IMO Industries, headquartered in Princeton, New Jersey, included the Delaval Turbine division — a manufacturer of steam turbines, ship service turbine generators, and associated rotating machinery supplied to the US Navy for shipboard propulsion auxiliary and ship service power generation applications. Delaval Turbine (distinct from the DeLaval Steam Turbine Company discussed elsewhere) manufactured a range of ship service turbine generators and auxiliary steam turbines used aboard Navy surface ships and auxiliary vessels throughout the WWII and Cold War period.

Asbestos in Delaval Turbine Equipment

IMO/Delaval Turbine ship service turbine generators and auxiliary turbines used asbestos-containing materials in their construction:

  • Turbine casing insulation — ship service turbine generator casings and auxiliary turbine casings had asbestos insulation applied to the turbine casing exterior to reduce heat radiation and provide personnel protection from hot casing surfaces. Turbine maintenance requiring removal of casing insulation disturbed asbestos insulation at the turbine casing
  • Steam inlet valve packing — the steam admission valves and throttle valves controlling steam supply to Delaval Turbine equipment used asbestos packing in the valve stuffing boxes, maintained during valve maintenance by Machinist’s Mates
  • Turbine exhaust insulation — the turbine exhaust casing and associated low-pressure exhaust ducting had asbestos insulation in some configurations, particularly where the exhaust steam circuit needed thermal isolation from adjacent equipment

Ship Service Turbine Generator Role

Ship service turbine generators (SSTGs) generating electrical power for the ship’s service electrical loads were critical engineering plant equipment — continuously operating during underway operations to supply the ship’s electrical distribution system:

  • SSTGs required continuous operation during all underway periods, with engineering ratings standing watch in engineering spaces monitoring SSTG operation throughout every underway hour
  • Turbine-generator maintenance during maintenance availabilities involved work on turbine casings, steam admission valves, and associated equipment with asbestos-containing materials at each maintenance interval

Auxiliary Vessel and Surface Ship Distribution

IMO/Delaval Turbine equipment appeared in a range of Navy surface ships and auxiliary vessels where ship service power generation and auxiliary steam turbine drive were required — in destroyer, cruiser, carrier, and auxiliary vessel engineering plants throughout the Navy’s steam-powered surface ship inventory.

VA Claims

VA presumptive service connection under 38 CFR § 3.309(d) covers asbestos exposure from turbine and rotating equipment maintenance in Navy engineering plants. Engineering ratings who performed maintenance on IMO/Delaval Turbine ship service turbine generators and auxiliary turbines with asbestos-containing insulation and gaskets and have since been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or asbestos-related lung cancer may qualify for VA disability benefits.