SMALL AUXILIARY LIGHTWEIGHT TURBOGENERATOR ENGINE

Brayton Energy, working closely with Oak Ridge National Labs and our corporate partners, will complete the detailed design, fabrication and preliminary qualification testing of a novel light-weight SALT-E 35 kWe gas turbine alternator. This small engine will incorporate the high firing temperature and weight reduction features described in our Phase I Final Report. Program goals are summarized below: Fabricate 35 kWe engine weighing roughly 22 pounds. Incorporate an existing alternator and power electronics package developed for previous lightweight UAS program. Introduce a highly customized metal turbine rotor for the first-generation demonstration. A higher temperature capable silicon nitride rotor, operable at 1500 to 1700 K, will be made by ORNL employing additive manufacturing methods. Under the pressure of this program, ORNL has accelerated their time-line to 18 months, providing delivery in early Q6, in time for installation and test in this 2-year program. Fabricate three silicon nitride turbines, for destructive qual-testing, rather than engine testing. First generation rotors will be destructively tested in 2024 and 2025. Introduce a SiC CMC combustor liner; its design and prototype will be at no cost to this program. Leverage a scaled rotor system and combustor as previously demonstrated GT-35 gas turbine.