Swedish engine cleaning-equipment supplier Gas Turbine Efficiency (GTE) is to re-enter the aerospace market, targeting original equipment manufacturers (OEM), following an exclusive supply deal with Rolls-Royce, writes Justin Wastnage.
Recently restructured GTE has established a corporate headquarters in Houston, Texas and is close to finalising a US version of its GTE 400A high-pressure gas turbine particle cleaning system. Since signing contracts with air forces and airlines in Finland and Sweden, the company has focused on the industrial turbine market. Late last year it signed a sole-supplier agreement with R-R's industrial engines division. GTE is finalising similar agreements with several aeroengine OEMs and expects its cleaning process to be included in engine operating procedures.
Pär Krossling, GTE vice-president sales and marketing for Europe and Asia, estimates sales of around 30 units worth SKr90,000 ($12,700) to individual airlines this year, with OEM deals to be in place by the end of the year. The company has cleaning units on trial with several carriers, including Ryanair, Singapore Airlines and WestJet. GTE estimates that its system, which uses nozzles designed to remove particle contamination from turbine blades in the engine core, can reduce fuel consumption by around 2%. GTE president Peter Asplund says: "Now the cost pressure on airlines is so high, the system is suddenly attracting more notice."
GTE says powerplant engineers at larger airlines are reluctant to use processes not approved by OEMs, despite cost savings. The US version, called the DiS 400A direct injection system, is being tested by several OEMs, adds Krossling.
Source: Flight International