Service concept for gas-carrying components in energy machines under hydrogen for describing material embrittlement

Abstract

The invention relates to an energy machine comprising at least a plurality of components, of which at least one or more come into contact with hydrogen, wherein the hydrogen-carrying components have removable miniature specimens (44) or the hydrogen-carrying components are configured such that test specimens can be removed without restricting functionality.

Description

[0001] 2024 PF00823

[0002] Service concept for gas-carrying components in energy machines under hydrogen to describe material embrittlement

[0003] The use of hydrogen (H2) as an energy carrier in energy machines is associated with a possible embrittlement of the gas-carrying materials of the components.

[0004] For the safe operation of energy machines, it is essential to know the status of these existing material embrittlements.

[0005] In addition to a qualitative description of the effect, a quantitative description is advantageous, as this can be used to demonstrate the safe continued operation of the machines.

[0006] Currently, the material behavior and its changes under hydrogen are being idealized and simulated in laboratory atmospheres. For this purpose, materials are loaded with atomic hydrogen (H₂) and subsequently tested. The effects on the mechanical properties are then investigated. This ensures that the effects can be modeled and design data generated.

[0007] Based on the design data under laboratory-reproducible boundary conditions, the components are designed under hydrogen.

[0008] However, real components and parts exhibit different gas compositions, temperatures, times, and other mechanical stresses, especially tension and / or strain.

[0009] It is therefore the purpose of the invention to solve the problem mentioned above.

[0010] The problem is solved by an energy machine according to claim 1 and a method according to claim 3. 2024 PF00823

[0011] The subclaims list further advantageous measures which can be combined arbitrarily to achieve further advantages.

[0012] They show

[0013] Figure 1 schematically shows a gas turbine engine,

[0014] Figure 2 shows a test device.

[0015] The figures and description represent only exemplary embodiments of the invention.

[0016] Figure 1 shows a gas turbine engine 1 only as an exemplary energy engine 1 in which hydrogen is or can be burned.

[0017] The idea is equally applicable to "steam boilers" where hydrogen H2 is burned to generate superheated steam, i.e., in the field of steam turbines or generally for steam generation for the chemical industry.

[0018] The gas turbine engine 1 has in particular several components 4 , 7 , 10 , 13 , 22 , 24 .

[0019] This is in particular a compressor 4, which draws in and compresses outside air.

[0020] This compressed outside air is mixed in a combustion system 10 with a fuel, i.e. only with natural gas or only with hydrogen H2 or with a mixture of natural gas and H2, and burned to its hot gas, which expands in a turbine 7.

[0021] Natural gas is used here as a synonym for other possible fuels besides hydrogen.

[0022] The hot exhaust gas from turbine 7 is discharged via an exhaust housing 24 as a further component of the gas turbine engine 1. 2024 PF00823

[0023] 3

[0024] The gas turbine engine 1 is connected to a generator 16, which it drives, and optionally also to a steam turbine.

[0025] The gas turbine engine 1 also has a fuel system 13 as a further component, which supplies the fuel, such as oil, natural gas and / or hydrogen H2, via supply lines 22.

[0026] A control unit 19 controls, among other things, the gas turbine engine 1 depending on the compressor 4 and the turbine 7.

[0027] Test samples are taken or pre-assembled miniature samples are removed from the hydrogen H2-carrying supply lines 22 of the fuel system 13 and / or in the combustion system 10 and / or in the turbine 7 and / or in the exhaust system 24.

[0028] Test samples can be destructively removed from a component, but without affecting its functionality.

[0029] Miniature samples only need to be dissolved by one component.

[0030] For example, in lines 22 of the fuel system 13, an intermediate piece can simply be removed and replaced.

[0031] In exhaust system 24, miniature samples can be easily attached and later removed by spot welding, soldering, etc. A metallurgical bond between the miniature samples and the component is not necessary.

[0032] In combustion system 10, miniature samples can also be attached, in particular to the metallic stone holders of ceramic heat shields, since fuel mixture, and thus hydrogen, can escape from the combustion chamber.

[0033] In particular, even before the initial commissioning of the gas turbine engine 1, corresponding 2024 PF00823

[0034] 4

[0035] Miniature samples were installed in suitable locations and components for taking test samples were installed.

