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Update on UP coal turbines

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Update on UP coal turbines
Posted by sooblue on Tuesday, July 22, 2003 10:22 PM
There were several steam turbine locomotives. (coal turbines is a misnomer)
The Pennsylvania, Norfolk and Western, Chesapeake and Ohio as well as the Union Pacific had them.
The UP had them first. Unit 1and unit 2 were built by GE in 1938.
They resembled car body diesels but were in fact 2500 hp turbines fed by a 1500 psi boiler. No doubt a water tube. Each unit had a 2-c+c-2 wheel arrangement. They went around the country on a publicity tour and then UP used them for a few trips on revenue service. They were returned to GE. In 1943 the Great Northern used them briefly, than they were scraped.
I know the opinion of the steam loco crews that ran engines that had ultra-high pressure boilers was negative. Seeing the pressure on the gauge go way past 300 psi to 1500 or 1600 psi was unnerving.[xx(]

Sooblue
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Update on UP coal turbines
Posted by sooblue on Tuesday, July 22, 2003 10:22 PM
There were several steam turbine locomotives. (coal turbines is a misnomer)
The Pennsylvania, Norfolk and Western, Chesapeake and Ohio as well as the Union Pacific had them.
The UP had them first. Unit 1and unit 2 were built by GE in 1938.
They resembled car body diesels but were in fact 2500 hp turbines fed by a 1500 psi boiler. No doubt a water tube. Each unit had a 2-c+c-2 wheel arrangement. They went around the country on a publicity tour and then UP used them for a few trips on revenue service. They were returned to GE. In 1943 the Great Northern used them briefly, than they were scraped.
I know the opinion of the steam loco crews that ran engines that had ultra-high pressure boilers was negative. Seeing the pressure on the gauge go way past 300 psi to 1500 or 1600 psi was unnerving.[xx(]

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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, July 23, 2003 12:29 AM
How were the boilers of coal - er, steam - turbines fired? And what was the internal layout like?
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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, July 23, 2003 12:29 AM
How were the boilers of coal - er, steam - turbines fired? And what was the internal layout like?
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Posted by edblysard on Wednesday, July 23, 2003 12:55 PM
UP had the first steam turbine from GE, it used a recovery system to recycle the steam, condense it back to water, and use it again, saving on water stops.
Built in 1938, Unit #1 and 2, 2500 Hp. High pressure boiler in A unit, condensing unit and turbine in B unit. Condenser system too complicated, heavy maintainance on boiler, considered a failure, returned to GE 1939.

First Gas Turbine GE demo unit#101, numbered UP 50 when tested by UP.
Double ended with cabs on both ends, 4500 hp, built nov 1948
returned to GE and dismantled. This is the demo unit, ran on UP as #50, on NKP and Pennsy as GE#101. Used bunker C fuel oil, as did the rest of UPs turbines, except Nos 80A/80B, which used pulverized coal in a slurry as fuel.
UP is the only buyer.

UP orders 10 standard gas turbine electrict single cab unit from GE, built from jan 1952 to aug 1953, UP road #s 51 thru 60. 4500 hp.

UP orders 15 "Veranda" Gas turbines from GE built march 1954 to oct 1954,
UP road#s 61 thru 75, 4500 hp.

UP place first order for 15 turbines from GE/Alco, two unit locomotives, control units, or A units, and B units, with the turbine in the B unit.
A units numbered 1A thru 15 A, B units, 1B thru 15 B.
So impressed were they, after the first six arrived, UP orders15 more,
16 thru 30 A&B.
8500 horsepower, 12 axles.
A units contained a small diesel to provide power when locomotive was moved around yard to be serviced.
Built aug 1958 thru june 1961.

Oct 1962, Up builds coal fired gas turbine at their shop in Omaha, using pulverized coal as fuel.
UP# 80 and 80B, 7000 hp. 14 axle total, 4 unpowered.
Turbine in B unit was 5000 hp, A unit had a diesel at 2000 hp, used with the 5000 hp turbine, total hp for complete locomotive was 7000 hp.
A unit built from retired Alco PA, UP road # 607.
B unit built on frame of GN 5018,
Locomotive considered failure, the coal fuel partictulate degraded the turbines quickly.

All turbines off roster by 1971, none saved.

