Work on the Mod O solar Brayton engine/alternator set is redirected to utilize solarized components of the automotive advanced gas turbine (AGT). The new configuration is referred to as the Mod I. Commercialization of solar Brayton engines thus should be enhanced not only by relating the design to an engine expected to reach the high quantity, low cost production rates associated with the automotive market, but also by the potential the AGT components provide for growth of efficiency and power rating. This growth would be achieved through use of ceramics in later versions making operation possible at temperatures up to 2500 F. The longer program duration and higher cost of the Mod I is considered

Elkins, R.

Six, L.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

SOLAR BRAYTON WGINE/ALTERNATOR SET 
L. Six and R. Elkina 
Garrett Turbine Engine Company 
Phoenix, Arizona 
ABSTRACT 
Garrett's work on the Mod 0 solar Brayton engine/alternator set is 
being redirected to utilize solarized components of the automotive 
advanced gas turbine (AGT) being developed by Ford and Garrett under 
contract to NASA. The new configuration is referred to as the Mod I. 
Commercialization of solar Brayton engines thus should be enhanced not 
only by relating the design to an engine expected to reach the high 
quantity, low cost production rates associated with the automotive 
market, but also by the potential the AGT components provide for 
growth of efficiency and power rating. This growth would be achieved 
through use of ceramics in later versions making operation possible at 
temperatures up to 2500°F. The longer program duration and higher 
cost of the Mod I is considered compatible with the extended schedule 
of the application and the system test program for which the Brayton 
engine/alternator set is first intended. Subject to fuading avail- 
ability, the initial solarized AGT should be under test by Nov 1981, 
and a complete Mod I engine/alternator set d=liverable approximately 
one year later. 
The Mod I will operate at 1500°F turbine inlet temperature (TIT). and 
produce 23 kw shaft output power at about 32 percent shaft efficiency. 
Growth versions incorporating ceramic parts will be capable of opera- 
tion at 2100 to 2500°F TIT and should develop 51 to 7; kw shaft power 
at efficiencies from 40 to 48 percent. 
INTRODUCTION 
This paper will report the status of the design, procurement and test 
effort by Garrett under NASA/DOE Contract DEN3-181. The purpose of 
this effort is to provide Brayton engine/alternator set hardware for 
demonstration of parabolic dish solar electric power modules. 
When conunercialized, the solar power modules will be the building 
blocks of dispersed solar power plants ranging in size from a few 
kilowatts to systems up to 10 megawatts. The concept of a dispersed 
power plant consists of combining the electrical output from the 
required number of identical solar power modules. The modules would 
be controlled from a conveniently located substation where any final 
power conditioning also would be performed. Each module would com- 
prise a concentrator, a receiver, and an engine/alternator (E/A) set 
sometimes referred to as a power conversion subsystem (PCS). The E/A 
set hardware being procured under Contract DEN3-181 is expected to be 
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19810021987 2020-03-21T09:47:35+00:00Z
evaluated at JPLgr Parabolic Dish Test Site at Edwards Air Force Base, 
California. The E/A set will be part of an experimental solar power 
module that also includes a test bed concentrator m d  a Garrett so7ac 
receiver. 
Durinu the period from February to July of 1980 the analysis aSld 
design of the Mod 0 engine/alternator set was essentially completed. 
The resulting configuration which is shown in Figure 1 reflectabd the 
initial guiielines, a low risk approach with minimuq program cost and 
schedule. The Mod 0 design was based on use of the turbocompresssr 
f corn the GTP36-51, a high performance state-of -the-art gas tu~bir~e 
recently designed for producticn rates up to 1000 per year as an Army 
generator set, two GT601 truck gas turbine pr~duction configuratinn 
recuperator cores, acd an off-the-shelf Bendix 400 Hz alternator. At 
the lSOO°F TIT limitation, set by the intended use with a metallip 
solar receiver, the estimated Mod 0 shaft efficiency was 30 percent. 
Redirection of the contract effort to a Mod I design was initiated in 
July 1980 to replace the Mod 0 components with more advanced compo- 
nents designed with lower cost higher production rates in mind. The 
Mod I design selected by JPL includes solarized versions of the turbo- 
compressor and regenerator from the automotive advanced gas turbine 
(AGT) under development by Ford and Garrett on NASA Contract DEN3-167 
and a new permanent magnet alternator (PMA). This selection was made 
on the basis that these components would reduce the overall cost and 
schedule for achievin~ a commercialized Br ayton engine for the solar 
power market in the 1990's. 
This Mod I engine/alternator set (see Figure 1) will operate at 
1500°F and produce 23 kw of shaftpower at about 32 percent shaft effi- 
ciency in the initial metallic version. When ceramic AGT housings 
become available from the automotive program, the solarized version 
with a ceramic receiver should be capable of operation to 2100 to 
2500°F where the shaft output power and efficiency should be 51 to 71 
kw and 40 to 48 percent respectively. 
MOD I COMPONENTS 
Figure 2 illustrates the key design changes made to improve the com- 
mercialization potential of the Brayton engine generator set. The 
