Innovative method for prefabricating pipes with LIDER programme funding

The constant increase in demand for electric energy drives to continuous development of the forms of its production. In the case of conventional power generation, the solution to increase the efficiency of the energy produced (and at the same time reduce emissions of harmful pollutants) is to raise the basic operating parameters of the power unit. It translates into higher and higher temperature in superheaters, which also imposes the use of modern and expensive materials for their construction. In other areas, steels with lower strength parameters are used, which corresponds with the working conditions. The need to permanently join these materials poses challenges, for example, in terms of the need for a buffer layer on the face of one of the pipes and local heat treatment in assembly conditions, directly on the boiler structure. The method for prefabricating pipes with the use of additive manufacturing welding methods proposed by the AGH University scientist is an answer to the market demand for more efficient methods for manufacturing boiler structures in conventional supercritical energy, with the possibility of using the solution in future structures designed for nuclear power generation, where such connections are also present. The implementation of the project will enable the development of a new, more efficient, and more environmentally friendly technology for the permanent joining of steels that differ in chemical composition and microstructure, which will consist in buffering using modern additive manufacturing methods and welding. The developed technology will be ready for implementation in plants occupied with manufacturing boiler units, their prefabrication or assembly, but also in companies which provide materials to manufacturers.

LIDER is a programme targeted at doctoral students, academic teachers without a PhD degree, and doctors, including habilitated doctors, who obtained their degree not earlier than within the last seven years. Its objective is to enhance the competences of young researchers in planning research work independently and managing their own research team while implementing research projects, the results of which could be applied in practice and have implementation potential.

In the 14th competition of the LIDER programme, as many as 41 projects received funding in the total amount of PLN 70,334,420. The maximum amount of funds granted for a single project was PLN 1.8 million.