파워앤워터

아라비아 사막부터 극한의 산맥까지 – 시험대에 오른 해리엇

2015년 6월 22일

에릭 킹(Eric King)은 GE에서 오랫동안 테스트 엔지니어로 근무하면서, 극한의 기계들을 수없이 상대해왔다. 하지만 그가 요즘 다루고 있는 상대는 결코 만만치 않다. 세계에서 가장 크고 강력한 가스터빈인 해리엇(Harriet) 즉 9HA 가스터빈의 테스트를 맡고 있기 때문이다. 이곳에서는 아라비아 사막이나 콜로라도 산맥 같은 극단적인 환경을 시뮬레이션 하여, 평소라면 가동될 일이 없을 그런 극한 환경 속에서 해리엇을 가동시켜 본다.

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Colder weather is on the way. If you’re in Winnipeg, Canada, that means ice testing is too. There, @geaviation test engines are pummeled with sub-zero winds and ice. The harsh conditions on the ground make sure engines are ready to face the elements in the air. #AVgeek #jetengine #engineering
Spooky season is here, but don't let your annual mammogram scare you. Nearly 30% of women in the U.S. admit to skipping breast screenings out of fear. That's why @gehealthcare engineers decided to better the experience with a mammography system designed by women, for women. Melding comforting design with cutting edge technology, the Senographe Pristina aims to humanize the process for patients, technicians, and radiologists. #BCAM #Mammography #breastcancerawareness
Slice into an additively-made part from @geadditive and you’ll see geometries once thought impossible with traditional manufacturing methods. Why the hype? Engineers can now find greater strength and efficiency through design. #engineering #additive #3Dprinting #manufacturing
Wind, meet water. In Germany’s Swabian-Franconian Forest, you’ll find the world’s tallest (584 ft) and first-ever wind turbines integrated with pumped storage hydroelectric power. So how does it work? At the base of each wind turbine sits a reservoir. Water flowing downhill from the reservoirs will power the hydro plant when electricity is needed. When there’s an energy surplus, the hydro power will push the water back up the hill to the reservoirs, where it will act as a giant battery for the wind turbines. So no matter if the wind is blowing or not, electricity will always be flowing
This Ultra Performance Heat Exchanger is a perfect example of how small parts can make a HUGE difference. Still in development, the additively manufactured compact heat exchanger is printed with a high-temperature capable, crack-resistant nickel superalloy that will be able to withstand temps that exceed 1,650°F at pressures >3,600 psi. Good thing, too, because it’s headed straight for the inside of a gas turbine, where it’s projected to deliver a 4% improvement in thermal efficiency for supercritical C02 power cycles while improving power output and reducing emissions. Cleaner, more efficient power generation here we come.