Ceramic Gas Turbine: In the Works

Gas turbine engines potentially offer many environmental benefits. They are low polluting, adaptable to a variety of fuels, and highly thermally efficient.
Mitsubishi began gas turbine research in 1969. From the mid-70s through mid-80s, Mitsubishi developed a metal gas turbine engine for trucks. Engine and road testing proved the technology's viability. The gas turbine's performance was superior to that of a diesel engine in many respects. However, its fuel consumption was higher.
To improve the gas turbine's fuel efficiency, the turbine inlet gas temperature must be increased. However, metal cannot withstand the higher tempratures. As a result, Mitsubishi focused on researching highly heat-resistant ceramics and began developing a ceramic turbine rotor, the key component in a gas turbine engine.
In 1991, hot spin testing confirmed the ceramic turbine rotor's reliability at the necessary parameters. The 1992 Japan Gas Turbine Society's Technical Award was presented to Mitsubishi Motors for this research success.
In 1990, Mitsubishi joined Toyota and Nissan under the direction of the Japan Automobile Research Institute for a seven-year Petroleum Energy center project sponsored by Japan's Ministry of International Trade and Industry. The group hopes to develop a ceramic gas turbine for automobiles.

Natural Gas: Working Prototype

Natural gas is another promising alternative fuel for the future, but it has problems that need to be worked out. Natural gas engines generate about 30% less CO2 than petrol engines, and they don't emit any black smoke. However, the energy required to liquefy natural gas for transportation reduces the overall savings in CO2. In addition, the limited volume of natural gas that can be carried means the driving range of a natural gas vehicle is about one-fourth that of a petrol vehicle. There are also safety concerns about the high-pressure fuel tank.
Again taking the long-range view, Mitsubishi continues to research natural gas engines in order to try to work out the problems and create a viable alternative fuel vehicle.

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