Metallurgical Forensics: Investigating a Superheater Tube Failure in Industrial Process Plants

A metallurgical forensic investigation was conducted to determine the cause of a failed superheater tube. Analysis techniques by Visual Examination, Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis, Mechanical Testing and Metallographic Investigation were conducted, together with a comparative study from an inlet elbow section that did not fail. The superheater tube suffered premature failure after being in service for about two years. It was concluded that the failed tube underwent overheating, corrosion-erosion, embrittlement, and eventual failure under its internal pressure by stress rupture. The analysis revealed intergranular cracks, window fracture features and spheroidization of pearlite with grain growth. A possible contribution to embrittlement was from copper. Follow-ups and recommendations were provided, as well as covering materials, inspection, and operational considerations.

Corrosion Behavior of TP316L of Superheater in Biomass Boiler with Simulated Atmosphere and Deposit

Corrosion behavior of TP316L was investigated with simulated atmosphere and ash deposition for the superheater in biomass boiler.Corrosion dynamic curves were plotted by mass gain.The results showed that the corrosion was dependent on temperature and was greatly accelerated by ash deposition.The mass gain was distinctly reduced in the presence of SO2 with and without ash deposition on the specimens.Corrosion rates with ash deposit at different temperatures were calculated.Two feasible methods were provided to avoid serious high-temperature corrosion in the biomass boiler.

Analysis of superheater's pipe wall overtemperature by fault tree diagnose

After research on a 2000t/h subcritical forced-circulation balanced ventilation were applied boiler and the structure and operation of its auxiliary system builds up this heat transfer model of a superheater's pipe wall and analyze the effect of primary factors on the overtemperature of the pipe wall. Fault tree structure was used to uncover the multiplayer logic between the overtemperature of the superheater's pipe wall and the faults.

Energy Efficient Predictive Control for Vapor Compression Refrigeration Cycle Systems

Abstract--Vapor compression refrigeration cycle （VCC） system is a high dimensional coupling thermodynamic system for which the controller design is a great challenge. In this paper, a model predictive control based energy efficient control strategy which aims at maximizing the system efficiency is proposed. Firstly, according to the mass and energy conservation law, an analysis on the nonlinear relationship between superheat and cooling load is carried out, which can produce the maximal effect on the system performance. Then a model predictive control （MPC） based controller is developed for tracking the calculated setting curve of superheat degree and pressure difference based on model identified from data which can be obtained from an experimental rig. The proposed control strategy maximizes the coefficient of performance （COP） which depends on operating conditions, in the meantime, it meets the changing demands of cooling capacity. The effectiveness of the control performance is validated on the experimental rig. Index Terms--Cooling load, model predictive control （MPC）, superheat, vapor compression refrigeration cycle （VCC）.

Exergy Analysis and Thermal Optimization of a Double-Turbine Regeneration System in a Ultra-Supercritical Double-Reheat Unit

Improving the primary steam parameters is one of the most direct ways to improve the cycle efficiency of a powergeneration system. In the present study, the typical problem connected to the excessively high superheat degree ofextraction steam in an ultra-supercritical (USC) double-reheat unit is considered. Using a 1000 MW power plantas an example, two systems (case 1 and case 2) are proposed, both working in combination with a regenerativesteam turbine. The thermal performances of these two systems are compared with that of the original systemthrough a heat balance method and an exergy balance strategy. The results reveal that the two coupled systemscan significantly reduce the superheat degree of extraction steam, turbine heat rate, and coal consumption of theunit and improve the energy utilization efficiency. These results will provide useful theoretical guidance to futureinvestigators wishing to address the general problem relating to energy conservation and modelling of the coupledextraction steam regenerative system of USC double-reheat units.

Mechanical Stress Analysis of a 600MW Supercritical Boiler Superheater Outlet Header

The mechanical stress distribution and the stress concentrations of the superheater outlet header of a 600MW supercritical boiler were analyzed by the finite element method. The results showed that the stress concentrated at the inside conjunction area between the pipe and the header cylinder , and the value of the maximum mechanical stress concentration factor is 2.51.

