Gas Power

Gas turbine engines derive their power from burning fuel in a combustion chamber and using the high velocity combustion gases to drive a turbine in much the same way as the high pressure steam drives a steam turbine. One major difference however is that the gas turbine has a second turbine acting as an air compressor mounted on the same shaft. Gas turbines are generally considered the most cost effective and relatively environment-friendly large scale power generation technology, but their capacity as well as their thermal efficiency degrades under high ambient temperature conditions. In order to maintain the thermal efficiency atomized water is sprayed on the axial compressors. Nevertheless the water injection can cause droplet erosion on the first stages of blades of the compressor. Moreover interaction between mating gas turbine components due to vibrations can cause excessive wear and premature replacement. Oxidation at high operating temperature leads to the formation of oxides which is also a major reason for abrasive and corrosive wear and premature failure of components.