Peter Brotherhood steam turbine generators and gas compressors

Peter Brotherhood engineering heritage and Howden turbomachinery manufacturing

Peter Brotherhood originated in Great Britain in 1867, developing over a century and a half of engineering prowess in steam turbines and heavy gas compressors.

Following its integration into Howden Turbo UK, the business unit became the anchor of high-output turbomachinery advanced globally within Chart Industries and Baker Hughes.

Manufacturing facilities in Peterborough feature high-precision five-axis machining centers, vacuum brazing bays, and advanced aerodynamic testing loops.

Machinery complies with API 611, API 612, API 618, and ISO 9001 standards, providing continuous, dependable electrical generation and process gas compression across global energy networks.

Steam turbine generators rated up to 40 MW and modular packages

Peter Brotherhood turbogenerator design integrates the steam turbine, precision speed reducer, synchronous generator, and lubrication auxiliaries onto a unified structural foundation skid.

This modular layout minimizes civil installation requirements at customer sites and accelerates commissioning into full industrial duty.

The product line encompasses condensing steam turbines for deep thermal heat recovery, back-pressure units delivering process steam to chemical and refining streams, and controlled extraction machines.

The Peterborough facility engineered and tested a complete 22 MW unit, verifying superior mechanical integrity under continuous heavy duty.

API 618 reciprocating process gas compressors up to 20 MW

Low-speed Peter Brotherhood reciprocating compressors rated up to 20 MW operate at crankshaft rotational speeds between 260 and 1,000 rpm.

Reduced piston linear velocities and extended stroke geometry minimize mechanical friction, surface fatigue, and component wear, yielding extended continuous run periods between overhauls.

Designed in strict conformance with API 618 specifications, these machines compress aggressive, wet, sour hydrocarbon mixtures, pure hydrogen, and synthesis gas safely.

High-pressure rod packings and corrosion-resistant cylinder alloy liners eliminate fugitive process gas leaks into surrounding plant environments.

Marine floating facilities and industrial cogeneration power units

Peter Brotherhood turbomachinery has extensive track records operating as direct drivers for critical feed water pumps and process compressors aboard FPSO, FLNG, and FSRU vessels.

Structural support points and shaft train alignments tolerate ship motion, roll, pitch, and deck angular deflection encountered in offshore environments.

In land-based facilities, Peter Brotherhood steam turbines form the backbone of combined heat and power installations, utilizing secondary steam from waste-to-energy facilities, biomass boilers, and metallurgical furnaces.

High thermodynamic internal efficiency converts waste heat into substantial electrical output reliably.

Precision aerofoil blading and dynamic rotor balancing

Turbine impulse and reaction blades are milled from high-tensile heat-resistant stainless steels and superalloys.

Aerodynamic blade profiles minimize internal turbulence losses, ensuring laminar flow transitions and protecting blade surfaces against moisture droplet erosion in condensing wet steam stages.

All assembled turbine rotors and heavy compressor crankshafts undergo dynamic balancing on high-speed balancing test rigs. Precise shaft runout checks and journal bearing clearance verifications guarantee minimal operating vibration levels and smooth mechanical operation throughout the speed range.

Machinery nameplate identification for replacement components

Accurate ordering of replacement blading, labyrinth seal rings, compressor piston rods, and valve assemblies requires the serial number stamped on the machinery metallic nameplate.

This identification retrieves original manufacturing drawings, metallurgical bills of materials, and factory test archives.

Factory records verify exact part numbers for hydrodynamic bearing pads, labyrinth steam seals, automatic compressor valves, and gaskets. All replacement components undergo strict dimensional inspections and come with comprehensive installation documentation for qualified plant maintenance teams.