KME 2018-2021
The overall goal of the programme was to participate in the transition to a sustainable energy system in the long term. Thanks to research already conducted by KME, previous problems of severe corrosion and fouling in boilers caused by biomass and waste fuel combustion have been largely solved. KME research successes have also led to the implementation of new corrosion-resistant steel in high-temperature steam turbines and the development of materials and new coatings for gas turbines.
However, as greater effciency in electricity production was required and fuel flexibility increased, new challenges continually arose. More corrosion-resistant materials were needed and a deeper knowledge of corrosion processes, and mechanical properties and characteristics was essential for the production and approval of new materials and processes.
KME's research programme was designed to achieve increased electricity production, improve fuel exibility, and enhance operating exibility. KME aimed to implement the results within five to ten years. To achieve this, KME focused on both process and technology solutions, as well as materials development in boiler systems and processes, and steam and gas turbine systems and processes.
KME's research includeded exposure and application tests of various materials in boilers, the evaluation of mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, and service life of materials, and the development and testing of measures to reduce corrosion and erosion. The research also focused on fuel flexibility, availability, and efficiency.
KME's overarching research goals within the program period was:
- Increased power production through greater electrical efficiency, improved availability, and streamlined production of power and heat from renewable fuels and waste in thermal energy conversion processes.
- Improved fuel flexibility thanks to greater opportunities to use waste fuels which are technically complicated in terms of combustion while maintaining electrical efficiency.
- Improved operating flexibility, and the option of cyclic operation of thermal energy processes.