Performance limitations in electric power generating systems imposed by high temperature corrosion

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Abstract
The increasing cost of fuel has resulted in a renewed interest in improving the efficiency of electric power generating equipment. In most cases, this involves increasing the maximum temperature in the cycle. Examples include the increase in gas turbine inlet temperatures, the increase in steam temperature and pressure in boilers and the move towards higher temperature gasification in combined-cycle plants. In all these cases, the limits are set by the properties of the available materials. Among these limiting properties, the high temperature corrosion resistance ofmetals and alloys is vel}' significant. High temperature oxidation rates set an absolute limit, but there are processes which can lead to accelerated corrosion, often associated with impurities in the fuel or air, which lower the available temperatures still further. A number of specific cases are discussed, the underlying principles are outlined and methods of overcoming the various problems are suggested.

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