GE Energy

Aero Energy
Division

Position Paper #57

PP57
Rev A
Date: October 12, 2009

LM6000 5-Minute Start

16415 Jacintoport Blvd

Houston, TX 77015
USA
T 001-281-864-2803
F 001-281-864-2459

Introduction
The GE AEP LM6000 package has the unique ability to reach full power (simple-cycle)
from a cold start within 5 minutes for special applications. A 5-minute start cycle is
significant since many power pools allow spinning reserve credit or for customers that
require power for critical loads. The LM6000s 5-minute capability is unique in that it
does not increase maintenance costs or intervals provided the fast start events are
limited to 4 times a year. The operating flexibility of the utility grid will be greatly
enhanced and the overall system production costs will be substantially lower.
Unlike turbo machinery using solid forgings and thick wall castings, the LM6000 turbine
is designed as a flight engine, allowing a high tolerance to cyclic duty. Its lightweight
design (rotor and castings are constructed of thin-wall, high-strength alloy materials)
allows it to operate efficiently under high thermal stress gradients and concentrations.
This design effort has dramatically increased low-cycle fatigue life.
Description
The following provides start and ramp sequence details for obtaining 5-minute start to
full load. Reference Figure 1, LM6000 5-Minute Start Profile and LM6000 10-minute
start paper PP08 latest revision.
1. The LM6000 gas turbine 5-minute start applications will be operated for back up
and peaking duty. There would be limited 5-minute start events up to maximum
4 times per year. If the unit were stated for 5-minute start > 4 times a year there
would be an increase in maintenance costs.
2. For 60 Hz applications, in order to eliminate the time required to fill the generator
run down tanks, the 7.5 HP AC lube oil supply pump would need to be operated
continuously. For 50 Hz applications the run down tanks would not need to be
filled prior to light off, as the DC MLO pump would backup the 2 each AC MLO
pumps.
3. Gas turbine purge timer is set for 15 seconds, which would be typical for simple
cycle exhaust systems in accordance to NFPA 37. For exhaust systems that are
combined cycle or have SCR systems, gas turbine purge credit could be
obtained per position paper PP07.

PP57 REV A
Page 1 of 3
COPYRIGHT, 2009 GE PACKAGED POWER, L.P., ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS DRAWING IS THE PROPRIETARY AND/OR CONFIDENTIAL PROPERTY OF GE
PACKAGED POWER, L.P., AND IS LOANED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT IT WILL NOT BE REPRODUCED NOR USED FOR ANY PURPOSE
EXCEPT THAT FOR WHICH IT IS LOANED. IT SHALL BE IMMEDIATELY RETURNED ON DEMAND, AND IS SUBJECT TO ALL OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF ANY
WRITTEN AGREEMENT OR PURCHASE ORDER WHICH INCORPORATES OR RELATES TO THIS DRAWING.

4. The gas turbine warm-up timer is set for 60-seconds. During this 60-second
warm-up timer the generator can be synchronized to utility grid and gas turbine
would ramp to minimum load. Following completion of warm up timer the gas
turbine could be ramped to full load.
5. The gas turbine load ramp rate would be 500 kW/sec, total of 90 seconds to full
load.
6. LM6000 would achieve full load, 45 MW in 5 minutes from cold start.
Table 1, 5-Minute Fast Start Sequence
Start initialization, enclosure
purge

15 seconds

Engine/Stack Purge, 60 Stack

15 seconds

Accel to sync idle

2 minutes

Synchronize to Grid, warm up at

min load

1 minute

Accel to full load

90 seconds

Total

5 minutes

Summary
By following the special start sequence called out in this paper, LM6000 would be
capable of 5-minute start to full load. LM6000 5-minute start events would be limited to
maximum 4 times a year.

PP57 REV A
Page 2 of 3
COPYRIGHT, 2009 GE PACKAGED POWER, L.P., ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS DRAWING IS THE PROPRIETARY AND/OR CONFIDENTIAL PROPERTY OF GE
PACKAGED POWER, L.P., AND IS LOANED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT IT WILL NOT BE REPRODUCED NOR USED FOR ANY PURPOSE
EXCEPT THAT FOR WHICH IT IS LOANED. IT SHALL BE IMMEDIATELY RETURNED ON DEMAND, AND IS SUBJECT TO ALL OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF ANY
WRITTEN AGREEMENT OR PURCHASE ORDER WHICH INCORPORATES OR RELATES TO THIS DRAWING.

LM6000

GE Aero Energy

Standard Start Sequence (5 Min)

Turbine Warm-up

LM6000 HPC - RPM

12000

60 Sec Total
Start Turbine
Enclosure Purge

10000

Ramp to Full Load

90 Sec
500 kW/Sec

15 Sec
Hold until
NSD Rotor is
> 1250 RPMs

8000

300 RPM/Sec

Notes:
1. Generator Lube Oil Pump
must be running to maintain a
Ready to Start Condition for
60 Hz applications
2. Simple cycle operation only, no
SCR or HRSG/Boiler

Start 60 Sec Timer

Enable Sync
Initiate Breaker Closure
Ramp to Minimum Load

6000
Engine &
Stack Purge

4000

15 Sec

2000
Ignition & Ramp
Up

2 Min (120 S)

15

30

150 210

255

300

Time (Sec)

Figure 1 - LM6000 5-Minute Start Profile

PP57 REV
Page 3 of 3
COPYRIGHT, 2009 GE PACKAGED POWER, L.P., ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS DRAWING IS THE PROPRIETARY AND/OR CONFIDENTIAL PROPERTY OF GE PACKAGED POWER, L.P., AND IS LOANED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE
WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT IT WILL NOT BE REPRODUCED NOR USED FOR ANY PURPOSE EXCEPT THAT FOR WHICH IT IS LOANED. IT SHALL BE IMMEDIATELY RETURNED ON DEMAND, AND IS SUBJECT TO ALL
OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF ANY WRITTEN AGREEMENT OR PURCHASE ORDER WHICH INCORPORATES OR RELATES TO THIS DRAWING.