Simulating novel gas turbine conditions for materials assessment: cascade design and operation

Integrated gasification combined cycles can incorporate pre-combustion carbon capture. High-H₂ syngas produces high H₂O levels after combustion, potentially accelerating gas turbine component damage. Determining materials systems’ suitability for this novel environment requires exposures in representative environments. Thus, an existing 0.7?MW burner rig was modified to generate the combustion environment and incorporate a cascade of 15 air-cooled turbine blades. Computational fluid dynamic calculations using blade dimensions and flow requirements supported the cascade design and determined blade placement within the gas flow. Trials of the modified unit have shown that a simulated combusted H₂-rich syngas composition was generated at gas temperatures ≤1440°C. A 1000?h exposure has been carried out with thermal barrier coated blades to demonstrate the operation of the unit.

This paper is part of a thematic issue on the 9th International Charles Parsons Turbine and Generator Conference. All papers have been revised and extended before publication in Materials Science and Technology.