Controls for Microturbines & Miniturbines

Microturbines are typically fueled with natural gas, generate between 25 and 200 kW of electricity. Miniturbines are slightly larger and provide up to 500 kW. Their small size and relatively low cost allow them to be located near where they are needed. They can operate at very low emission levels and reduce the efficiency losses and environmental impact of large transmission and distribution systems. Where more power is required, the units can be linked together to provide over 1 MW of electricity.

Woodward provides a wide range of micro/mini-turbine products including electronic controls and valves, as well as complete fuel delivery systems. Customers also benefit from Woodward's exceptional modeling, simulation, and analysis capabilities.

Products for Microturbines & Miniturbines

Atlas-II^TM Control Platform
The Atlas-II^TM control is an industrial platform that offers robust, low-cost control for a wide variety of turbine, engine, and compressor applications. This control is designed to integrate into the modern plant architecture through the use of Ethernet and fieldbus communication protocols. Four Ethernet ports and add-on fieldbus communication modules allow for the network flexibility and redundancy necessary for today's communication architectures. With a proven real-time operating system and dedicated inputs and outputs, the Atlas-II provides reliable and deterministic performance for key prime mover control functionality. Less critical control functionality can be added into the Atlas-II through the use of free-time programming structures and distributed I/O. The Atlas-II programmable control is designed specifically for prime mover control applications such as gas turbines, compressor control and protection,·gas and diesel engines, steam turbines, hydro turbines. Learn more from Atlas-II product spec 03346.

AtlasSC^TM Control System
The AtlasSC^TM control is a powerful and rugged industrial control with embedded microprocessor technology and dedicated I/O for real time control of engines, turbines, and electric motors. At the heart of the small and powerful AtlasSC platform is an industrial processor with Real Time Operating System (RTOS). The AtlasSC platform utilizes the industry-standard PC/104 bus structure to leverage "PC Economics," resulting in lower costs and greater feature flexibility. Learn more from AtlasSC product spec 03253.

Swift^TM Gas Metering System
This high accuracy, low cost system controls the flow of gas fuel to the turbine combustion system or high-pressure fuel cell. It is designed for high pressure applications (50—250 psia), and the unique design yields a linear flow characteristic unaffected by discharge pressure up to a pressure ratio (P2/P1) of at least 0.85. The design integrates the valve and actuator into a compact, efficient assembly. A shutoff/sensor module can be integrated to provide a complete system. Learn more from Swift Gas Metering System product spec 03252.

Purge Valve
During liquid fuel operation, microturbine nozzle performance can degrade due to coking at the nozzle tips. Woodward has adapted and cost-reduced one of its patented aircraft turbine products to allow microturbine nozzles to operate without coking and experience much longer life prior to required maintenance.

Butterfly Valves (High Temperature)
Woodward has developed several valves with integrated actuators that can withstand high temperature gasses. The EBV is designed for up to 400 deg C, while the Glo-Tech valve is designed for up to 750 deg C. Learn more from EBV product spec 03212.

Product Development—To meet the unique requirements of micro/miniturbine and fuel cell applications, Woodward has launched the development of several other components. To learn more about Woodward's product development on advanced, low-cost components, please .

Systems—Based on Woodward's experience in developing systems, customers are increasingly relying on Woodward to design and build complete systems for both micro-miniturbines and fuel cells. Woodward integrates key components developed in-house with off-the-shelf components to deliver the most cost effective solution to meet the customer's needs. Woodward develops both fuel and electronic control systems.

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