Automotive gas turbine ceramic regenerator design and reliability program. Annual report, October 1, 1974--June 30, 1975

Abstract

The primary objective of the ERDA/Ford Ceramic Regenerator Design and Durability Program is to develop ceramic regenerator cores that can be used in passenger car gas turbine engines, Stirling Cycle Engines, and industrial/truck gas turbine engines. Specific durability objectives are defined as achieving a B/sub 10/ life of 10,000 hours on a truck/industrial gas turbine engine duty cycle. An annual summary report is given which contains all of the information presented in the first two quarterly progress reports published under the ERDA/Ford program. The first progress report summarized the operating experience, laboratory analyses, and mathematical analyses that were accumulated on the lithium-aluminum-silicate (LAS) ceramic regenerator cores through the end of 1973. The second progress report described the test and analytical results acquired during 1974 on new materials and regenerator design concepts. The results of over 9500 hours of engine testing accumulated in the first six months of 1975 on improved regenerator materials were also presented. Additional information presented includes detailed descriptions of failure modes, the effect of mechanical loads, the effect of chemical attack, thermal stress analyses, safety factor calculations, laboratory and engine material testing, regenerator rim design, regenerator drive and support systems, material specifications, and the results of enginemore » durability tests.« less