Keywords
ceramic, composite, silicon carbide, yttria-stabilized zirconia, hydrogen, torch test, turbine
Abstract
As we strive towards a clean energy economy with net-zero carbon emissions, a goal the country plans to reach by 2050, advancements in material technology must be made to allow for clean fuels like hydrogen to be employed in power generation processes. The significantly higher energy content and lack of greenhouse gas emissions characteristic of hydrogen fuel make it an attractive alternative to traditional fossil fuels. However, the increased flame temperature and chemical corrosivity introduced by the water vapor generation of hydrogen combustion pose a risk to the materials used in current gas turbine engines. Furthermore, the small molecule size of hydrogen subjects existing metallic materials to hydrogen embrittlement and increase the risk of dangerous fuel leaks. In this work, we explore the viability of Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMCs) as an alternative to traditional metallic superalloys in hydrogen combustion environments. Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia (YSZ) ceramic oxide fibers are first treated with a YSZ-based rigidizing process and then used as reinforcements for multiple polymer ceramic precursors, and the composites are subjected to multiple polymer infiltration and pyrolysis cycles (PIP). A hydrogen torch testing rig is designed and used to impart a high heat flux hydrogen flame on the CMCs, and the insulation performance is analyzed. The CMCs are also used to line the inside of a hydrogen combustion chamber to observe their performance in a gas turbine engine-like environment. The mechanical strength, microstructure, and elemental composition of the CMCs are characterized pre- and post- hydrogen combustion exposure, and preliminary results show that the material exhibits robust performance and desirable damage response behavior.
Completion Date
2024
Semester
Fall
Committee Chair
Gou, Jihua
Degree
Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering (M.S.A.E.)
College
College of Engineering and Computer Science
Department
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Format
Identifier
DP0029048
Language
English
Release Date
12-15-2024
Access Status
Thesis
Campus Location
Orlando (Main) Campus
STARS Citation
Varela, Christopher, "Ceramic Matrix Composites for Hydrogen Combustion" (2024). Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024. 80.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd2024/80
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