C&O, and other roads experimented with steam turbines, Note the Jawn Henry, and the C&Os M1 coal fired steam turbines, #s 500 to 502.. Rated at 6000 hp, these things weighed 508032 lbs. All three scrapped in the early 50s.
Pentrax offers a good video, with a few minutes devoted to the coal fired turbines, and Video Rails offers Turbines of the Wasatch, lots of turbine film. Both good to watch.
Stay Frosty,
Ed

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Posted by edblysard on Wednesday, July 23, 2003 12:55 PM
UP had the first steam turbine from GE, it used a recovery system to recycle the steam, condense it back to water, and use it again, saving on water stops.
Built in 1938, Unit #1 and 2, 2500 Hp. High pressure boiler in A unit, condensing unit and turbine in B unit. Condenser system too complicated, heavy maintainance on boiler, considered a failure, returned to GE 1939.

First Gas Turbine GE demo unit#101, numbered UP 50 when tested by UP.
Double ended with cabs on both ends, 4500 hp, built nov 1948
returned to GE and dismantled. This is the demo unit, ran on UP as #50, on NKP and Pennsy as GE#101. Used bunker C fuel oil, as did the rest of UPs turbines, except Nos 80A/80B, which used pulverized coal in a slurry as fuel.
UP is the only buyer.

UP orders 10 standard gas turbine electrict single cab unit from GE, built from jan 1952 to aug 1953, UP road #s 51 thru 60. 4500 hp.

UP orders 15 "Veranda" Gas turbines from GE built march 1954 to oct 1954,
UP road#s 61 thru 75, 4500 hp.

UP place first order for 15 turbines from GE/Alco, two unit locomotives, control units, or A units, and B units, with the turbine in the B unit.
A units numbered 1A thru 15 A, B units, 1B thru 15 B.
So impressed were they, after the first six arrived, UP orders15 more,
16 thru 30 A&B.
8500 horsepower, 12 axles.
A units contained a small diesel to provide power when locomotive was moved around yard to be serviced.
Built aug 1958 thru june 1961.

Oct 1962, Up builds coal fired gas turbine at their shop in Omaha, using pulverized coal as fuel.
UP# 80 and 80B, 7000 hp. 14 axle total, 4 unpowered.
Turbine in B unit was 5000 hp, A unit had a diesel at 2000 hp, used with the 5000 hp turbine, total hp for complete locomotive was 7000 hp.
A unit built from retired Alco PA, UP road # 607.
B unit built on frame of GN 5018,
Locomotive considered failure, the coal fuel partictulate degraded the turbines quickly.

All turbines off roster by 1971, none saved.

C&O, and other roads experimented with steam turbines, Note the Jawn Henry, and the C&Os M1 coal fired steam turbines, #s 500 to 502.. Rated at 6000 hp, these things weighed 508032 lbs. All three scrapped in the early 50s.
Pentrax offers a good video, with a few minutes devoted to the coal fired turbines, and Video Rails offers Turbines of the Wasatch, lots of turbine film. Both good to watch.
Stay Frosty,
Ed

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Posted by kenneo on Wednesday, July 23, 2003 1:42 PM
I really liked those Veranda's. Personal opinion is that if they had been run on Jet B (which is the same as "clean truck diesel" those types of engines would still be around. Can't you just see a pair of Veranda's back to back spliced with a Big Boy tender?

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Posted by kenneo on Wednesday, July 23, 2003 1:42 PM
I really liked those Veranda's. Personal opinion is that if they had been run on Jet B (which is the same as "clean truck diesel" those types of engines would still be around. Can't you just see a pair of Veranda's back to back spliced with a Big Boy tender?

