High Temperature Capability and Innovative Cooling with a Spar and Shell Turbine Blade

Technology advances within turbine systems represent an excellent avenue for improving overall power plant efficiency. In particular, technologies that permit turbines to operate at increased temperatures and pressures are desired to achieve the specific performance goals. These conditions will require the use of advanced materials systems and cooling of the turbine components. Therefore, this project will develop a spar and shell system to provide highly durable turbine components that require the lowest cooling flow possible. In addition to providing higher temperature capabilities, the system will resolve the technical barrier, known as thermal-mechanical fatigue, which limits heat flux levels and cyclic life of today¿s turbine components ¿ particularly at the interface between the main airfoil body and the platform/attachment structure. Further, the architecture will enable the smallest possible cooling flow, by enabling the use of practical, robust, near-wall cooling while minimizing the plugging risk of systems associated with effusion and other porous-hole schemes. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: The technology should remove the efficiency debit due to cooling the turbine subsystem and increase overall power plant efficiency. The increased efficiency of future power production would impact increasing global energy usage and emissions from the combustion of carbon-based fuels. These emissions, carbon dioxide in particular, are increasingly accepted as a significant cause and contributor to global warming.