WESTINGHOUSE USES ALGOR DESIGN LANGUAGE

When Westinghouse Electric Corporation needs to test many different parts to see if those parts can function in the intense heat of a fuel cell, the engineers turn to software from Pittsburgh-based Algor, Inc.

Westinghouse is developing highly efficient and environmentally clean electric power plants using fuel cell technology. The ceramic design of the Westinghouse solid oxide fuel cell enables it to operate at higher temperatures than other fuel cells -- at approximately 1000 degrees Celsius. The high temperatures produce exhaust heat suitable for cogeneration and combined cycle power generation. But it forces Westinghouse engineers to frequently determine if various proposed parts can withstand the intense heat.

Taking the Heat

With Algor's design optimization computer software, the engineers can subject the parts to thermal analysis without expensive, lengthy and difficult laboratory tests. A laboratory test would require a 1000 Celsius degree chamber.

Jim Gillett, principal engineer in the Advanced Energy Conversion division of Westinghouse, said engineers chose Algor because they needed an easy and reliable method way to predict how the parts will stand up to the heat. "We selected Algor software because it is a high quality product and easy to learn," Gillett said.

Since Algor is easy to learn and operates on both (DOS) personal computers and UNIX workstations, engineers working with different parts can use the same software to test their portion of the fuel cell.

Other Applications

Algor also interfaces with other engineering software in use at Westinghouse. That enables engineers to take their designs, export them into Algor's and quickly conduct thermal stress analysis.

Westinghouse also uses Algor software for stress analysis, dynamics and vibration analysis. "Algor is continually facing and conquering new engineering and design challenges," said Michael L. Bussler, Algor's president and founder. "We are pleased it is taking its rightful place in global technology."

The fuel cell is a continuously fueled battery that creates energy through electrochemistry rather than combustion. Because there is no combustion, no toxic by-products are emitted. Westinghouse is field-testing 25-kilowatt prototypes and is researching 100-kilowatt and one megawatt fuel cells.