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Update on UP coal turbines

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Posted by edblysard on Monday, August 25, 2003 10:38 AM
In essence, the turbine wasnt used to build the train, a yard or switch crew did that, and when the train was ready, the turbine was brough over and coupled up, air tested, and then went.
When it reached it's final destination, it cut away, and turned the train over to a yard crew.
Based on the size of these things, I doubt to many joints were so hard as to cause any damage, and GE would have taken that into consideration when they designed the turbine.
I know commerical jet engines take a tremendous pounding on landing, so I imagine they are a little tougher than we might think.
Stay Frosty,
Ed
QUOTE: Originally posted by David Wallace

I'm not trying to beat this dead horse,but one thing that has not been brought up about turbines and locomotives....and something I have always wondered.......are train movements....slack, coupling, etc hard on turbines?....especialy turning at such high rpm? it seems a "standard" turbine would not fair well in a good 'ol rough joint!!

David Wallace

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Posted by edblysard on Monday, August 25, 2003 10:38 AM
In essence, the turbine wasnt used to build the train, a yard or switch crew did that, and when the train was ready, the turbine was brough over and coupled up, air tested, and then went.
When it reached it's final destination, it cut away, and turned the train over to a yard crew.
Based on the size of these things, I doubt to many joints were so hard as to cause any damage, and GE would have taken that into consideration when they designed the turbine.
I know commerical jet engines take a tremendous pounding on landing, so I imagine they are a little tougher than we might think.
Stay Frosty,
Ed
QUOTE: Originally posted by David Wallace

I'm not trying to beat this dead horse,but one thing that has not been brought up about turbines and locomotives....and something I have always wondered.......are train movements....slack, coupling, etc hard on turbines?....especialy turning at such high rpm? it seems a "standard" turbine would not fair well in a good 'ol rough joint!!

David Wallace

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Posted by Anonymous on Monday, August 25, 2003 1:27 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by edblysard



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.


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



The video is " Union Pacific's MIGHTY TURBINES " the stock number is #UPT
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Posted by Anonymous on Monday, August 25, 2003 1:27 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by edblysard



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.


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



The video is " Union Pacific's MIGHTY TURBINES " the stock number is #UPT
  • Member since
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Posted by Anonymous on Monday, August 25, 2003 12:54 AM
I'm not trying to beat this dead horse,but one thing that has not been brought up about turbines and locomotives....and something I have always wondered.......are train movements....slack, coupling, etc hard on turbines?....especialy turning at such high rpm? it seems a "standard" turbine would not fair well in a good 'ol rough joint!!

David Wallace
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    April 2003
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Posted by Anonymous on Monday, August 25, 2003 12:54 AM
I'm not trying to beat this dead horse,but one thing that has not been brought up about turbines and locomotives....and something I have always wondered.......are train movements....slack, coupling, etc hard on turbines?....especialy turning at such high rpm? it seems a "standard" turbine would not fair well in a good 'ol rough joint!!

David Wallace
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Posted by sooblue on Sunday, August 24, 2003 9:37 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by kevarc

First things first, I am the Safety & Environmental for a utility. We operate 2 gas fired steam plant, 1 dual fueled diesel plant ( this plant uses diesel to start the units and then after reaching operating temps and loads are switched to a 95% gas/5% diesel fuel), and are co-owners of a coal fired plant burning PRB coal. By degree I am a mining engineer, I worked in coal mine in Western PA.

SooBlue
Yes they tried a turbine in a bus. But this was not a generator setup, it was a direct drive just like a helicopter. To add the required equipment for electrical output takes up more space than the turbine. This is not including all the other controls required. This all takes space and each presents it's own set of requirements. Most electrical plants need 5 megawatts of power to produce power, i.e. to get the auxilaries running.


Hey Kevarc,[8)]
I forgot all about this thead. [:)]By accident I found it. Thanks for your input.
Sooblue
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Posted by sooblue on Sunday, August 24, 2003 9:37 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by kevarc

First things first, I am the Safety & Environmental for a utility. We operate 2 gas fired steam plant, 1 dual fueled diesel plant ( this plant uses diesel to start the units and then after reaching operating temps and loads are switched to a 95% gas/5% diesel fuel), and are co-owners of a coal fired plant burning PRB coal. By degree I am a mining engineer, I worked in coal mine in Western PA.

SooBlue
Yes they tried a turbine in a bus. But this was not a generator setup, it was a direct drive just like a helicopter. To add the required equipment for electrical output takes up more space than the turbine. This is not including all the other controls required. This all takes space and each presents it's own set of requirements. Most electrical plants need 5 megawatts of power to produce power, i.e. to get the auxilaries running.


