Power Machines perform upgrading of the gas turbine bearing test facility

PJSC Power machines perform upgrading of the GTE-65 and GTE-170 gas turbine bearing support test facility.

The facility was designed and manufactured for steam turbine bearings testing. It successfully tested support and thrust bearings of the half-speed steam turbine first production unit - an innovative development of Power Machines.

Due to the beginning of active work on the creation of domestic gas turbines, it became necessary to upgrade this experimental complex for development and verification of design solutions in terms of gas turbine R&D.

In particular, the facility was refitted with an additional multiplier that enables the rotation speed to be increased. This will allow testing not only of large-sized steam turbine bearings with speeds up to 3000 rpm, but also relatively compact gas turbine bearings with speeds up to 6500 rpm.

At the moment, the facility upgrading is being completed, and technical documentation is prepared for the bearings of the GTE-65 and GTE-170 turbines. In the summer, it is planned to carry out full-scale tests of the GTE-65 thrust bearing.

In the future, it is possible to test bearings of steam and gas turbines not only of its own manufacture, but also of other manufacturers, which will allow the company to develop its competence in the area of bearing supports and gain new experience.