Clean-fuel Efficient Rim-rotor Architecture MICroturbogenerator (CERAMIC)

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Hybrid-electric propulsion requires clean and highly efficient new power sources to drastically exceed battery energy density and offset the additional cost of carbon neutral fuels such as hydrogen and synfuel. Exonetik Turbo's turbogenerator, created in partnership with Université de Sherbrooke, has the potential to almost double the efficiency of current small gas turbines and operate at near-zero emissions by the reliable integration of ceramic blades in an inside-out configuration. The technology feasibility was successfully demonstrated with a 100h-test of a proof-of-concept turbine prototype during the previous NSERC/CRIAQ project. Following this proof of concept, this proposed project aims at developing the critical technologies of the hot section (combustor and turbine) to operate the engine for thousands of hours with targeted performance. In particular, the team will develop and integrate in a turbogenerator: a creep-free retaining system for the blades in the hub, an insulated low-cooling carbon-polyimide structural shroud and an ultra-low-NOx highly recuperated micromix combustor, three of the critical components identified in the previous project. Success of this project will validate the technologies in a simulated environment through their integration in a complete, viable, closer-to-market prototype. Following this project, product development and commercialization with partners will lead to highly qualified jobs in the aeronautics sector here in Quebec. Once on the market, the turbogenerator is projected to save 12 megatonnes of CO2 during its first ten years of deployment in Canada only, with worldwide potential several times greater.