Sulfur-Resistant Reactor Alloy Composition for High-Temperature Durability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing reactors and reactor components experience durability issues when operating at temperatures equal to or higher than 300°C in environments containing sulfur or sulfide.

Innovation Solution

The use of specific alloys in reactor components, such as those with a principal component of Fe, Ni, or Co, containing varying percentages of Cr, Ni, and Co, along with a coating film on the surface, to enhance durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If conventional reactor components are used at temperatures equal to or higher than 300°C in sulfur-containing environments, then the reactor can operate at high temperature, but the durability of the reactor components declines

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereaction temperatureVSAvoiddurability of reactor components
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the chemical composition parameters of the alloy (Fe principal component with 13-35% Cr and 0-35% total Ni and Co) to achieve optimal durability. This specific compositional parameter range creates an alloy structure that resists sulfidation corrosion at high temperatures, resolving the contradiction between operating temperature and component durability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite materials by creating a multi-element alloy system (Fe-Cr-Ni-Co) that combines the advantages of different metals. The Fe provides structural strength, Cr provides oxidation resistance, and Ni/Co enhance high-temperature stability. This composite alloy structure maintains durability in sulfur-containing environments at temperatures ≥300°C

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If the reactor components are made from alloys with specific compositions to improve durability, then the durability increases, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedurability of reactor componentsVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent establishes specific parameter ranges for alloy composition (13-35% Cr, 0-35% total Ni and Co) that balance durability requirements with manufacturability. These parameter specifications provide clear manufacturing guidelines while achieving the necessary durability, avoiding excessive complexity in the manufacturing process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by optimizing the alloy composition specifically for the high-temperature sulfur-containing environment where the reactor components operate. The Fe-Cr-Ni-Co alloy composition is tailored for this specific service condition, providing localized optimization rather than uniform material selection throughout the entire reactor system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4495527A1Reactor and reactor part
Publication Date: 2025.01.22 THE JAPAN STEEL WORKS LTD
  • EP4495527A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4495527A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4495527A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A reactor component according to an embodiment is used in a reactor for reacting a treated material in an environment in which at least one of the treated material or an atmosphere contains a sulfur component, and is composed of an alloy containing Fe as a main component, and containing 13-35 mass% of Cr and 0-35 mass% in total of Ni and Co.