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Paper des Monats
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Elektrische Energiespeicher können unter bestimmten Bedingungen thermisch Durchgehen. Dies ist mit der Freisetzung von großen Mengen an Wärme sowie toxischen und/oder brennbaren Gasen assoziiert. Um die potenziellen Auswirkungen des thermischen Durchgehens zu quantifizieren, wurden Versuche mit Zellen und Modulen mit einem Energieinhalt von bis zu E = 6,85 kWh durchgeführt. Es wurden verschiedene Kenngrößen, wie z.B. Temperatur, Spannung, Massenabbrand, qualitative Gaszusammensetzung sowie Fragmente, messtechnisch erfasst und ausgewertet. Die Ergebnisse können sowohl für Bemessungen im vorbeugenden baulichen Brandschutz als auch in der Prozess- und Anlagensicherheit verwendet werden. Ebenso können sie in Konzept des abwehrenden Brandschutzes integriert werden.
Wasserstoff leistet als Energieträger der Zukunft einen entscheidenden Beitrag zur nachhaltigen Energieversorgung. Der Transport wird vorwiegend durch das europäische Ferngasleitungsnetz erfolgen. Bisherige Untersuchungen zeigen, dass bisher verwendete Rohrstähle grundsätzlich für den Wasserstofftransport geeignet sind. Diese Eignung ist nicht direkt auf Reparaturfragestellungen im Betrieb übertragbar, da Schweißungen aus technisch-ökonomischen Gründen oft unter fortwährendem Gasfluss durchgeführt werden.
Ein im Erdgasnetz angewandtes Konzept ist das Anbohren druckführender Pipelines („Hot Tapping“). Dazu werden Zylinderhalbschalen zuerst durch Längs- und dann per Rohrrundnähten an die Pipeline geschweißt. Essenziell ist dabei die maßgeschneiderte Wärmeeinbringung, um das „Durchbrennen“ in die Pipeline zu vermeiden. Für zukünftige Wasserstoffpipelines liegt der Fokus u.a. auf dünnwandigen Leitungen. Im Gegensatz zu Erdgas, führen die beim Schweißen erreichten hohen Temperaturen an der Innenseite der Pipeline zu einer zusätzlichen Wasserstoffaufnahme in den Rohrstahl mit möglicher Materialdegradation.
Zur praktischen Lösung der Fragestellung, sind internationale Aktivitäten im Gang. Diese umfassen bspw. die Möglichkeiten und Weiterentwicklung von realistischen Prüfkonzepten (u.a. durch maßstäbliche Bauteilversuche). Dazu untersucht die Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM) in einem DVGW-geförderten Kooperationsprojekt mit Gasnetzbetreibern, die Frage der Übertragbarkeit der Schweißkonzepte der Erdgastechnik auf zukünftiger Wasserstoffpipelines.
Im Vortrag werden Ergebnisse aus Versuchen mit dem Controlled Thermal Severity (CTS)-Test vorgestellt, der für sehr stark eingespannte Kehlnähte bekannt ist. Niedriglegierte Schweißungen an hochfesten Stählen sind nicht anfällig für Erstarrungsrissbildung. Unter dem besonderen Einfluss eines hohen Einspanngrades wurde die Erstarrungsrissneigung durch Abmessen der Rissflächen als Funktion der Schweißparameter und des Einspanngrades für vier hochfeste Schweißzusätze im MAG-Schweißen untersucht. Die Tests zeigen, dass sowohl eine Erhöhung des Einspanngrades als auch eine Änderung der Schweißparameter (hinsichtlich Streckenenergie und Geschwindigkeit) zu mehr Erstarrungsrissfläche führen. Besonders die Kombination aus sehr hohem Einspanngrad und hoher Streckenenergie plus hoher Schweißgeschwindigkeit sollte im Sinne der Erstarrungsrissminimierung vermieden werden.
Im Beitrag werden Ergebnisse aus Versuchen mit dem Controlled Thermal Severity (CTS)-Test vorgestellt, der für sehr stark eingespannte Kehlnähte bekannt ist. Niedriglegierte Schweißungen an hochfesten Stählen sind nicht anfällig für Erstarrungsrissbildung. Unter dem besonderen Einfluss eines hohen Einspanngrades wurde die Erstarrungsrissneigung durch Abmessen der Rissflächen als Funktion der Schweißparameter und des Einspanngrades für vier hochfeste Schweißzusätze im MAG-Schweißen untersucht. Die Tests zeigen, dass sowohl eine Erhöhung des Einspanngrades als auch eine Änderung der Schweißparameter (hinsichtlich Streckenenergie und Geschwindigkeit) zu mehr Erstarrungsrissfläche führen. Besonders die Kombination aus sehr hohem Einspanngrad und hoher Streckenenergie plus hoher Schweißgeschwindigkeit sollte im Sinne der Erstarrungsrissminimierung vermieden werden.
Metallic materials, predominantly steels, are the most common structural materials in the various components along the hydrogen supply chain. Ensuring their sustainable and safe use in hydrogen technologies is a key factor in the ramp-up of the hydrogen economy. This requires extensive materials qualification, however, most of the accepted; and standardized test methods for determining the influence of gaseous hydrogen on metallic materials describe complex and costly procedures that are only available to a very limited extent worldwide. The hollow specimen technique is a simple, rapid, and economical method designed to overcome the limitations of the current methods for the qualification of metallic materials under high-pressure hydrogen gas. However, this technique is not yet standardized. The TransHyDE-H2Hohlzug project is presented in this article, along with the main steps required to optimize the hollow specimen technique. This includes closing knowledge gaps related to the specimen geometry, surface quality, and gas purity in dedicated working packages, thus contributing to a comprehensive standardization of the technique for tests in high-pressure hydrogen gas.
Dieses Dokument enthält die Präsentationsfolien des BAM-Teams beim Abschlusstreffen des Forschungsprojekts DiMoWind-Inspect. Es wurden die Arbeitspakete Datenmanagement, Referenzkennzeichnungssystem, Grundlagen der Schadensbewertung, Risikobasierte Inspektions- und Instandhaltungsplanung und Schadensdetektion mittels Risslumineszenz sowie eine abschließende Bewertung des Projekts vorgestellt.
Aufbauend auf dem historischen Schadensfall von A. Martens im Jahr 1894 zur Explosion von H2-Gasflaschen auf dem Tempelhofer Feld und den dabei durchgeführten Untersuchungen wird im Hauptteil des Vortrages auf die Standardisierung der Hohlzugprüftechnik eingegangen. Dabei wird zunächst auf die Vor- und Nachteile unterschiedlicher Prüfmöglichkeiten zur Wasserstoffkompatibilität metallischer Werkstoffe und deren Schweißverbindungen eingegangen und im Weiteren die Umsetzung der Prüftechnik an der BAM beschrieben. Für die Standardisierung der Hohlzugprüftechnik wurden verschiedene Randbedingungen mit Einfluss auf die Ergebnisqualität überprüft. Dabei wurde der Pipelinestahl X65 als auch der additiv gefertigte Werkstoff 316L genutzt. Abschließend wird auf die Verwaltungspartnerschaft mit Namibia eingegangen und die umzusetzenden Projekte mit Bezug zur Schweißtechnik dargestellt.
The uncontrolled Li dissolution/deposition dynamics and rapid Li pulverizations hinder the widespread deployment of Li metal batteries (LMB). Designing a Li composite electrode possessing a mechanically robust and lithiophilic three-dimensional (3D) framework represents a promising strategy to address these challenges. This study involves the preparation of three uniquely tailored Li-B-Mg composites using a combined metallurgical process of melting, casting, and rolling, along with the synergistic application of in situ X-ray computed tomography (CT) and post-mortem failure analysis to explore the most promising composite electrode candidate for LMBs. During the in-depth investigation, the optimal 70Li-B-Mg composite electrode stands out due to its robust skeleton fiber structure, uniform Li dissolution/deposition characteristics and high capacity of free-Li. Its promising prospects for enabling high-performance LMBs are showcased by the superior performance of the built Li||O2, Li||LiFePO4, Li||NCM622 and Li||NCM811 battery systems. This work offers a novel approach for exploring universally applicable and robust Li composite electrodes to realize high-performance LMBs using in situ CT analysis.
This presentation gives an overview on the importance of joining processes for component fabrication in hydrogen technologies. For that reason, the current need and future research and developement activites are highlighted for the three technological fields: hydrogen storage, transport and use (in terms of the emerging field of additive manufacturing). Finally, some remarks are given for necessary changes in the standardization.
With increasing demand and environmental concerns, researchers are exploring new materials that can perform as well or better than traditional materials while reducing environmental impact. X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) enables unique atom-specific tool to probe the electronic structure of materials. The BAM plays a central role in this highly collaborative research. The BAMline, a real-life sample materials research beamline, at the Berlin Synchrotron BESSY-II, provides unique insights into materials’ electronic and chemical structure at different time and length scales. This enables real-time optimization of material properties and performance for various applications, such as energy storage and conversion, catalysis, and corrosion resistance. This talk provides an overview of the analytical methods and sample environments of the BAMline and addresses its potential for further advances in sustainable materials research.
Germany has set itself the task to become a world leader in the field of green hydrogen technologies and is promoting the transition to a hydrogen economy. The H2Mare flagship project is exploring the offshore production of green hydrogen and other power-to-X products. One of the most important goals is the safe and cost-efficient operation of offshore infrastructures, where a service life of at least 25 years is aimed. However, the corrosive environment towards metallic materials presents challenges in marine areas. The atmosphere at one location could be affected by the distance to the sea level and does not have the same corrosivity for all exposed kinds of materials. The creation of an atmosphere corrosion atlas for marine environments by weathering campaigns aims to close this gap. Operators of offshore structures can use the data to estimate the corrosivity of the atmosphere on the construction site. This allows planning to be optimized in terms of platform safety as well as maintenance costs.
The report addresses the experimental characterisation, thermo-mechanical modelling and performance of unirradiated and irradiated samples of spent nuclear fuel rod segments and cladding. Hydrogen is relocated in nuclear fuel claddings by diffusion along temperature, stress, and concentration gradients, and towards a liner if existent. The precipitation of hydrides during cool-down at the beginning of the storage is influenced by mechanical stress. A strong accumulation of hydrides and a disadvantageous hydride alignment in relation to the stress state can affect the mechanical properties and compromise the fuel cladding integrity. Neutron radiography is used to determine spatially resolved hydrogen and hydride distributions in claddings. A liner in duplex claddings attracts hydrogen, which will then no longer be available to form detrimental hydrides in the bulk part of the cladding. Individual three-point bending and gravitational impact tests on filled pressurised spent nuclear fuel rod segments were conducted in hot-cell facilities. The material behaviour under three-point bending in the presence of hydrides and at different temperatures was systematically investigated in quasi-static laboratory tests on unirradiated rod segments with and without surrogate pellets until rupture. Ring compression tests were carried out on irradiated and unirradiated samples at different temperatures and both with and without radial hydrides. With radial hydrides, brittle failure is possible even at low deformation and simultaneously low temperature. Crack initiation will occur on the radial hydride with the highest fracture mechanics load, which depends on the hydride size in the regions with the highest hoop stresses. Due to the high hydrogen content used in creep tests conducted, precipitation hardening of the hydrides in the zirconium alloy significantly reduces the creep rate, as it strengthens the material and inhibits the dislocation sliding. The use of finite element analyses on mechanical tests to determine the cladding properties using a numerical optimisation method based on a large number of automatically generated sensitivity calculations is demonstrated. The brittle fracture of cladding samples with radial hydrides in the ring compression test can be described with a cohesive zone model if the cohesive parameters are selected appropriately and the hydride morphology is specified. Progress was made in the verification, validation and enhancement of spent fuel performance codes by the compilation of a representative validation database (related to rod internal pressure, fission gas release, rod void volume, and in-clad hydrogen distribution), the enhancement of CIEMAT’s FRAPCON-xt code for rod internal pressure prediction at high burnup, the enhancement of CIEMAT’s in-clad hydrogen performance subroutine HYDCLAD with more phenomenological modelling, the extension of INL’s BISON code with a cladding creep law for dry storage, and a benchmark with FRAPCON-xt and BISON simulating in-reactor and dry storage scenarios.
An accurate measurement of the amount fraction of hydrogen in gas mixtures is mandatory for practical applications, requiring methods that are fast, continuous, robust, and cost-effective. This study compares the performance of Raman and benchtop NMR process spectroscopy for determining the hydrogen amount fraction in gas mixtures. A setup was designed to integrate both techniques, enabling measurements of the same sample.
Tests were conducted with gravimetrically prepared gas mixtures of reference quality ranging from 1.20 cmol/mol to 85.83 cmol/mol of hydrogen. The results demonstrate that Raman spectroscopy provides superior performance, with a minimal root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.22 cmol/mol and excellent linearity. In contrast, benchtop NMR spectroscopy faced challenges, such as overlapping peaks and longer measurement times, resulting in a higher RMSE of 0.71 cmol/mol. Raman spectroscopy proves to be particularly well-suited for
practical applications due to its high accuracy and linearity. Meanwhile, benchtop NMR spectroscopy holds potential for future enhancements through ongoing technological advances, such as higher magnetic field strengths. In summary, the results from our study indicate that Raman spectroscopy is already a serviceable method for precise hydrogen quantification, whereas benchtop NMR spectroscopy can be attributed potential for future applications.
ISO 9223 standard for the classification of corrosivity in atmospheres is based on the mass loss of standard samples. We are concerned with the question of which corrosivity categories for Fe-sheets can be found at an offshore wind turbine and where they are comparable with our offshore locations.
The preliminary results indicate that the extreme corrosivity of class CX is only given in splash water-affected exposure, which is not a real atmospheric exposure condition. The results of the exposure at the SP show that the corrosivity category changes into C4, only a few meters above the splash water zone. Compared to the marine environments at Helgoland or OSS-Platform, the corrosivity is higher. The offshore environment is not as corrosive as originally expected, no atmospheric corrosion attack could be determined that would form the corrosivity category C5.
