U.S.C.G. POLAR STAR--COMBINATION OF A DIESEL ELECTRIC PROPULSION PLANT WITH A GEARED GAS TURBINE BOOST PLANT

This paper is a progress report on the selection and design of equipment for the 60,000 shp U.S.C.G. Polar Icebreaker. As a basis for discussing the propulsion system, the author outlines the major characteristics of the vessel. The selection of the combined diesel or gas turbine propulsion system to power this vessel was based on previous design studies conducted by the Coast Guard and was directed toward achieving the following advantages: reduced crew for operation and maintenance functions, higher horsepower capacity without on-the-line reserve, and high system flexibility and availability. The base load plant consists of six diesel-driven a-c generators to produce 6000 shp at each propulsion d-c motor to drive the three controllable, reversible pitch propellers. The physical arrangement, operational, and control characteristics of this diesel electric propulsion drive system are detailed. The boost plant, consisting of three FT4A-12 gas turbines which drive the CRP propellers through marine reduction gears, are employed during heavy ice conditions. In keeping with vessel and propulsion design concepts, the FT4 Marine Power Pac is a self-contained module including engine subbase and acoustic/thermal enclosure, with all subsystems prepiped and prewired to interface connections at the engine subbase for minimim shipyard iterface. Physical, operational, and control aspects of the Power Pac installation are examined. The various modes of operation of the combined system with the attendant degrees of flexibility and limitations of each are defined. A summary of sequences involved in the propulsion mode transfer from diesel electric to gas turbine is provided. Anticipated modifications to off-the-shelf procured equipment is presented and the major design problem areas and solutions associated with the system are reviewed.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Contributed by ASME Gas Turbine Division for presentation at the Gas Turbine Conference and Products Show, Washington, D.C., April 8-12, 1973.
• Corporate Authors:

  American Society of Mechanical Engineers

  Two Park Avenue
  New York, NY  United States  10016-5990
• Authors:
  • Finizio, A F
• Publication Date: 1973-4

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: 12 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Crew size; Electric power; Electrical systems; Gas turbines; Icebreakers; Propulsion
• Old TRIS Terms: Crew reduction
• Subject Areas: Marine Transportation; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00057800
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Texas A&M University, College Station
• Report/Paper Numbers: ASME Paper #73-GT-73
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 11 1974 12:00AM