[0036] These miniature samples have the same composition as component 13, 27 itself, i.e., the same alloy.

[0037] During a regular service interval of the gas turbine engine 1, the miniature samples are removed or test samples are taken and, if necessary, replaced by new miniature samples.

[0038] It is also possible that the gas turbine engine 1 already has several miniature samples at relevant points on the components before its first use, which are then taken at different service intervals and depict the entire aging process over time and over the successive service intervals.

[0039] If a component is replaced because it is estimated that it may no longer have the required functionality until the next service interval, new components, especially new miniature samples, are installed.

[0040] Figure 2 schematically shows a test device 40 in which a sample 44, i.e. a miniature sample or a test sample, is introduced and destructively examined.

[0041] Preferably, a small punch test is performed.

[0042] Likewise, a microstructural analysis of the extracted sample 44 is possible. This allows the microstructure and the tested sample to be correlated.

[0043] An unloaded sample can serve as a comparison, whose microstructure and mechanical behavior are also known or will be determined.

[0044] Furthermore, material models that include damage models can be determined via the small punch test using inverse FEM and subsequently applied to the component. 2024 PF00823

[0045] 5

[0046] The material models form the basis for a digital twin and can be analyzed.

[0047] By taking a sample of the actual material condition from the component without destroying it or affecting its functionality and integrity, the actual material condition with material embrittlement can be determined using miniature sample testing.

[0048] • For miniature testing, a suitable methodology (e.g., Small Punch Technique) must be used, which allows for an evaluation of the material's condition.

[0049] • Quantitative assessment of toughness and ductility is possible on the actual gas-carrying component.

[0050] • An assessment of the continued use and operation of the gas turbine engine 1 is possible.

[0051] • If necessary, the component should be replaced to ensure continued safe operation.

[0052] • A safety concept for operation using hydrogen is therefore available.

[0053] • Knowledge of the actual material condition

[0054] • If necessary, the component should be replaced to ensure continued safe operation.

[0055] • A safety concept for operation using hydrogen is therefore available.

[0056] • Sustainable concept to minimize the setup and replacement times of components

[0057] • Cost savings for service providers and customers

Claims

2024 PF00823 6 Patent claims 1. Energy machine, at least having several components ( 4 , 7 , 10 , 13 , 22 , 24 ) , of which at least one , especially several , come into contact with hydrogen, characterized by the fact that ss miniature samples (44) of the hydrogen-bearing components (4, 7, 10, 13, 22, 24) can be extracted or the hydrogen-carrying components ( 4 , 7 , 10 , 13 , 22 , 24 ) are designed such that, that test samples can be taken, without limiting functionality.

2. Energy machine according to claim 1 , which represents a gas turbine engine ( 1 ) and has at least st : compressor ( 4 ) , combustion system ( 10 ) as well as fuel system ( 13 ) Turbine ( 7 ) , Exhaust system ( 24 ) , where at least st the fuel system ( 13 ) , the combustion system ( 10 ) , Fuel supply lines ( 22 ) , the turbine ( 7 ) and / or the exhaust housing ( 24 ) come into contact with hydrogen. 2024 PF00823 3. Method for assessing the safety of an energy machine ( 1 ) , in particular a gas turbine engine ( 1 ) , according to claim 1 or 2 , in which test samples or miniature samples are taken from the components ( 4 , 7 , 10 , 13 , 22 , 24 ) that have come into contact with hydrogen, the samples ( 44 ) material are technically examined.

4. Method according to claim 3 , in which a Small Punch Test is performed with the samples ( 44 ).

5. Method according to claim 3 or 4 , where samples are taken during a regular service interval.

6. Method according to one or more of claims 3, 4 or 5 , in which the examination of the samples ( 44 ) is carried out while the energy machine ( 1 ) or the gas turbine machine ( 1 ) continues to operate.

7. Method according to one or more of claims 3 to 6, wherein a component is replaced, if the investigation denies the continued use of the component after the next service interval.

8. Method according to claim 7 , in which the new component , which replaces an existing component, again, at least one miniature sample is present. 2024 PF00823 or is designed in such a way, that test samples can be taken without restricting functionality.

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