Recently,China's first 550‑MW F‑class heavy‑duty gas turbine unit — Unit 1 of the Huadian Chongqing Tongnan Phase I gas turbine project — successfully completed the 168‑hour full‑load trial operation and was officially commissioned, achieving a new breakthrough in the application of large‑capacity, high‑efficiency, clean‑energy equipment.
Defon Hubei providedhydrogen coolers for the two units of this project with its independently developed, reliable high‑end heat exchange technology,
providing critical cooling support for China's largest‑capacity F‑class gas turbine.
The Defon Force Behind a Benchmark Project
The Huadian Chongqing gas turbine project consists of two550.12‑MW split‑shaft gas‑steam combined‑cycle peaking units, with a combined‑cycle efficiency of 61.66%, making them thelargest single‑unit capacity andhighest‑efficiency F‑class heavy‑duty gas turbines in China.
As the "heart air conditioner" of the gas turbine generator, the hydrogen cooler directly determines the stability and efficiency of the unit.
Defon's custom‑designed hydrogen cooler products for this project, backed by years of technical expertise and engineering experience, have achieved multiple key breakthroughs and successfully passed all supporting tests in a single run:
Ultra‑large capacity adaptation: tailored for 550‑MW‑class large‑capacity units, with heat exchange efficiency and structural strength meeting requirements simultaneously
Ultimate safety design: adopting a stringent gas‑tight structure and long‑term corrosion‑resistant processes to eliminate hydrogen leakage risks at the source, ensuring safe and stable hydrogen system operation throughout the unit's full lifecycle.
Full‑process first‑pass success: in‑factory performance tests and on‑site system commissioning all passed with first‑time qualification, with zero faults throughout the process
Upon full operation, the project will
generate 2.1 billion kWh of electricity annually,
meeting the annual electricity needs of 1.75 million households,
significantly enhancing the grid's peak‑shaving and supply‑security capabilities.
At the same time, through the efficient conversion of natural gas as a clean energy source,
it will save 200,000 tonnes of standard coal each year,
reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 860,000 tonnes,
and achieve near‑zero emissions of pollutants such as sulphur dioxide and soot.
Safeguarding National Energy Projects through Technological Innovation
From the world's largest hydroelectric units at Baihetan, to million‑kilowatt‑class nuclear units, and now to China's first 550‑MW F‑class heavy‑duty gas turbine, Defon has consistently supported the construction of key national energy projects with core technologies, and has reliably kept the "heavy equipment of the nation" cool under pressure.
With the "dual carbon" goals and the development of new power systems, gas‑fired power generation — as a clean and efficient peaking power source — is becoming ever more critical. Defon will continue to deepen the localization of high‑end heat exchange equipment such as gas‑turbine hydrogen coolers and air coolers, providing more efficient, reliable, and low‑carbon solutions to support breakthroughs in large‑capacity gas turbine technology, and contributing Defon's strength to national energy security and green transformation.
