An LNG Carrier Adjustable Speed Gas Turbine Electric Propulsion System

This paper describes the design of a 43,000 shp (32,065 KW), 110 propeller rpm, Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) Carrier, gas turbine AC electric, adjustable speed propulsion system, burning LNG and/or diesel fuels. Excess boil-off energy is dissipated through a load bank resistor system. Boil-off compressor, ship service electric loads and auxiliary steam services are supplied by waste heat boilers. A relative economic and operating characteristic comparison of steam vs gas turbine electric LNG propulsion plants is presented for various assumed fuel costs. The ship application is a single shaft, 125,000 cubic meter LNG Carrier of about 96,000 tons (97,541 tones) displacement.