News Listing

March 2009

EPRI Sixth International Conference on Advances in Materials Technology for Fossil Power Plants

Material Processing Technology, LLC

La Fonda on the Plaza; Santa Fe, New Mexico

August 31st-September 3rd, 2010

Abstract

Several factors have renewed worldwide interest in advanced, high-efficiency coal power plants during the last decade. These include the abundance of coal and the need to maintain available coal option, to reduce fuel costs, and to reduce emis­sions and waste from power plants. The net thermal efficiency of fossil plants has improved from 33% high-heating value (HHV) in the case of the aging fleet of “subcritical plants” to nearly 42% HHV for supercritical plants operating under steam conditions of 1100°F/3600 psi (593°C/25 MPa). To boost ef­ficiencies above 45% HHV, research and development projects are being carried out in Europe, the United States, and Japan on ultrasupercritical (USC) power plants (now emerging around the globe with operation above 1100°F/3600 psi) and ad­vanced ultrasupercritical (A-USC) power plants that can operate at steam conditions of 1300°F/4000 psi (700°C/28 MPa) and above.

In Europe, in-plant demonstrations of prototype A-USC compo­nents are under way. In the United States, a phase-1 five-year effort, aimed at A-USC boiler and steam turbine material quali­fication, has been completed, and follow-on work under phase 2 is in progress. Additionally, material advancements are now being made to integrate these A-USC technologies with oxyfuel combustion as an attractive option for carbon sequestration.

The key enabling technology that drives high-efficiency power plants is the development of advanced materials and coatings with a considerable increase over traditional alloys in creep strength and corrosion resistance. Major strides have been made in 9% to 12% chromium (Cr) ferritic steels containing bo­ron (B), cobalt (Co), tungsten (W), and other elements for both boilers and steam turbines that are capable of operating at temperatures of up to ~1150°F (625°C). To operate beyond this limit, vastly improved austenitic steels and alloys such as HR3C, NF 709, Super 304 H, 347 HFG, and HR6W are being evaluated. For operation above 1300°F (700°C), nickel-based alloys such as Inconel 740, alloy 230, 617, 263, and Haynes 282 are needed. Optimization of component fabrication processes including forming, welding, casting, and forging is a critical factor in the serviceability of these alloys.

2010 Conference
The three-and one-half-day conference is the sixth in a series of conferences on the subject of materials for advanced plants held every three years by EPRI. Previous conferences were held in London, England; San Sebastian, Spain; Swansea, Wales; Hilton Head Island, United States; and Marco Island, United States. This conference is intended to continue the promotion of information exchange between sci­entists and engineers on an international scale. Invited keynote speeches by prominent scientists, as well as submitted papers, will be presented. The conference will again be sponsored by EPRI.

Participants are likely to include domestic and international utilities, equipment manufacturers, alloy vendors, forge shops, casting houses, universities, national laboratories, and consulting/research organizations. Papers are sought on boiler, turbine, and balance-of-plant materials issues including:

 

• Plant economics, advanced designs, and field experience

• New materials development concepts

• Materials processing of advanced alloys

• High-temperature materials used in boilers and turbines in steam power plants (ferritic steels, austenitic steels and alloys, and nickel-based superalloys)

• Boiler tubes, headers, steam pipes, waterwalls, turbine rotors, blades, bolts, casings, valves, and
  high-temperature components

Microstructural evolution and creep

• Corrosion, coatings, and claddings

• Welding and fabrication

• Creep, fatigue, creep-fatigue, toughness, and high-temperature design rules

Oxyfuel combustion and carbon sequestration

Syngas and hydrogen turbines including IGCC plants

The official language for this conference will be English. All papers will be written and presented in English. All measurements should be in U.S. units followed by SI units in parentheses. Bound conference proceedings will be available after the conference.

Material Processing Technology, LLC
1965 Forest Park Road; Norton Shores, MI 49441
Phone 231-780-1265; e-mail JeffSmith@mpt-llc.com

Copyright 2010