The Application of Radiation Shields for Thermal Control of Superheater Tubes in Boiler

Superheater tubes temperature control is a necessity for long lifetime, high efficiency and high load following capability in boiler. This study reports a new approach for the control strategy design of boilers with special shields. The presented control strategy is developed based on radiation thermal shields with low emissivity coefficient and high reflectivity or scattering coefficient. In order to simulate the combustion event in boiler and heat transfer to superheater tubes, an effective set of computational fluid dynamic (CFD) codes is used. Results indicate a successful identification of over- heated zones on platen superheater tubes and effect of radiation shields for solving this problem.

Melting and floating processes of inorganic materials in molten steel:Visualization physical simulation and mathematical modelling

It has been demonstrated that heat absorption method by using the inorganic material rod to cool the molten steel can significantly reduce the macrosegregation level of the large steel ingot.However,owing to the opacity of the molten steel,the physical mechanism of the heat absorption method is not clear.In this work,a transparent hydraulic physical model with water and paraffin wax was built to simulate the melting and floating processes of inorganic materials in the molten steel.A mathematical simulation was also carried out to analyze the connection between the actual ingot and the physical model.Results show that it is feasible to simulate the molten steel and inorganic materials with water and paraffin wax.With the help of the physical model,the process of the melting of paraffin wax and its floating to the surface of water were clearly observed,during which the temperature of water at some characteristic positions in the mold was recorded.The visualization findings demonstrate that the melting and floating processes of paraffin wax can help to bring the heat from the center of the mold to the top surface more quickly,which reduces the superheat and significantly accelerates the cooling rate of water.The experimental results show that for the water with a certain superheat,the use of a larger mass of paraffin wax can accelerate the cooling of the water,but there is a risk of incomplete melting of the paraffin wax.A higher superheat of water will lead to a quicker melting rate for a given mass of paraffin wax,while a lower superheat leads to the incomplete melting of paraffin wax as well.

Effect of melt superheat on structural uniformity of lotus-type porous metals prepared by unidirectional solidification

Structural uniformity is an important parameter influencing physical and mechanical properties of lotus-type porous metals prepared by directional solidification of metal-gas eutectic (Gasar). The effect of superheat on structural uniformity as well as average porosity, pore morphology of porous metals was studied. The experimental results show that, when the superheat is higher than a critical value (ΔTc), the bubbling or boiling phenomenon will occur and the gas bubbles will form in the melt and float out of the melt. As a result, the final porosity will decrease. In addition, a higher superheat will simultaneously cause a non-uniform porous structure due to the pores coalescence and bubbling phenomenon. Finally, a theoretical model was developed to predict the critical superheat for the hydrogen to escape from the melt and the corresponding escapement ratio of hydrogen content. Considering the escapement of hydrogen, the predicted porosities are in good agreement with the experimental results.

Pore structure of unidirectional solidified lotus-type porous silicon

Lotus-type porous silicon with elongated pores was fabricated by unidirectional solidification under pressurized hydrogen. Porosity, pore diameter, and pore length can be adjusted by changing solidification speed and hydrogen pressure. The porosity of the ingot is nearly constant under different solidification speeds, but decreases with the increase of hydrogen pressure. The overall porosities of ingots fabricated at different hydrogen pressures were evaluated through a theoretical model. Findings are in good agreement with experimental values. The average pore diameter and pore length increase simultaneously while the average pore aspect ratio changes slightly with the decreases of solidification speed and hydrogen pressure. The average pore length is raised from 7 to 24 mm and the pore aspect ratio is raised from 8 to 20 respectively with the average pore diameter promoted by about 0.3 mm through improving the superheat degree of the melt from 200 to 300 K.

Research on semi-solid slurry of a hypoeutectic Al-Si alloy prepared by low superheat pouring and weak electromagnetic stirring

The semi-solid slurry of a hypoeutectic Al-Si alloy was manufactured by low superheat pouring and weak electromagnetic stirring. The effects of pouting temperature and stirring power on the semi-solid slurry were investigated. The results indicated that the semi-solid slurry to satisfy rheocasting can be manufactured by low superheat pouring and weak electromagnetic stirring. The pouring temperature （or superheat） and the stirring power remarkably affected the morphology of primary α-Al and the size of primary α-Al, and there is no obvious effect of stirring time on primary α-Al. Compared with the samples made by low superheat pouring with no stirring, the nucleation rate, particle morphology and grain size of primary α-Al in A356 were markedly improved by low superheat pouring and weak electromagnetic stirring. On the condition of weak electromagnetic stirring, the pouring temperature with low superheat can be suitably raised to reach the effectiveness obtained from the lower pouring temperature without stirring.

