Why High Temperature Combustion | Ceramic Rotary Engines, Inc

Metal Internal Combustion Engines typically run at temperatures lower than 700⁰ C and as a consequence partial oxidation products such as carbon monoxides and small amounts of nitrous oxides are produced. On the other hand Ceramic Internal Combustion Engines run at higher temperatures typically in excess of 900⁰C which enable the almost complete oxidation of hydrocarbon fuels producing carbon dioxide (CO₂) and nitric oxide (NO₂). Moreover at high temperatures reactions between the chemical species are faster.

LITERATURE SOURCES:

According to the Curtiss-Wright research, the factor that controls the amount of unburnt hydrocarbon in the exhaust is the rotor surface temperature, with higher temperatures producing less hydrocarbon.

Modern day Jet Turbine Engines operate at very high temperatures to improve thermodynamic efficiency and reduce pollutant emissions.

“The operating temperature range of Turbine would be between 600°C to 1,500°C, which may increase the thrust by 60% and decrease the fuel consumption by 20% …………… The maximum service temperature of state-of-the-art Nickel base superalloys is approximately 1000°C which cannot be increased beyond this limit. The improvement in efficiency of industrial turbines and jet engines mandate an increase in turbine inlet temperature even though there is a limitation in material development. The evolution of internally cooled turbine blades combined with Thermal Barrier Coatings (TBCs) such as ceramic coating by ZrO 2 pave the way to hike the surface temperatures up-to 1200°C“.

“Economical and environmental concerns, i.e. improving efficiency and reducing emissions, are the main driving force behind the ever increasing demand for higher gas turbine engine inlet temperatures“.

“One of the most important parameters determining the probability of successful ignition is the temperature of the hot surface“