solarized GTP36-51 turbocompressor and GT601 truck recuperator cores 
were replaced by the solarized P.GT turbocompressor and regenerator. A 
comparison of some of the design features is made i r  Table 1. 
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Figure 3 illustrates other changes that were incorporated to upgrade 
the Mod 1 concept to more closely represent a commercialized configur- 
ation. The slab gearbox and off-the-shelf 400 Hz Bendix alternator 
were replaced with a direct driven permanent magnet alternator to be 
developed specifically for this solar application. The PYA will be 
designed to also perform as a synchronous starter motor when supplied 
with suitable power from a dual converter. The dual coq-.verter is so 
named because it also serves as the output power conditioning element, 
controlling and converting the alternator high frequency output to 
60 Hz ac during periods of power generation. This alternator start 
capability wiil eliminate the need for a separate starter such as the 
hydraulic starter, included for reasons of expediency, in the Mod 0. 
MOD I PERFORMANCE 
The range of possible maximum power design points for the Mod I engine 
is plotted on Figure 4 with two illustrative choices "A" and "B" 
identifi-d. When ceramic housinqs and a 17-meter dish become avail- 
able, the maximum rated shaft power can be 51 kw with the engine 
operating at 2100°F and 90,600 rpm, (Point "B"). At this desigr, 
point, the use of a gearbox will probably be required since the power 
delivered at engine shaft speed is too great for present day direct 
drive permanent magnet alternator technology. Initially, for use with 
the existing 1500°F metallic solar receiver and the 11- to 12-meter 
dishes, the engine design point (Point " A " )  will be 23 Rw and 80,200 
rpm. For reference, the Mod O design point (Point C) also is shown on 
the figure. 
The 80°F sea level design speed for Point "bn was chosen to allow 
adequate margin for operation at other ambier~t conditions. For 
instance, if the same enqine/alternator set were installed at 
5000 feet and operated on a clear hot day, the engine speed must 
increase to absorb the concentrator heat output from 90,600 rpm to 
approximately 100,000 rpm, which is the AGT turbocompressor design 
limit. 
Part -load characteristics of the Mod I engine corresponding to the two 
previously identified des'gn Points " A "  and "Be are shown on Figure 5. 
Currently, the part load control strategy is to hold the variable 
i?let guide vane (IGV) angle constact at about 20 degrees from full 
open for a 1500°F rating and reduce engine speed to match reduced 
thermal outputs from the solar concentrator and receiver. Note that 
this control strategy results in mu higher part load efficiency than 
does holding the speed constant. From Figure 5, it is apparent that 
the efficiency is essentially constant over the 100 to 50 percent 
part-load power range. 
Figure 3 illustrates other changes that were incorporated to upgrade 
the Mod I concept to more closely represent a commercialized configur- 
ation. The slab gearbox and off-the-shelf 400 Hz Bendix alternator 
were replaced with a direct driven permanent magnet alternator to be 
developed specifically for this solar application. The PMA will be 
designed to also perform as a synchronous starter motor when supplied 
with suitable power from a dual converter. The dual converter is so 
named because it also serves as the output power conditioning element, 
controlling and converting the alternator high frequency output to 
60 Hz ac during periods of power generation. This alternator start 
capability will eliminate the need for a separate starter such as the 
hydraulic starter, included for reasons of expediency, in the Mod 0. 
MOD I PERFORMANCE 
The rang.; of possible maximum power design points for the Mod I engine 
is plotted cn Figure 4 with two most probable choices "A" and "B" 
identified. When ceramic housings and a 17-meter dish become avail- 
able, the maximum rated shaft power will be 51 kw with the engine 
operating at 2i00°F and 90,600 rpm, (Point "B"). At this design 
point, the use ~f a gearbox will probably be required since the power 
delivered at engine shaft speed is too great for present day direct 
drive permanent magnet alternator technology. Initially, for use with 
the existing 150G°F metallic solar receiver and the 11- to 12-meter 
dishes, the engine design point (Point " A " )  will be 23 kw and 80,200 
rpm. For reference, the Mod 0 design point (Point C) also is shown on 
the figure. 
Point "Bn, the 80°F sea level design point for 2100°F, was chosen to 
ailow adequa~e margin for operation at other ambient conditions. For 
instance, if the same engine/alternator set were installed at 
5000 feet and operated on clear hot day,  the engine speed must 
increese to absorb the concentrator heat output from 90,600 rpm to 
approximately 100,000 rpm, which is the AGT turbocompressor design 
limit. 
Part-load characteristics of the Mod I engire corresponding to the two 
previously selected design Points "A" and "B" are shown on Figure 5 .  
Currently, the part load control strategy for the Mod I is to hold the 
variable inlet guide vane ( I G V )  angle constant at about 20 degrees 
from full open and reduce enqine speed to match reduced thermal out- 
puts from the solar concentrator and receiver. Note that this control 
strategy results in much higher part load efficiency than does holding 
the speed constant. From Figure 5, it is apparent that the efficiency 
is constant over the 100 to SO percent power range. 

