Sensors for Performance Monitoring of Advanced Gas Turbines

40246 November 6, 1996 Advanced Fuel Research, Inc. Advanced thermal coating materials are being developed for use in the combustor section of high performance turbine engines. To optimize their use, accurate surface temperature measurements are required in order to understand the response of these coatings to changes in the combustion environment. Present temperature sensors, based on the measurement of emitted electromagnetic radiation, are not well-suited to the turbine application because: 1) operational wavelengths are not optimized for radiative properties; and 2) operational probes are not optimized to survive the high temperature/pressure environment. In this project, a pyrometer will be constructed with a sensor probe that is optimized for both requirements. Because advanced coatings exhibit near-blackbody radiative characteristics in the long wavelength infrared (LWIR), sapphire hollow waveguides will be employed, which can survive turbine conditions while directing LWIR radiance to the detector system. Phase I will demonstrate feasibility with a breadboard pyrometer. Phase II will construct a prototype for testing in a high pressure combustor test rig, as well as expand the product line to produce both surface and gas temperature sensors. Anticipated Results/Potential Commercial Applications as described by the awardee: The total number of potential worldwide installations is approximately 250,000 based on the number of stationary turbines, jet engines in commercial and military aircraft, and industrial and utility furnaces. It is estimated that fully integrated pyrometer systems would be reasonably priced (< $10 K) for the market.