Two specialists, no compromise!

The M5A-01 (4.7 MWe) is the latest model and a new member of the family of Kawasaki Gas Turbines. The reason for the development of this 5 MWe class Gas Turbine was to close the gap between the M1 (1.8 MWe) and the M7 (7.8 MWe) family and not at least to meet the changing requirements of the market. The development focused on outstanding performance in terms of efficiency, usable exhaust heat and the compactness of the Gas Turbine. The experience gained from the proven technologies of the M1- and M7-families was a decisive factor in the development.

The result is a compact and reliable single-shaft industrial Gas Turbine especially for smaller combined heat and power (CHP) applications where a maximum of electrical efficiency and at the same time maximum usable waste heat is required.

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The M5A-01, or GPB50D as a completely assembled package, has the highest electrical efficiency in its class – coupled with a correspondingly high exhaust gas temperature for steam generation, a very high overall efficiency is achieved. A strong contribution in terms of profitability and environmental friendliness.

The electrical efficiency of this Gas Turbine is 33% and emissions can be reduced to <15 ppm for NOx by the proven Kawasaki Dry Low Emission (DLE) technology and for CO < 25 ppm from 50% to 100% load. Here again 6 DLE combustion chambers, a proven fuel system and a simple housing design are used. Other big advantages are longer and customer-friendly maintenance intervals. The compact and very light Gas Turbine (Power Section) can be easily and quickly replaced, thus reducing downtime.
All in all, not a simple gap filler, but a full-grown specialist in its class.

Efficiency World-Record Gas Engine

The development of the Kawasaki Gas Engine series is based on 100 years of experience in the construction of diesel engines. They have been developed since 2007 using new computer-based design, flow simulation and strength-calculation programs. These Gas Engines are used for stationary generation of electricity, but for peak-load-controlling, primarily used as combined heat and power plants. Due to the high electrical efficiency of the Kawasaki Gas Engine family, highly efficient electricity is generated. The waste heat from exhaust gas and cooling water can be treated as process heat or e.g. used as thermal heat. The engine range includes the four models KG-12, KG-12-V (5.2 MWe), KG-18 and KG-18-V (7.8 MWe). The number indicates the number of cylinders, which are arranged V-shaped in two cylinder banks, the V in the model designation, however, characterizes the turbocharger (variable nozzle) with increased efficiency. As the flagship of the Kawasaki Gas Engine range, the KG-18-V achieves the highest electrical efficiency in its class, with 49.5% at the generator terminal.

Noteworthy here is its large control range of 30% to 100% of the electrical output power and that he achieved a very high efficiency even at partial load. Already over 143 of these engines were sold in Southeast Asia and the USA. In Europe, Kawasaki engines have been available in the market since the beginning of 2017.

Hydrogen perspective

While the use of photovoltaic and wind power plants is establishing itself for the CO2 neutral generation of electricity, the regenerative provision of high-temperature heat for industrial processes has been somewhat behind. As a solution, for example, the use of pure hydrogen in Gas Turbines and the flexible switching between the natural gas and hydrogen fuels have been further developed.

This is done in close cooperation with European research institutions such as RWTH Aachen University. Three processes were examined in more detail: the fully flexible switching of the natural gas and hydrogen fuels in the Gas Turbine’s diffusion combustion chamber, the addition of hydrogen to the Gas Turbine’s DLE combustion chamber with approx. 30% of the calorific value and the Micro-Mix combustion chamber, especially designed for hydrogen combustion. Those compromising developments will be ready for the market in 2020.