Eric
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Posted by kevarc on Wednesday, July 23, 2003 3:02 PM
Other than the obvious, old age, I stringly doubt that the economics of turbines that they would still be used. They are ok for passenger as they are either stopped or at speed. But for freight operationsthey are a no go. The technology is still not there for them to be used in a setting such as that. This is mainly due to the fact that they are either full on or full off. The controls required to use them in between would be larger than the engine itself and add a large amount of comlication to the engine. You can get 30 years out of one in a static frame as used in power plants ( I work for an utility), but the abuse that they would get in regular service would turn them into shop queens, esp with the central maintenence shops on the RR's. You do not have the skilled workers everywhere on the systems to maintain them.
Kevin Arceneaux Mining Engineer, Penn State 1979
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Posted by kevarc on Wednesday, July 23, 2003 3:02 PM
Other than the obvious, old age, I stringly doubt that the economics of turbines that they would still be used. They are ok for passenger as they are either stopped or at speed. But for freight operationsthey are a no go. The technology is still not there for them to be used in a setting such as that. This is mainly due to the fact that they are either full on or full off. The controls required to use them in between would be larger than the engine itself and add a large amount of comlication to the engine. You can get 30 years out of one in a static frame as used in power plants ( I work for an utility), but the abuse that they would get in regular service would turn them into shop queens, esp with the central maintenence shops on the RR's. You do not have the skilled workers everywhere on the systems to maintain them.
Kevin Arceneaux Mining Engineer, Penn State 1979
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Posted by kenneo on Wednesday, July 23, 2003 3:33 PM
Kevin (kevarc) --- You are correct, espicially with the turbins used on the early units. These engines had the same efficiency problems that the steam locomotive does - the are very efficient at full throttle and idle at full throttle. Actually, a turbine (read jet engine) idles at 85% full power and minimum rotational power is something like 83 or 84%. That leaves 15% for locomotion.

But in any service that requires "instant accelleration" such as suburban or passenger services or long full power operating windows (such as helpers or pigs), they are better than diesels. Also, the UP almost always ran them with a diesel, so that when the turbin was not needed, it could be shut down.

The real wear problem was the fuel used. Bunker is like burning pavement. It was absolutely unkind to the turbin blades and would also send out burning blobs to set the land scape on fire. The first time they used them into Los Angeles, they set all of the wood lined tunnels on fire!!

If GTE's (Gas Turbine Electric) were to be built new today, they would have multiple turbines per locomotive frame instead of the single one in the UP units (biz jet motors = 2,000 each) and be much more friendly to the bottom line than the UP's 4500 and 8500 ones were. I would THINK that you could get 4 United Technologies biz jet motors in an SD-45 hood along with their high-bypass stuff and get a locomotive that would give you 2,000; 4,000; 6,000 or 8,000 hp each to match your needs.

Eric
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Posted by kenneo on Wednesday, July 23, 2003 3:33 PM
Kevin (kevarc) --- You are correct, espicially with the turbins used on the early units. These engines had the same efficiency problems that the steam locomotive does - the are very efficient at full throttle and idle at full throttle. Actually, a turbine (read jet engine) idles at 85% full power and minimum rotational power is something like 83 or 84%. That leaves 15% for locomotion.

But in any service that requires "instant accelleration" such as suburban or passenger services or long full power operating windows (such as helpers or pigs), they are better than diesels. Also, the UP almost always ran them with a diesel, so that when the turbin was not needed, it could be shut down.

The real wear problem was the fuel used. Bunker is like burning pavement. It was absolutely unkind to the turbin blades and would also send out burning blobs to set the land scape on fire. The first time they used them into Los Angeles, they set all of the wood lined tunnels on fire!!

If GTE's (Gas Turbine Electric) were to be built new today, they would have multiple turbines per locomotive frame instead of the single one in the UP units (biz jet motors = 2,000 each) and be much more friendly to the bottom line than the UP's 4500 and 8500 ones were. I would THINK that you could get 4 United Technologies biz jet motors in an SD-45 hood along with their high-bypass stuff and get a locomotive that would give you 2,000; 4,000; 6,000 or 8,000 hp each to match your needs.

Eric
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Posted by kevarc on Wednesday, July 23, 2003 3:53 PM
Like I said before, no you couldn't, the size of the turbine and all the aux equipment would limit it to one turbine per frame. Just becasue the engine is small does not mean that it would be adaptable to what would be required. There are a great many limits other than size.
Kevin Arceneaux Mining Engineer, Penn State 1979
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Posted by kevarc on Wednesday, July 23, 2003 3:53 PM
Like I said before, no you couldn't, the size of the turbine and all the aux equipment would limit it to one turbine per frame. Just becasue the engine is small does not mean that it would be adaptable to what would be required. There are a great many limits other than size.
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Posted by sooblue on Thursday, July 24, 2003 10:36 PM
Originally posted by edblysard

UP had the first steam turbine from GE, it used a recovery system to recycle the steam, condense it back to water, and use it again, saving on water stops.
Built in 1938, Unit #1 and 2, 2500 Hp. High pressure boiler in A unit, condensing unit and turbine in B unit. Condenser system too complicated, heavy maintainance on boiler, considered a failure, returned to GE 1939.

