6.4 Marine Application Technologies
6.4.1 Evaluation of anti-corrosion materials
The compressor blades are expected to be made of titanium alloy and the vanes of 17-4PH precipitation hardened stainless steel. Both of these materials have excellent anti-corrosion properties in the sea-water environment. Acceleration experiments with salt water spray injection are being performed to test the durability of these materials in unusual situations, such as a breakdown of the air inlet de-mister.
The surfaces of high temperature components, such as the turbine blades, will have to cope with deposits of NaCl in air containing chloride from sea spray, and Na2S04 formed by the combustion of sulfur in the fuel. Corrosion tests are being conducted on various durable alloys and anti-corrosion coatings using high temperature gases of the kinds produced in gas turbine combustion.
6.4.2 Controlling a regenerative open-cycle gas turbine
With regenerative open cycle gas turbines, transient response to rapid load changes is a very important issue. Simulations and models of propulsion systems have been created and tests of transient response characteristics such as rpm, fuel flow, gas temperature, etc. are being conducted. In particular, because the large thermal capacity of the recuperator has a significant influence on transient response characteristics, both actual tests and simulation and model tests will be conducted. The SMGT's control equipment will be constructed based on the results of these tests.
Other research topics regarding marine applications of the SMGT, in addition to the two listed above, are how ship movement, position and impacts affect the various gas turbine components, reducing the labor load of crew members, and developing troubleshooting systems.
7. Acknowledgement
As research on this project progresses we will continue to inform you of our R&D results. We wish to thank all persons involved, including the Marine Engine Society members, for their enthusiastic guidance and support.
References
1) Sugimoto.T., GTSJ gas turbine seminar, No.27, (in Japanese), P.89
2) Tanaka,M., Sugimoto.T., Journal of the Gas Turbine Society of Japan(in Japanese), Vol.27, No.2 (1999,Mar), P.82
3) Kawamoto,M., Sugimoto.T., Jaurnal of the M.E.S.J.(in Japanese), Vol.34, No.8, P.521
4) Sugimoto,T., et al., Proceedings of the international Gas Turbine Congress 1999 Kobe (1999 Nov.), Vol.1, P.92
