A method for assessing reactions of water vapor with materials in high-speed, high-temperature flow

Abstract

A simple method is described for measuring material erosion by reaction with water vapor under high-speed flow conditions, with H2O partial pressures, velocities, temperatures, and erosion rates representative of those experienced in gas turbine engines. A water vapor jet is formed by the feeding water at a controlled rate into a capillary inside a tube furnace, where the large expansion of vaporization within the confines of the capillary accelerates the jet. With modest flow rates of liquid water, steam jets with temperatures up to ∼1400°C and velocities in the range 100-300 m/s have been achieved. The partial pressure of water vapor in the 100% steam jet is the same as in an industrial turbine operating at 10 atm total pressure with 10% water vapor. In preliminary experiments with SiC, erosion rates of the order of 1 μm/h have been observed. © 2011 The American Ceramic Society.