Gasturbinenschiffsantriebe im Wandel der Zeit

Knowing the advantages and disadvantages of the gas turbine is helpful in unter-standing its history: low specific weight and space requirement, easy handling, high power output and power transients on the one hand, and high demands on fuel quality and consumption, aerodynamic quality and materials on the other. The use of gas turbines for marine propulsion started in 1924 with the successful application of turbochargers. The experience thus gained was extremely helpful in developing the first gas turbines in power stations and airplanes in 1939. After World War II gas turbines became popular as propulsion plant for airplanes. While they were seldom used in merchant ships, the navy made greater use of their advantages. It all began with the commissioning of a gunboat in 1947 and a tanker in 1951 in England. In the decades to come gas turbines were used in different combinations with diesel and steam propulsion plants. In the early seventies their utilization increased for powering fast merchant ships; this development, however, came to a halt due to rising fuel prices. As a result of the demand for fast ships and high power output and thanks to major improvements of the gas tubine cycle the gas turbine is again increasingly being deployed for marine propulsion.