Development of Ceramic Gas Turbine Components for the CGT301 Engine

Abstract

NGK Insulators, Ltd. (NGK) has undertaken the research and development on the fabrication processes of high-heat-resistant ceramic components for the CGT301, which is a 300kW recuperative industrial ceramic gas turbine engine. This program is under the New Sunshine Project, funded by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), and has been guided by the Agency of Industrial Science & Technology (AIST) since 1988. The New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) is the main contractor. The fabrication techniques for ceramic components, such as turbine blades, turbine nozzles, combustor liners, gas-path parts, and heat exchanger elements, for the 1,200°C engine were developed by 1993. Development for the 1,350°C engine has been underway since 1994. The baseline conditions for fabricating of all ceramic components have been established. This paper reports on the development of ceramic gas turbine components, and the improved accuracies of their shapes as well as improved reliability from the results of the interim appraisal conducted in 1994.