Challenges for testing hydrogen-assisted cold cracking in weld seams of high-strength steel grades
(2024)
Hydrogen can cause weld cold cracking even days after fabrication. In this respect, higher strength steels present a challenge to established cold crack testing. In general, the tolerable hydrogen concentration for crack prevention decreases with increasing material strength. In addition, advanced welding processes require changes in weld geometry and heat input. This directly influences the formation of crack-critical microstructures, e.g. in hardened areas of the heat-affected zone. The limits of use and application of modern cold cracking tests are evaluated by (1) the externally loaded Implant-test and (2) the self-restraint Tekken-test. In particular, external mechanical stresses, which cause additional mechanical loads on the components during welding, must be considered due to the component-specific stiffness of high-strength steels. Accompanying test methods for
determining hydrogen concentration and diffusion in welds are presented, such as carrier gas hot extraction for determining hydrogen concentration (ISO 3690) or temperature-dependent diffusion coefficients. These values are of great importance for a holistic approach to the evaluation of the cold cracking sensitivity of high strength steels.
During an extensive test programme at the Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und prüfung, material property changes of EPDM O-rings were investigated at different ageing times and two ageing temperatures of 125 ◦ C and 150 ◦ C. To exclude possible diffusion-limited oxidation (DLO) effects that can distort the data, IRHD microhardness measurements were taken over the cross section of compressed O-rings. Continuous stress relaxation measurements were taken on samples free of DLO effects. The additional effect of physical processes to irreversible chemical ones during a long-term thermal exposure is quantified by the analysis of compression set measurements under various test conditions. By combining the different experimental methods, characteristic times relative to the degradation processes were determined. On the basis of experimental data, a microphysically motivated model that takes into account reversible and irreversible processes was developed. The parameter identification strategy of the material model is based on our experimental investigations on homogeneously aged elastomer O-rings. The simulated results are in good agreement with the experiments.
The energy transition towards hydrogen utilisation has increased the demand for reliable testing methods to evaluate the susceptibility of metallic materials to hydrogen degradation. However, traditional electrochemical pre-charging techniques have limitations in represent-ing realistic gaseous hydrogen exposure conditions. This study presents three comparative analyses of tensile testing methodologies, focusing on the differences between electrochem-ical pre-charging, gaseous pre-charging, and in-situ testing using hollow specimens for aus-tenitic steels AISI 304L and 316L type austenitic steels.
Based on the results obtained, the first comparison reveals that electrochemically pre-charged and gaseously pre-charged specimens exhibit different behaviours regarding the impact on the mechanical properties. This effect can be retraced to the varying distribution of hydrogen throughout the specimens. Although comparable embrittlement was observed for similar hydrogen concentrations, the relationship appears to be non-systematic.
The second comparison evaluates the performance of pre-charged hollow specimens (300°C, 100 bar, 21 days) in comparison to hollow specimens tested in-situ under 200 bar hydrogen during slow strain rate tensile tests (SSRT). While pre-charged specimens show a slight de-crease in elongation at fracture and a noticeable decrease in reduction of area (RA), in-situ tested specimens exhibit significantly more pronounced embrittlement. This is in accord-ance with the results of Michler et. al.
In the third comparison, geometry effects between pre-charged conventional and pre-charged hollow specimens are explored. In this case, the hydrogen effect appears to be of the same order of magnitude for both specimen types, although some differences are ob-served.
The study's findings underscore the importance of considering differences between test methods when assessing materials’ compatibility with hydrogen. It specifically emphasises the need for in-situ testing with gaseous hydrogen to better represent real conditions in ap-plications within the hydrogen sector. Furthermore, the study provides an initial compari-son between conventional and hollow specimens, demonstrating their capability to reveal hydrogen effects. However, additional research is essential to enhance the comparability of results yielded by these testing methods.
The transition to a decarbonised economy will require large amounts of hydrogen over a broad variety of applications. The use of hydrogen poses high safety requirements as hydrogen can be absorbed by metallic materials and result in hydrogen embrittlement under certain condi-tions. For this reason, interactions of gaseous hydrogen and metallic materials are of high sci-entific and industrial interest. Slow strain rate tensile (SSRT) tests are commonly used to evaluate the hydrogen-induced ductility loss of alloys. However, the current standardised test method describes a complex and expensive procedure with limited availability worldwide. The hollow specimen technique promises huge potential for scaling suitable in-situ testing infra-structure and is currently under intensive development in several institutes around the world. As this method has only gained significant attention in the last decade, there are varying interpretations, particularly when testing materials with vastly different mechanical properties. Most available literature focuses on common steels used in hydrogen and natural gas piping systems. The present work provides an overview of the widespread applicability of hollow specimens in evaluating the effect of high-pressure hydrogen on the tensile properties of vari-ous metallic materials. The research presented includes Near-Net shape produced additively manufactured (AM) AISI 316 L, ferritic X65 steel, its weld seam, and solution annealed and hardened 100Cr6 steel.
Monitoring of composite pressure vessels using surface applied distributed fiber optic sensors
(2024)
In this paper, we report on surface-applied distributed fibre optic sensors for monitoring composite pressure vessels designed for hydrogen storage. Previous reports have revealed that integrating optical fibres within vessel composite structures effectively enables the monitoring of structural behavior throughout their lifetime.
However, integrating optical fibres during the manufacturing process is complex and time-consuming. Therefore, we aim to simplify this process by attaching the optical fibres to the vessel’s surface. This method is significantly more timeefficient than the integration process and can be applied to any vessel. Our results demonstrate that surface-applied fibre optic sensors can detect and precisely localise damage.
Additionally, signs of damage can be recognised even before the damage occurs. Predictive maintenance using fibre optic sensors could reduce premature maintenance costs and periodic inspections while increasing safety and extending the vessel’s useful service life. The role of machine learning in predictive maintenance is also discussed.
Technology selection is an important part of the planning process when setting
up a waste management programme. This continues to be crucial during
implementation of the programme to evaluate if suitable technologies are being
implemented. This Domain Insight document provides guidance on the assessment
and selection of potential technologies for implementation during the pre-disposal
phase of the waste management lifecycle, considering factors such as cost-benefit ratio and availability (EURAD Pre-disposal theme overview, domain 2.1.3, Technology Selection), as a part of the sub-theme “Planning pre-disposal
management of radioactive waste in close cooperation with waste generators”
(Planning) and, on the broader theme 2 “Pre-disposal Activities prior to geological disposal” (Pre-disposal).
In the planning process for a waste management programme, it is critical for the waste owner to assess the feasibility of technologies for processing, storage, and monitoring, taking economic constraints into account and considering subsequent stages in the waste management lifecycle, including final disposal. In addition, technology selection must be based on the waste inventory that has been generated, planned waste stream composition and the evolution of resulting waste packages in storages. The accuracy, effectiveness and efficiency of the technologies deployed in a facility require periodic review and update, as needed, throughout the lifetime of the facility.
The digitalization of quality control processes and the use of digital data infrastructures is a novel idea that can be applied for ensuring the operational safety and reliability of pressure vessels, particularly in the context of hydrogen storage at high pressure. Despite the critical role these pressure vessels play, current safety regulations lack an established concept for Structural Health Monitoring (SHM). This research addresses this gap by presenting a study on the application of ultrasonic guided waves (GWs) for SHM of Type IV Composite Overwrapped Pressure Vessels (COPVs).
The study focuses on the development of a reliable measurement system to transition from conventional periodic inspections to SHM and predictive maintenance, prolonging the remaining lifetime of the vessels. A sensor network is employed, consisting of fifteen piezoelectric wafers arranged in three rings, which are mounted on the outer surface of the COPV.
Deploying GWs, known for their long-distance propagation and ability to cover complex structures, the study explores GW behavior under different environmental and operational conditions, including periodic pressure fluctuations and temperature loadings.
Meticulous analysis of GW signals by utilizing various features and damage indices, underscores their suitability for an effective SHM under realistic working conditions. The project aims to localize defects by considering temperature, and internal pressure. Mimicking the continuous monitoring of Type IV COPVs in H2 refueling gas stations under authentic operational conditions, the COPV underwent thousands of pressure load cycles in our special test facility. The implemented methodology facilitates early damage detection, showcasing the efficacy of the designed method in effective safety assurance.
In this paper we present a new hydrogen-based test rig for an ongoing feasibility study of using hydrogen as an energy source for the thermal testing of transport packages containing radioactive materials. The test rig will be capable of combusting hydrogen for a wide range of different burner geometries, mass flows and if necessary hydrogen blends. As this type of fire test according to the IAEA boundary conditions does not yet exist, a large number of preliminary investigations, safety assessments and calculations must be carried out in order to develop a viable concept for hydrogen fires. In the first step of the feasibility study, the temperature, structure, and radiation of various hydrogen flames are surveyed. In future works, the results will make it possible to design burner frames that are suitable for fire reference tests in order to make comparisons with pool and propane fires used in assessment procedures today. In parallel comparative numerical simulations are conducted to model the thermal behaviour of hydrogen flames using the software package Ansys®. On the one hand, the numerical simulations support the experiments by providing an overview of numerous parameters and the measuring range; on the other hand, they will help with the design of the burner frame in future work. This paper gives an overview in the design and capabilities of the test rig. Furthermore, the results of the parameter studies show that burner geometry and mass flow provide a significant design margin for the thermal shape of the hydrogen flames. In addition, the results of the initial numerical calculations will be used to determine the necessary sensors, the positions, and their operating range. Only the optimal interaction allows a controlled system that permits user-defined hydrogen fires.
In Germany, the search for a final repository for highly radioactive material is currently based on the assumption that interim storage will take considerably longer than was anticipated. At that time, authorization procedures assumed that interim storage would be brief, until the containment systems could be placed in a final repository. For today's new approvals and extensions, the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) regulations for the transport of radioactive material require an assessment of all components and component groups with regard to ageing. To assess the safety requirements not only over the previously envisaged periods but also over long durations, numerous individual parts and component groups must be examined and evaluated for ageing and interactions between materials. The metal seals of a double lid sealing system, for example, are critical components that must be studied with respect to ageing. In a containment system for radioactive material, metal seals must not only undergo classic ageing, but also withstand mechanical influences and radiation over extended periods. In addition to assessments by the applicants, BAM must also independently analyze and evaluate these ageing mechanisms as part of its sovereign mandate.
Another challenge in both new approvals and extensions is the assessment of transport regarding changes in the state of the art, which are not synchronously assessed in the regulations. In transporting radioactive material, a classic oil fire has been assumed in a hypothetical accident scenario from the development of the regulations to the present day. Due to the rapid development of propulsion technologies in recent years, such as battery or hydrogen-powered vehicles, investigations must be conducted in the revision process of the IAEA regulations to assess the impact of these new technologies on safety assessments. It is important for the member states of the IAEA to know whether new technologies are covered by the regulations or if changes are necessary to continue issuing international licenses. By focusing on batteries from the material to the cell to the module and the application, BAM contributes to the evaluation of batteries at every step of the chain. In addition to the safety of current and new battery technologies, BAM also endeavors to address issues of compositional trace and sustainable energy materials.
Experimental And Numerical Analyses For The Evaluation Of Heat Fluxes Of A Fire Reference Test
(2024)
Packages for the transport of high-level radioactive material are designed to endure severe accidents. To obtain approval, these transport packages must adhere to the specification-based criteria of the IAEA SSR-6 [1]. To ensure compliance with these requirements, specific mechanical and thermal tests need to be appointed with respect to the package type. Typically, IAEA SSR-6 [1] prescribes mechanical tests followed by a thermal fire test as part of a cumulative test sequence. To approve the fire test, BAM uses a reference package representing the original package in its outer geometry for characterizing the actual fire and its impact on the package. This serves a dual purpose: it allows the precise adjustment of experimental parameters for the package design to be approved, and it provides input parameters for thermomechanical simulations, cf. [2]. With the help of this methodology for characterizing boundary conditions of the package, temperature evolutions within the reference package can be studied in a Finite-Element Analyses (FEA). This helps to compare the experiments with the numerical simulations on the case of the reference package, but also serves at the same time for preliminary simulations with the package design to be approved.
The thermal test consists of a 30-minute fully engulfing 800°C pool fire or an equally severe fire, e.g. a propane gas fire. The fire reference test is performed prior to the regulatory fire test with the package design to be approved. The fire reference package in the described case is a closed sheet 316L steel cylinder with a wall thickness of 10 mm, a length of 182 mm, and a diameter of 102 mm. The package was instrumented with thermocouples and filled with heat resistant insulating material.
Microalloying elements such as Nb and Ti are essential to increase the strength of quenched and tempered high-strength low alloy (HSLA) structural steels with nominal yield strength ≥ 690 MPa and their welded joints. Standards such as EN 10025–6 only specify limits or ranges for chemical composition, which leads to variations in specific compositions between steel manufacturers. These standards do not address the mechanical properties of the material, and even small variations in alloy content can significantly affect these properties. This makes it difficult to predict the weldability and integrity of welded joints, with potential problems such as softening or excessive hardening of the heat-affected zone (HAZ). To understand these metallurgical effects, previous studies have investigated different microalloying routes with varying Ti and Nb contents using test alloys. The high-strength quenched and tempered fine-grained structural steel S690QL is the basic grade regarding chemical composition and heat treatment. To evaluate weldability, three-layer welds were made using high-performance MAG welding. HAZ formation was investigated, and critical microstructural areas were identified, focusing on phase transformations during cooling and metallurgical precipitation behavior. Isothermal thermodynamic calculations for different precipitations were also carried out. Mechanical properties, especially Charpy notch impact toughness, were evaluated to understand the influence of different microalloys on the microstructure of the HAZ and mechanical properties.
