The materials in oxyfuel power plant will be subjected to CO2– and SO2–rich gases on the fireside. The oxidation behaviour of two 9–12 % Cr steels T92 and VM12 was studied under dry oxyfuel environment in the temperature range of 580–650 °C for up to 1,000 h. The oxide structure and morphology were analyzed using various experimental techniques. A complex temperature dependence of oxidation rate is observed for both T92 and VM12 whereby the oxidation rate decreased with increasing temperature. This is attributed to increased Cr-enrichment in the inner scale with increasing temperature. T92 and VM12 alloys are also susceptible to carburization in an oxyfuel environment.
The combustion of coal in CO2-reduced Oxyfuel power plants requires creep resistant and corrosion
resistant materials, which can withstand high temperatures up to 600°C and CO2 rich atmospheres.
Among the heat resistant materials, the 9-12% chromium steels are proven to resist high wall
temperatures in conventional power plants and are suitable as membrane wall, superheaters and steam
piping.
During Oxyfuel combustion a flue gas is generated, which consists mainly of H2O (30 mol %) and
CO2 (70 mol %). The present paper is focused on the corrosion of 9-12% chromium steels under
oxyfuel conditions in a temperature range between 550 and 625°C.
Depending on Chromium content of the 9-12%chromium steels, carburization of the base material,
perlite formation and carbide formation were observed. Alloys with lower chromium content form a
non protective oxide scale with perlite at the scale-alloy interface. Steels with 12% chromium have a
small growing oxide scale with enlarged M23C6-particles at the scale-alloy interface. The carburization
of the base material is found to be increased for the 9% Cr-steel. Higher pressure of the flue gas results
in the formation of less resistant scales and cause accelerated carburization of the base materials.
However, the carburization has an impact on the mechanical properties at the surface and leads to an
embrittlement, which is deleterious during thermal cycling.
Oxidation kinetics, phase analysis of the scale (transmission electron microscope) and carburization
depths (microprobe) of the base materials are presented.
Basic research on the corrosive effect of flue gases has been performed at the BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (Germany). Conditions at both high and low temperatures were simulated in specially designed experiments. Carburization occured in flue gases with high CO2 content and temperatures higher than 500 °C. In SO2 containing flue gases sulphur was detected in the oxide scale. At lower temperatures no corrosion was observed when gases with low humidity were investigated. Humidity higher than 1500 ppm was corrosive and all steels with Cr contents lower than 12% revealed corroded surfaces. At low temperatures below 10 °C a mixture of sulphuric and nitric acid condensed on metal surfaces. Acid condensation caused severe corrosion. Humidity, CO2, O2, and SO2 contents are the important factors determining corrosion. Below 300 °C acid condensation is the primary reason for corrosion. Low humidity and low temperatures are conditions which can be expected in the CO2 separation and treatment process. This work includes major conditions of the flue gas and CO2 stream in CCS plants and CCS technology.