What's downstream in turbine technology

SAE 100 Future look: Gas turbine (GT) machines-aviation, industrial, and vehicular-are versatile and cost-effective machines used for the provision of electricity, mechanical load power, and propulsion.

However, the machines continuously pose challenges to engineers who must design, construct, and operate reliable and efficient turbines that meet market needs while simultaneously respecting the environment. GT manufacturers, suppliers, and related scientific organizations must meld their technical services, expertise, and research facilities to meet the challenge facing the entire industry in the future.

For all engines in general, Forecast believes that R&D work will continue to focus on combustion, including flame sensors for GTs, more reliable and advanced low-NOx combustion systems, and new combustion systems for GTs; materials such as advanced long-life turbine blade coatings; turbomachinery, such as the further design of highly loaded stages and compressor aeromechanical design; and systems, including combined-cycle GTs with integrated low-temperature heat, and high-efficiency components for ICR-CHP (intercooled regenerative cyle, combined heat and power) GTs.