Supergen II - Background
As
world economies move towards more sustainable ways of
providing their energy requirements, flexibility of existing
power plants is becoming increasingly important. The
contributions to electricity supply from renewable sources
is variable and will lead to increased cycling of existing
conventional plant types to meet demand. To ensure system
reliability, availability and maintainability and
operability it is necessary to be able to predict the impact
of this more variable plant operation on materials
performance and component life. Fossil fuels will maintain a
dominant share of the market as these newer technologies are
introduced, therefore it is also essential to safely extend
the life of such plant beyond their original design lives.
Conventional life assessment methodologies for high temperature plant were developed some 20 to 30 years ago. Since the creation of these methodologies there have been considerable developments in microstructural analysis, new finite element modelling methods, improved oxidation/corrosion models, etc. as well as significant changes in the plant types, components and materials for which PLE strategies are required to maintain their competitive position in the electricity marketplace. In addition, advances in computing and miniaturisation of components mean that there is now a real opportunity to extend laboratory-based methods into the plant environment, in the form of miniaturised in-situ measurement tools.
The ambitious, primary aim of the project is to develop an innovative ‘integrated toolbox’ of predictive methods/models, based on improved scientific understanding, and targeted invasive and non-invasive measurement techniques to provide UK industries with improved means of reliably quantifying the condition and remaining life of plant components in all types of conventional, fossil-fired power plant. The programme of work is divided into six Work Packages that are being carried out by Bristol, Cranfield, Loughborough and Nottingham University.