Development of Advanced Gas Turbine

There is a strong demand for efficient and clean power generation systems which can cope with the energy shortage and the global environmental problems. As one of the measures to meet this demand, Tohoku Electric Power Company, in cooperation with the three domestic gas turbine manufacturers, has been developing since 1989 the key technologies for the next generation high efficiency gas turbine of a 1,500°C class of firing temperature. The aim is to achieve over 55% (LHV) thermal efficiency in a LNG comhined cycle power plant. In this research, Tohoku Electric Power Company have developed: (1) advanced cooling schemes for 1st stage vanes and blades, (2) heat resistant materials for 1st stage vanes and blades and (3) high temperature low NOx combustor, which are the key technologies required for realizing a 1,500 °C class high efficiency gas turbine with a potential for practical use.