Sensors applications in 21st century fossil-fuel based power generation

The primary mission of the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) is to assure U.S. fossil energy resources can meet increasing demand for affordable energy without compromising the quality of life for future generations of Americans. In this mission, NETL has historically focused on the development of advanced technologies as part of or in support of larger programs, such as the Clean Coal Power Initiative, FutureGen, the Solid State Energy Conversion Alliance (SECA), and the Turbines program. Power generation research at NETL covers many areas, including coal and oil gasification and gas cleanup, turbine combustion, high temperature fuel cells, internal combustion engines for stationary power, and hybrid fuel-cell turbine power systems. Advancement in these areas either requires or would benefit from advances in sensor technology for harsh environments. This presentation discusses opportunities for sensors in modern fossil-fuel based power generation, challenges posed by the operating environments, and summarizes research at NETL on a sensor for in-situ monitoring of gas turbine combustors.