First Gas Turbine GE demo unit#101, numbered UP 50 when tested by UP.
Double ended with cabs on both ends, 4500 hp, built nov 1948
returned to GE and dismantled. This is the demo unit, ran on UP as #50, on NKP and Pennsy as GE#101. Used bunker C fuel oil, as did the rest of UPs turbines, except Nos 80A/80B, which used pulverized coal in a slurry as fuel.
UP is the only buyer.

That's great Ed! a lot of info.
You mentioned coal in a slurry. To me a slurry is something dry (coal) mixed with something wet (water, oil, gas) Is that what you mean. If it is, what was it mixed with?

I need a view of # 80A & B. I must know more [:p]
Thanks, Sooblue
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Posted by sooblue on Thursday, July 24, 2003 10:36 PM
Originally posted by edblysard

UP had the first steam turbine from GE, it used a recovery system to recycle the steam, condense it back to water, and use it again, saving on water stops.
Built in 1938, Unit #1 and 2, 2500 Hp. High pressure boiler in A unit, condensing unit and turbine in B unit. Condenser system too complicated, heavy maintainance on boiler, considered a failure, returned to GE 1939.

First Gas Turbine GE demo unit#101, numbered UP 50 when tested by UP.
Double ended with cabs on both ends, 4500 hp, built nov 1948
returned to GE and dismantled. This is the demo unit, ran on UP as #50, on NKP and Pennsy as GE#101. Used bunker C fuel oil, as did the rest of UPs turbines, except Nos 80A/80B, which used pulverized coal in a slurry as fuel.
UP is the only buyer.

That's great Ed! a lot of info.
You mentioned coal in a slurry. To me a slurry is something dry (coal) mixed with something wet (water, oil, gas) Is that what you mean. If it is, what was it mixed with?

I need a view of # 80A & B. I must know more [:p]
Thanks, Sooblue
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Posted by sooblue on Thursday, July 24, 2003 10:43 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by kevarc

Like I said before, no you couldn't, the size of the turbine and all the aux equipment would limit it to one turbine per frame. Just becasue the engine is small does not mean that it would be adaptable to what would be required. There are a great many limits other than size.

That could be true, but in the fifties, I think it was GM, built a bus with a turbine located in the back in a normal position. Most helicopters use turbines now. Maybe they are a diffrent type.
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Posted by sooblue on Thursday, July 24, 2003 10:43 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by kevarc

Like I said before, no you couldn't, the size of the turbine and all the aux equipment would limit it to one turbine per frame. Just becasue the engine is small does not mean that it would be adaptable to what would be required. There are a great many limits other than size.

That could be true, but in the fifties, I think it was GM, built a bus with a turbine located in the back in a normal position. Most helicopters use turbines now. Maybe they are a diffrent type.
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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, July 24, 2003 11:32 PM
Noise was also a big problem. UP got beat up badly when they tried some turbines into and out of Los Angeles. Maybe they could overcome that with today's technology.
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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, July 24, 2003 11:32 PM
Noise was also a big problem. UP got beat up badly when they tried some turbines into and out of Los Angeles. Maybe they could overcome that with today's technology.
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Posted by edblysard on Friday, July 25, 2003 12:42 AM
Hi sooblue,
The slurry was pulverized coal, almost as fine as talc, it will burn quite hot. The trubines are started on diesel fuel, and when they reach some ungodly rpm, the coal powder, or bunker c oil, is introduced. By the way, the bunker c or number 2 fuel oil, was so thick, it was preheated by a on board steam heater, so it would flow freely. The compression from the intake blades makes the fuel, no mater what type, into a gas thats quite combustible, and helps ignite the mix. Just like with a diesel, if you compress a fuel fast and dense enough, it will ignite from the friction and heat cause by the compression. Pentrax has the only footage I know of showing the coal turbine, it quite a good looking locomotive, for what it is, but then all the turbines are eye catchers.

The gas turbines were regulars at UP's LA east yard,it was one of their turn around points.

I think the title of the video is UP's Mighty Turbines. I will dig it out tomorrow, and see if there is a stock number on it.

Funny, all this talk about turbines not being used today, due to not being efficent, but no one mentioned Amtrak's turboliners, just put back into service. A jets is a jet is a jet? I will let you know here tomorrow.

