Low-Oxygen Coke-Oxidation Catalysts for Gas Turbine Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Coke deposits form on gas turbine engine surfaces exposed to hydrocarbon fluids at elevated temperatures, leading to significant build-up and potential damage due to shedding, especially in low oxygen environments where coke oxidation is slower.
Innovation Solution
A catalyst, such as a compound of formula NxM1−xO2−y, is applied to engine components to catalyze coke oxidation, reducing or eliminating coke deposits by converting them to gaseous reaction products like carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, even in low oxygen conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If coke oxidation is performed in a low oxygen environment, then the catalyst can operate in the actual engine conditions, but the oxidation reaction is slower and requires higher temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the catalyst composition by incorporating specific metal oxides (manganese oxide, zinc oxide, cobalt oxide, nickel oxide) in controlled amounts to change the catalytic parameters, enabling effective coke oxidation at lower temperatures despite low oxygen availability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite catalyst material containing multiple metal oxides (manganese oxide, zinc oxide, cobalt oxide, nickel oxide) combined with support materials, creating a synergistic effect that enhances oxidation activity in low oxygen environments
2Temperature
If the onset temperature for coke oxidation is reduced, then coke removal becomes more effective at lower temperatures, but the catalyst composition becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the compositional parameters of the catalyst by controlling the ratios of metal oxides (manganese oxide, zinc oxide, cobalt oxide, nickel oxide) to achieve optimal temperature reduction without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different metal oxide compositions to different regions or types of catalyst sites, with specific metals targeting different aspects of the oxidation reaction, allowing temperature reduction while maintaining manageable compositional complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The catalyst effectively lowers the onset temperature for coke oxidation by up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit, reducing coke build-up and minimizing damage to engine components.
Implementation Method 1
A catalyst, such as a compound of formula NxM1−xO2−y, is applied to engine components to catalyze coke oxidation, reducing or eliminating coke deposits by converting them to gaseous reaction products like carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide
Implementation Method 2
coke oxidation, reducing or eliminating coke deposits by converting them to gaseous reaction products like carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide
Data Source
AI summary
A catalyst for oxidizing coke in a low oxygen environment such as in a gas turbine engine of an aircraft. The catalyst includes a compound of formula NxM1−xO2−y. In the formula, x ranges from 0 to 0.9, y ranges from 0.02 to 0.2, N includes at least one of an alkaline-earth cation, an aluminum cation, a transition metal cation, or a rare-earth cation, M is silicon or a rare-earth element, and N has a different atomic radius than M, N has a different oxidation state than M, or N has a different atomic radius and a different oxidation state than M.