One of Elmec’s major clients is Westcoast Energy Inc. a Natural gas transmission company operating a large fleet of Gas Turbine engines to drive their compressor stations along their pipeline network. Some of the engines in their fleet were becoming obsolete and no longer supported by the manufacturers. We were often commissioned to perform testing services of the transmission lines and commissioned on many occasions to duplicate hard to find parts for their turbine fleet. In the process we often found ourselves in the position of working with our client to modify existing parts to enhance performance and efficiencies of the older engines.

This we did on a regular basis. We performed metallurgical analyses on the existing parts and then recommended more advanced materials to increase strength and lifespan between overhauls. The result was so fruitful that Rolls Royce, through a technology transfer agreement, conferred design rights and drawings for parts for the Industrial Spey to Elmec. One of the main design improvements was the efficiency of the fuel nozzles known as “the pepper pots”. Elmec changed the design angle of the fuel ports to achieve a better fuel to air ratio in the combustion chamber. This immediately increased performance and decreased emissions, a feature which was measurable. This photo is Elmec's own Avon Mk1533 test engine.

We also performed repairs to existing components and developed tooling and welding techniques which extended the life of combustion chambers, at a fraction of the replacement cost. There are now Elmec replacement parts in some engines which will outlast the useful life of the engine.

The latest additions to the list of Elmec aftermarket parts are those created by Investment casting in high vacuum. These include the hot section components, the turbine blades and nozzle guide vanes, which are cast from superalloys. We have almost concluded the research program and will commence parts supply in 2001.

Our support service over the past 25 years has largely been on the fleets of older engines which our clients still wish to maintain on-line for several more years. These include the GE LM1500; the GE LM2500 twin shank; the Rolls Royce Industrial Spey and most recently the Rolls Royce Industrial Avon Mk 1533. The services and parts support are outlined in the ensuing pages. We have also reverse engineered and supplied parts on other engines and will entertain most requests to supply parts and services to meet any prospective client's needs.

Our services include:

Shown below are photos of a Spey Combustor Reconditioned to Serviceable Status.

We will manufacture large component assemblies as well. Shown below is the Bundle housing for the LM 1500 Power Turbine. We reverse engineered the design, commissioned the Molds and Castings, and supervised the loading and installation of all the bearings and seals in the assembly.