And to clear up what will sure to be a debate, yes, dry products can be a slurry. Kaloin clay, used to coat printer paper, and make fine china plates, is shipped as a dry slurry in tank cars because it is so fine, it flows like a liquid.
Compressed dry, then fired, it can be made into dinner ware, and fine plates. It is pressed dry on to a base paper to make the top quality printer paper you use every day. Thats what the silky or smooth, almost dusty feel is on you printer paper, it kaloin dust.
Stay Frosty,
Ed[:D]
QUOTE: Originally posted by sooblue

Originally posted by edblysard

UP had the first steam turbine from GE, it used a recovery system to recycle the steam, condense it back to water, and use it again, saving on water stops.
Built in 1938, Unit #1 and 2, 2500 Hp. High pressure boiler in A unit, condensing unit and turbine in B unit. Condenser system too complicated, heavy maintainance on boiler, considered a failure, returned to GE 1939.

First Gas Turbine GE demo unit#101, numbered UP 50 when tested by UP.
Double ended with cabs on both ends, 4500 hp, built nov 1948
returned to GE and dismantled. This is the demo unit, ran on UP as #50, on NKP and Pennsy as GE#101. Used bunker C fuel oil, as did the rest of UPs turbines, except Nos 80A/80B, which used pulverized coal in a slurry as fuel.
UP is the only buyer.

That's great Ed! a lot of info.
You mentioned coal in a slurry. To me a slurry is something dry (coal) mixed with something wet (water, oil, gas) Is that what you mean. If it is, what was it mixed with?

I need a view of # 80A & B. I must know more [:p]
Thanks, Sooblue

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Posted by edblysard on Friday, July 25, 2003 12:42 AM
Hi sooblue,
The slurry was pulverized coal, almost as fine as talc, it will burn quite hot. The trubines are started on diesel fuel, and when they reach some ungodly rpm, the coal powder, or bunker c oil, is introduced. By the way, the bunker c or number 2 fuel oil, was so thick, it was preheated by a on board steam heater, so it would flow freely. The compression from the intake blades makes the fuel, no mater what type, into a gas thats quite combustible, and helps ignite the mix. Just like with a diesel, if you compress a fuel fast and dense enough, it will ignite from the friction and heat cause by the compression. Pentrax has the only footage I know of showing the coal turbine, it quite a good looking locomotive, for what it is, but then all the turbines are eye catchers.

The gas turbines were regulars at UP's LA east yard,it was one of their turn around points.

I think the title of the video is UP's Mighty Turbines. I will dig it out tomorrow, and see if there is a stock number on it.

Funny, all this talk about turbines not being used today, due to not being efficent, but no one mentioned Amtrak's turboliners, just put back into service. A jets is a jet is a jet? I will let you know here tomorrow.

And to clear up what will sure to be a debate, yes, dry products can be a slurry. Kaloin clay, used to coat printer paper, and make fine china plates, is shipped as a dry slurry in tank cars because it is so fine, it flows like a liquid.
Compressed dry, then fired, it can be made into dinner ware, and fine plates. It is pressed dry on to a base paper to make the top quality printer paper you use every day. Thats what the silky or smooth, almost dusty feel is on you printer paper, it kaloin dust.
Stay Frosty,
Ed[:D]
QUOTE: Originally posted by sooblue

Originally posted by edblysard

UP had the first steam turbine from GE, it used a recovery system to recycle the steam, condense it back to water, and use it again, saving on water stops.
Built in 1938, Unit #1 and 2, 2500 Hp. High pressure boiler in A unit, condensing unit and turbine in B unit. Condenser system too complicated, heavy maintainance on boiler, considered a failure, returned to GE 1939.

First Gas Turbine GE demo unit#101, numbered UP 50 when tested by UP.
Double ended with cabs on both ends, 4500 hp, built nov 1948
returned to GE and dismantled. This is the demo unit, ran on UP as #50, on NKP and Pennsy as GE#101. Used bunker C fuel oil, as did the rest of UPs turbines, except Nos 80A/80B, which used pulverized coal in a slurry as fuel.
UP is the only buyer.

That's great Ed! a lot of info.
You mentioned coal in a slurry. To me a slurry is something dry (coal) mixed with something wet (water, oil, gas) Is that what you mean. If it is, what was it mixed with?

