Gas Turbine Powerhouse: The Development of the Power Generation Gas Turbine at BBC - Abb - Alstom

Description

This book tells the story of the power generation gas turbine from the perspective of one of the leading companies in the field over a period of nearly 100 years, written by an engineer. Especially in times of imminent global economic crises it appears to be worthwhile to reflect on real economic values based on engineering ingenuity and enduring management of technological leadership. Though the book is primarily designed as a technical history of the BBC/ABB/Alstom power generation gas turbines, its scope is sufficiently broad to cover general development trends, including parallel competitor activities. A special benefit is the historical breakdown to the gas turbine component level, so that the book actually outlines the development of axial compressors from early beginnings, the progress in combustion technology towards extraordinary low emission values and that of axial turbines with special emphasis on early turbine cooling innovations. The sheer length of certain engineering developments over several decades allows interesting historic observations and deductions on inherent business mechanisms, the effects of technology preparations and organisational consequences. A look into the mirror of the past provides revelations on the impact of far-reaching business decisions. 2017 Winner of the Historian Engineer Award of the ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers Review: A true gem - This is a first rate book on the history of gas turbine development. While the focus is on the venerable Swiss company Brown Boveri (BBC) and its direct descendants, i.e., first ABB and then Alstom, its coverage is broader than that. The wealth of information, including hard-to-find technical data, is unsurpassed (to the best of my knowledge, which is considerable). It should be in the library of any serious student of the gas turbine technology. While it is not a handbook or textbook to help you in day-to-day activities (commercial or academic), it provides crucial knowledge that will enlighten you in many ways. If nothing else, you will realize that what you consider "innovative" today was actually considered, implemented and discarded decades ago by scientist/engineers, who are true giants in the field.