Recently, China’s first domestically developed 16 MW gas turbine natural gas generator successfully completed its test run, marking a major breakthrough in the independent development of small- and medium-sized gas turbines in China. The gas turbine was led by Harbin Turbine Company, while the Gas Turbine Technology Institute of the College of Power and Energy Engineering at Harbin Engineering University provided a series of core technologies and key component support during the research and development process.

Known as the “crown jewel” of equipment manufacturing, gas turbines are technology-intensive products involving multidisciplinary integration and multi-physics coupling. The 16 MW gas turbine adopts a three-shaft structure and belongs to the category of small- and medium-sized gas turbines. The gas generator tested this time is the core part of the turbine. It features multiple matching components, high operating temperatures, and high rotor speeds. Its development calculations, experimental measurements, and performance evaluation are among the key challenges in current research and development.

Relying on its strong academic foundation in marine gas turbines, Harbin Engineering University worked closely with Harbin Turbine Company, providing strong support for technological breakthroughs related to the gas generator.

Harbin Engineering University, the Institute of Engineering Thermophysics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Jinan Advanced Power Research Institute, and other institutions jointly supported the successful testing of the gas generator developed by Harbin Turbine Company. Among them, the Harbin Engineering University team provided on-site technical support, assisted in analyzing real-time data, optimized operating strategies, and ensured the stable and coordinated operation of all core components under full-load conditions.

The 16 MW gas turbine plays an important supporting role in the development of China’s new power system and high-end equipment manufacturing. It can effectively drive coordinated development across upstream and downstream industrial chains and promote the localization of energy equipment. The independent development of this model helps safeguard energy security, support the green and low-carbon transition, and is expected to move toward commercialization and serialization after demonstration and verification.

In the future, it may also explore applications using diesel/natural gas dual fuel and hydrogen fuel, providing a flexible and reliable “Chinese heart” for distributed energy systems, offshore platforms, and computing power centers.

Harbin Engineering University has a comprehensive disciplinary and professional layout in gas turbine-related fields. It is an important base in China for the long-term and systematic development of basic scientific research and talent training in marine and industrial gas turbines. The university has made sustained efforts in its key areas of strength, including overall simulation, aeroacoustics, heat transfer and combustion, experimental testing, measurement and control.

Through a series of systematic, in-depth, and highly effective basic research efforts, Harbin Engineering University has provided continuous and strong technical support to engineering design institutions for marine and industrial gas turbines. After years of accumulation, the university has become a backbone force in China’s basic scientific research on gas turbines, especially marine gas turbines, and has trained a large number of high-level professionals for the country.

Original Link: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/vS0_yeVkIsVdxk_-_DYuzg