Hey Kevarc,[8)]
I forgot all about this thead. [:)]By accident I found it. Thanks for your input.
Sooblue
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Posted by kevarc on Monday, July 28, 2003 1:38 PM
First things first, I am the Safety & Environmental for a utility. We operate 2 gas fired steam plant, 1 dual fueled diesel plant ( this plant uses diesel to start the units and then after reaching operating temps and loads are switched to a 95% gas/5% diesel fuel), and are co-owners of a coal fired plant burning PRB coal. By degree I am a mining engineer, I worked in coal mine in Western PA.

Even a steam fired turbine can be severely damaged due to impurities in the water. Water Quality is much more important in a steam turbine than in a steam engine. In our plants we constantly monitor the make-up water (that is water added to the boiler to make up for losses). This is done to prevent foaming and to prevent wear on the pipes and the turbine itself. You cannot use just any old water in a steam turbine, you will eat it alive. That is what those that tried this in RR applications found out real fast. The maintenance was killing them. Even in a static version like in our plants extreme care is needed to keep them running. To put something like that on a moving platform is asking to spent huge amount of money to keep it running.

Coal has impurities that cause extreme wear of the blades.. Some of the ash is in the form of silica (sand). The other is Iron Sulfide, this is also a highly corrovsive material. Plus also, the regulatory agencies will not just allow you to blow this dust all over the place, a means of collecting will be required, and this is another high expense item.

The low BTU coal from the PRB would limit the the output of the turbine. This coal is low on BTU and high in moisture, two evils for this type of operation. Coal, you pay at the minehead, but you lose a portion before it gets to the plant due to the coal drying out. I can't remember our numbers offhand, but in the thousand miles+ it takes the coal to get to the plant we lose approx 10% of the weight. And you just cannot change type of coal at the drop of a hat. All of this equipment is designed and built to burn a very narrow range of coal. You cannot take a Western PA coal and substitute it for PRB. The hardness and other qualities of the coal call for different types of precessing equipment. This all entails the spending of capital.

Mark
I have to disagree with you about the coal reserves in the east. There is still a good bit there. It was more a matter of mining economics verses it being mined out. There is also a lack of market for the coal. The export market has been hurt by cheaper coals from other countries and the domestic market has been hurt by the closure of steel mills.

SooBlue
Yes they tried a turbine in a bus. But this was not a generator setup, it was a direct drive just like a helicopter. To add the required equipment for electrical output takes up more space than the turbine. This is not including all the other controls required. This all takes space and each presents it's own set of requirements. Most electrical plants need 5 megawatts of power to produce power, i.e. to get the auxilaries running.
Kevin Arceneaux Mining Engineer, Penn State 1979
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Posted by kevarc on Monday, July 28, 2003 1:38 PM
First things first, I am the Safety & Environmental for a utility. We operate 2 gas fired steam plant, 1 dual fueled diesel plant ( this plant uses diesel to start the units and then after reaching operating temps and loads are switched to a 95% gas/5% diesel fuel), and are co-owners of a coal fired plant burning PRB coal. By degree I am a mining engineer, I worked in coal mine in Western PA.

Even a steam fired turbine can be severely damaged due to impurities in the water. Water Quality is much more important in a steam turbine than in a steam engine. In our plants we constantly monitor the make-up water (that is water added to the boiler to make up for losses). This is done to prevent foaming and to prevent wear on the pipes and the turbine itself. You cannot use just any old water in a steam turbine, you will eat it alive. That is what those that tried this in RR applications found out real fast. The maintenance was killing them. Even in a static version like in our plants extreme care is needed to keep them running. To put something like that on a moving platform is asking to spent huge amount of money to keep it running.

Coal has impurities that cause extreme wear of the blades.. Some of the ash is in the form of silica (sand). The other is Iron Sulfide, this is also a highly corrovsive material. Plus also, the regulatory agencies will not just allow you to blow this dust all over the place, a means of collecting will be required, and this is another high expense item.

The low BTU coal from the PRB would limit the the output of the turbine. This coal is low on BTU and high in moisture, two evils for this type of operation. Coal, you pay at the minehead, but you lose a portion before it gets to the plant due to the coal drying out. I can't remember our numbers offhand, but in the thousand miles+ it takes the coal to get to the plant we lose approx 10% of the weight. And you just cannot change type of coal at the drop of a hat. All of this equipment is designed and built to burn a very narrow range of coal. You cannot take a Western PA coal and substitute it for PRB. The hardness and other qualities of the coal call for different types of precessing equipment. This all entails the spending of capital.

Mark
I have to disagree with you about the coal reserves in the east. There is still a good bit there. It was more a matter of mining economics verses it being mined out. There is also a lack of market for the coal. The export market has been hurt by cheaper coals from other countries and the domestic market has been hurt by the closure of steel mills.

