a and b) shows typical spark plug assemblies for the two wrapper types. Spark plugs are installed in each
of two combustion chambers with power received from ignition transformers. Chambers without spark
plugs are fired with flame from the fired chambers through the interconnecting crossfire tubes.

H. Ultraviolet Flame Detectors

During the starting sequence, it is essential that an indication of the presence or absence of flame be trans-
mitted to the control system. For this reason, a flame monitoring system is used consisting of two or more
sensors which are installed on two or more adjacent combustion chambers and an electronic amplifier
which is mounted in the turbine control panel. Flame detector assemblies for the various wrapper types
are shown in Figure 3A–6 (a, b, and c).

The ultraviolet flame sensor consists of a flame sensor, containing a gas filled detector. The gas within
this flame sensor detector is sensitive to the presence of ultraviolet radiation which is emitted by a hydro-
carbon flame. A DC voltage, supplied by the amplifier, is impressed across the detector terminals. If flame
is present, the ionization of the gas in the detector allows conduction in the circuit which activates the elec-
tronics to give an output defining flame. Conversely, the absence of flame will generate an opposite output
defining “no flame.”

After the establishment of flame, if voltage is reestablished to both sensors defining the loss (or lack) of
flame, a signal is sent to a relay panel in the turbine electronic control circuitry where auxiliary relays in
the appropriate circuit shut down the turbine. The FAILURE TO FIRE or LOSS OF FLAME is also indi-
cated on the annunciator. If a loss of flame is sensed by only one flame detector sensor, the control circuitry
will cause an annunciation only of this condition.

For detailed operating and maintenance information covering this equipment refer to the vendor publica-
tions following this gas turbine text.

IV. TURBINE SECTION

A. General

The turbine section is where the high temperature gases from the combustion section are converted to shaft
horsepower. Comprising this section are the following components: the turbine shell, the first-stage
nozzle, the first-stage turbine wheel referred to as the high-pressure turbine, the second-stage variable
vane nozzle, and the second-stage turbine wheel referred to as the low-pressure turbine. In addition, the

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Gas Turbine GT Description

Spark Plug

Sealer

Gasket

(a) Short Combustion Wrapper

Gasket
Sealer

Combustion Cover

Spark Plug

Fuel Nozzle

(b) Long Combustion Wrapper

Figure 3A–5 Typical Spark Plug Arrangement for the Short and Long-Wrapper Configurations

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GT Description Gas Turbine

(a) Short Combustion Wrapper

Gasket
Flame Detec-
tor Body

Flame
Detector

(b) Long Combustion Wrapper Flame

Simple Cycle Detector
Flame Detec-
tor Body

Gasket

(c) Long Combustion Wrapper Flame Detec-

Regenerative Cycle tor Body

Flame
Detector Gasket

Figure 3A–6 Typical Flame Detector Arrangement for the Short and Long-Wrapper Configurations

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Gas Turbine GT Description

section includes the diaphragm assembly, air seal and inter-stage gas path parts. All stator parts have been
fabricated so that they can be split in half horizontally to facilitate maintenance.

B. Turbine Stator

The turbine casing is a main structural member of the gas turbine assembly and is bolted externally at its
forward end to the struts of the compressor discharge casing, and externally at its aft end to the exhaust
frame. Contained within the turbine case are the following assemblies which establish the gas flow path
from the combustion chamber through the turbine wheels to the exhaust frame: the first-stage nozzle parti-
tions and shrouds, the inner and outer wall segments of the interstage gas path, the second-stage diaphragm
and air seal, and the second-stage nozzle partitions and shrouds. The control ring which operates the se-
cond-stage variable-angle nozzle partitions is supported on rollers mounted on the outside wall of the tur-
bine casing.

The inner wall of the turbine casing is insulated from the hot gas path parts, except at the necessary nozzle
and shroud locating surfaces. Compressor discharge air which leaks past the first-stage nozzle segments
into the space between the insulated wall of the turbine case and the outer wall of the interstage gas path
helps to carry off heat radiated from the gas path outer wall. Eductor holes in the casing flange mate with
holes in the forward vertical joint flange of the exhaust frame. Through these holes, ambient air is induced
for cooling the aft end of the turbine casing and exhaust frame struts in the exhaust path.

C. First-Stage Nozzle

The first-stage nozzle assembly (Figure 3A–7) consists of nozzle segments which are assembled in a re-
taining ring; the ring being supported in the gas path by a clamping arrangement in the turbine casing.
Design of the nozzle assembly and the arrangement for its support within the casing will accommodate
the effects of thermal growth due to the hot gases and keep the assembly properly aligned in the gas path.
Another unique design feature enables removal of the lower half of the nozzle assembly without removing
the rotor.

