De Laval Steam Turbine Company, headquartered in Trenton, New Jersey (later acquired by IMO Industries), was a leading manufacturer of auxiliary steam turbines and turbo-generators supplying the US Navy with shipboard electrical power generation equipment and auxiliary turbine-driven equipment throughout World War II and the Cold War. De Laval turbo-generators — steam-turbine-driven generators providing ship’s service electrical power — were installed aboard Navy destroyers, cruisers, carriers, and auxiliaries alongside the main propulsion turbines in the ship’s engineering plant.

Asbestos in De Laval Auxiliary Turbine Equipment

De Laval steam turbines operating in Navy auxiliary service used asbestos-containing sealing materials at all high-temperature connection points:

  • Turbine casing gaskets at steam inlet and exhaust flanges — asbestos sheet or spiral wound gaskets sealing the De Laval turbine casing at all steam connection points
  • Turbine shaft gland packing — braided asbestos packing in the turbine shaft seal stuffing box, adjusted and replaced by Machinist’s Mates during routine turbine maintenance
  • Steam chest and governor valve gaskets on the De Laval turbine admission valve chest — asbestos gaskets at valve chest cover connections
  • Turbo-generator exhaust connection — asbestos gaskets at the exhaust connection from the De Laval turbine exhaust to the condenser or exhaust piping

Ship’s Service Power Generation

De Laval turbo-generators provided ship’s service electrical power to Navy combatants throughout the fleet. Engineering ratings responsible for ship’s service power distribution — Electrician’s Mates and Machinist’s Mates — maintained De Laval turbo-generators as primary equipment in the auxiliary machinery rooms and engine rooms of surface ships. Turbo-generator maintenance involved packing replacement and gasket maintenance in the same manner as other auxiliary turbine equipment.

Turbo-Feed Pump and Blower Applications

De Laval also manufactured turbo-driven feed pumps and blowers — steam-turbine-driven centrifugal pumps and blowers in which a De Laval turbine provides the motive power. These applications combined a De Laval steam turbine drive with a pump or blower, with asbestos packing and gaskets on the turbine portion throughout the auxiliary machinery plant.

VA Claims for Veterans Exposed to De Laval Steam Turbine Products

VA evaluates asbestos-related disability claims on a case-by-case basis. Veterans generally need evidence of in-service asbestos exposure, a current asbestos-related diagnosis, and a medical link between them. Machinist’s Mates and Electrician’s Mates who performed De Laval turbo-generator maintenance involving asbestos packing and gaskets and have since been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or asbestos-related lung cancer may qualify for VA disability benefits.