Improved Buffered Substrates for YBCO Coated Conductors

65692 The maximum allowable operating temperature for metal materials used in the construction of heat exchangers for electric power generation systems is limited to approximately 700C, which severely reduces the overall efficiency of the system. This project will develop a reliable, high temperature ceramic heat exchanger that could be incorporated into an indirect coal-fired gas turbine power generator. The design for the ceramic heat exchanger will be based on previously developed ceramic structures suitable for high-temperature fuel combustion. In Phase I, suitable structural testing will be used to screen ceramic materials determine their mechanical properties. Based on these properties, the thermal-mechanical stresses in the ceramic heat exchanger will be predicted under operating conditions. Sub-scale heat exchange ¿fins¿ will be fabricated and tested to failure in order to develop an initial assessment of mechanical durability and of the reliability of the design. Commercial Applications And Other Benefits as described by awardee: The compact, ceramic heat exchanger could be used in many centralized power generation plants and mobile heat engines. Also, it is particularly well suited to the development of solid oxide fuel cells for electric power.