SMA Particle Coating for Gas Turbine Deposit Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engine surfaces exposed to hydrocarbon fluids at elevated temperatures suffer from carbonaceous deposit buildup, leading to restricted fluid flow and potential damage, which is costly and time-consuming to maintain.
Innovation Solution
A shape memory alloy (SMA) coating is applied to these surfaces, comprising discrete SMA particles that expand and contract with temperature changes, inducing strains in the deposits to break them apart, allowing natural fluid flow to remove the deposits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If surfaces are exposed to hydrocarbon fluids at elevated temperatures, then carbonaceous deposits form on the surfaces, but fluid flow becomes restricted and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The shape memory alloy particles are pre-applied to the surface before deposit formation. During thermal cycling, these particles automatically expand and contract to prevent thick deposit buildup before it occurs, rather than requiring post-formation removal
Solution Approach 2:
The shape memory alloy particles self-actuate during normal thermal cycling of the engine without external intervention. The particles automatically expand and contract to break apart deposits, eliminating the need for external cleaning mechanisms or frequent maintenance
2Ease of operation
If shape memory alloy particles are applied to surfaces, then deposit buildup is prevented through self-actuation, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shape memory alloy particles undergo parameter changes in their physical state (expansion and contraction) in response to temperature changes. This allows the coating to actively respond to thermal cycling and automatically break apart deposits without complex control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The coating combines shape memory alloy particles with a binder to create a composite material that adheres to the surface. This composite structure provides both the self-actuating capability of the shape memory alloy and the adhesion properties of the binder, achieving deposit prevention with relatively simple application
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 SMA coating effectively prevents thick deposit buildup by self-actuation during thermal cycling, eliminating the need for frequent maintenance and ensuring continuous engine operation.
Implementation Method 1
A shape memory alloy (SMA) coating is applied to these surfaces, comprising discrete SMA particles that expand and contract with temperature changes
Implementation Method 2
discrete SMA particles that expand and contract with temperature changes, inducing strains in the deposits to break them apart
Data Source
AI summary
A component susceptible to the formation of deposits, such as a component of a hydrocarbon system in a gas turbine engine. The component includes a substrate having a surface susceptible to the formation of a deposit thereon. A shape memory alloy coating is formed on the surface of the substrate. The shape memory alloy coating is a plurality of particles formed on the surface, and each particle of the plurality of particles is formed from a shape memory alloy.