Papers by Author: Andreas Klenk

Abstract: The increasing market share of highly volatile electricity generated from renewable sources like wind or solar energy, leads to enormous challenges in the energy sector. Since large-scale storage systems are neither currently nor in the near future available, the gap between electricity from renewable sources and current electricity demand has to be closed with flexibly operated conventional power plants. In order to be a viable, cost-effective option in tomorrow’s energy market future power plants must be highly efficient while having low CO₂ emissions. Furthermore, they have to be highly reactive to counter instabilities in the electrical grid due to fluctuations in renewable sources. Current materials used in power plants are only within limits suited to experience extreme changes in operational loads. However, extreme changes of operational loads will become increasingly severe with a growing share of renewables. Our project team has developed a new concept for CMC-jacketed pipes to alleviate these issues. Recently, this concept was further developed and tested in laboratory as well as a large-scale application test at Grosskraftwerk Mannheim (GKM). All tests are still ongoing. Additionally, to the use in modern highly efficient power plants such CMC-jacketed piping is also suitable for other high-temperature applications, like e.g. solar power plants or industrial chemical applications.

Abstract: High efficiency steam power plants are planned to operate at temperatures higher than 700°C and at a pressure of up to 350 bar. Due to this increase of the steam parameters, Ni-based alloys are required for constructing these plants. Materials testing - based on appropriate manufacturing and design criteria - is necessary in order to have a reliable data base of the relevant design characteristics. Additionally, a better understanding of the specific material behaviour under service like loading conditions for the evaluation of possible damage mechanisms is essential. This paper describes research on the behaviour of thick-walled power plant components made of Alloy 617 mod. and Alloy 263. Results from basic qualification programs with standard specimens including welded joints show the applicability of the materials. Results from creep rupture tests of base material and welded joints and microstructural investigations to obtain information on precipitations and dislocations in the virgin and aged conditions are presented. Information on the influence of chemical composition on creep rupture was obtained by analysing creep rupture data sets.