The nozzle retaining ring is split into halves on the horizontal plane with the halves held together by bolts.
Nozzle segments have airfoil-shaped partitions which are contained between an inner and outer sidewall.
The nozzle partitions are hollow with bleed holes drilled through the partition wall near the trailing edge
to provide air cooling of the nozzle. Compressor discharge air from the combustion wrapper flows around
the retaining ring and into the hollow nozzle partitions and through the bleed holes into the hot gas path.
This flow of air provides cooling of the nozzle airfoils.

D. Second-Stage Nozzle

The second-stage nozzle is composed of partitions which form a variable-angle nozzle in the gas path an-
nulus just forward of the second-stage turbine (Figure 3A–7). These partitions can be turned in unison by
means of shafts which protrude through bushings in the turbine case. Levers, pinned to the ends of the
shafts, are connected by links to posts in a control ring which is rotated by a hydraulic cylinder.

Nozzle shrouds are designed so that the proper clearances will be maintained as the partitions are turned.
Partition shafts are so installed in the turbine casing that minimum clearances are maintained between the
partitions and the shrouds when the turbine is at operating temperature.

For additional information regarding the actuation of the second-stage nozzle control ring, refer to the de-
scriptive text included in the Control and Protection System section.

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GT Description Gas Turbine

First-Stage Second-
First-Stage Turbine Stage Tur-
Nozzle Bucket bine Bucket
Variable Angle
Second-Stage
Nozzle

Figure 3A–7 Turbine Nozzle and Bucket Arrangement

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Gas Turbine GT Description

E. Diaphragm Assembly

The diaphragm is supported between the first and second-stage turbine wheels by six hollow support pins
which extend radially through the turbine casing and into holes drilled in the diaphragm wall. The dia-
phragm assembly is a barrel-like member which is split in half on the horizontal plane. An air seal is as-
sembled in a groove in the diaphragm assembly to separate the two turbine stages and form the first-stage
turbine aft wheelspace and the second-stage turbine forward wheelspace. Cooling air is fed into the wheel-
spaces to cool the turbine wheels and seal the gas path. End faces of the diaphragm assembly carry the
wheel seals which prevent the flow of hot gases into the wheelspaces. The diaphragm assembly also sup-
ports the inner wall of the interstage gas path. A groove is machined circumferentially after the aft end
of the diaphragm outer wall to retain the inner shrouds of the second-stage nozzle assembly and minimize
gas leakage around the nozzle.

Cooling air is brought into the second-stage diaphragm through the hollow support pins and through the
center bore of the first-stage wheel. Holes, drilled at an angle, through the diaphragm wall just aft of the
air deflector groove intersect the support pin holes and enable cooling air to be brought into the second-
stage forward wheelspace through the hollow support pins.

The source of the cooling air supply to the second-stage diaphragm is discussed in text titled “Cooling and
Sealing Air Systems.”

Thermocouples for first-stage aft, and second-stage forward wheelspace temperature measurement are
supported in the end faces of the diaphragm. Thermocouple leads are brought outside the turbine through
one of the hollow support pins.

F. Turbine Rotor

There are two separate turbine rotors in the gas turbine: the first-stage or high-pressure turbine rotor which
drives the axial-flow compressor and the shaft-driven accessories; and, the second-stage or low-pressure
turbine rotor which drives the load. The two turbine rotors are located in line in the turbine section, but
are mechanically independent of each other, thus allowing the two turbines to operate at different speeds.

The first-stage turbine wheel is bolted directly to the compressor rotor aft stub shaft to form the high-pres-
sure rotor assembly. The second-stage wheel is bolted to a wheel shaft to form the low-pressure/load tur-
bine rotor. This load turbine rotor is supported by two bearings: the No. 3 journal bearing located in the
forward end of the exhaust frame, and the No. 4 journal and thrust bearing assembled in a bearing housing
that is bolted to the aft end of the exhaust frame. The load turbine shaft contains an overspeed bolt assem-
bly for mechanically tripping the gas turbine control system on overspeed. This rotor assembly has been
balanced with the overspeed bolt assembly installed in the shaft before final assembly and as a result the
final balance requires a minimum of correction.

G. Turbine Buckets

Turbine buckets, shown in Figures 3A–8a and 3A–8b, are assembled in the wheels in axial, firtree-shaped
dovetails with coverplates installed over the bucket shanks. Every second cover is a locking cover. The
buckets are retained in place by a twist lock; the head of which is staked in place.

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GT Description Gas Turbine

Locked & Locked Bucket

Staked Position Insertion
Position Position

Rotation

Area

Air Foil Gas

Flow
Platform

Shank

Dovetail

Figure 3A–8 Turbine Buckets

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Gas Turbine GT Description

V. COUPLINGS

A. General

Flexible diaphragm couplings are installed on the gas turbine to:

1. connect two rotating shafts (torque transmission);

2. compensate for parallel and/or angular misalignment; and

3. compensate for axial movements of the shafts so that neither exerts an excessive thrust on the other.

The couplings used on this turbine connect the accessory drive gear to the turbine shaft and the turbine
rotor to the load equipment.

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