Indian scientists develops marine gas turbine

Bangalore-based Gas Turbine Research Establishment, a DRDO unit, had been indigenously developing Kaveri engine for propelling the Indian Light Combat Aircraft Tejas.     
As a spin-off during development, a marine version has been evolved to develop shaft power for propelling Indian Naval ships, a DRDO statement said today.     

Using the core of the Kaveri engine, the scientists of GTRE have added low pressure compressor and turbine as a gas generator and designed a free power turbine to generate shaft power for the maritime application, DRDO said.     

The Kaveri Marine Gase Turbine (KMGT) as it has been named, was transported to Naval Dock Yard, Vishakapatnam, and installed on to the Marine Gas Turbine test bed which is a Naval facility capable of testing the gas turbines up to 25 Mw of shaft power through a reduction gearbox and a water brake dynamometer.    

The Indian Navy has been involved in the development of the engine and participated and supported the testing phase.

"The engine has been tested to its potential of 12 Mw at ISA SL 35 degree C condition which is the requirement of Indian Navy for propelling the SNF (Rajput) class of ships", it said.   

"India will become self-reliant in the technology of gas turbines for ship propulsion with the support of Indian Navy as a very active and participating user throughout the development", DRDO said.

"This will put India in the elite club of Marine Gas Turbine designers amongst the USA, Russia, the UK and Ukraine".