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PROGRAM APPROACH AND SCHEDULE 
As shown on Table 2, the Mod I program has been structured to accom- 
modate vagaries of funds availability. Subject to go ahead in Janu- 
ary, 1981 funds remaining on the contract wi? ,c used to des+gn the 
solarized metallic AGT. As additional funds become available the 
solarized AGT wi'.l be fabricated and operated in the Garrett test 
laboratory, thus completing the first column of Table 2. Further 
funding will allow the balance of the Mod I engine/alternator set to 
be designed, fabricated and tested preparatory to shipment for evalua- 
tion at JPL's Parabolic Dish Test Site -t Edwards Air Force Base. This 
activity is defined in the second colum. of Table 2. Depending on the 
requirea?nts of future programs such as the EE-2a and the MX-RES, the 
design will be modified as indicated in the third column of Table 2 
with required quantities fabricated and delivered. 
SUMMARY 
In mid-year of CY 1980, requirements for the Brayton engine/alternator 
set hardware appeared to be slipping, and aJdit io:lal ,''evelopment funds 
appeared to be forthcoming. Therefore, redirection of the Mod 0 pro- 
g r a a  was initiated by JPL. The object of the redirection was to util- 
ize the added time and funds to upgrade the Mod 0 design to a Mod I 
configuration, allowing incorporation of design features that would 
enhance the ultimate commercialization of Brayton engine/alternator 
sets. The more important of these Mod I design features are summar- 
ized as follows: 
A low cost, high production rate automotive design 
0 A potential for growth to 40-48 percent shaft efficiency 
0 Apotentialfor growth to 51-71kwshaftpower 
The Mod I program has been restructured to provide for achievement of 
meaningful milestones consistent with the expected incremental nature 
of future funding. Two major milestones are now defined as follows: 
First test, solarized AGT - Ncvember 1981 
Delivery, first Mod I E/A Set - March 1983 
These milestones should be periodically reviewed to evaluate whether 
they are adequate and timely for requirements such as the EE-2a ar.1 
MX-RES . 
PROGRAM APPROACH AND SCHEDULE 
As shown on Table 2, the Mod I program has been structured to accom- 
modate vagaries of funds availability. Subject to go ahead in Janu- 
ary, 1981 funds remaining on the cc ltract will be used to design the 
metallic AGT solarization. As additional funds become available the 
solarized AGT will be fabricated and operated in the Gar ett test 
I 
laboratory, thus completing the first column of Table 2. Further 1 
funding will allow the balance of the Mod I engir,e/alternator set to 
be designed, fabricated and tested preparatory to shipment in 
March 1983 for evaluation at JPL's Parabolic Dish Test Site at f3wards 
Air Force Base. This activity is defined in the sec,onri column of 
Table 2. Depending on the requirements of future progrxms such as the 
EE-2a and the NX-FXS, the design will be modified as indicated in the 
third column of Table 2 with required quantities fabricated and 
delivered. As a first step toward design and building the third 
column units, additional analysis will be required to confirm the 
design or defin? the additional design modifications required in areas 
such as: 
o Durability for solar duty cycle 
Regenerator core and seals 
Ceramic housings 
Bearing life 
o Maintenance cost and sel' in9 price 
c Power rating and concentrator size for the 2100°F engine/ 
alternator set 
o Type of alternator and power conditioning equipment for 
higher power rating 
SUMMARY 
Toward the end of FY 1980, predicated schedule requirements fcr the 
Brayton engine/alternator set siipped, and additional development 
funds appeared to be forthcoming. Therefore, redirection of the Mod 0 
program was initia:ed by JPL. The objecc of the redirection was ta 
utilize tnc- time and exp~nditurcs necessary in upgrading the !-;.:od 0 
design to a Mod I configuration, and incorporating 2osign features 
that will enhance the ultimate commerzialisation of Brayton engine: 
alternator sets. The mnre important ~f these Mod I design featdres 
are sumrnar ized as follows: 
o A low cost, high production rate actomotive design 
o A potential for growth to 40-48 percent shaft efficiency 
o A potential for growth to 51-71 kw shaft power 
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Solar Brayton engine/alternator set

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