Proper transport for gas turbines

A gas turbine needs service and overhauling regularly. The "heart" of the gas turbine, the distributor rotor, must be sent to a special workshop authorised to carry out this work. To transport such valuable and sensitive rotors, strict requirements must be met by the transport container. Among other things, the container is fitted with suspension devices that reduce vibration.

The Jotne Group has delivered gas turbine containers for use in the North Sea, Mexico and India. Most of the containers are produced for GE Packaged Power, which delivers complete gas turbine installations. The containers are made of steel and aluminium, and ceramic coatings.

"It's a complicated job, with strict requirements for accuracy and a lot of precision welding. The gas turbine rotor is suspended on rubber pillows, and the container is filled with nitrogen gas to prevent corrosion during transport. Prior to approval, we have performed load tests, drop tests and pressure tests," says Gunnar Mainitz, managing director of Jotne Fremo.