In this paper we present a new hydrogen-based test rig for an ongoing feasibility study of using hydrogen as an energy source for the thermal testing of transport packages containing radioactive materials. The test rig will be capable of combusting hydrogen for a wide range of different burner geometries, mass flows and if necessary hydrogen blends. As this type of fire test according to the IAEA boundary conditions does not yet exist, a large number of preliminary investigations, safety assessments and calculations must be carried out in order to develop a viable concept for hydrogen fires. In the first step of the feasibility study, the temperature, structure, and radiation of various hydrogen flames are surveyed. In future works, the results will make it possible to design burner frames that are suitable for fire reference tests in order to make comparisons with pool and propane fires used in assessment procedures today. In parallel comparative numerical simulations are conducted to model the thermal behaviour of hydrogen flames using the software package Ansys®. On the one hand, the numerical simulations support the experiments by providing an overview of numerous parameters and the measuring range; on the other hand, they will help with the design of the burner frame in future work. This paper gives an overview in the design and capabilities of the test rig. Furthermore, the results of the parameter studies show that burner geometry and mass flow provide a significant design margin for the thermal shape of the hydrogen flames. In addition, the results of the initial numerical calculations will be used to determine the necessary sensors, the positions, and their operating range. Only the optimal interaction allows a controlled system that permits user-defined hydrogen fires.
Monitoring hydrogen composite pressure vessels using surface applied distributed fiber optic sensors
(2024)
We report on surface-applied distributed fibre optic sensors for monitoring composite pressure vessels designed for hydrogen storage. Previous reports have revealed that integrating optical fibres within vessel composite structures effectively enables the monitoring of structural behavior throughout their lifetime.
However, integrating optical fibres during the manufacturing process is complex and time-consuming. Therefore, we aim to simplify this process by attaching the optical fibres to the vessel’s surface. This method is significantly more timeefficient than the integration process and can be applied to any vessel. Our results demonstrate that surface-applied fibre optic sensors can detect and precisely localise damage.
Additionally, signs of damage can be recognised even before the damage occurs. Predictive maintenance using fibre optic sensors could reduce premature maintenance costs and periodic inspections while increasing safety and extending the vessel’s useful service life. The role of machine learning in predictive maintenance is also discussed.
Experimental and Numerical Analyses for the Evaluation of Heat Fluxes of a Fire Reference Test
(2024)
Packages for the transport of high-level radioactive material are designed to endure severe accidents. To obtain approval, these transport packages must adhere to the specification-based criteria of the IAEA SSR-6. To ensure compliance with these requirements, specific mechanical and thermal tests need to be appointed with respect to the package type. Typically, IAEA SSR-6 prescribes mechanical tests followed by a thermal fire test as part of a cumulative test sequence. To approve the fire test, BAM uses a reference package representing the original package in its outer geometry for characterizing the actual fire and its impact on the package. This serves a dual purpose: it allows the precise adjustment of experimental parameters for the package design to be approved, and it provides input parameters for thermomechanical simulations, cf. With the help of this methodology for characterizing boundary conditions of the package, temperature evolutions within the reference package can be studied in a Finite-Element Analyses (FEA). This helps to compare the experiments with the numerical simulations on the case of the reference package, but also serves at the same time for preliminary simulations with the package design to be approved.
The thermal test consists of a 30-minute fully engulfing 800°C pool fire or an equally severe fire, e.g. a propane gas fire. The fire reference test is performed prior to the regulatory fire test with the package design to be approved. The fire reference package in the described case is a closed sheet 316L steel cylinder with a wall thickness of 10 mm, a length of 182 mm, and a diameter of 102 mm. The package was instrumented with thermocouples and filled with heat resistant insulating material.
The decommissioning or refurbishment of nuclear facilities necessitates either the storage or disposal of large radioactive components such as steam generators, pressurizers, reactor pressure vessels and heads, and coolant pumps, to list the major contributors. These components or objects are large in size and mass, measuring up to approximately 6 meters in diameter, up to 20 meters in length, and weighing over 400 000 kg. In many situations, the components are transported off-site to a storage, disposal or recycling/treatment facility. Previously, many large objects had to be transported under special arrangement.
The latest 2018 edition of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material, No. SSR-6, incorporates regulations for the shipment of contaminated, but not activated large objects as a new category of surface contaminated object, SCO-III, based on the IAEA “performance package” concept.
This paper provides background and practical guidance on these regulations. Additionally, first experiences with SCO-III in the approval process are presented.
For SCO-III components a mechanical assessment regarding the tests specified in the transport regulations SSR-6 for demonstrating ability to withstand normal conditions of transport is required - a free drop of the package onto an unyielding target and a penetration test have to be investigated. Large components are unique objects; therefore, it is not possible to choose experimental testing as assessment method. The application of a complex numerical analysis for mechanical proof is necessary.
The assessment of the loads takes place based on local stress distributions.
The large nuclear components have typically been transported in an unpackaged manner, so that the external shell of the component provides the containment wall.
The paper will represent the methods, which are used for the evaluation of the mechanical integrity of the object for transport approval.
Low Transformation Temperature (LTT) welding consumables represent an innovative approach to realize compressive residual stress in weld and HAZ. LTT welding consumables use the volume-expanding martensitic phase transformation near room temperature to generate compressive residual stress during cooling. This article focusses on the weld geometry of LTT welding consumables and their influence on residual stress reduction. For this purpose, LTT layers were additionally applied to the front sides of conventionally welded longitudinal stiffeners. By varying parameters such as offset and welding speed, different weld geometries could be realized. These were analyzed for geometric parameters, chemical composition and residual stress using X-ray diffraction and fatigue testing. While the chemical composition was only slightly influenced by parameters changes, a clear influence was observed regarding to weld geometry and residual stress. The conventionally weld was characterized by tensile residual stress of ≈350 MPa at the weld toe, the additional LTT weld bead exhibits compressive and tensile residual stress of ≈-150MPa to ≈+150MPa depending to the parameter variation.
The development of multi‐principal‐element alloys (MPEAs) with unique characteristics such as high work hardening capacity similar to well‐known alloy systems like Hadfield steel X120Mn12 (ASTM A128) is a promising approach. Hence, by exploiting the core effects of MPEAs, the application range of conventional alloy systems can be extended. In the present study, work‐hardening MPEAs based on the equimolar composition CoFeNi are developed. Mn and C are alloyed in the same ratio as for X120Mn12. The production route consists of cast manufacturing by an electric arc furnace and surface functionalization via mechanical finishing using ultrasonic‐assisted milling (USAM) to initiate work hardening. The microstructure evolution, the hardness as well as the resulting oscillating wear resistance are detected. A pronounced lattice strain and grain refinement due to the plastic deformation during the USAM is recorded for the MPEA CoFeNi‐Mn12C1.2. Consequently, hardness increases by ≈380 HV0.025 in combination with a higher oscillating wear resistance compared to the X120Mn12. This shows the promising approach for developing work‐hardening alloys based on novel alloy concepts such as MPEAs.
In the area of plant engineering, steel components are provided with a wear protection coating for efficient use to protect them against corrosive, tribological, thermal and mechanical stresses. The use of innovative ultrasound-assisted milling processes and plasma-welded nickel- and cobalt-based wear protection coatings are being investigated to determine how more favourable machinability can be achieved while retaining the same wear protection potential. The focus is on the NiCrSiFeB alloy, which is intended to replace CoCr alloys in the area of screw machines. The utilization of ultrasonic-assisted milling for the machining of coating materials is a novel approach. The modification of hard facing layers in terms of microstructure and precipitation morphology as well as suitability for machining is investigated and compared with the CoCr alloy. The alloy modifications are generated by a PTA process by systematically adjusting the preheating and interpass temperatures, a crack-free wear-resistant layer can be generated, which is subsequently machined by a milling process. In addition to the crack-free properties, the microstructure, the bonding as well as the mixing between the NiCrSiFeB alloy and a 1.8550 as well as between the CoCr alloy and a 1.4828 are analysed and compared in the joining areas. In addition, heating and cooling rates are determined and a chemical analysis of the weld metals is performed. Furthermore, it was found that the build-up layers of NiCrSiFeB alloy are more difficult to machine using the milling process than the CoCr alloy, as higher milling forces are required.
Die Beschaffung und Verarbeitung von Werkstoffen für hochbelastete Komponenten sind meist kostenintensiv. Bestrebungen zur Kosten- und Ressourceneffizienz führen zu komplexeren Strukturen bzw. Konturen, sodass additive Fertigungsschritte zur Bauteilreparatur und -fertigung deutliche ökonomische Vorteile bieten. Hierfür sind additive und abtragende Fertigungsschritte komplementär und gezielt aufeinander abzustimmen, um beanspruchungsgerechte Funktionsflächen herzustellen. Hinsichtlich Inhomogenität und Anisotropie der Gefüge und Eigenschaften sowie fertigungsbedingter Beanspruchungen sind für den wirtschaftlichen Einsatz bei KMU, gerade für drahtbasierte Fertigungsverfahren und Wechselwirkungen nachfolgender Zerspanung dieser schwer spanbaren Werkstoffe noch viele Kenntnisse notwendig. Deshalb sind Untersuchungen zu diesen Einflüssen und Wechselwirkungen unter Nutzung innovativer Ansätze durchgeführt worden. Mit typischen kostenintensiven Ni- und Co-Cr-Legierungen wurden additive Bauteile, Auftrag- und Reparaturschweißungen hergestellt und Schweißzusätze für das PTA-Verfahren modifiziert, um die Erstarrungsmorphologie und das Eigenschaftsprofil zu optimieren. Die Übertragung auf MSG-Verfahren sicherte einen breiten industriellen Einsatz für hohe Auftragraten ab. Dies geschah mithilfe von modifizierten Fülldrähten sowie beschichteten Massivdrähten. Die wirtschaftliche spanende Bearbeitbarkeit wurde mit Zerspanbarkeitsanalysen für Schlichtfräsen und vergleichend für ultraschallunterstütze Fräsprozesse sichergestellt. Instrumentierte Experimente und Werkstoffanalytik hinsichtlich der Einflüsse auf Schmelzbad, Gefüge und Ausscheidungen sowie auf Randzoneneigenschaften und Eigenspannungen ermöglichten umfassende Erkenntnisse zur kombinierten additiven und abtragenden Fertigung. Dabei hat sich herausgestellt, dass eine Modifikation der Schweißzusatzwerkstoffe eine Homogenisierung der Mikrostruktur bedingt, welche wiederum den Zerspanprozess stabilisiert und letztendlich zu reduzierten Zerspankräften führt. Ferner wurde festgestellt, dass der ultraschallunterstützte Fräsprozess im Vergleich zum konventionellen Fräsprozess eine signifikante Reduzierung der Zerspankraft sowie eine höhere Oberflächenintegrität bedingt. Insbesondere die Induzierung oberflächennaher Druckeigenspannungen ist dabei hervorzuheben. Durch Bauteilversuche und -prüfungen, erfolgreiche Übertragbarkeitsstudien weiterer innovativer Werkstoffe verbunden mit Handlungsempfehlungen und der Zusammenarbeit mit den jeweiligen Normungsgremien, profitieren KMU von einer hochwirtschaftlichen Herstellung und Reparatur kostenintensiver Komponenten.
Microalloying elements such as Nb and Ti play a decisive function in achieving the desired mechanical strength of quenched and tempered, high-strength fine-grain structural steels with a nominal yield strength ≥ 690 MPa. The current specifications for the chemical composition only provide manufacturers with upper limits. However, even minor deviations in the alloy concept can have a significant impact on the mechanical properties. Consequently, accurate prediction of weldability and the integrity of welded joints becomes difficult or even impossible due to differences in composition and the resulting microstructures. Undesirable consequences include a possible softening of the heat-affected zone (HAZ) or, conversely, hardening effects. In view of these challenges, various microalloying strategies with different Ti and Nb contents are being systematically investigated for the first time using specially developed laboratory casting alloys. Each alloying route is based on the common S690QL, maintaining both the chemical composition and the heat treatment parameters.
To analyse the weldability, three-layer welds were performed using gas metal arc welding (GMAW) and critical microstructures, such as areas of the heat-affected zone (HAZ) that exhibit significant softening or hardening, were identified. The effect of the softened HAZ region on failure was evaluated using transverse tensile specimens. Digital image correlation (DIC) is used to image changes in local strains in different HAZ regions in situ. Using a specially developed mirror system, the local strains of the microstructure zones on the top and bottom of the weld are recorded simultaneously. This makes it possible to analyse how the weld seam geometry (e.g., V-seam) influences the strain gradients. In addition, the analysis of the local deformation helps to understand the effects of the softened HAZ on the global strain, the fracture constriction, the fracture position, and the overall fracture behavior
The weldability of stainless steels is largely controlled by the chemical composition, and alloys with ferritic or ferritic-austenitic solidification show the highest resistance to hot cracking. As the resulting phase balance also affects the final properties, it may be beneficial to both foresee and measure the weld metal ferrite content. The WRC ’92 constitution diagram is currently the most accurate prediction tool available, but it does not take the cooling rate into consideration and the precision may be less accurate for stainless steels with high ferrite numbers (FN). This study aims to assess the reliability of the WRC ’92 diagram for weld metals with FN > 50. The chemical composition was altered through gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) of UNS S32205 with ER347 filler wire that had been PVD-coated with either niobium (Nb), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), manganese (Mn), carbon (C), or silicon (Si). The actual ferrite content was evaluated using image analysis, FERITSCOPE® and X-ray diffraction (XRD). While predictions from the WRC ’92 diagram were deemed acceptable for Ni, Si, and Mn, notable deviations were observed for Nb, Cu, and C. The FeriteScope exhibited a consistent trend with image analysis, albeit with slightly higher FN values, wider scatter, and the conversion factor from FN to vol.-% is open for discussion. The lowest accuracy and largest spread were obtained using non-contact XRD, rendering it unsuitable for ferrite measurements of welds. These findings underscore the need for improved prediction tools and appropriate measurement methods for assessing ferrite content in duplex weld metals.
