Onsite Research
Materials Performance
Emerging
energy-production technologies such as
gasification, solid oxide fuel cells,
and ultra supercritical, fluidized bed, and other advanced combustion
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Rotary slag test of
refractory performance under extreme
operating
conditions |
processes
offer the nation the opportunity to convert coal and other carbon-based fuels
to energy more efficiently, and with significantly less environmental impact
than current industry standards. However, in many cases simultaneous advances
in materials technology are required to meet the performance demands of these
new power systems and to ensure the new power plants are both economical and
reliable. Experts in metallurgy and ceramics at NETL work with industrial partners
in the energy arena to identify materials performance shortfalls and to engineer
improved materials that can meet specific performance criteria at an affordable
cost.
With a focus on the severe operating environments typical of fossil energy production,
research ranges from defining and understanding basic mechanisms of wear and
corrosion of materials, and the synergy between them; to providing input on materials
performance and specifications for specific operating environments; to developing
methodologies for real-time materials performance monitoring in the field. NETL
works closely with industry, academia, and government agencies to ensure that
research is relevant and effective in addressing materials performance needs
that can assure reliability for both current and next-generation energy systems.
NETL's research focuses on increasing the knowledge base of materials performance
in several key areas:
- materials development for high-temperature, erosive and corrosive
environments,
- real-time materials performance monitoring,
- corrosion, wear, and failure mechanisms in severe environments,
- materials protection strategies, and
- lifetime predictions.
Research facilities include: the Severe
Environment Corrosion Erosion Research Facility (SECERF) for assessing materials
performance in a variety of simulated high-temperature environments typical of
fossil energy systems; a complete laboratory for small-scale production and characterization
of refractory ceramic materials; melting, casting, and fabrication facilities
for metal alloy development; a range of tests simulating erosive and abrasive
wear, as well as impact damage; a mechanical testing laboratory for determining
mechanical performance at ambient and elevated temperatures; a variety of laboratory
and field tests for aqueous corrosion; and an analytical physics laboratory for
assessing microstructural and microchemical response to severe environments.
Inasmuch as this research is conducted in concert with industry, NETL understands
and respects the need for confidentiality and the value of intellectual property.
NETL partnership
agreements are designed to protect company-specific proprietary information
and intellectual property developed during all collaborations.
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About NETL
E&P Technologies