Recently, China’s first 16-megawatt natural gas generator for gas turbines successfully completed its test run, marking a major breakthrough in the independent development of small and medium-sized gas turbines in China.
Widely hailed as the “pearl in the crown” of the equipment manufacturing industry, gas turbines are technology-intensive products involving multidisciplinary intersections and multi-physics field coupling. The 16MW gas turbine adopts a three-shaft configuration and falls into the category of small and medium-sized gas turbines. The gas generator tested in this trial is its core component, characterized by numerous matching parts, high operating temperatures, and fast rotor speeds. Its R&D calculation, experimental measurement, and performance evaluation are currently key and challenging issues. Leveraging its profound academic accumulation in the field of marine gas turbines, Harbin Engineering University (HEU) worked closely with Harbin Turbine Works to provide strong support for the technical breakthroughs related to the gas generator.
HEU, together with the Institute of Engineering Thermophysics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Jinan Institute of Advanced Power, and other institutions, jointly ensured the smooth progress of the gas generator test for Harbin Turbine Works. Among them, the HEU team provided on-site technical support, assisted in analyzing real-time data, and optimized operation strategies to ensure the coordinated and stable operation of all core components under full-load conditions.
The 16MW gas turbine plays an important supporting role in the development of the country’s new power system and high-end equipment manufacturing. The independent development of this model ensures energy security and promotes green and low-carbon transformation. It is expected to move toward commercialization and serialization after demonstration and verification, and further explore applications such as diesel/natural gas dual-fuel and hydrogen fuel, providing support for distributed energy, offshore platforms, and computing power centers.
HEU has a complete disciplinary and professional layout related to gas turbines and is an important base in China for long-term and systematic basic scientific research and talent training in marine and industrial gas turbines. After years of accumulation, HEU has become a backbone force in basic scientific research on gas turbines, especially marine gas turbines, in China, and has cultivated a large number of high-level professional talents for the country.
In the core technology research of this 16MW gas turbine, a group of HEU alumni who dare to fight tough battles have emerged. They have taken root in the front line of scientific research, overcome difficulties, demonstrating a strong sense of mission and responsibility.
