Methods and systems for reducing silica recession in silicon-containing materials
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorKrishan Lal Luthra
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Abstract
The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for reducing silica recession of silicon-containing ceramics or silicon-containing ceramic composites, particularly those exposed to a combustion gas or to combustion gas environments, including those exposed to high temperature combustion gas environments. The methods and systems involve silicon-doping of compressed air and/or removal of moisture from compressed air prior to co-mingling the treated compressed air with the combustion gas to which the silicon-containing ceramics or silicon-containing ceramic composites are exposed.
Claims18
A method of reducing silica recession, comprising:
- compressing air with an air compressor;
- exposing a silicon-containing ceramic or silicon-containing ceramic composite to a high temperature combustion gas environment provided by a combustor, wherein the combustor receives a first portion of compressed air from the compressor through a first pathway;
- and
- contacting a target surface of the silicon-containing ceramic or silicon-containing ceramic composite with a dehumidified gas mixture, thereby reducing silica recession of the target surface,
- wherein the dehumidified gas mixture comprises a second portion of compressed air from the compressor through a second pathway treated with a moisture removal agent effective to remove moisture from the second portion of compressed air, the method further comprising
- injecting silicon into the second portion of compressed air at a location proximate the target surface,
- wherein the silicon is injected into the second portion of compressed air before, after, or both before and after dehumidifying the second portion of compressed air.
A system for reducing silica recession, said system comprising:
- a combustor providing a high temperature combustion gas to a at least one silicon-containing ceramic or silicon-containing ceramic composite;
- an air compressor providing a first portion of compressed air to the combustor through a first pathway to produce the combustion gas and a second portion of compressed air through a second pathway for co-mingling with the combustion gas;
- at least one dehumidifying component providing a moisture removal agent to the second portion of compressed air prior to co-mingling dehumidified compressed air with the combustion gas;
- and
- at least one silicon injector for injecting silicon into the second portion of compressed air proximate to the at least one silicon-containing ceramic or silicon-containing ceramic composite.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.