I need a view of # 80A & B. I must know more [:p]
Thanks, Sooblue

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Posted by sooblue on Friday, July 25, 2003 11:44 PM
Originally posted by edblysard

Hi sooblue,
The slurry was pulverized coal, almost as fine as talc, it will burn quite hot. The trubines are started on diesel fuel, and when they reach some ungodly rpm, the coal powder, or bunker c oil, is introduced. By the way, the bunker c or number 2 fuel oil, was so thick, it was preheated by a on board steam heater, so it would flow freely.
Stay Frosty,
]
Hi There Ed,
In many modern electric power plants coal is pulverised like you described.
I have a friend who is an operator in the Muscateen Iowa power plant.
He told me that the coal is forcefully injected from the four corners of the firebox into the air where it forms a plasma ball that is so bright that you need tinted glass like a welders helmet in order to view it. The ball just hangs there in mid-air.
They burn two high capacity hopper cars of coal and hour. Just the same, as good a fuel as it is, coal blown into a turbine would be so abrasive I just don't see how they would have even tried that experiment.
In navel ships that use bunker oil the oil is pumped into the tanks hot where it cools and solidifies to a tar consistancy. When it is needed it is heated with a steam line that makes the oil flow again.
Say! this isn't really related but, In MN. the state has mandated that all diesel fuel be mixed with soybean oil.
A friend of mine owns a fuel distribution buisness here. He said that soybean oil solidifies at a higher temp. then diesel fuel. In a cold climate like MN. there are going to be problems. He said that the soybeen oil is going to have to be heated.

Have you run into soy oil for fuel yet?
Sooblue



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Posted by sooblue on Friday, July 25, 2003 11:44 PM
Originally posted by edblysard

Hi sooblue,
The slurry was pulverized coal, almost as fine as talc, it will burn quite hot. The trubines are started on diesel fuel, and when they reach some ungodly rpm, the coal powder, or bunker c oil, is introduced. By the way, the bunker c or number 2 fuel oil, was so thick, it was preheated by a on board steam heater, so it would flow freely.
Stay Frosty,
]
Hi There Ed,
In many modern electric power plants coal is pulverised like you described.
I have a friend who is an operator in the Muscateen Iowa power plant.
He told me that the coal is forcefully injected from the four corners of the firebox into the air where it forms a plasma ball that is so bright that you need tinted glass like a welders helmet in order to view it. The ball just hangs there in mid-air.
They burn two high capacity hopper cars of coal and hour. Just the same, as good a fuel as it is, coal blown into a turbine would be so abrasive I just don't see how they would have even tried that experiment.
In navel ships that use bunker oil the oil is pumped into the tanks hot where it cools and solidifies to a tar consistancy. When it is needed it is heated with a steam line that makes the oil flow again.
Say! this isn't really related but, In MN. the state has mandated that all diesel fuel be mixed with soybean oil.
A friend of mine owns a fuel distribution buisness here. He said that soybean oil solidifies at a higher temp. then diesel fuel. In a cold climate like MN. there are going to be problems. He said that the soybeen oil is going to have to be heated.

Have you run into soy oil for fuel yet?
Sooblue



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Posted by edblysard on Saturday, July 26, 2003 12:37 AM
No, havent seen soy fuel yet. And the coal "dust" or slurry is introduced into a combustion chamber first, where the air from the compression blades will compress and ignite it, the exhaust gas produced is what turns the turbine. This was a gas turbine also, just the fact that the fuel was pulverized coal set it apart. The same principle is used in the "Gas" turbines, its the exhaust gas from the combustion chamber that flows over and turns the turbine.

These were the same basic design as the jet turbine engines GE made, and still makes, a set of intake or compression blades, followed by a combustion chamber, with a set of turbine baldes in the exhaust side, with the turbine connected to a standard alternator/generator set up via a drive shaft. The compressor blades ran off the other end of the same shaft through reduction gears, so the faster or hotter the exhaust gas flowed, the faster the compression baldes worked, but the gears keep it within a certain range, you could blow out the combustion process if you let the compression side get too intense, or start a fire if you allowed them to turn too slow because the fuel wouldnt compress enought to become a gas. The exhaust didnt provide any push whatsoever, it just drove the turbine.