As the first commercial sodium-ion-batteries (SIBs) are available for purchase, it is possible to investigate material composition. Gaining an insight into the material composition of these SIBs is of interest not only for the classification of possible safety risks and hazards, but also in regards to recycling. Herein we report the preliminary investigations of the chemical and structural composition of first commercial SIB-cells. Two different SIB-cells with different specification were compared regarding electrode size, thickness and further parameters. Furthermore, the composition of the active materials and electrolyte was investigated and compared.
An understanding of Hydrogen-Oxygen/Air-Diluents gas mixtures combustion characteristics and their accurate prediction is crucial for ensuring the safety of hydrogen-related applications, reducing accidents risk, and protecting lives and property. Hydrogen detonation propagations are characterized by the detonation cell size, used to quantitatively predict for a mixture to detonate including, among others, the initiation energy, critical and minimum tube diameters. For the prediction of explosion limits, detonation run-up-distances and cell sizes, various empirical, semi-empirical and numerical models can be found in literature. These models are usually limited to a narrow range of explosion process or geometrical experimental parameters. Moreover, based on the limited availability of the detonation cell widths measurements, current estimation models are seemingly inaccurate. Machine learning models can be utilized to make justifiable prediction on the detonation cell sizes of hydrogen-air mixtures and other gaseous explosive mixtures cell sizes, explosion limits or run-up distance to detonation based on the mixture type, temperature, pressure, equivalence ratios as well as on geometrical parameters with consideration of highly diverse experimental data measurements uncertainties. Therefore, an up-to date database for explosion characteristics will be established and machine learning models will be developed, trained, tested, and validated using experimental data to predict explosion characteristics of hydrogen mixtures. The models predicted results will be validated against existing models. It will be tested whether machine learning models are able to predict the explosion characteristics of hydrogen mixtures with better accuracy and more comprehensively than conventional empirical and numerical models to be found in literature.
Im Forschungsprojekt DiMoWind-Inspect wurde untersucht, welche Grundvoraussetzungen geschaffen werden müssen, um digitale Methoden für die Instandhaltung von Offshore-Windenergieanlagen einsetzen zu können. Daten aus allen Lebensphasen der Anlagen werden derzeit nur selten effizient dafür genutzt, um die sinnvollsten Instandhaltungsmaßnahmen am richtigen Ort, zum richtigen Zeitpunkt und mit den geringsten Kosten durchzuführen. Eine im Vorhaben entwickelte einheitliche Strukturierung der bisher häufig unstrukturierten Bau- und Instandhaltungsdaten ermöglicht ihre übergreifende, anwenderspezifische Verfügbarkeit. Hierfür werden Prinzipien des Referenzkennzeichnungssystems RDS-PP adaptiert. Es wird aufgezeigt, wie neben Bauteilen auch zusätzliche Informationen wie Instandhaltungsmaßnahmen oder Mängel strukturiert werden können. Dem Ansatz des Building Information Modeling folgend werden die Bauwerkskomponenten direkt mit den Informationen aus Inspektionen und weiteren Instandhaltungsmaßnahmen verknüpft. So können Informationen aus dem Betrieb über den Zustand der Struktur verarbeitet und für die maßgebenden Berechnungen und Nachweise zur Verfügung gestellt werden. Als Anwendungsfall wird ein zweistufiges Konzept vorgestellt, das zur Bewertung der Ermüdungslebensdauer eines korrosionsgeschädigten Konstruktionsdetails der Gründungsstruktur einer Offshore-Windenergieanlage mit Informationen aus der Instandhaltung eingesetzt wird.
As energy carrier of the future, green hydrogen can make a decisive contribution to a sustainable energy supply. Particularly important is the decarbonization of heavy industry. Therefore, a reliable supply of hydrogen must be guaranteed. A hydrogen pipeline grid can achieve this purpose. In Europe concrete plans for a hydrogen pipeline grid already exist, as the so called “European Hydrogen backbone”. As building a completely new pipeline grid is economically not justifiable, a dual-way strategy of repurposing natural gas (NG) pipelines and newly built pipelines is intended.
Long distance pipeline grids require regular maintenance and repairs. For NG pipelines in-service welding is state of the art. Concepts such as hot-tapping (drilling into pressurized pipelines) and “stoppling” (sealing off pipeline sections after installing bypasses or pressure relieves) allow the repair of damaged pipeline sections or the installation of new branches without shutting the pipeline down, which in most cases isn’t possible from an economic standpoint.
The EIGA 121/14 guideline already pointed out in 2014 that “A hydrogen hot-tap shall not be considered a rou-tine procedure, […]”. This shows that the determination of the transferability of these repair concepts to hydrogen pipelines is of utmost importance. Due to the degrading effects of hydrogen on mechanical properties, commonly referred to as “hydrogen embrittlement” it is necessary to understand and investigate the occurring effects. In the special case of repair welding on in-service hydrogen pipelines an increased hydrogen uptake due to a large heat input and microstructural changes in the material needs to be considered. Therefore, material degradation must be investigated to determine whether modifications of repair procedures are necessary to ensure a reliable and safe hydrogen transportation via pipelines.
For this reason, this paper gives an overview on existing weld repair concepts and its risks and limitations in terms of hydrogen absorption and possible embrittlement effects when transferred to hydrogen pipelines. The complexity lies in a large variety of materials (low alloyed steels), pipeline diameters and corresponding weld-ed joints. The material compatibility of materials in used (repurposed NG-pipelines) and new condition must be investigated. Particularly for repurposed/used pipelines the effect of a pre-matured/corroded inner surface and sometimes insufficient documentation of the material “history” needs to be considered.
An overview on ongoing and completed R&D-projects with respect to repair concepts for hydrogen pipelines and hydrogen effects on pipeline materials is given.
Neutron imaging can provide unique contrast mechanisms. In order to yield reliable and reproducible attenuation coefficients for quantification, one needs to fully understand and characterize the experimental set-up. One effect that has been largely overlooked in scintillator-camera based neutron imaging systems is the backlight scattering or back illumination in the detection system which can significantly affect the quantification of attenuation coefficients and lead to severe errors and image artifacts. Herein, backlighting is investigated by varying the illuminated detector area and the magnitude of the attenuation. The attenuation coefficient of multiple metal plates was determined by polychromatic neutrons bu the CONRAD V7 instrument. The strength of the back illumination strongly depends upon the sample absorption. While it is relatively moderate (a few percent) for weak absorbing samples, it can be severe when the sample is a strong absorber or thick.
Hydrogen is an energy source of increasing importance. As hydrogen is very reactive to air and needs to be stored under high pressure, it is crucial to provide safe transportation and storage. Therefore, structural health monitoring, based on guided ultrasonic waves and machine learning methods, is used for Composite Overwrapped Pressure Vessels (COPVs) containing hydrogen. To acquire data that allows robust detection of COPV defects, there are two main process parameters to consider. These are the pressurization of the vessel and the temperature conditions at the vessel. This paper will focus on the derivation of a design of experiment (DoE) from the needs of various validation scenarios (e.g. concerning pressure, temperature or excitation frequency). Practical limitations must be considered as well. We designed experiments with multiple reversible damages at different positions. A network of 25 transducers, structured as five rings with five sensors in one line, is installed on a vessel. Guided ultrasonic waves are used via the pitch-catch procedure, which means that the transducers act pairwise as transmitter and receiver in order to measure all transmitterreceiver combinations. This leads to 600 signal paths, recorded by a Verasonics Vantage 64 LF data acquisition system. Finally, the influences of temperature and pressure within the acquired data set are going to be visualized.
Structural health monitoring (SHM) using ultrasonic-guided waves (UGWs) enables continuous monitoring of components with complex geometries and provides extensive information about their structural integrity and their overall condition. Composite overwrapped pressure vessels (COPVs) used for storing hydrogen gases at very high pressures are an example of a critical infrastructure that could benefit significantly from SHM. This can be used to increase the periodic inspection intervals, ensure safe operating conditions by early detection of anomalies, and ultimately estimate the remaining lifetime of COPVs. Therefore, in the digital quality infrastructure initiative (QI-Digital) in Germany, an SHM system is being developed for COPVs used in a hydrogen refueling station. In this study, the results of a lifetime fatigue test on a Type IV COPV subjected to many thousands of load cycles under different temperatures and pressures are presented to demonstrate the strengths and challenges associated with such an SHM system. During the cyclic testing up to the final material failure of the COPV, a sensor network of fifteen surface-mounted piezoelectric (PZT) wafers was used to collect the UGW data. However, the pressure variations, the aging process of the COPV, the environmental parameters, and possible damages simultaneously have an impact on the recorded signals. This issue and the lack of labeled data make signal processing and analysis even more demanding. Thus, in this study, semi-supervised, and unsupervised deep learning approaches are utilized to separate the influence of different variables on the UGW data with the final aim of detecting and localizing the damage before critical failure.
Structural health monitoring (SHM) using ultrasonic-guided waves (UGWs) enables continuous monitoring of components with complex geometries and provides extensive information about their structural integrity and their overall condition. Composite overwrapped pressure vessels (COPVs) used for storing hydrogen gases at very high pressures are an example of a critical infrastructure that could benefit significantly from SHM. This can be used to increase the periodic inspection intervals, ensure safe operating conditions by early detection of anomalies, and ultimately estimate the remaining lifetime of COPVs. Therefore, in the digital quality infrastructure initiative (QI-Digital) in Germany, an SHM system is being developed for COPVs used in a hydrogen refueling station. In this study, the results of a lifetime fatigue test on a Type IV COPV subjected to many thousands of load cycles under different temperatures and pressures are presented to demonstrate the strengths and challenges associated with such an SHM system. During the cyclic testing up to the final material failure of the COPV, a sensor network of fifteen surface-mounted piezoelectric (PZT) wafers was used to collect the UGW data. However, the pressure variations, the aging process of the COPV, the environmental parameters, and possible damages simultaneously have an impact on the recorded signals. This issue and the lack of labeled data make signal processing and analysis even more demanding. Thus, in this study, semi-supervised, and unsupervised deep learning approaches are utilized to separate the influence of different variables on the UGW data with the final aim of detecting and localizing the damage before critical failure.
This presentation is part of the Engineering Risk Analysis group open seminars. It aims to showcase the results of an ongoing study centered on developing a novel probabilistic methodology for 3D geotechnical site characterization. This methodology integrates data from Cone Penetration Tests (CPTs) and categorical borehole data. The presentation covers the mathematical details of the proposed Multivariate Gaussian Process model and demonstrates its application to a real geotechnical site in New Zealand.
Quantifying uncertainties in subsurface properties and stratigraphy can lead to better understanding of the ground conditions and enhance the design and assessment of geotechnical structures. Several studies have utilized Cone Penetration Test (CPT) data and employed Bayesian and Machine Learning methods to quantify the geological uncertainty, based on the Robertson’s soil classification charts and the Soil Behaviour Type Index (Ic). The incorporation of borehole data can reduce the stratigraphic uncertainty. Significant challenges can arise, however, mainly due to the intrinsic differences between field and laboratory-based soil classification systems, which can potentially lead to inconsistent soil classification. To this end, this study proposes a multivariate Gaussian Process model that utilizes site-specific data and: i) jointly models multiple categorical (USCS labels) and continuous (Ic) variables, ii) learns a (shared) spatial correlation structure and the betweenoutputs covariance, and iii) produces two types of dependent classification outputs. The results indicate that the integration of geotechnical and geological information into a unified model can provide more reliable predictions of the subsurface stratification, by allowing simultaneous interpretation of USCS and Ic profiles. Importantly, the model demonstrates the potential to integrate multiple variables of different types, aiming to contribute to the development of a methodology for joint modeling of geotechnical, geological and geophysical data.
How structural health monitoring can be embedded in a digital quality infrastructure: an example.
(2024)
The digital Quality Infrastructure (QI) initiative “QI-Digital” in Germany is focusing on implementing new technologies and approaches to ensure that the task of quality assurance is more efficient and ready for the digital and green transformation of the economy. The implementation of quality control key elements, such as Smart Standards, Digital Certificates and QI-cloud solutions shall contribute to solving the socio-economic, ecological, and technological challenges of our time. Hydrogen is a key energy carrier and has the potential to play a significant role in the energy transition, especially in mobility. An essential factor for the broad acceptance of hydrogen-based mobility is the availability of refueling stations that operate reliably and safely. Using the example of a Hydrogen Refueling Station (HRS) built within the QI-Digital initiative, the Federal Institute for Material Research and Testing (BAM) aims to establish a real laboratory where modern measurement techniques and new digital methods are implemented to enhance operational safety, availability, and economic efficiency and render the technology more attractive for the industry.
In this work, we present an approach to establish a Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) system on a high-pressure buffer inside HRS and show how it could be embedded into a digital QI. The high-pressure buffers are essential components of the plant which are currently inspected periodically without regard to their operating history. Focusing on the transition to a continuous and digitally supported monitoring of the component’s integrity during operation the novel inspection scheme will be linked to a completely digitalized component-related documentation and tested using digital certificates. This allows the operational safety and, if necessary, the remaining useful lifetime to be assessed on an ongoing basis and to be a valuable contribution to increasing sustainability.
This article presents a method to use the dispersive behavior of ultrasonic guided waves and neural networks to determine the isotropic elastic constants of plate-like structures through dispersion images. Therefore, two different architectures are compared: one using convolutions and transfer learning based on the EfficientNetB7 and a Vision Transformer-like approach. To accomplish this, simulated and measured dispersion images are generated, where the first is applied to design, train, and validate and the second to test the neural networks. During the training of the neural networks, distinct data augmentation layers are employed to introduce artifacts appearing in measurement data into the simulated data. The neural networks can extrapolate from simulated to measured data using these layers. The trained neural networks are assessed using dispersion images from seven known material samples. Multiple variations of the measured dispersion images are tested to guarantee the prediction stability. The study demonstrates that neural networks can learn to predict the isotropic elastic constants from measured dispersion images using only simulated dispersion images for training and validation without needing an initial guess or manual feature extraction, independent of the measurement setup. Furthermore, the suitability of the different architectures for generating information from dispersion images in general is discussed.
