Petroleum Energy Center of Japan has been carrying out a 7-year development program to prove the potential of an automotive ceramic gas turbine for five years with the support of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry. The ceramic gas turbine now under development is a regenerative single shaft engine. The output is 100kW, and the turbine inlet temperature (TIT) is 1350°C. All the ceramic components are now entering the 1350°C TIT test phase after completing 1200°C TIT evaluation tests, including durability tests, in various types of test rigs. The compressor-turbine combined test rig and the full assembly test rig which is the same as an actual engine and incorporates all the components are now going through 1200°C TIT function and performance evaluation tests. In the near future, we are planning to increase the TIT to 1350°C. In consideration of the current level of high-temperature, long-term strength available from the ceramic materials, we decided to change the rated speed to 100,000 rpm because the initial rated speed of 110,000 rpm, if unchanged, involves considerable risks. Then we reviewed mainly the designs of the compressor and turbine and revised the target values of the individual components to match the specifications that satisfy the target performance of the engine.

The seven-year program, designated “Research & Development of Automotive Ceramic Gas Turbine Engine (CGT Program)”, was started in 1990 with the object of demonstrating the advantageous potentials of ceramic gas turbines for automotive use. This CGT Program is conducted by Petroleum Energy Center. The basic engine is a 100kW, single-shaft regenerative engine having turbine inlet temperature of 1350°C and rotor speed of 110000rpm. In the forth year of the program, the engine components were experimentally evaluated and improved in the various test rigs, and the first assembly test including rotating and stationary components, was performed this year under the condition of turbine inlet temperature of 1200°C.

The Petroleum Energy Center (PEC) in Japan is overseeing a seven year development program with the purpose of determining the potential of an automotive ceramic gas turbine (CGT), utilizing funding from the Ministry of International Trade and Industry. This program is scheduled to be completed in fiscal year 1996. A Regenerative-Type Single-Shaft Engine was developed, having a target turbine inlet temperature (TIT) of 1350°C and output power of 100kW. Each component has achieved or nearly met the respective design target level and the output performance tests of the engine have reached their final stage. Durability tests of some components have been completed, and others are ongoing. A 100hr durability test of the engine has also started. This development project started in FY 1990 after a two year feasibility study and preliminary design effort. After deciding on the engine specifications and completing the structural design, development and testing of individual and multiple components was carried out. Then the developmental progress of each component technology was reviewed and quantified, the results summarized, and corrective measures were applied during the latter half of the CGT development project. Anticipated difficulties, problem areas, and other obstacles which arose during the development were given extra emphasis during the individual component tests and full assembly tests. Many advanced technologies in component performance improvement, application of ceramic materials, engine structures and so forth were accumulated throughout the seven year development period.

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