THEBARCODE · Development of multifunctional Thermal Barrier Coatings and modelling tools for high temperature power generation with improved efficiency

This project is focused to advance considerably the efficiency of power generation in gas turbine processes by the development of improved thermal barrier coated parts or components of significantly improved performance as well as software products providing optimized process parameters.The proposed project addresses the following scientific and technological issues:New TBC formulations with long-term stability, more resistant under extremely severe operating conditions (e.g. creep, fatigue, thermal-mechanical fatigue, oxidation and their interactions, at high service temperatures) thus the maximum application temperature will be higher (e.g.1450-1500oC) and so performance during energy generation.Flexible and cost effective production systems based mainly on thermal spray (SPS/SPPS, APS, HVOF) but also EB-PVD in order to realize patterned functional TBCs with improved properties.Application of structural analysis and fluid simulation software, including radiation, combustion, heat transfer, fluid-structure interactions and conjugate heat transfer models for the development of detailed models for the operational performance and prediction of spallation phenomena and failure.Environmentally friendly process using chemical formulations free of hazardous and toxic solvents.The aim of this project is the development of materials, methods and models suitable to fabricate, monitor, evaluate and predict the performance and overall energy efficiency of novel thermal barrier coatings for energy generative systems. By the radical improvement of the performance (working temperature, lifetime etc) of materials “in service”, by the application of novel thermal barrier coatings, structural design and computational fluid simulations a significant improvement in energy efficiency and cost effectiveness will be achieved.