The development of a robust hydrogen infrastructure poses challenges to materials exposed to high pressurized hydrogen environments. Polymeric materials, which are expected to perform as seals, gaskets, O-rings, hoses among other applications face high risk of damage due to rapid gas decompression (RGD) which might cause operational safety issues. In this study, we intend to assess the effects of a high pressurized hydrogen environment on carbon black filled (CB) elastomers. The materials were exposed to 100 MPa hydrogen atmosphere at room temperature and at 85°C. Ex-situ characterization was performed during the first 30 minutes after decompression and repeated two days after the exposure when total gas desorption has taken place. The physical and mechanical characteristics of the materials were determined by means of density and volume change, hardness and tensile tests, and dynamic mechanical analysis.
Compatibility of welded austenitic stainless steel (316L) tube for green hydrogen applications
(2024)
The increase in the energy demand and the need to comply to net zero carbon regulations, as per the Paris 2015 climate agreement by 2050, has necessitated the urgency to consider hydrogen as alternative energy carrier. Moreover, hydrogen interaction with metals tend to cause degradation of the mechanical properties in terms of the ductility of the materials. More concern is on the weldment and repair of tubes or pipelines of hydrogen transportation and storage systems. In this study, the heat inducted weld tubes of the cold drawn and annealed austenitic stainless steel (316L) were investigated by slow strain rate test. To achieve the most realistic component-related testing, hollow tube specimens have been fabricated from 1/2-inch Swagelok pipes filled with internal gaseous hydrogen or inert air for reference. The hydrogen concentration measurement is undertaken before and after the autoclave high-pressure pre-charging of the specimens using carrier gas hot extraction. SEM analysis was used to carry out fractographic analysis to determine the crack initiation sites, crack size and was compared for the base material and heat affected zone influence in the gaseous hydrogen. The effect of hydrogen on the material compatibility of the welded austenitic stainless steel is assessed and compared to none-welded tubes tested in defined testing parameters that contribute to Hydrogen Assisted Cracking. A better understanding on the impact of weldment on the structural integrity for stainless steel is elucidated for green hydrogen application.
A hybrid deterministic-probabilistic framework is presented that combines in-situ measurements and numerical analysis to predict the characteristic size of corrosion pits over extended periods of exposure to seawater. A probabilistic model, informed by corrosion current density and temperature data, applies a sampling method to a range of overpotential values to reflect the surface deterioration in terms of pitting. The model is calibrated and validated with pit size data obtained from corroded coupons. Results reveal a positively skewed truncated lognormal distribution of pit depths which implies a higher prevalence of smaller pit depths, corroborated both experimentally and numerically.
Welded steel structures used in the offshore wind industry are exposed to harsh marine environments, which can result in corrosion-induced fatigue damage. Of particular concern is the heat affected zone (HAZ) of welded joints, a region known for its altered microstructure and mechanical properties, which can significantly influence the initiation and propagation of fatigue cracks. This study investigates the short and long fatigue crack growth rates, and the effect of seawater exposure, for the HAZ in S355 steel weldments. Single-edge notch bend (SENB) specimens are used, with a shallow notch in the HAZ. A series of specimens is immersed in synthetic seawater that is continuously circulated at a controlled temperature to assess the synergistic effects of corrosion and fatigue. The experimental method integrates a novel application of front face strain compliance for monitoring short cracks, alongside an extended back-face strain compliance approach for monitoring long crack propagation. It is concluded that the short fatigue crack growth rate of the HAZ is 2.7 to 3.5 times higher in seawater as compared to air. As the crack propagates and enters into the long crack regime, the ratio decreases to 2.2 times at the transition point of the two-stage crack growth curve and further decreases to 1.5 times when the notch advances towards fracture. The findings indicate that the fatigue crack growth rates documented in standards tend to be on the conservative side. This study significantly enriches the fatigue crack growth data available in literature, which will contribute to a more accurate lifetime assessment offshore wind turbine structures.
Passive infrared thermography as an inspection tool for operational wind turbine rotor blades
(2024)
The growing wind energy infrastructure presents a significant challenge in the maintenance and operation of wind turbines (WT) and their intricate components. An important aspect of WT maintenance is the inspection of wind turbine rotor blades (WTB) to ensure the overall health and safety of the turbine. This inspection process involves both visual and mechanical examinations of the blades to identify any indicators of damage or wear that could compromise their performance and, consequently, the structural integrity of the entire WT system. The complexity of WTBs is compounded by their ever-expanding dimensions, exceeding 100 meters in length for 16 MW WT systems, and their multi-material composition. Within this context, passive infrared thermography emerges as a potential alternative to conventional contact- or proximity-based inspection methods. Unlike active thermography, passive thermography uses solar radiation and ambient temperature variation for thermal contrast, eliminating the need for traditional heat lamps, flash, or laser-based techniques.
A novel inspection method has been developed to semi-autonomously assess wind turbine blades (WTBs) while the wind turbine (WT) is operational, from ground level. This approach leverages optimal thermal contrast, which depends on prevailing weather conditions during field measurements, enabling the visualization of both external and internal features of the WTBs through post-processing techniques. In this study, thermal data obtained through passive thermography is compared with contemporaneous visual imagery to definitively classify observed features in thermal images as either surface or sub-surface features. This analysis, coupled with corresponding weather conditions, provides valuable insights into the capabilities and limitations of the inspection technique. Additionally, finite-element-based (FE) thermal simulations of a WTB section are employed to parametrically assess the influence of weather conditions, beyond those observed during field measurements, based on a validated model.
In addition, the thermal images also consist of thermal signatures of leading-edge turbulence due to possible leading-edge erosion in WTBs. These are primarily vortices, and their shape and size depend on the morphology of the damage as well as the rotational speed of the WTBs. The inspections are accompanied by automatic data evaluation of the thermal signatures. To improve the precision of erosion damage identification, a fully convolutional network (FCN) is employed, trained, and tested using over 1000 annotated thermographic blade images. Additionally, the study introduces strategies for grouping smaller damage indications and simplification rules based on realistic thermal imaging resolutions. As leading-edge erosion could potentially lead to annual energy production (AEP) losses, this technique could prove to be a powerful tool in establishing the presence of damage and the resulting AEP loss.
The hydrogen economy is one of the most important solutions to achieve climate neutrality in Europe. It involves the production, storage, transport and use of large quantities of hydrogen in existing and new infrastructures. Components along this supply chain, such as pipelines and storage tanks, are made of various metallic materials, with steel being the most common construction material. The rapid introduction of hydrogen therefore brings with it major challenges, in particular the need for comprehensive qualification of components and materials to ensure the sustainable and safe use of hydrogen technologies. This article provides an overview of the state of the art in the testing of materials and components as well as corresponding future trends and developments for a successful transition to a hydrogen economy.
Most high capacity anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LiB) require a carbonaceous matrix. In this context one promising material is reduced graphene oxide (rGO). Herein, we present the influence of different reduction degrees of rGO on its physico-chemical properties, such as crystallinity, specific surface area, electrical conductivity and electrochemical lithiation/delithiation behavior. It is found that a heat treatment under inert and reducing atmospheres increases the long-range order of rGO up to a temperature of 700 °C. At temperatures around 1000 °C, the crystallinity decreases. With decreasing oxygen content, a linear decrease in irreversible capacity during cycle 1 can be observed, along with a significant increase in electrical conductivity. This decrease in irreversible capacity can be observed despite an increase in specific surface area indicating the more significant influence of the oxygen content on the capacity loss. Consequently, the reversible capacity increases continuously up to a carbon content of 84.4 at% due to the thermal reduction. Contrary to expectations, the capacity decreases with further reduction. This can be explained by the loss of functional groups that will be lithiated reversibly, and a simultaneous reduction of long-range order, as concluded from dq/dU analysis in combination with XRD analysis.
The Modified Varestraint Transvarestraint test is a local variant of the globally used Varestraint test. With these tests, measuring solidification cracking susceptibility as a function of welding parameters is possible. A wide range of welding parameters for four high-strength steel filler wires, including three solid wires and one-flux cored metal wire, were tested. All wires do show a very low solidification cracking susceptibility, regardless of the paramaters. On a low level, it could be shown that solidification cracking susceptibility increases with heat input and welding speed.
Testing of highly restraint high-strength fillet welds with regards to solidification cracking susceptibility. The Controlled Thermal Severity test was used to apply a high amount of strain to solidifying welds. Test welds were cut and observed under an optical light microscope. A clear positive correlation between restraint intensity and measured crack sizes, as well as heat input and measured crack sized could be observed.
Contemporary steels creep-resistant steels like the 13CrMoV9-10 are used as thick plates e.g., for applications in hydrocrackers. The large plate thickness requires high efficiency welding processes like submerged arc welding (SAW) and a mandatory post weld heat treatment (PWHT). The PWHT-parameters stem from a combination of empirical knowledge and traditional experiments on free shrinking (FS) welds. In that connection, the formation of so-called stress-relief cracking (SRC) must be anticipated. The SRC susceptibility of a welded component is a complex combination and interaction of com-ponent specific, thermal, and metallurgical factors. Many of which have to date not been conclusively researched. For example, it is well known that SRCs develop during PWHT due to formation and growth of carbides on prior austenite grain boundaries, resulting in a significant hardness increase (secondary hardening) and toughness decrease. This leads to a high SRC susceptibility of the coarse grain heat-affected zone (CGHAZ) of the last weld bead during PWHT. This is intensified in case of high residual stresses from the component-specific, structurally induced stiffness. In combination with multi-layer welding this leads to a multiaxial stress distribution. Nonetheless, the combined effect of PWHT and high-residual stresses on the SRC formation is merely unknown. For that reason, this study presents the effect of different heating rates in conjunction with a certain component stiffness. For that reason, SAW joints of 13CrMoV9-10 steel were investigated under FS and defined external restraint condition.
Based on the initial call in March 2024, an update time-frame is introduced on the working plan for a comprehensive review paper series on joining and welding technologies for the manufacturing of components and parts used in sustainable energy generation, conversion, and transport with focus on hydrogen and wind energy.
As energy carrier of the future, green hydrogen can make a decisive contribution to a sustainable energy supply. In Europe concrete plans for a hydrogen pipeline grid already exist, as the so called “European Hydrogen backbone”. As building a completely new pipeline grid is economically not justifiable, a dual-way strategy of repurposing natural gas (NG) pipelines and newly built pipelines is intended. Long distance pipeline grids require regular maintenance and repairs. In that conection, for natural gas (NG) pipelines in-service welding is state of the art. Concepts such as hot-tapping (drilling into pressurized pipelines) and “stoppling” (sealing off pipeline sections after installing bypasses or pressure relieves) allow the repair of damaged pipeline sections or the installation of new branches without shutting the pipeline down. The EIGA 121/14 guideline already pointed out in 2014 that “a hydrogen hot-tap shall not be considered a routine procedure”. This shows that the determination of the transferability of these repair concepts to hydrogen pipelines is of utmost importance. Due to the degrading effects of hydrogen on mechanical proper-ties, commonly referred to as “hydrogen embrittlement” it is necessary to understand and investigate the occurring effects. In the special case of repair welding on in-service hydrogen pipelines an increased hydro-gen uptake due to a large heat input and microstructural changes in the material needs to be considered. For this reason, this paper gives an overview on existing weld repair concepts and its risks and limitations in terms of hydrogen absorption and possible embrittlement effects when transferred to hydrogen pipelines. The complexity lies in a large variety of materials (low alloyed steels), pipeline diameters and corresponding welded joints. The material compatibility of materials in used (repurposed NG-pipelines) and new condition must be investigated. Particularly for repurposed/used pipelines the effect of a pre-matured/corroded inner surface and sometimes insufficient documentation of the material “history” needs to be considered. An overview on ongoing and completed R&D-projects with respect to repair concepts for hydrogen pipelines and hydrogen effects on pipeline materials is given.
Long-term dry interim storage may adversely affect the mechanical properties of spent fuel rods, possibly resulting in a reduced resilience during handling or transport after storage. The cladding is the first barrier for the spent fuel pellets. An established method for characterising the cladding material is the ring compression test (RCT), in which a small, cylindrical sample of the cladding tube is subjected to a compressive load. Radial hydrides may precipitate in zirconium-based alloys (Zircaloy) under pre-storage drying and during slow cooling, which result in embrittlement of the cladding material and eventually a possible sudden failure of cladding integrity under additional mechanical loads. The focus of the presented research is on the development of appropriate nu-merical methods for predicting the mechanical behaviour and identification of limiting conditions to prevent brittle fracture of Zircaloy claddings. A modelling approach based on cohesive zones is ex-plained which is able to reproduce the propagation of cracks initiated at radial hydrides in the zir-conium matrix. The developed methods are applied to defueled samples of cladding alloy ZIRLO®, which were subjected to a thermo-mechanical treatment to reorient existing circumferential hy-drides to radial hydrides. A selected sample showing sudden load drops during a quasi-static ring compression test is analysed by means of fracture mechanics for illustrative purposes. Based on the developed fracture mechanics approach, not only the deformation behaviour but also the fail-ure behaviour of irradiated as well as unirradiated Zircaloy claddings with radial hydrides under RCT loading conditions can be adequately described.