But it is the same exhaust gas that also corroded the turbine blades, both the bunker c and the coal slurry exhaust gas produced was very corrosive, and with the coal slurry, some small particulate matter would also escape the combustion process, and further degrade the turbine blades.

The standard gas turbines had a aux diesel in the A unit, with a small generator, that provided power to the traction motors when the locomotive was moving about the yards for service, it cost to much, and was to loud to use the turbine to do that.

With a steam turbine, you dont have to worry about compression or combustion, the steam is hot enought to turn the turbine, more steam, more rpm on the turbine.

Personaly, I feel that with the advances in metals and composite compounds, along with computer logic chips, like the "computer" in your new car, the gas turbine could be a realistic contender for coast to coast freight and passenger trains. The fuels are here now. Shoot, you could run one on LPG, butanes or propane, even methanol or compressed natural gas.
Stay Frosty,
Ed[:D]

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Posted by edblysard on Saturday, July 26, 2003 12:37 AM
No, havent seen soy fuel yet. And the coal "dust" or slurry is introduced into a combustion chamber first, where the air from the compression blades will compress and ignite it, the exhaust gas produced is what turns the turbine. This was a gas turbine also, just the fact that the fuel was pulverized coal set it apart. The same principle is used in the "Gas" turbines, its the exhaust gas from the combustion chamber that flows over and turns the turbine.

These were the same basic design as the jet turbine engines GE made, and still makes, a set of intake or compression blades, followed by a combustion chamber, with a set of turbine baldes in the exhaust side, with the turbine connected to a standard alternator/generator set up via a drive shaft. The compressor blades ran off the other end of the same shaft through reduction gears, so the faster or hotter the exhaust gas flowed, the faster the compression baldes worked, but the gears keep it within a certain range, you could blow out the combustion process if you let the compression side get too intense, or start a fire if you allowed them to turn too slow because the fuel wouldnt compress enought to become a gas. The exhaust didnt provide any push whatsoever, it just drove the turbine.

But it is the same exhaust gas that also corroded the turbine blades, both the bunker c and the coal slurry exhaust gas produced was very corrosive, and with the coal slurry, some small particulate matter would also escape the combustion process, and further degrade the turbine blades.

The standard gas turbines had a aux diesel in the A unit, with a small generator, that provided power to the traction motors when the locomotive was moving about the yards for service, it cost to much, and was to loud to use the turbine to do that.

With a steam turbine, you dont have to worry about compression or combustion, the steam is hot enought to turn the turbine, more steam, more rpm on the turbine.

Personaly, I feel that with the advances in metals and composite compounds, along with computer logic chips, like the "computer" in your new car, the gas turbine could be a realistic contender for coast to coast freight and passenger trains. The fuels are here now. Shoot, you could run one on LPG, butanes or propane, even methanol or compressed natural gas.
Stay Frosty,
Ed[:D]

23 17 46 11

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, July 26, 2003 10:23 AM
Gentlemen, I make this prediction, in 10 years U.P. will reserect the Gas Turbine. WHY, I did a little reading on them. They are a perfect fit for High Speed Intermodel service between California and Chicago. For the speeds that UPS and Fed EX are asking for, Gas Turbine's are the only economical choice. Let us not forget the advantages of Gas Turbine. Once at speed they can be very therfty on fuel.
TIM ARGUBRIGHT
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, July 26, 2003 10:23 AM
Gentlemen, I make this prediction, in 10 years U.P. will reserect the Gas Turbine. WHY, I did a little reading on them. They are a perfect fit for High Speed Intermodel service between California and Chicago. For the speeds that UPS and Fed EX are asking for, Gas Turbine's are the only economical choice. Let us not forget the advantages of Gas Turbine. Once at speed they can be very therfty on fuel.
TIM ARGUBRIGHT
  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: Lombard (west of Chicago), Illinois
  • 13,681 posts
Posted by CShaveRR on Saturday, July 26, 2003 10:29 AM
Hmmm...I wonder whether the coal/gas turbine engine would have fared better with the low-sulfur coal now available. I don't think that was an option when the engine was in service.

Carl

Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)

CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)

  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: Lombard (west of Chicago), Illinois
  • 13,681 posts
Posted by CShaveRR on Saturday, July 26, 2003 10:29 AM
Hmmm...I wonder whether the coal/gas turbine engine would have fared better with the low-sulfur coal now available. I don't think that was an option when the engine was in service.

Carl

Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)

CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)

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