SooBlue
Yes they tried a turbine in a bus. But this was not a generator setup, it was a direct drive just like a helicopter. To add the required equipment for electrical output takes up more space than the turbine. This is not including all the other controls required. This all takes space and each presents it's own set of requirements. Most electrical plants need 5 megawatts of power to produce power, i.e. to get the auxilaries running.
Kevin Arceneaux Mining Engineer, Penn State 1979
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Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, July 26, 2003 10:55 AM
I think low-sulfur coal is a non-issue here. Low-sulfur coal was broadly available when the UP tried its coal turbine. What was uncommon was sulfur dioxide emissions regulations, until the Clean Air Act of 1970. As early as the 1920s, according to Coal Age, low-sulfur coal was almost universal in metallurgical and industrial uses, and where economically possible, everyone preferred low-sulfur coal even for stove and stoker fuel. Most of the coal mined on the N&W, C&O, B&O, PRR, etc., in the steam era was low-sulfur coal. Now it's mostly mined out.

UP's own coal mines in Southern Wyoming, in the Hanna and Hams Fork basins, produce low-sulfur coal. Hanna coal is higher in BTUs than Powder River Basin coal (I suspect PRB coal is what you're thinking about) but is more costly to mine because of a higher stripping ratio and undesirable geology. If you recall, in the late 1970s UP shipped a lot of utility coal east from the Hanna Basin, over Sherman Hill, and a lot west, too. But then the PRB came on line and the Hanna mines closed.

This is a total digression here, but the coal resources of the PRB were mapped and understood by the 1920s. But it was low-BTU, high-moisture content, high-ash content coal, located a long, long way away from population centers, so no one bothered to mine it in quantity until the 1970s. Five factors led to its exploitation: (1) clean air legislation; (2) greatly lowered rail haulage costs; (3) depletion of cheaply recoverable reserves closer to population centers; (4) a population shift from the Northeast to the South and West, and (5), an explosion of demand for electricity to power air conditioners, irrigation pumps, etc.

I presume (without digging into the files) that UP was burning either Hanna or Kemmerer coal in the coal turbine. I can't imagine them buying coal produced on the D&RGW or Utah Railway for this project, but who knows?

I suspect the ash content of the coal was the major factor in blade erosion. But I don't know -- maybe coal is just too abrasive, period. Maybe even zero-ash, zero-sulfur coal would erode turbine blades at an unacceptable rate.

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Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, July 26, 2003 10:55 AM
I think low-sulfur coal is a non-issue here. Low-sulfur coal was broadly available when the UP tried its coal turbine. What was uncommon was sulfur dioxide emissions regulations, until the Clean Air Act of 1970. As early as the 1920s, according to Coal Age, low-sulfur coal was almost universal in metallurgical and industrial uses, and where economically possible, everyone preferred low-sulfur coal even for stove and stoker fuel. Most of the coal mined on the N&W, C&O, B&O, PRR, etc., in the steam era was low-sulfur coal. Now it's mostly mined out.

UP's own coal mines in Southern Wyoming, in the Hanna and Hams Fork basins, produce low-sulfur coal. Hanna coal is higher in BTUs than Powder River Basin coal (I suspect PRB coal is what you're thinking about) but is more costly to mine because of a higher stripping ratio and undesirable geology. If you recall, in the late 1970s UP shipped a lot of utility coal east from the Hanna Basin, over Sherman Hill, and a lot west, too. But then the PRB came on line and the Hanna mines closed.

This is a total digression here, but the coal resources of the PRB were mapped and understood by the 1920s. But it was low-BTU, high-moisture content, high-ash content coal, located a long, long way away from population centers, so no one bothered to mine it in quantity until the 1970s. Five factors led to its exploitation: (1) clean air legislation; (2) greatly lowered rail haulage costs; (3) depletion of cheaply recoverable reserves closer to population centers; (4) a population shift from the Northeast to the South and West, and (5), an explosion of demand for electricity to power air conditioners, irrigation pumps, etc.

I presume (without digging into the files) that UP was burning either Hanna or Kemmerer coal in the coal turbine. I can't imagine them buying coal produced on the D&RGW or Utah Railway for this project, but who knows?

I suspect the ash content of the coal was the major factor in blade erosion. But I don't know -- maybe coal is just too abrasive, period. Maybe even zero-ash, zero-sulfur coal would erode turbine blades at an unacceptable rate.

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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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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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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
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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
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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]

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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 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

23 17 46 11

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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.
  • Member since
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  • 305,205 posts
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.
  • Member since
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  • From: US
  • 446 posts
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.
Sooblue
  • Member since
    April 2002
  • From: US
  • 446 posts
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.
Sooblue
  • Member since
    April 2002
  • From: US
  • 446 posts
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
  • Member since
    April 2002
  • From: US
  • 446 posts
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
  • Member since
    January 2002
  • From: Richland WA
  • 361 posts
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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