Long-term dry interim storage may adversely affect the mechanical properties of spent fuel rods, possibly resulting in a reduced resilience during handling or transport after storage. The cladding is the first barrier for the spent fuel pellets. An established method for characterising the cladding material is the ring compression test (RCT), in which a small, cylindrical sample of the cladding tube is subjected to a compressive load. Radial hydrides may precipitate in zirconium-based alloys (Zircaloy) under pre-storage drying and during slow cooling, which result in embrittlement of the cladding material and eventually a possible sudden failure of cladding integrity under additional mechanical loads. The focus of the presented research is on the development of appropriate nu-merical methods for predicting the mechanical behaviour and identification of limiting conditions to prevent brittle fracture of Zircaloy claddings. A modelling approach based on cohesive zones is ex-plained which is able to reproduce the propagation of cracks initiated at radial hydrides in the zir-conium matrix. The developed methods are applied to defueled samples of cladding alloy ZIRLO®, which were subjected to a thermo-mechanical treatment to reorient existing circumferential hy-drides to radial hydrides. A selected sample showing sudden load drops during a quasi-static ring compression test is analysed by means of fracture mechanics for illustrative purposes. Based on the developed fracture mechanics approach, not only the deformation behaviour but also the fail-ure behaviour of irradiated as well as unirradiated Zircaloy claddings with radial hydrides under RCT loading conditions can be adequately described.
The European Joint Programme on Radioactive Waste Management (EURAD) is working on Spent Fuel Characterization (SFC) in its work package (WP) 8. Inspired by the EURAD activities, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) established an international Coordinated Research Project (CRP) on SFC. The EURAD WP SFC participants are collaborating as a team on the IAEA CRP on SFC. The EURAD WP SFC project consists of four tasks. Task 3 investigates the behaviour of nuclear fuel and cladding after discharge. The aim of these activities is to understand and describe the evolution of the cladding-pellet system and its ageing under conditions of extended interim storage, transportation and emplacement in a final disposal system. At the Third Research Coordination Meeting on Spent Fuel Characterization, BAM as contributor to Task 3 reported on the activities and status of its research work.
The BAMline at the synchrotron X-ray source BESSY II (Berlin, Germany) is supporting researchers especially in materials science [1]. As a non-destructive characterization method, synchrotron X-ray imaging, especially tomography (SXCT) with hard X-Rays, plays an important role in structural 3D characterization. The imaging capabilities allow for in-situ and operando experiments. In this presentation the equipment, data handling pipeline as well as various examples from material science are presented.
In series-connected lithium-ion cells are susceptible to an electrical safety hazard called over-discharge. Here the behavior of copper dissolution and deposition during over-discharge is presented, which leads to irreversible loss of capacity and internal short circuits. The concentration of dissolved and deposited copper is quantified. Also, a non-uniform distribution pattern of copper deposition on the cathode is shown.
The second example deals with an Al alloy 7017 customized for a 3d-printing process by means of laser-based powder bed fusion (PBF-LB) technique. These advanced alloys have a significantly higher modulus of elasticity than conventional Al alloys, making them attractive for applications requiring high stiffness. SXCT during In-situ tensile tests confirmed that fracture initiation strongly depends on defects created during printing. However, the cracks are deflected from decohesion around inclusions/precipitates embedded in the Al matrix, increasing ductility.
Low temperature cofired ceramic (LTCC) multilayer housings offer 3D-circuits for a wide range of applications in telecommunications, microsystems and sensor technology. Such housings are produced by combining structured and metallized ceramic layers using tape-casting and multilayer technology. The characterization of the integrity, deformation, defects, and positioning of the internal metal features was carried out using in-situ SXCT at up to 950°C.
A high-precision nail penetration tool was developed to characterize the mechanically induced thermal runaway (TR) of lithium-ion battery (LIB) cells in a dynamic temperature range down to -190 °C. To investigate safety-specific low-temperature transport conditions, the damaged cells were tomographically imaged during thawing.
The investigation of the long-term performance of sealing systems employed in containers for radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel is one research focus area for division 3.4 “Safety of Storage Containers” at the Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung. Metallic seals are in use in interim storage casks for used fuel and high active waste. Their change in performance over time is of high importance for maintaining safe enclosure. Therefore, investigations on these systems were started at BAM to get a general understanding of the relevant processes. Our investigations comprise investigations on different parameters which influence the seal performance and the main part is focussed on the time and temperature dependent behaviour.
In this contribution an update on the performed tests and their respective results will be given in respect to the overview presented in 2020.
The understanding of the long-term behaviour of the sealing systems and the performance evaluation during interim storage and subsequent transportation are our goals.
In this work, the thermoelectric material calcium cobaltite Ca3Co4O9 (CCO), a promising p-type conducting thermoelectric oxide with anisotropic properties, was processed by the powder aerosol deposition method (PAD) to form a dense ceramic CCO film with a thickness in the µm range. The prepared films were characterized regarding their microstructure and thermoelectric properties between room temperature and 900 °C. After heat treatment at 900 °C, the CCO PAD film in-plane shows excellent properties in terms of electrical conductivity (280 S/cm at 900 °C) and Seebeck coefficient (220 µV/K at 900 °C). The calculated power factor in-plane (ab) reaches with 1125 µW/(m K2) 40 % of the single crystal value, surpassing the known-properties of CCO bulk ceramics. Examination of the microstructure shows a strong fiber texture of the film as well as a strong coarsening of the grains during the first heat treatment up to 900 °C.
Development and fundamental understanding of precious-group-metal-free electrocatalysts is hampered by limitations in the quantification of the intrinsic activity of different catalytic sites and understanding the different reaction mechanisms. Comparing isomorphic nitrogen-doped carbons, Zn-N-Cs and Fe-N-Cs with the common tetrapyrrolic motif, a catalyst-independent outer-sphere rate-determining step in the alkaline oxygen reduction reaction is observed. Density functional theory (DFT) simulations on tetrapyrrolic model structures indicate the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) level as a good descriptor for the catalytic activity. Contour plots suggest that the electron transfer occurs directly from the tetrapyrrolic coordination site, rather than from the metal center. Metal-free tetrapyrrolic N4 sites are discovered to be highly active oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) active sites in alkaline that reach turnover frequencies (TOF) of 0.33 and 1.84 s−1 at 0.80 and 0.75 VRHE in the order of magnitude of tetrapyrrolic Fe–N4 sites in the acidic ORR. While Zn-coordination lowers the HOMO level and therefore the catalytic activity, Fe-coordination lifts the HOMO level resulting in TOF values of 0.4 and 4 s−1 for tetrapyrrolic Fe–N4 sites at 0.90 and 0.85 VRHE, respectively. At higher mass activities, the peroxide reduction becomes rate-limiting, where highest peroxide production rates are observed for the nitrogen-doped carbon.
The following contribution presents the analyses of additively manufactured (AM) 316L using hollow specimens at 200 bar hydrogen and a strain rate of 1E-5 s-1. The work includes a comparison of three types of hollow specimens: mechanically extracted from fully additively manufactured cylinders, near-net-shape additively manufactured specimens, i.e. as printed, and specimens made of conventional 316L. AM specimens were manufactured via powder bed fusion with laser beam of metals (PBF-LB/M). For the near-net-shape specimens the inner hole remained without any mechanical processing. The inner holes of the cylindric specimens were manufactured by drilling with subsequent honing.
The susceptibility to hydrogen embrittlement was found to be strongly dependent on the surface being in contact with hydrogen. While specimens with a clean surface had a relative reduction of area (RRA) of around 78 %, those with an as-printed surface showed a significantly larger RRA of around 90 %. One possible reason for this are oxide layers formed due to small amounts of oxygen during the AM-process.
Further research is required to determine if the lower effect on the mechanical properties is permanently for as printed parts or e.g. time dependent. Additionally, further work with variation in the nominal strain rate is required.
The constantly increasing demand for renewable energy sources lead to the necessity of transporting large amounts of hydrogen. Since pipelines enable a cost-effective way for the distribution of gaseous hydrogen, the interaction of hydrogen and the pipeline materials must be carefully investigated as hydrogen can cause a degradation of the mechanical properties under certain conditions. Especially welds, which are assumed to be more susceptible to the degradation enhanced by hydrogen, are of great interest. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of gaseous hydrogen on the mechanical properties of an X65 pipeline, and the longitudinal submerged arc welding (SAW) welded joint. The tests are conducted using the hollow specimen technique on two types of specimens: one extracted from the base material (BM) and the other extracted as a cross-weld (CW) specimen consisting of base material and weld seam. The specimens are charged in-situ under a pressure of 60 bar and tested using slow strain rate (SSR) tensile tests with a nominal strain rate of 10-5 s-1. The performed tests showed a decrease of the reduction of area (RA) from 72% in inert atmosphere to 52% in hydrogen atmosphere for the CW-specimen and a decrease from 73% in inert atmosphere to 51% for the BM. Metallographic analyses showed the crack initiation between fine grain heat affected zone (FGHAZ) and BM for the specimens tested in hydrogen atmosphere as well as for the reference specimens. This leads to the conclusion that the location of the crack initiation does not change due to the presence of gaseous hydrogen.
Das Laserstrahl-Lichtbogen-Hybridschweißverfahren kombiniert Laserstrahl- und Lichtbogenschweißverfahren in einem gemeinsamen Schmelzbad. Das Verfahren wurde Ende der 70er Jahre entwickelt, um die Synergieeffekte der Schweißprozesse effektiv zu nutzen. Durch die hohe Strahlungsintensität des Laserstrahls werden hohe Einschweißtiefen erreicht. Es ist möglich, die Anzahl der Schweißlagen zu reduzieren und somit die thermische Belastung des Grundwerkstoffes zu senken, da der Wärmeeintrag verringert wird. Die Überbrückung von Spalten und Kantenversatz kann durch die Zufuhr eines geschmolzenen Zusatzdrahtes durch das MSG-Verfahren erreicht werden. Der Zusatzdraht kann zudem das metallurgische Gefüge positiv beeinflussen. Daher ist das Laser-Hybridschweißverfahren ideal für das einlagige Schweißen von Dickblechen und wird bereits erfolgreich in der Schiffbauindustrie zum Schweißen von Blechen mit einer Dicke von bis zu 15 mm verwendet. Obwohl Hochleistungslaser heutzutage bereits im Multi-Kilowatt-Bereich verfügbar sind, sind sie für den industriellen Einsatz nur auf Stahlbleche mit einer Dicke von max. 15 mm geeignet. Hohe Abkühlgeschwindigkeiten, gravitationsbedingtes Austropfen beim einlagigen Schweißen von Dickblechen, Prozessinstabilitäten bei höheren Laserleistungen und Schweißnahtimperfektionen wie Rissbildung sind einige Faktoren, die den Einsatz von Laser-Hybridschweißtechnologien aktuell begrenzen. Ohne eine Badstütze ist eine Verringerung der Schweißgeschwindigkeit und somit der Abkühlgeschwindigkeit aufgrund unzulässiger Wurzelüberhöhungen oder gravitationsbedingtem Austropfen nicht möglich. Bei herkömmlichen Badstützen ist es allerdings erforderlich, dass sie mechanisch befestigt und die Wurzel entfernt oder nachbearbeitet werden muss. In dieser Arbeit wird als Alternative das innovative Konzept der elektromagnetischen Schweißbadsicherung vorgestellt und die Fähigkeiten dieses Verfahrens erläutert.
Auf dem Weg zum einlagigen Schweißen von dickwandigen Bauteilen – Prozesse, Potenziale, Beispiele
(2024)
Bislang kommt das Laserstrahlschweißen bzw. Laserhybridschweißen hauptsächlich bei Dickblechen mit einer Wandstärke von bis zu 15 mm zum Einsatz. Für Anwendungen über 20 mm war dieses Verfahren aufgrund einiger Herausforderungen bisher nur bedingt realisierbar. Die von der Ausgründung WeldNova GmbH der Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM) entwickelte Schweißbadsicherung ermöglicht nun ein einlagiges Schweißen von bis zu 40 mm Wandstärken mit einer Laserleistung von bis zu 20 kW.
A new hydrogen-based test rig is being developed for a feasibility study on the use of hydrogen as an energy source for thermal testing in accordance with the IAEA SSR-6 guidelines for transport packages containing radioactive materials.
The test rig will be capable of combusting hydrogen for a wide range of different burner geometries, mass flows and if necessary hydrogen blends. As this type of fire test according to the IAEA boundary conditions (SSR-6 & SSG-26) does not yet exist, a large number of preliminary investigations, safety assessments and calculations must be carried out in order to develop a viable concept for hydrogen fires.
A new hydrogen-based test rig is being developed for a feasibility study on the use of hydrogen as an energy source for thermal testing in accordance with the IAEA SSR-6 guidelines for transport packages containing radioactive materials.
The test rig will be capable of combusting hydrogen for a wide range of different burner geometries, mass flows and if necessary hydrogen blends. As this type of fire test according to the IAEA boundary conditions (SSR-6 & SSG-26) does not yet exist, a large number of preliminary investigations, safety assessments and calculations must be carried out in order to develop a viable concept for hydrogen fires.
To safely dispose of nuclear waste in underground facilities, engineered barrier systems are needed to seal shafts and galleries. The material used in these barriers must be adapted to the host rock parameters. Shrinking and cracking must be avoided to provide a barrier with almost zero permeability. For repositories in salt rock environments, several types of salt concrete (SC) are possible construction materials.
Within the project SealWasteSafe, we compared the behavior of an innovative alkali-activated material (AAM) with standard SC in their hydration and hardening phase. To monitor the microstructural changes within the two materials SC and AAM, acoustic emission (AE) signals have been recorded for up to ~250 days on 340-liter-cubic specimens.
The phenomenon of AE is defined as the emission of elastic waves in materials due to the release of localized internal energy. Such energy release can be caused by the nucleation of micro-fracture, e.g., in concrete while curing or when exposed to load. The occurrence of AE events gives first rough indications of microstructural changes and potentially occurring cracking and thus, provides insights for structural health monitoring (SHM).
