Thermal barrier coating could boost efficiency of gas turbines

The main application for the technology is in power-generating gas turbines, where the coating could help to achieve significant efficiency savings.

Ceramic thermal barrier coatings, including yttria-stabilised zirconia, are used for the so-called ‘hot section components’ of gas turbines, such as the blades.

They allow the underlying metal components to operate at a much higher temperature, thereby achieving greater performance and efficiency. Nevertheless, Dr Joerg Feist, managing director of Southside Thermal Sciences (STS), claims that many gas turbines still operate within their potential.

‘People are not going to the limits of their engines and people don’t know what the accurate temperature is on their components,’ he said. ’Our technology can provide this. By increasing the temperature, you increase the efficiency, but you can’t increase this indefinitely.’

The company developed a method of doping ceramics with phosphorescent molecules and applying the novel coating with a plasma deposition technique. When irradiated with ultraviolet light, it gives out a characteristic signature depending on its current temperature, corrosion status or other phases.