Design of a High Efficiency Industrial Turbine Blade Utilizing Third Generation Single Crystal Alloy CMSX®-10

Future advancements in the efficiency and reliability of Industrial Gas Turbines (IGT) will be closely tied to the application of advanced materials, together with increasingly sophisticated turbine hot section designs. An example of this trend is illustrated by the recent design of a first stage blade component for an advanced IGT concept utilizing the third generation single crystal superalloy CMSX-10. It is anticipated that alloy CMSX-10 will permit the use of increased turbine firing temperatures with reduced cooling flows compared to previous recuperated turbine designs, while maintaining acceptable blade durability and life-cycle cost.This paper discusses some of the design/materials analyses and cost studies performed on the blade, which ultimately led to the consideration of alloy CMSX-10 for the IGT application. The solid modeling and finite element blade design methods which allowed the incorporation of state-of-the-art cooling technology and aerodynamics are described. Alloy CMSX-10 characteristics, particularly mechanical properties and microstructural stability considerations, are discussed. Additionally, the results of a recent casting demonstration in an IGT blade configuration are presented. Finally, future tasks supporting the application of the alloy are outlined, such as coatings development efforts and the DOE/ORNL sponsored Land Based Turbine Casting Initiative; activities sponsored through a cooperative agreement with the United States Department of Energy within the Advanced Turbine System (ATS) Program.© 1997 ASME