Manufacture technique of semi-solid slurry of hypoeutectic Al-Si alloy by low superheat pouring and weak electromagnetic stirring

The semi-solid slurry of hypoeutectic Al-Si alloy was manufactured by low superheat pouring and weak electromagnetic stirring. The effects of pouring temperature and stirring power on the semi-solid slurry making process were investigated. The results indicate that the semi-solid slurry to satisfy rheocasting requirement can be made by a combination of low superheat pouring and weak electromagnetic stirring. The pouring temperature (or superheat) and the stirring power significantly affect the morphology and the size of primary α-Al, while there is no obvious effect of the stirring time on primary α-Al. Compared with the samples made by low superheat pouring without stirring, the nucleation rate, particle morphology and grain size of primary α-Al in A356 Al alloy are markedly improved by a process of applying both low superheat pouring and weak electromagnetic stirring. Under the condition of weak electromagnetic stirring applied, the pouring temperature with low superheat can be equivalently to reach the effectiveness obtained from the even lower pouring temperature without stirring.

EFFECT OF GRAIN REFINING ON PRIMARYαPHASE IN SEMI-SOLID A356 ALLOY PREPARED BY LOW SUPERHEAT POURING AND SLIGHT ELECTROMAGNETIC STIRRING

The semi-solid slurry of A356 alloy, which is grain-refined by Al-Ti-B master alloy, is prepared by low superheat pouring and slight electromagnetic stirring. The effects of grain refining on the morphology and the grain size of the primary α phase in the slurry manufactured are researched. The results indicate that the slurry with particle-like and rosette-like primary α phases can be prepared by low superheat pouring and slight electromagnetic stirring from liquid A356 alloy grain-refined, in which the pouring temperature can be suitably raised. Compared with the A356 samples without grain refining, the grain size and particle morphology of primary α phase as well as the distribution of the grain with particle-like or rosette-like along radial in the ingot in A356 are markedly improved by grain refining.

Production of A356 aluminum alloy wheels by thixo-forging combined with a low superheat casting process

The A356 aluminum alloy wheels were produced by thixo-forging combined with a low superheat casting process. The as-cast microstructure, microstructure evolution during reheating and the mechanical properties of thixo-forged wheels made from the A356 aluminum alloy were studied. The results show that the A356 aluminum alloy round billet with fine, uniform and non-dendritic grains can be obtained when the melt is cast at 635 ℃ When the round billet is reheated at 600 ℃ for 60 min, the non-dendritic grains are changed into spherical ones and the round billet can be easily thixo-forged into wheels. The tensile strength, yield strength and elongation of the thixo-forged wheels with T6 heat treatment are 327.6 MPa, 228.3 MPa and 7.8%, respectively, which are higher than those of a cast wheel. It is suggested that the thixo-forging combined with the low superheat casting process is an effective technique to produce aluminum alloy wheels with high mechanical properties.

Rheo-squeeze casting of semi-solid A356 aluminum alloy slurry

The effect of pouring temperature, electromagnetic stirring power and holding process on semi-solid A356 aluminum alloy slurry was investigated, then the slurry was squeeze-cast. The results show that when the pouring temperatures are properly above the liquidus line, for example 630-650 ℃, the slurry with spherical primary α（Al） grains can be prepared under the stirring power of 1.27 kW. The slurry is then homogeneously held for a short time, and the primary α（Al） grains are further ripened and distributed evenly in the slurry. The results of the rheo-squeezed casting experiments show that the injection specific pressure has a great effect on the filling ability of the semi-solid A356 aluminum alloy slurry, and the higher the injection specific pressure is, the better the ability for the slurry to fill the mould cavity is. When the injection specific pressure is equal to or above 34 MPa, the whole and compact rheo-squeezed castings can be obtained. The microstructure of the castings indicates that the shape, size and numbers of the primary α（Al） grains in different parts of the castings are highly consistent. After being held at 535 ℃ for 5 h and then aged at 155 ℃ for 12 h, the ultimate strength of the rheo-squeezed castings can reach 300-320 MPa, the yield strength 230-255 MPa, and the elongation 11%-15%.

