Ceramic component development for AGATA

Abstract

The European EUREKA project, EU 209, also known as AGATA (Advanced Gas Turbine for Automobiles), is a programme dedicated to the development of three critical ceramic components - a catalytic combustor, a radial turbine wheel and a static heat exchanger - for a 60 kW turbogenerator in a hybrid electric vehicle. These three components, which are of critical importance to the achievement of low emissions and high efficiency, have been designed, developed, manufactured and tested as part of a full scale feasibility study. AGATA is a joint project conducted by eight commercial companies and four research institutes in France and Sweden. This paper outlines the main results of the AGATA project with special emphasis to the development of ceramic components.