CE-9B-B Facility Description
This test position in CE-9B is configured to conduct testing to evaluate ceramic matrix materials for combustors and associated systems. Eight to sixteen ceramic panels, depending on size (3.5 by 2 in. or 3.5 by 4 in.), can be tested at the same time; thickness can vary from .1 to .25 in. Air is supplied at 450 psig to a facility combustor capable of 4300°F from the 1100°F CE-9B preheater at 15 lb/s and provides up to 3500 ¡F vitiated air to the test section. The test section conditions are up to 300 psi at 8.6 lb/s with the backside of the panels air cooled. The burner uses ASTM Jet-A fuel, but can also be converted to GH2. Air exiting the test section is water-cooled and discharged through altitude or atmospheric exhaust. The research hardware is being redesigned to allow for either lean- or rich-burn combustion. The preheater, described in CE-9B-A, is shared with that rig; however, the two rigs cannot operate together.

CE-9B-B Special Features
In addition to the test panel configuration described above, round test sections of 7 in. diameter are also tested in CE-9B-B. The facility burner uses a GH2 torch ignitor. The primary quench water pumps 325 gpm at 800 psi, and the secondary quench is 50 gpm at 45 psig.