The results show, that for the first 28 days after casting, less AE activity was detected in the AAM compared to SC. After 61 days, in the AAM material, the number of AE events exceeded those observed in the SC. However, the majority of the AE detected and located in AAM was related to surface effects, and not to microstructural changes or occurring cracks within the bulk volume. Additionally, the source location analysis indicated, that despite lower activity in SC, we observed some clustering of the events. In contrast, in AAM, the activity inside the specimen is randomly distributed over the whole volume. The monitoring results help to estimate the material’s sealing properties which are crucial to assess their applicability as sealing material for engineered barriers.
The crucial part of nuclear waste storage is the construction of sealing structures made of reliable, well-understood, and safe materials. Within the SealWasteSafe project, we compared the performance of an innovative alkali-activated material (AAM) and standard salt concrete (SC), as potential materials for sealing structures for nuclear waste repositories. Two 340-liter-cubic specimens were studied for up to ~250 days by a multisensory monitoring setup. Specifically, the long-term acoustic emission monitoring aimed to analyze the development of microstructural changes within materials.
The monitoring analysis showed fewer acoustic emission events in AAM compared to SC in the first 61 days. After approximately two months of monitoring, the number of AE events in AAM significantly exceeded the number of events in SC. The analysis showed, however, that the increased AE activity was mainly caused by surface effects of the AAM material and not by the formation of cracks within the material.
This contribution presents the use of acoustic emission analysis, both in the time and frequency domains, for monitoring and characterization of materials with potential use as engineering barriers for nuclear waste repositories.
One of the major tasks in nuclear waste management is to design safe and reliable sealing structures for radioactive waste repositories. Particularly for salt as a host rock, engineered barrier systems for underground waste disposal must be constructed of well-understood (cementitious) materials that will sustain environmental conditions and ensure high durability.
Within the SealWasteSafe project, we studied two materials with a potential for sealing structures for nuclear waste repositories: an innovative alkali-activated material (AAM) and standard salt concrete (SC). To analyze the development of microstructural changes within the materials, we monitored microseismicity (aka acoustic emission monitoring) occurring during the hardening and setting period in two 340-liter-cubic specimens for up to ~250 days.
The monitoring results showed, that in the first 61 days, fewer events occurred in AAM compared to SC. After this time the number of events in AAM sharply increased and significantly exceeded those observed in SC. However, the source localization analysis revealed that the increase of microseismicity in AAM material was not related to the formation of macro-cracks within the material but was mainly caused by the surface effects. Accompanying analysis of the test specimens with additional methods (such as e.g., X-ray CT) proved that no macro-cracks were observed inside the AAM specimen. Further analysis in the time and frequency domains helped to characterize the tested materials and to estimate their potential to be used for engineered barriers in nuclear waste repositories.
Overall, our study shows the potential of microseismicity monitoring for feasibility studies and quality assurance in a broad range of applications, also in structural health monitoring.
Ni-Fe oxide nanoparticles have gained a lot of interest because of their high activity in the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) which is crucial for water splitting. [1] Although there have been great efforts in the last years, the understanding of the synergistic effect between Fe and Ni is still under discussion.
Therefore, we prepared different Ni-Fe oxide nanoparticles with different compositions from pure iron oxide to pure nickel oxide adapting a known procedure. [2,3] Size and morphology of the nanoparticles depend on the composition which was shown with Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The compositions of the nanoparticles were measured with a comparative approach using X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Hard X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (HAXPES), and Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDS) coupled with the TEM providing detailed chemical information of the nanoparticles in different sample regions. EDS reveals that the different sample regions are dominated by one of the components, Fe or Ni, but a slight mixing between the components can be found (see Figure 1), which was confirmed with X-ray Diffraction (XRD). XPS indicates the enrichment of Fe at the sample surface, while HAXPES and EDS data agree on the stoichiometry of the bulk. High-resolution XPS and HAXPES exhibit some differences in the valence states of Fe and Ni, whereas Ni seems to be easier to reduce than Fe. Further investigations combining these different techniques and additionally Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) are ongoing by using in situ approaches and coupling cyclic voltammetry to the analytical techniques.
The key for a transition into clean energy sources is based on the construction of safe energy infrastructure, such as transportation pipelines for Hydrogen. Duplex Stainless Steels (DSS) are an essential component used nowadays in the construction of transportation pipelines because of their many distinctive qualities. The choice of DSS for a particular hydrogen application mainly depends on its susceptibility level to Hydrogen Embrittlement (HE) or Hydrogen Assisted Cracking (HAC). Since the 20th century, the literature indicates three factors that must be considered: the microstructure of the alloy steel, the hydrogen concentration, and the mechanical load. Several mechanisms have been also proposed to describe the occurring microscale processes behind HE or HAC, and these include metastable phase transformation, Hydrogen Enhanced Localized Plasticity (HELP), and Hydrogen Enhanced Decohesion (HEDE).
The following contribution describes the path to ascertain if DSS is suitable for high-pressure gaseous hydrogen applications. The interplay between several critical factors that result in HAC was examined using high-pressure gaseous hydrogen charging, Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD), and hydrogen concentration measurements using Carrier Gas Hot Extraction (CGHE). It was determined whether the strain-induced martensitic transformation of the austenite was present in a DSS 1.4462 (DSS2205) in-service pipe and in samples of freshly charged DSS 1.4462. In comparison to the common electrochemical charging described broadly in the literature, no major direct martensitic phase transformation of the austenite phase under a high-pressure hydrogen environment was observed. As for future experiments, the intention is to analyse the impact of high-pressure gaseous hydrogen on the welded components of this grade, and under mechanical load via the hollow specimen technique.
To accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy while exploiting existing infrastructure, hydrogen can be injected to the natural gas network. However, many technical and regulatory gaps should be closed, and adaptations and investments made to ensure that multi-gas networks across Europe will be able to operate in a reliable and safe way while providing a highly controllable gas quality and required energy demand. The SHIMMER project aims to enable a higher integration and safer hydrogen injection management in multi-gas networks by contributing to the knowledge and better understanding of hydrogen projects, their risks, and opportunities.
Wir stellen unseren Ansatz und unsere Methodik zur Simulation von Piping-Erosion vor, welche während des Installationsprozesses von Suction Bucket Fundamenten für Offshore-Windkraftanlagen auftreten kann und ein kritisches Versagen des Installationsprozesses darstellt. Wir zeigen die Ergebnisse mehrere Simulationen und analysieren die hydrodynamischen und Kontaktkräfte, die auf das granulare Medium wirken, sowie die Druckdifferenz der flüssigen Phase. Solche Simulationen können zum besseren Verständnis von Piping-Erosion und letztendlich zu dessen Verhinderung beitragen.
For industrial applications dealing with hydrogen, the definition of safety distances and the assessment of possible hazards emanating from releases is mandatory. Since hydrogen is usually stored and transported under pressure, one scenario to be considered is the momentum driven release of hydrogen from a leakage with subsequent ignition. In this scenario, the emitted heat radiation from the resulting jet flame to the surroundings has to be determined to define adequate safety distances. For hydrocarbon flames, different jet flame models are available to assess the hazards resulting from an ignited jet release. Since hydrogen flames differ from hydrocarbon flames in their combustion behavior, it has to be checked if these models are also applicable for hydrogen. To evaluate the accuracy of these models for hydrogen jet flames, tests at real-scale are carried out at the BAM Test Site for Technical Safety (BAM-TTS). Herein, the flame geometry and the heat radiation at defined locations in the surroundings are recorded for varying release parameters such as leakage diameter (currently up to 30 mm), release pressure (currently up to max. 250 bar) and mass flow (up to max. 0.5 kg/s). The challenge here is the characterization of the flame geometry in an open environment and its impact on the thermal radiation. Existing heat radiation data from the literature are mostly based on unsteady outflow conditions. For a better comparability with the steady state jet flame models, the experiments presented here are focused on ensuring a constant mass flow over the release duration to obtain a (quasi) stationary jet flame. In addition, stationary outflow tests with hydrocarbons (methane) were also carried out, which are intended to serve as reference tests for checking flame models based on hydrocarbon data.
Transportierbarkeit von Transport- und Lagerbehältern für radioaktive Stoffe, welche nach eine längerfristigen trockenen Zwischenlagerung
transportiert werden müssen. Überblick über die aktuellen Regelwerke und Richtlinien sowie die Zeitpläne für das Finden eines Endlagers für hochradioaktive Stoffe und die damit verbundene verlängerte Zwischenlagerung. Des Weiteren werden das für die verlängerte Zwischenlagerung notwendige Alterungsmanagement und die noch erforderlichen Forschungstätigkeiten vorgestellt.
Transportierbarkeit von Transport- und Lagerbehältern für radioaktive Stoffe, welche nach eine längerfristigen trockenen Zwischenlagerung
transportiert werden müssen. Überblick über die aktuellen Regelwerke und Richtlinien sowie die Zeitpläne für das Finden eines Endlagers für hochradioaktive Stoffe und die damit verbundene verlängerte Zwischenlagerung. Des Weiteren werden das für die verlängerte Zwischenlagerung notwendige Alterungsmanagement und die noch erforderlichen Forschungstätigkeiten vorgestellt.
Energy harvested from intermittent sources can be stored in supercapacitors for high-power delivery with long cycling stability. Binary layered double hydroxide (LDH) materials have great potential for hybrid supercapacitor applications owing to their mixed and tunable charges and layered structure. This study presents carnation flower-like, 3D micro-structured NiMn-LDH prepared by a facile single-step hydrothermal synthesis using hexamethylenetetramine to produce hydroxides. The 3D structure was assembled from ultrathin 2D NiMn-LDH nanosheets, and the largest interlayer spacing was obtained by optimizing synthesis parameters, such as Ni:Mn molar ratio and reaction temperature, ensuring a fast diffusion and thus the best energy storage performance. The optimized NiMn-LDH electrode delivered a high specific capacity of 612 C/g with an excellent rate capability of 67% at 20 A/g in a three-electrode test. An asymmetric device assembled using NiMn-LDH and reduced graphene oxide as positive and negative electrodes provided a high energy density of 60.0 Wh/kg and power density of 17.7 kW/kg with 90.4% capacity retention after 10,000 charge–discharge cycles. This superior result highlights the potential industrial applications, such as portable electronics and trams.
Hydrogen gas plays a key role in the European energy transition strategy. When transmitting and storing compressed hydrogen gas, safety is one of the most important conditions. With increasing hydrogen pressure and temperature, more hydrogen is absorbed by the steel components, such as pipelines or valves, and may lead to embrittlement. Although, a deep understanding of microstructure on the hydrogen solubility in steels is missing. Classical Sieverts’ law is only valid at high temperatures and low gas pressures. For that purpose, new theory is presented, which explains the role of microstructure on hydrogen solubility. Hydrogen trapping at microstructural defects is a thermally activated mechanism and causes an increase of the hydrogen solubility with decreasing temperatures. This mechanism has to be considered in cryogenic applications, such liquid or compressed hydrogen storage.
The injection of hydrogen into the natural-gas grid is an alternative during the process of a gradual decarbonization of the heat and power supply. When dealing with hydrogen-enriched natural gas mixtures, the performance of the reference equations of state habitually used for natural gas should be validated by using high-precision experimental thermophysical data from multicomponent reference mixtures prepared with the lowest possible uncertainty in composition. In this work, we present experimental density data for an 11-compound high-calorific (hydrogen-free) natural gas mixture and for two derived hydrogen-enriched natural gas mixtures prepared by adding (10 and 20) mol-% of hydrogen to the original standard natural gas mixture. The three mixtures were prepared gravimetrically according to ISO 6142–1 for maximum precision in their composition and thus qualify for reference materials. A single-sinker densimeter was used to determine the density of the mixtures from (250–350) K and up to 20 MPa. The experimental density results of this work have been compared to the densities calculated by three different reference equations of state for natural gas related mixtures: the AGA8-DC92 EoS, the GERG-2008 EoS, and an improved version of the GERG-2008 EoS. While relative deviations of the experimental density data for the hydrogen-free natural gas mixture are always within the claimed uncertainty of the three considered equations of state, larger deviations can be observed for the hydrogen-enriched natural gas mixtures from any of the three equations of state, especially for the lowest temperature and the highest pressures.
The hollow specimen technique is a simple and economical method
that has the potential to overcome the limitations and complement
the current techniques for qualifying metallic materials under highpressure
hydrogen gas.
In this technique, an axial hole is manufactured in a tensile
specimen, which is then filled with hydrogen gas, sealed, and
placed in a standard testing machine. This method requires
significantly lower amounts of hydrogen, resulting in fewer safety
measures and does not require complex equipment or a specialised
laboratory, unlike the conventional autoclave technique.
Initial studies have demonstrated the feasibility of assessing
hydrogen effects in metallic materials using the hollow specimen
technique. This led to the establishment of the committee ISO/TC
164/SC 1/WG 9 to standardise the method, however, there are still
open questions that currently prevent the technique from being
standardised for hydrogen testing. These open questions are being
addressed in the H2HohlZug project, which is presented in this
contribution.
The use of hydrogen demands high safety requirements, since hydrogen can be absorbed by metallic materials and may cause hydrogen embrittlement (HE) under certain conditions. Slow strain rate (SSR) tensile testing is a widespread method to quantify the hydrogen-induced ductility loss of alloys. Here, the hollow specimen technique was used to evaluate the effect of 150 bar hydrogen on the tensile properties of solution annealed and hardened 100Cr6 steel, which is a common material for bearing systems. This technique reduces the required amount of hydrogen and minimizes the duration and costs of the tests performed compared to in-situ tensile tests in autoclaves.
The growing demand for hydrogen requires an expansion of testing capabilities to assess the performance of metallic materials under hydrogen exposure. Considering only gaseous atmospheres, there is a variety of in-situ and ex-situ methods used to investigate the material behavior while or after exposed to hydrogen, respectively.
