1500 HP starting

[jes1983]

I am purchasing a standby generator to start one of our gas turbines. the starting motor is 1500hp 4160v. What is the most reliablle way to start this motor with this generator. Can I use soft starts? or can there be an issue due to the high intertia load. Are there other methods of starting to draw less current. OTL current is 1320 amps for 2 seconds.Any feedback will be appreciated. thank phin

 

[waross]

My first choice would be two generators. one for black start station services, the other as a dedicated starting generator.
I would consider direct connecting the generator to the motor.
That is, as the generator comes on-line and accelerates, it will supply an increasing frequency and voltage directly to the motor. Most many voltage regulators have a UFRO feature which ramps the voltage up with the speed.
I would work with the generator supplier on this. The speed governor may have to be fine tuned to the application. You may have to limit the rate of acceleration to match the acceleration of the turbine.
The UFRO should give an almost linear volts per hertz ratio.
respectfully