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Completed TRL 3 (started at 1, targeting 3)
The NASA Aeronautic research strategy is to develop and demonstrate revolutionary technologies that enable global air transportation that is safer, more efficient, and more environmentally friendly for the next 30 years and beyond. Increased fuel efficiency is a game changer in gas turbines as fuel is the single most important cost, accounting for up to about 40% of the overall operation cost of commercial aircrafts. Increased fuel efficiency is obtained through increasing the thermal efficiency of the engine by increasing the overall pressure ratio (OPR). Increased OPR requires increased turbine inlet temperature, which is paced by advances in turbine hot section materials temperature capability. High turbine inlet temperature also contributes to environmentally friendly engines by reducing NOx. SiC/SiC Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMCs) are the most promising materials to revolutionize the temperature capability of turbine hot section materials because of their high temperature mechanical properties and oxidation resistance in dry air. The goal of this project was the infusion of 2700 oF CMCs, which represents daunting challenges as failure of EBC means rapid reduction in CMC component life.
The global increase in air travel will require commercial vehicles to be more efficient than ever before. Advanced engine hot section materials technology is required to keep the fuel consumption and emission to a minimum. The project is unique in that it addresses multiple technical issues using a balanced mix of science, engineering, manufacturing, and testing. Long-life next generation EBCs, by enabling 2700 oF CMCs, enable a 6% reduction in fuel burn, enable combustor liners required to reduce NOx emissions to 80% below the CAEP6 standard, and enable a reduced size turbines with 50+ OPR. The EBC alloy technology promises to be a paradigm shifting technology for next generation gas turbines by providing a quantum leap in EBC life. The projected benefits in 5-10 years include a step change in current EBC reliability. The projected benefits in 10-20 years include the infusion of 2700 oF CMCs in next generation gas turbines.
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