Design, Analysis, and Testing of an Additively Manufactured Catalytic Combustor for a Micro-Wave Rotor Turbine

Stefan Tüchler, Adamos Adamou, Pejman Akbari, Colin D. Copeland

Research output: Chapter or section in a book/report/conference proceedingChapter in a published conference proceeding

Abstract

In this paper, an additively manufactured (AM) Inconel catalytic combustor was tested in combination with a micro-wave rotor turbine with non-axial channels designed for shaft power extraction. This was done in an open-loop configuration over a range of operating conditions in order to characterise the behaviour of the wave rotor and combustor separately. The catalytic combustor data yielded low pressure losses of approximately 1% and provided stable and continuous operation up to outlet temperatures of 900°C and combustion efficiencies of up to 99%. The data also revealed a high sensitivity to local over-fuelling and hot spots that severely reduced service life. This is attributed to the additive manufacturing process producing uneven fuel injector hole sizes that cause uneven fuel mixing upstream of the catalytic reactor. However, it showed that first, it is possible to manufacture and coat an additively manufactured catalytic core. Secondly, it showed that the design freedom of AM could be used to make catalytic combustors viable in commercial applications.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationManufacturing Materials and Metallurgy; Microturbines, Turbochargers, and Small Turbomachines; Oil and Gas Applications; Steam Turbine
Place of PublicationU. S. A.
PublisherThe American Society of Mechanical Engineers(ASME)
ISBN (Electronic)9780791888018
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 28 Aug 2024
Event69th ASME Turbo Expo 2024: Turbomachinery Technical Conference and Exposition, GT 2024 - London, UK United Kingdom
Duration: 24 Jun 202428 Jun 2024

Publication series

NameProceedings of the ASME Turbo Expo
Volume9

Conference

Conference69th ASME Turbo Expo 2024: Turbomachinery Technical Conference and Exposition, GT 2024
Country/TerritoryUK United Kingdom
CityLondon
Period24/06/2428/06/24

Keywords

  • Additive Manufacturing
  • Catalytic combustor
  • Combustion
  • Methane combustion
  • Micro-gas turbine

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Engineering

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