Fuel Systems and Controls for Marine Gas Turbines

It is emphasized that reliability is by far the most important requirement in the control system of a marine power plant. The controls of the Pametrada 3,500-h.p. gas turbine, which is taken as a typical marine unit, are then discussed. The sprayers, control blocks, fuel system, transmission, reversing mechanism, and governors are described in turn, and the reasons are given why various features were adopted in preference to the possible alternatives. There is an account of test-bed experience concerning these items.

Probable future developments in the field of controls are then considered, but these are found to depend mainly on the way in which the gas turbine itself is developed for marine purposes. The paper therefore concludes with a discussion of the type of gas turbine most likely to be installed in merchant vessels, and the means whereby it will be controlled.