Apparatus and method for the operational investigation of hydrogen embrittlement

Abstract

The invention relates to an energy machine (1) comprising at least a plurality of components that come into contact with hydrogen, wherein test apparatuses (40, 40') are provided in the vicinity of the energy machine (1), in which test specimens (44, 44') are present that can be subjected to the gases actually used during operation via supply lines (41, 42), and which comprise heating devices that can heat the test specimens (44, 44').

Description

[0001] 2024PF00824

[0002] Device and method for the in-process investigation of hydrogen embrittlement

[0003] The use of hydrogen (H2) as an energy carrier in power machines is associated with a potential embrittlement of the gas-carrying materials of the components. Knowing the status of this material embrittlement is essential for the safe operation of power machines.

[0004] In addition to a qualitative description of the effect, a quantitative description is advantageous, as this can demonstrate the safe continued operation of the plant.

[0005] 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 and subsequently tested. The effects on the mechanical properties are then investigated. This ensures that the effects can be modeled and design data generated.

[0006] Based on the design data under laboratory-reproducible boundary conditions, the components are designed under hydrogen.

[0007] However, real components and parts have different gas compositions, temperatures, times and other mechanical stresses (tension, strain).

[0008] It is therefore the purpose of the invention to solve the problem mentioned above.

[0009] The problem is solved by an energy machine according to claim 1 and a method according to claim 3. 2024PF00824

[0010] 2

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

[0012] The figures and description represent only exemplary embodiments of the invention.

[0013] It shows

[0014] Figure 1 schematically shows a turbine machine with test equipment.

[0015] Figure 1 shows a gas turbine machine 1 as an exemplary energy machine 1 .

[0016] The principle can also be applied to "steam boilers" where hydrogen (H2) is burned to produce steam, i.e., for use in steam turbines or generally in steam generators for the chemical industry.

[0017] The gas turbine engine 1 has at least one compressor 4 that draws in and compresses air.

[0018] This compressed air is mixed in a combustion system 10 with a fuel from the supply lines 22 and burned to its hot gas, which expands in a turbine 7.

[0019] The hot exhaust gas from turbine 7 is discharged via an exhaust housing 24 as a further component of the gas turbine machine 1.

[0020] The gas turbine engine 1 is connected to a generator 16, which it drives, and optionally also to a steam turbine.

[0021] The gas turbine engine 1 also includes, in particular, a fuel system 13 as a further component, which supplies the fuel such as oil, gas and / or hydrogen. 2024PF00824

[0022] A control unit 19 controls the gas turbine engine 1 depending on the compressor 4 and the turbine 7.

[0023] At least two test apparatuses 40, 40 ' , . . are also present on site at the plant with the gas turbine engine 1, which contain test samples 44, 44 ' , . .

[0024] The test devices 40, 40 ' , . . are bathed in the gases actually used during the operation of the gas turbine machine 1, which are taken from a suitable point on a component 10, 7, 22, 24, . . via lines 41, 42.

[0025] Accordingly, the test samples 44, 44 ' , . . in the respective test apparatuses 40, 40 ' , . . have different materials which correspond to the materials of the respective components 10, 7, 22, 24, . .

[0026] The test fixture 40, 40 ' , . . can also store further test samples that will be examined at a later time. This eliminates the need to install multiple test fixtures for samples that have been exposed to actual operating conditions over various service intervals and load times.

[0027] The mechanical test apparatus 40, 40 ' , . . will be set up at the location of the gas turbine engine 1 and will determine the actual embrittlement effect of the gas mixture used in each operating cycle. In this way, it will be possible to take into account the detrimental effect of the actual operating mode and the actual gas mixture.

[0028] The test apparatus is loaded with a calibrated material sample (material of the critical component) at the beginning of the new operating cycle. The loading is carried out with the actual fuel gas mixture to be used and at the actual system pressure. 2024PF00824

[0029] 4

[0030] The temperature during loading is regulated in the test apparatus 40, 40 ' , . . to the temperature prevailing in the system (inductively or resistance heated) .

[0031] This method also takes into account temperature changes during operation or shutdown of the gas turbine. Under laboratory conditions, the embrittlement test is performed using standard deformation rates. In the test apparatus, it would be adapted to the actual load gradient of each cycle (trip / shutdown from partial or full load operation).

[0032] When the end of the current operating cycle is initiated by shutting down the system, the miniature sample (especially the small punch test) is automatically tested in the apparatus. The altered mechanical properties detected (compared to the reference state) are automatically evaluated, and the actual extent of the damage is determined using a static test based on the "hydrogen embrittlement factor".

[0033] The apparatus is re-equipped and ready for another operating phase.

[0034] It is possible to track damage to different system components by using multiple devices, such as damage to the gas preheating system (473K) and / or damage to the burner body (723K).

[0035] The advantages of the invention lie in the ability to record the actual damage in each individual operating state and thus to better utilize the service life of the system components. This results in lower service life costs and higher system availability. A further advantage is the almost immediate availability of the result after each operating state without lengthy assembly and shipping processes.

[0036] 5

[0037] Testing times of individual real components from the field.

[0038] This improvement is made possible by the application of micro-sample testing technology (especially the small punch test) with an integrated gas loading chamber and sample temperature control. The control of the

[0039] Test speed depending on the load situation of the gas turbine machines is a new feature.

[0040] The small footprint and the possibility of automated test execution enable in-situ testing on the system.

[0041] It makes sense for the reference samples to be made from the same material as the components of the combustion system.

[0042] If a component is replaced because it is estimated that it may no longer have the required functionality until the next service interval, the test apparatus 40, 40 ' , ... are preferably re-equipped.

Claims

2024PF00824 Patent claims 1. Energy machine ( 1 ) at least showing multiple components ( 4 , 7 , 10 , 13 , 22 , 24 ) which come into contact with hydrogen, characterized by the fact that Test equipment ( 40 , 40 ' , . . ) is available, in which test samples ( 44 , 44 ' , . . ) are present, which can be supplied with the gases actually used in operation via supply lines ( 41 , 42 , . . ) and have heating equipment, which can warm the test samples ( 44 , 44 ' , . . ) .

2. Energy machine according to claim 1 , which represents a gas turbine engine ( 1 ) , at least showing: Compressor ( 4 ) , combustion system ( 10 ) as well as fuel system ( 13 ) with pipes ( 22 ) , Turbine ( 7 ) and a Exhaust system ( 24 ) .

3. Procedure for assessing the safety of an energy machine , in particular a gas turbine engine ( 1 ) according to claim 2, in which gases actually used for the operation of the gas turbine engine ( 1 ) are supplied via supply lines ( 41 , 42 , . . ) in test devices, as well as heating facilities being available, which warm the test samples ( 44 , 44 ' , . . ) .

4. Method according to claim 3 , in which a Small Punch Test is performed.

5. Energy machine according to claim 1 or 2 , or the method according to claim 3 or 4 , where the hydrogen-containing components are at least 2024PF00824 7 selected from the group: Turbine ( 7 ) , fuel supply lines ( 22 ) , combustion system ( 10 ) , fuel system ( 13 ) or exhaust housing ( 24 ) .

6. A 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.

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