Projects
  • Propulsion
  • Combustion
  • Renewable Energy
  • Gas Turbines
  • Heat Exchangers

Vehicular Gas Turbine Projects at Brayton Energy

Brayton has designed, built, and tested small gas turbines for each of these vehicle platforms. With over 30 years of experience in this area, the Brayton team contributes to provide advancements in turbomachinery, ceramic hot sections, internally cooled turbines, compact recuperators, ultra low-emission combustion, alternative fuels, and CNG-diesel fuel switch-on-the-fly capability.

DOE SunShot

High Efficiency Low-Cost Solar Receiver with sCO2 cycle

A low-cost, high-efficiency, high-pressure-capable solar receiver architecture was developed and tested. This technology enables the sCO2 power cycles that are a key component to achieving the DoE $0.06/kWh CSP LCOE target by 2020.
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DOE Salt Coupler

Flexible rotary pipe coupler for solar troughs

Develop a cost competitive flexible pipe coupling suitable for the full service life of a trough solar receiver using molten salt as a heat transfer fluid at 500 C or greater. Development of a rotary pipe coupler that is acceptable for molten salt operating
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SolarCAT

Solar Compressed Air Turbine

Brayton’s “SolarCat” solar receiver was a US-DOE Co-funded gas turbine employing an intercooled-recuperated-reheat cycle mounted on a large parabolic dish. The system is integrated with compressed air energy storage enabling peak power of 200 kWe.
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Direct biomass combustion (solid fuel internal combustion) eliminates much of the costly fuel processing associated with making either bio-oils, ethanol, or standard gasifiers. To effectively achieve direct biomass combustion in a gas turbine
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CSP Apollo

Solar Receiver with Supercritical Carbon Dioxide

This program achieves the Department of Energy $0.06/kW-hr Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) energy target by 2020 by coupling the solar absorber, the thermal energy storage, commercial wind turbine tower technology, and a high-efficiency supercritical
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The video was made by Theodora Vardouli, Derek Allen Ham, and Eric Uva, as part of their work for an entrepreneurship course taught by Professor Fiona Murray, Sloan School, MIT, May 2011.
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Brayton Energy received SBIR Phase-1 and Phase-2 awards, to advance the development of compressed energy storage, using an innovative undersea air storage system. Period of performance DOE (2010-2015) and US Navy (2015-2016).
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The goals of this project were to design, build, instrument and test a recuperator and hot source heat exchangers that are integral components of a 10 mW energy storage system. Brayton provided development milestones, a test rig and ...
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Stringent emissions standards and increasing fuel prices drive a need for alternatives to the traditional piston internal combustion engine (ICE). The ICR350 gas turbine engine produces 350 kW peak power in a direct-drive application for Class 8 trucks.
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Brayton has designed and tested can style combustors ranging from 2” – 26” diameters from common stainless steels to high nickel alloys.
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Designed and developed a heat exchanger core test rig to validate the analytical and thermo mechanical goals of the program. Used as a proof of concept sub scale prototype for power generation from a 25MW demonstration system.
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ICRTec 350kW Gas Turbine Genset

For Stationary Power

Two field test units for NRG and Microsoft: Standard synchronous generator output for install convenience; Upgraded pre-production castings and tooling; Ceramic static and rotating hardware implements in High Pressure spool
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Intercooled Recuperated Microturbine – 80 kWe: Designed for Class 5/7 series hybrid delivery vehicles - Very compact, light weight ICR cycle; Core engine = 128 lbm; Recup combustor module ~ 125 lbm; Two stage axial turbine
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Intercooled Recuperated Microturbine – 80 kWe: Designed for Class 5/7 series hybrid delivery vehicles - Very compact, light weight ICR cycle; Core engine = 128 lbm; Recup combustor module ~ 125 lbm; Two stage axial turbine
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The Laughlin/Brayton Battery Project: Brayton is designing an advanced closed-cycle gas turbine: Closed-cycle He/Ar working fluid; Only one moving part; No mechanical wear – all magnetic bearings
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12kW Recuperated Gas Turbine Genset

for Distributed Power Generation

Single shaft architecture; Air bearings; PM generator; Multi-fuel combustor; Advanced low-cost recuperator; Designed for high volume production in India (2016)
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Brayton Energy’s 2kWe recuperated Brayton-cycle generator uses a screw compressor and ceramic screw expander, intended to produce heat and electricity for residential use. The package total size is 48” x 38” x 36” (W x D x H).
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Compact 60 kWe Microturbine Range Extender: Innovative cold-end bearing architecture; Advanced radial turbine cooling for higher firing temperatures; High speed alternator; 33 to 45% LHV efficiency
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Compact 60 kWe Microturbine Range Extender: Innovative cold-end bearing architecture; Advanced radial turbine cooling for higher firing temperatures; High speed alternator; 33 to 45% LHV efficiency
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1.2 MW Gas Turbine

For Biomass Burning

Direct biomass combustion (solid fuel internal combustion) eliminates much of the costly fuel processing associated with making either bio-oils, ethanol, or standard gasifiers. To effectively achieve direct biomass combustion in a gas turbine
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UAV Airships – Military, Homeland Security sponsorship, wide applications: Much less expensive than satellites; Much less expensive O&M than fixed wing UAVs; Tactical Surveillance
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Full Demonstration: 5.5 meter prop with variable axis prop thrust control Brayton designed and tested the special propeller, pylon, and articulating prop axis system.
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Brayton’s liner from Alloy 230 custom formed to match the critical radiuses required including detailed hole patterns. Shown with installed instrumentation locations to measure effusion cooled temps
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Direct biomass combustion (solid fuel internal combustion) eliminates much of the costly fuel processing associated with making either bio-oils, ethanol, or standard gasifiers. To effectively achieve direct biomass combustion in a gas turbine
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Develop a micro profile heat exchanger to recover heat from combustion exhaust. Develop a manufacturing processes for micro channel flow with minimal pressure losses.
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