Turbine Disposition, Erosion and Corrosion Evaluations Using a Simplified Test Approach

New applications and fuels (such as coal) that increase the potential for flow path degradation due to deposition, erosion, and corrosion (DEC) are being considered for gas turbines. Cascade and turbine DEC tests representing the flow paths of the specific turbines of concern will eventually be necessary for final verification of fuels and DEC control approaches. However, these tests are expensive and are not readily interpretable for other conditions (e.g., fuels and flow passage variations) than those tested. Consequently, relatively inexpensive simplified tests that provide an understanding of the DEC degradation processes are needed to screen the numerous possible candidate fuels and DEC control approaches. The most promising alternatives determined from simplified tests could then be verified in more expensive cascade and turbine tests. This paper discusses simplified DEC tests and complementary data extrapolation approaches that provide and interpret data in a manner that enhances understanding of DEC processes and that can be used to estimate DEC in operating turbines. A new test facility that has been designed for relatively inexpensive turbine DEC evaluations using these approaches is described.Copyright © 1987 by ASME