Casting structure of pure aluminum by electric pulse modification at different superheated temperatures

Electric pulse modification （EPM） is a novel technique that reduces grain size by altering the structure of a melt. It was investigated that the response of the casting structure of high pure aluminum to EPM in different superheated melts. The results indicate that the grain refining effect of a given pulse electric field holds an optimal temperature range, moreover, a lower or higher superheated temperature will both disadvantage the improvements of casting structure. It essentially lies in the cooperative action between the distorted absorption of clusters and the activated capability of atoms in the aluminum melt.

Phase field lattice Boltzmann model for non-dendritic structure formation in aluminum alloy from LSPSF machine

The formation of non-dendritic structures in the primary phase of an aluminum alloy solidified using low superheat pouring with a shearing field(LSPSF) machine was investigated by numerical simulation.The growth and motion of a dendrite during solidification was simulated by a combination of the lattice Boltzmann method and the phase field method.The simulation results indicated that enough shear flow helped homogenize the concentration fields,rotate crystals and altere microstructures from dendritic to non-dendritic.The interaction of grains was also discussed.A fragmentation criterion was established based on partial remelting of dendrite arms;fragmentation was enhanced by a strong shear flow and larger inclined angles.The simulation results were verified experimentally.

Constrained voting extreme learning machine and its application

Extreme learning machine(ELM)has been proved to be an effective pattern classification and regression learning mechanism by researchers.However,its good performance is based on a large number of hidden layer nodes.With the increase of the nodes in the hidden layers,the computation cost is greatly increased.In this paper,we propose a novel algorithm,named constrained voting extreme learning machine(CV-ELM).Compared with the traditional ELM,the CV-ELM determines the input weight and bias based on the differences of between-class samples.At the same time,to improve the accuracy of the proposed method,the voting selection is introduced.The proposed method is evaluated on public benchmark datasets.The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm is superior to the original ELM algorithm.Further,we apply the CV-ELM to the classification of superheat degree(SD)state in the aluminum electrolysis industry,and the recognition accuracy rate reaches87.4%,and the experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method is more robust than the existing state-of-the-art identification methods.

Effect of electrolysis superheat degree on anticorrosion performance of 5Cu/(10NiO-NiFe_2O_4) cermet inert anode

5Cu/(10NiO-NiFe2O4) cermet inert anodes were prepared by cold-pressing and sintering process, and the effect of superheat degree of melting K3AlF6-Na3AlF6-AlF3 on their anticorrosion performance was studied under electrolysis conditions. The results show that, the fluctuation of cell becomes small with increasing of superheat degree, which is helpful to inhibit the formation of cathodic encrustation; the concentration of impurities from inert anode in bath goes up to certain degree, but it is far smaller than those in traditional high-temperature bath. Increasing the superheat degree of melting K3AlF6-Na3AlF6-AlF3 has unconspicuous effect on the contents of impurities in cathodic aluminum. The total mass fractions of Fe, Ni and Cu in aluminum are 15.38% and 15.09% respectively under superheat degree of 95 and 195 ℃. From micro-topography of anode used view, increasing the superheat degree can aggravate corrosion of metal Cu in inert anode, and has negative influence on electrical conductivity of electrode to some extent.

Influence of T6 heat treatment on A356 and A380 aluminium alloys manufactured by thixoforging combined with low superheat casting

The effects of T6 heat treatment on thixoforged A356 and A380 aluminium alloys were studied.Low superheat casting(LSC)technique was carried out to prepare proper specimens for thixoforging process.The samples were poured at 20°C above their liquidus temperatures which provided the formation of equiaxed grains instead of dendritic growth.Produced billets were reheated for varied time from 20 to 80 min and thixoforged with 50%deformation rate.After thixoforging process,the samples were T6 heat treated for both A356 and A380 alloys.The microstructural evaluation and hardness alteration of thixoforged,solution treated and aged specimens were examined comparatively by using optical microscopy,scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and Brinell hardness equipment.T6 heat treatment provided relatively uniform microstructure with newly formed precipitates that are Mg2Si and Al2Cu for A356 and A380 billets,respectively.Accordingly,hardness after artificial aging was increased considerably and reached HB 93 for A356 and HB 120 for A380 alloys.