Status of Ceramic Applications in Turbine Engines

As part of the Department of Energy activities to reduce petroleum consumption, Detroit Diesel Allison (DDA) is conducting a program aimed at advancing the state-of-the-art of utilization of ceramic components in highway vehicle gas turbine engines to reduce fuel consumption by permitting increased gas turbine operating temperatures. Initial components and engine tests of three components are underway at an engine operating temperature 65°F (18°C) above the baseline all metal DDA 404 industrial gas turbine engine. Engine experience totals over 1000 hours on a set of silicon carbide nozzle vanes, 100 hours on a silicon nitride tip shroud and 3000 hours on aluminum silicate regenerators.