International Power Technology (IPT) was formed in 1974 to
develop gas turbine steam injection technology. IPT authored all
the Allison 501 Cheng Cycle patents and in 1983, under a
Joint Development Agreement with Detroit Diesel Allison, co-developed the steam injected Allison 501-KH
gas turbine, subsequently called the
501-KH Cheng Cycle. IPT has authored over
48 U.S. and international patents and has accumulated over 1,250,000 hours of
power plant operations experience.
The first Cheng Cycle power plant, located at San Jose State University, was developed,
owned, and operated by IPT at the time of its construction in 1984. The
San Jose
Cogeneration Project is currently operational and is approaching 250,000 hours of
continuous operations. The Cheng Cycle Spec 935 was subsequently developed by Allison
after the San Jose project was built.
Between 1985 and 1990, IPT developed five
additional Cheng Cycle plants. During this
period of project development, IPT refined and perfected its
know-how by way of constant
feedback from the plants it was operating, as well as the joint development efforts between
IPT and Allison Gas Turbines. Design improvements included case steam injection,
nozzle steam injection, boiler cold end design, lubrication system, and steam purity, among others.
Between 1991 and 1994, IPT performed service evaluations and testing in conjunction with Allison Gas Turbines
at IPT's SRI power plant location, resulting in significant improvements to the Allison product line,
including 1st stage turbine TBC vanes, LE3.x combustion liners, turbine 1st stage blade materials and coatings,
turbine lab seals, and nozzle and case steam injection.
During the 1990's, IPT's focus was targeted towards
Cheng Cycle product licensing, engineering,
and operations and maintenance of power plants. IPT's licensees during this period were US Turbine in North
America, DETCO in Australia, Voest-Alpine (ELIN) in Europe, and Hitachi Zosen and KHI in Japan.
IPT's licensees around the world continued developing Cheng Cycle power plants throughout the 90's, and today
there are over 130 Cheng Cycle installations worldwide.
Between 1995 and 2000, IPT was the exclusive authorized distributor for Jenbacher biogas
fueled engines in California. Jenbacher biogas fueled engines have a leading market share in
Europe due to superior emissions, efficiency, and durability. Over the last few years Jenbacher
biogas fueled engines have been introduced into North America where they rapidly are
establishing new standards for "state-of-the-art" biogas enginators.
Between 1996 and 1999, IPT contracted with the Monterey Regional Waste Management District
(MRWMD) to install two Jenbacher 320, 900 kW, landfill gas engines at their power facility in
Marina, California. IPT provided engineering, construction, permitting, financial analyses,
maintenance, and field service support to MWRMD between 1994 and 1999.
Headquartered in San Jose, California, IPT's primary
business today is operations and maintenance of power plants, engineering,
field service, project development, and 501-K engine sales and leasing.
International Power Technology's services include: