Texas A&M University researcher Dr. Alan Palazzolo is leading a U.S. Department of Energy-funded project that could result in lower greenhouse gas emissions and energy costs.
The project, which includes collaborations with researchers from Sandia National Lab and Electron Energy Corporation, seeks to develop bearings for a new kind of turbine that relies on supercritical carbon dioxide (SCO2) rather than steam.
"Bearings are an enabling technology for SCO2 power turbines and their extreme environment operating conditions will require a high level of innovation and sophisticated modelling," said Palazzolo, James J. Cain Professor I in the J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering.
Supercritical carbon dioxide is carbon dioxide held at a high temperature and pressure which, when used in turbines, could provide greater power and efficiency compared to modern steam turbines.
This advance would be particularly useful in the case of ships currently using steam turbines – fueled by oil, coal or nuclear power – for propulsion.
In this supercritical carbon dioxide-powered turbine, the bearings in development will allow for a higher speed of operation and greater efficiency.
Palazzolo said he is excited to be part of a project using cutting-edge technologies with such valuable potential outcomes.
"The prospect of reducing fossil fuel consumption and emissions is a strong team motivator," he said.
The project is a continuation of Palazzolo's ongoing bearing research. He will be assisted by mechanical engineering master’s student Marshall Bielefeld, Ph.D. student Robert Lipham, technician Tom Thomas and contractor Randy Tucker of OTBOG Energy. The project began September 2019 and is slated to last two years.