HSCR Steel for Hydrogen Turbines
AMD Corp. is currently offering the production technologies and US patents of HSCR steel for sale or licensing.
Efforts by companies Siemens Energy, GE Power, Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems (MHPS), Ansaldo Energia and other to develop hydrogen-fueled gas turbines (“hydrogen turbines”) have recently shifted into high gear, owing in part to new carbon reduction policies worldwide that have accelerated renewables capacity.
Hydrogen embrittlement (HE) of critical components is a significant issue for the hydrogen turbines. Study of HE of metallic and non-metallic materials revealed a qualitative rating for the hydrogen environment embrittlement (HEE) of some materials that could be potentially utilized for the hydrogen-fueled gas turbine critical components.
Table below shows qualitative rating for HEE of several materials, including “negligible”, “small”, “high”, “severe”, and “extreme”, wherein: the first and the second indicate the materials that can be utilized in the specified hydrogen pressure & temperature range; the third can be cautiously utilized only for limited applications; the fourth and fifth cannot be recommended.
From Table follows that Ti-6Al-4V, Inconel 718, Inconel 625 alloys cannot be utilized for the hydrogen turbines components. High strength aluminum alloys 2000 and 7000 series have “negligible” qualitative rating, therefore they can be selected as the materials for the high stressed critical components; however, their strength up to 70 ksi at 75°F and up to 30 ksi at 400°F limits their applications.
Type 316 austenitic stainless steel is widely used in application requiring high corrosion resistance and good elevated temperature strength. The stainless steel has “small” qualitative rating therefore they can be selected as a material for the critical components; however, 316 stainless steel possesses strength only of 90 ksi at 75°F and 80 ksi at 400°F that is not enough for the high stressed critical components.
High strength corrosion resistant steel (HSCR steel) is a suitable material for manufacturing of the high-stressed aircraft landing gears and structures (“aircraft components”). HSCR steel allows substituting Ti-6Al-4V alloy for manufacturing of the same weight aircraft components without sacrificing stiffness, durability, and lifetime.
HSCR steel is a applicable material for hydrogen turbines due to high specific strength, high fatigue strength, good toughness, and corrosion resistance.
Obviously, to utilize high strength materials such as Ti-6Al-4V, Inconel 718, Inconel 625, and other nickel-based alloys or HSCR steel for the hydrogen turbine critical components a protective coating is required.
Several industrial and new developed coatings to prevent HE/HEE have been investigated, including:
- Al and Al-Me
- Cu and Cu-Me
- Zn-Ni, Zn-Co and Zn-Ni/Co-Me,
wherein Me is one or more metallic or non-metallic elements.
HSCR steel with the appropriated coating is an attractive material for hydrogen turbines.
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AMD Corp. is currently offering the production technologies and US patents of HSCR steel for sale or licensing.
We invite the interested parties to contact us to discuss sale or licensing opportunities.