FT4 GAS TURBINE INSTALLATION HADBOOK

The FT4 Gas turbine Engine consists of a gas generator coupled aerodynamically to a free turbine
by means of connecting duct. The shaft output of the free turbine can be coupled to electrical
generators, pipeline compressors, marine reduction gearing and propellers, or other equipment
within the engne power spectrum.

The engine is capable of operating at air temperatures ranging from -65 to +- 120F (using the
specified fuel and oil, and subjet to conditions defined in other sections of the Installation
Handbook) . Fuel may be naphtha, GT Nº 1, GT Nº2, heavy distillate, or natural gas as defined by
the appicable Fuel Requirement Sheets in Section 6B. FT4 enginez are built with materials and
surface treatments designed to resist corrosion.

Engine models FT4-9, FT4A-11 and FT4C-1 are designed for industrial applications, while the FT4A-
12 , FT4A-14 , and FT4C-2 are intended for marine use. Both marine engines and industrial engine
are available for operation with liquid, gas, or dual (liquid or gas) fuel systems.

The type of fuel used with a particular engine, is designated by attaching the letters LF, GF, or DF
to the right of the model number. For example: FT4A-9GF is a gas - fueled engine.

Since the gas generator and free turbine are not mechanically connected by shafting, it is
convenient to describe each separately. Refer to Inst. 30888, 31751, 41298, and 41474 for drawing
of the engine.

GAS GENERATOR

The general description given below applies to the gas generator portion of all FT4 models.
Specific model differences are given in Table I.

The major components of the FT4 gas generator are, from front to rear, two compressor , a
combustion chamber , and two turbines. Air passes through the low pressure compressor, the
separate high pressure compressor, and enters the burnr chamber, where fuel is introduced
through nozzles feeding eigh burner cans. About 20% of the air is used for combustion, and the
remaining 80% is used for cooling the burner and turbine parts. Initial ignition is by two spark-
igniters; therefore, combustion is self-sustaining. The hot gases pass through the single-stage high
pressure turbine and the two-stages low pressure turbine, which extract energy to be used for
driving the free turbine. The output of hot gases is regulated by controlling the flow of fuel to the
combustion chamber.
The front, or low pressure compressor, is driven by the two-stage low pressure turbine by means
of a shaft which passes through the hollow high pressure compressor-turbine unit. The low
pressure compressor-turbine unit is supported by a roller bearing at the front, a ball thrust bearing
(5) at the rear of the compressor, and two roller brearings at the rear one at the front and one at
the rear of the turbine. The high pressure compressor unit is supported at the forward end of the
rotor by a roller bearing and at the rear end by ball thrust brearing (5), while the forward end of
the high pressure turbine is supported by a roller bearing. The split compressor arrangement
permits efficient handling of the air at varying engine loads and lowers the starter requirements
because onky the high pressure compressor needs to be cranked. On models equipped with inter-
compressor bleed ports, air is automatically bled from the low pressure compressor discharge
during the start cycle and low power operation.

The burner section consist of eight cans located in an annular arrangement around the shafts
between the compressors and turbine. The burner cans are enclosed by an outer case which can
be unbolted and slid back to allow inspection or removal of the cans. The burner section can
handle either liquid or gaseous fuel equally well by installation of the appropriate manifold and
nozzles.

An accessory gearbox located beneath the gas generator is driven by the high pressure
compressor by means of a shaft and gearing. The lubricating oil pressure pump , the fuel pump
and fuel control (on marine engines with hydro-mechanical controls, and mounting pad for a
starter are located on the gearbox.

The oil system of the gas genrator is a dry sump type and is separate from the free turbine oil
system. The pressure pump in the gearbox forces oil to the bearings, and scavenge pumps in the
bearing compartments return oil to a tank.

The fuel system of an industrial engine is controlled by an Electrical Fuel Control ; which receives
signals from various engine speed, temperature, and pressure ensors. The electrical fuel control
maintain a select free turbine speed by causing a fuel modulating valve to open or close. Marine
engine fuel systems may be controlled with the Electrical Fuel Control or with a Hydro-Mechanical
Fuel Control. The hydro-mechanical fuel system maintains a selected free turbine speed by
metering fuel, upon command from a free turbine governor. Detailed differences of the various
fuel systems are given in Section 6A and 6B.
II. FREE TURBINE

The general description given below applies to the free turbine portion of all FT4 models. Specific
model difference are given in Table I.

The free turbine is a two-stages axial flow turbine supported by a roller bearing at the front and a
ball thrust bearing (s) at the rear. The front bearing is supported by the inlet nozzle vanes and be
rear bearing by the exhaust struts.

The hot gases from the gas generator are transmitted to the free turbine throgh an annulus
formed by the inner and outer intel ducting. After passing through the turbine, the spent gases are
turned by the exhaust elbow and either ejected to the atmosphere or passed to a heat absorber to
utilize the heat remaining in the gases.

A gearbox is located on the lower part of the free turbine case and contains the oil pressure pump,
a scavenge pump, and associated oil system components.

A free turbine output shaft is bolted to the rear hub of the free turbine rotor and extends through
the elbow to an opening in the rear of the elbow.

Two cooling tubes, one on each side of the upper part of the engine, conduct low pressure
compressor discharge air to the free turbine for cooling purposes.