KONGSBERG GAS TURBINES THROUGH FIFTY YEARS - A REVIEW OF THE PRODUCTS AND THE HISTORY

摘要

In 1964 Kongsberg Vapenfabrikk AS decided to develop a small gas turbine for power generation, primarily for stand-by and emergency power. The engine was called the KG2 and had a unique all radial rotor design which was to become the trade mark for the later Kongsberg designs. The onset of the oil exploration in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea in the 1970's gave the new business an opportunity to qualify for continuous drive applications and to expand into the international oil- and gas industry. In the following years a larger engine, the KG5, was launched and a third engine program was initiated, but never completed. The gas turbine know-how that was established in Kongsberg in these years was of great significance to the overall Norwegian gas turbine competence environment and was a deciding factor when Dresser-Rand first partnered with and later, in 1987, acquired the business. Under the new ownership the company became able to offer compressor- and power generation packages based on large aero-derivative gas turbines and it was soon recognized as a significant supplier, both nationally and internationally. The present paper provides a review of some of the unique design features of the KG series of engines as well as some of the typical applications. It also describes the transformation of the company from a small industrial gas turbine supplier to the recognized supplier of large, compressor- and power generation packages for the oil and gas industry.