The Effect of Nanostructured Materials on the Efficiency and Thermal Behavior of Gas Turbines

Gas turbines are internal combustion engines that use gas as the working fluid to convert the kinetic energy of a moving fluid into mechanical energy through reaction or impulse. The converted mechanical energy can be used in power generation as well as a prime mover for several devices such as industrial pumps, marine engines, locomotive engines, and automobile engines. Due to advances in technology, gas turbines have been used for power generation and mechanical control technologies for more than a decade. They have the advantage of flexible fuel capability, which means they can use a range of fuels such as synthetic and natural fuels. Each gas turbine unit consists of a compressor to compress air, a combustion chamber to mix the air with fuel to burn it, and a turbine to convert the internal energy of the hot and compressed gases into mechanical energy. Gas turbines are important technological devices to ensure high efficiency in power generation in the modern era. The main problems of gas turbines include the selection of materials and optimal design that are resistant to high temperatures, pressures, and corrosion. The selection of heat-resistant materials is also of great importance. This research work investigates the latest approaches in the impact of nanostructured materials on gas turbines.