Among these methods, a more conservative one is the in-situ testing at slow strain rates (SSRT) using conventional tensile specimens. While results obtained by a conservative procedure may be more applicable in many cases than those of ex-situ experiments, the tests are quite demanding, leading to limited testing capacities and high costs, especially for very slow strain rates. A possible solution that can enable in-situ testing at relatively low cost is the hollow specimen technique which gained increasing interest in the last decade. The main reasons are the minimal volume of hydrogen required and the elimination of a high-pressure hydrogen autoclave leading to significantly lower costs and enabling more laboratories worldwide to perform these tests. However, interpreting results from hollow specimens, especially when compared to conventional ones, remains a significant challenge.
To address this, an experimental study was conducted using conventional and hollow specimens, both uncharged and pre-charged. Pre-charging was achieved using pure hydrogen (5.0, i.e. 99.999 %) at 100 bar and 300 °C for around 21 days. In order to obtain suitable reference specimens, other specimens were stored in argon at 100 bar and 300 °C for the same period of time. The tests were performed at various strain rates, down to 1E-6 1/s.
While these ex-situ experiments are not directly comparable to in-situ tests with both types of specimens, they do provide some insights into the differences between the results of hollow and conventional specimens. Therefore, the elongation at fracture and reduction of area (RA) were compared, among other aspects. In addition, fractographical analyses were carried out using SEM images. Elongation at fracture was not significantly affected by hydrogen in conventional specimens, but it was slightly reduced in hollow specimens. RA, on the other hand, was lower for tests with hydrogen in both types of specimens across all strain rates. Moreover, the strain rate did not appear to influence hydrogen embrittlement in conventional specimens whereas in hollow specimens, tests conducted at higher strain rates (1E-4 1/s) showed a greater impact of hydrogen on elongation at fracture than those at lower strain rates (1E-6 1/s), which is contrary to the typical expectation.
These findings suggest that the influence of hydrogen differs between conventional and hollow specimens, possibly due to factors such as surface roughness and differing stress states. However, further experiments are needed to fully understand these differences, including in-situ experiments to understand potential differences in hydrogen absorption between the two specimen types.
Wasserstoff als Energieträger gewinnt zunehmend an Bedeutung. Die Untersuchung von Störfallauswirkungen mit Wasserstoff rückt somit stärker in den Fokus. Da Wasserstoff meist unter Druck gelagert und transportiert wird, ist ein zu betrachtendes Szenario die Freisetzung aus einer Leckage mit anschließender Zündung. Die daraus resultierende Freistrahlflamme (Jet Flame) muss hinsichtlich der in die Umgebung emittierten Wärmestrahlung charakterisiert werden. In der Literatur existieren bereits verschiedene Modelle ([1], [2]), welche jedoch vermehrt auf Daten aus Kohlenwasserstoffflammen mit geringem Impuls basieren. Zur Überprüfung dieser Modelle wird im Zuge des BAM internen H2 Jet Flame Projektes die sicherheitstechnische Untersuchung von impulsbehafteten Wasserstoff Freistrahlflammen vorgenommen. Hierfür finden Versuche im Realmaßstab auf dem Testgelände Technische Sicherheit der BAM (BAM-TTS) statt. Gegenstand der Untersuchungen ist die Beurteilung der Auswirkungen von realistischen Freisetzungsszenarien hinsichtlich der Flammengeometrie und der freigesetzten Wärmestrahlung. Dabei werden Parameter wie Freisetzungswinkel, Leckagedurchmesser (z.Zt. 1 mm bis 10 mm), Druck (z.Zt. bis max. 250 bar) und Massenstrom (bis max. 0,5 kg/s) variiert. Zusätzlich können auch Einflüsse wie Art der Zündung, Zündort sowie Zündung mit zeitlichem Verzug untersucht werden. Gewonnene Erkenntnisse werden mit den Ergebnissen bereits vorhandener Modelle verglichen und diese im Bedarfsfall weiterentwickelt. Insbesondere wird der Fokus auf die Modellierung der freigesetzten Wärmestrahlung von Wasserstoffflammen gelegt. Herausforderung dabei stellt die IR-Vermessung und Modellierung von Sichtmodellen der Flammen dar. Die Visualisierung der Flammengeometrie wird mit Hilfe mehrerer Infrarot Kamerasystemen (aus mindestens zwei Blickwinkeln) vorgenommen.
Bisherige Messungen, die in der Literatur zu finden sind, basieren meist auf instationären Auströmbedingungen. Der hier verwendete Versuchsaufbau ermöglicht ein stationäres Ausströmen für mehrere Minuten und somit eine direkte Vergleichbarkeit mit den existierenden (stationären) Modellen.
Weiterhin ist der Versuchsstand umrüstbar für Vergleichsmessungen mit Kohlenwasserstoffen (Methan etc.) sowie Mischungen aus Wasserstoff und Kohlenwasserstoffen.
For industrial applications dealing with hydrogen, the definition of safety distances and the assessment of possible hazards emanating from releases is mandatory. Since hydrogen is usually stored and transported under pressure, one scenario to be considered is the momentum driven release of hydrogen from a leakage with subsequent ignition. In this scenario, the emitted heat radiation from the resulting jet flame to the surroundings has to be determined to define adequate safety distances. For hydrocarbon flames, different jet flame models are available to assess the hazards resulting from an ignited jet release. Since hydrogen flames differ from hydrocarbon flames in their combustion behavior, it has to be checked if these models are also applicable for hydrogen. To evaluate the accuracy of these models for hydrogen jet flames, tests at real-scale are carried out at the BAM Test Site for Technical Safety (BAM-TTS). Herein, the flame geometry and the heat radiation at defined locations in the surroundings are recorded for varying release parameters such as leakage diameter (currently up to 30 mm), release pressure (currently up to max. 250 bar) and mass flow (up to max. 0.5 kg/s). The challenge here is the characterization of the flame geometry in an open environment and its impact on the thermal radiation. Existing heat radiation data from the literature are mostly based on unsteady outflow conditions. For a better comparability with the steady state jet flame models, the experiments presented here are focused on ensuring a constant mass flow over the release duration to obtain a (quasi) stationary jet flame. In addition, stationary outflow tests with hydrocarbons (methane) were also carried out, which are intended to serve as reference tests for checking flame models based on hydrocarbon data.
To safely dispose of nuclear waste in underground facilities, engineered barrier systems are needed to seal shafts and galleries. The material used in these barriers must be adapted to the host rock parameters. Shrinking and cracking must be avoided to provide a barrier with almost zero permeability. For repositories in salt rock environments, several types of salt concrete (SC) are possible construction materials. Within the project SealWasteSafe, we compared the behavior of an innovative alkali-activated material (AAM) with standard SC in their hydration and hardening phase. To monitor the microstructural changes within the two materials SC and AAM, acoustic emission (AE) signals have been recorded for up to ~250 days on 340-litercubic specimens. The phenomenon of AE is defined as the emission of elastic waves in materials due to the release of localized internal energy. Such energy release can be caused by the nucleation of micro-fracture, e.g., in concrete while curing or when exposed to load. The occurrence of AE events gives first rough indications of microstructural changes and potentially occurring cracking and thus, provides insights for structural health monitoring (SHM). The results show, that for the first 28 days after casting, less AE activity was detected in the AAM compared to SC. After 61 days, in the AAM material, the number of AE events exceeded those observed in the SC. However, the majority of the AE detected and located in AAM was related to surface effects, and not to microstructural changes or occurring cracks within the bulk volume. Additionally, the source location analysis indicated, that despite lower activity in SC, we observed some clustering of the events. In contrast, in AAM, the activity inside the specimen is randomly distributed over the whole volume. The monitoring results help to estimate the material’s sealing properties which are crucial to assess their applicability as sealing material for engineered barriers.
Hydrogen-enriched natural gas, H2NG is a mixture of natural gas and H2 that can be used on existing natural gas infrastructure with little or even no modification to be applied H2NG is thus an option in the transition from fossil fuels to a hydrogen economy, as it can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and can accelerate the adoption of H2 from renewable sources. Theoretically, H2 can be mixed with NG in any ratio, but H2NG mixtures with up to 20 vol-% of H2 represent the most realistic near term option due to technical and economic reasons. The addition of H2 to natural gas alters the thermodynamic properties of the mixture, which affects its transport, storage, and combustion characteristics. In this work, we present experimental density measurements for different H2NG mixtures, performed with a high-precision single sinker densimeter from 250 to 350 K and up to 20 MPa. The mixtures were prepared gravimetrically according to ISO 6142-1 for maximum precision in their composition.
The EU member states have set out ambitious long-term goals for deploying offshore wind energy. The installed offshore wind capacity is set to increase from 14.6 GW in 2021 to around 320 GW in 2050. This signifies the role of offshore wind energy as a major contributor to reaching the EU’s climate and energy goals. To ensure that the defined targets are met, a significant number of new wind farms has to be installed and existing wind farms reaching the end of their planned life need to be reused efficiently. Some of the relevant reuse alternatives are lifetime extension, repowering based on the existing support structures and repowering with new turbines.
As a basis of the decision-making regarding the reuse of existing offshore wind farm, the expected utility of each relevant option should be determined based on the associated expected rewards, costs and risks. The optimal concept maximizes the utility of the decision-maker and fulfills the existing constraints and requirements. To facilitate such a quantitative decision-making, models and methods have to be developed. In particular, models are required that enable predictions of (a) the condition and performance of the turbines and support structures and (b) the renumeration, costs and consequences of adverse events. These predictions have to consider (a) the governing uncertainties, (b) the available information from the planning, construction, installation and operating phase, (b) potential repair, retrofitting and strengthening schemes and (c) possible monitoring, inspection and maintenance regimes for the future operating phase.
Over the past years, several models, methods and tools have been developed at the Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM) to support the structural integrity management of offshore wind turbine substructures. These include:
(a) a prototype for reliability-based, system-wide, adaptive planning of inspections of welded steel structures in offshore wind farms,
(b) a method for monitoring and risk-informed optimization of inspection and maintenance strategies for jacket structures subject to fatigue, and
(c) a probabilistic cost model of inspection and maintenance of welded steel structures in offshore wind farms.
This contribution provides an overview on these works and discusses how they can be adapted and extended to support the decision-making regarding lifetime extensions and repowering of offshore wind farms.
Die additive Fertigung mittels Schweißverfahren bietet große ökonomische Vorteile für eine ressourceneffiziente Bauteilherstellung. Offene Fragen bezüglich Homogenität, Anisotropie der Schweißgefüge und den damit verbundenen Bauteileigenschaften stehen einer wirtschaftlichen Verarbeitung oftmals im Wege. Finale Bauteilgeometrie und Oberflächengüte erfordern meist komplementäre subtraktive Fertigungsschritte. Werkstoffe für hochbelastbare Komponenten sind oftmals schwer spanbar. In einem Vorhaben der BAM und des ISAF wurde untersucht, wie die Modifikation der AM-Schweißzusätze und das ultraschallunterstützte Fräsen (US) die Zerspanungssituation verbessern. Der vorliegende Artikel stellt wesentliche Zusammenhänge zwischen Legierung, Gefüge und Zerspanung zweier schwer spanbarer Hochleistungslegierungen (FeNi und CoCr) dar. Großes Potenzial zeigte neben dem US die Modifikation mit Zr und Hf bei Zulegierung in das Schweißgut mittels Beschichtung von Massivdrähten bzw. Herstellung von Fülldrähten.
Modern high-pressure H2 tanks consist of fiber-reinforced composite materials and a plastic lining on the inside. The use of glass would drastically increase the H2 barrier effect. This could be achieved with glass liners or fiber-reinforced polymer-bonded glass capillary storage tanks and would enable lower wall thicknesses, higher gravimetric storage densities and variable designs and thus a much more effective use of space.
However, the decisive material parameters for the development of these technologies, such as the hydrogen permeation, are unknown. This study focuses on H2 diffusion in glasses of different chemical compositions.
H2 permeation is measured by mass spectrometry. For this purpose, the mass spectrometer (MS), which is located in a high vacuum, is separated from the pressure side by the test specimen. Pure H2 gas is present on the pressure side, so that the mass flow is recorded qualitatively and quantitatively in the MS. The permeation coefficients are calculated from the sample geometry and the mass flow rates. The very low H2 permeation of glass is measured on bundles of thin-walled commercially available glass capillaries and compared with the hydrogen permeation data of the glass powder method.
AbstractLithium‐ion batteries, essential for electronics and electric vehicles, predominantly use cathodes made from critical materials like cobalt. Sulfur‐based cathodes, offering a high theoretical capacity of 1675 mAh g−1 and environmental advantages due to sulfur's abundance and lower toxicity, present a more sustainable alternative. However, state‐of‐the‐art sulfur‐based electrodes do not reach the theoretical capacities, mainly because conventional electrode production relies on mixing of components into weakly coordinated slurries. Consequently, sulfur‘s mobility leads to battery degradation—an effect known as the “sulfur‐shuttle”. This study introduces a solution by developing a microporous, covalently‐bonded, imine‐based polymer network grown in situ around sulfur particles on the current collector. The polymer network (i) enables selective transport of electrolyte and Li‐ions through pores of defined size, and (ii) acts as a robust host to retain the active component of the electrode (sulfur species). The resulting cathode has superior rate performance from 0.1 C (1360 mAh g−1) to 3 C (807 mAh g−1). Demonstrating a high‐performance, sustainable sulfur cathode produced via a simple one‐pot process, our research underlines the potential of microporous polymers in addressing sulfur diffusion issues, paving the way for sulfur electrodes as viable alternatives to traditional metal‐based cathodes.
Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) of type 4 composite pressure vessels can be seen as key to better understanding the behaviour of the composite structure and the impact of the manufacturing process on its quality. In this presentation, NDT methods used in the “Trustworthy Hydrogen” project are introduced. A brief discussion of the observed phenomena is provided.