In modern power production, heat-resistant steel is a key material for core equipment such as boilers and steam turbines, and its performance directly affects the operating efficiency and safety of power plants. However, long-term high temperature, high pressure and corrosive environment can easily lead to the degradation of heat-resistant steel performance, so daily care is essential. This article will introduce the core measures for daily maintenance of heat-resistant steel in power plants to help extend the life of equipment and ensure stable operation.
Regular inspection and monitoring
The daily care of heat-resistant steel parts depends first on regular inspection. Power plant technicians should evaluate the wear, corrosion and deformation of heat-resistant steel through visual inspection, ultrasonic thickness measurement, hardness testing and other methods. In particular, high-temperature areas, such as superheater and reheater pipes, should focus on scale accumulation and thermal fatigue cracks. In addition, the installation of an online monitoring system can track temperature, pressure and stress changes in real time to detect potential problems in advance.
Cleaning and anti-corrosion management
The surface of heat-resistant steel is easily damaged by dust accumulation, scaling or chemical corrosion. Regular cleaning can prevent the decline of thermal conductivity and reduce the risk of local overheating. For coal-fired power plants, special attention should be paid to the corrosion of heat-resistant steel by sulfur oxides (SOx) and chloride ions (Cl⁻) in flue gas. The use of appropriate anti-corrosion coatings or the addition of alloying elements (such as chromium and molybdenum) can enhance corrosion resistance. At the same time, avoid using hard tools to clean the surface to prevent scratching the protective layer.
Correct operation and temperature control
The performance of heat-resistant steel is closely related to its operating temperature. Over-temperature operation will accelerate grain boundary oxidation and creep damage, so the temperature parameters need to be strictly monitored to ensure that they are within the design range. The principle of slow heating and cooling should be followed during the start-up and shutdown process to reduce thermal stress shock. In addition, optimizing combustion adjustment can reduce the risk of local overheating and extend the service life of heat-resistant steel.
Professional maintenance and repair
When serious damage to heat-resistant steel is found, professional repair measures should be taken in time, such as repair welding, spraying or replacement of parts. Welding repairs require the use of matching heat-resistant steel welding materials and strict control of process parameters to avoid introducing new defects. For parts that cannot be repaired, they should be replaced decisively to ensure safety.
Through scientific daily care, power plants can significantly improve the reliability of heat-resistant steel, reduce maintenance costs, and ensure the continuity and economy of power production.
