One Minute Mentor: Advantages and Limitations of Heat Treatment Simulation
April 3, 2025
Source: ASM International
Heat treatment simulation can be a tool for optimization of heat-treatment processes, but at the present this method is still limited. Therefore most HTS is based on rough simplifications of the process. Simplifications can involve the process, number of phases, transformation kinetics, continuums models instead of micro-mechanical models, etc. These simplifications also result in inaccuracies in the calculations.
For more information, click on the link below (subscription required). Then scroll to Figure 16. R Schneider; R. Mesquita; W Schützenhöfer, Distortion in Tool Steels, ASM International, 2014 https://doi.org/10.31399/asm.hb.v04d.a0005980
ECM establishes new vacuum furnace entity in mexico under MEXVAC ECM name
Source: ASM International
ECM USA, Pleasant Prairie, WI, announced the official launch of its new Mexican subsidiary, ECM Mexico, operating as MEXVAC ECM, S.A. DE C.V. This development marks a significant step in expanding ECM’s presence and service capabilities within the Mexican heat treatment industry.
The ECM Mexico team is led by operations manager Juan Cruz and field service and PLC engineer José López, under the direction of Pierre-Loic Rousset and Dennis Beauchesne. The team will work closely with ECM USA to provide localized support, reflecting ECM’s long-term commitment to strengthening service infrastructure for customers across Mexico.
The new entity will serve as a dedicated supplier of vacuum furnace technologies and support services, aiming to meet growing demand in the region for high-performance thermal processing equipment.
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Air Products signs $12 billion joint venture in Jazan, Saudi Arabia
October 18, 2021
Source: ASM International
Air Products, Allentown, Pa., has signed and finalized definitive agreements for the asset acquisition and project financing of the $12 billion air separation unit (ASU)/gasification/power joint venture (JV) with Aramco and ACWA Power in Jazan Economic City.
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DOE to provide $28 million to develop ultrahigh-temperature gas turbine materials
April 23, 2020
Source: ASM International
The U.S. Department of Energy, Washington, announces up to $28 million in funding for a new Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy program, ULtrahigh Temperature Impervious Materials Advancing Turbine Efficiency (ULTIMATE).
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Tenaris NKK Tubes develops corrosion-resistant grades of 13% Cr steel with 110 ksi strength
December 28, 2019
Source: ASM International
Shuji Hashizume of Tenaris NKK Tubes, Japan, discussed high-strength, low-carbon, 13% chromium martensitic stainless steels at MS&T 2019 in Portland, Oregon.
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Fraunhofer builds functioning scale model of gas turbine via additive manufacturing
September 25, 2019
Source:
The Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials (IFAM) in Germany, reports that it has developed a fully-functional, true-to-scale gas turbine that demonstrates the potential and limitations of powder bed-based additive manufacturing technologies.
The demonstrator Siemens SGT6-8000 H, is a 1:25 scale model of a gas turbine for power generation. It was completely manufactured with additive processes in all areas except for the shaft. The component assembly consists of 68 parts made of aluminum, steel, and titanium. Through component optimization and the possibilities of Electron Beam and Laser Powder Bed Fusion (EB-PBF and L-PBF) technologies, these 68 parts replace the almost 3000 individual parts that make up the original component.
Fraunhofer IFAM was involved in the manufacturing of the component as well as the data modification for the technology-adapted production. The housing components, with stator stages, were manufactured directly on site at the Innovation Center Additive Manufacturing ICAM in Dresden using EB-PBF of Ti-6Al-4V in a GE Additive Arcam EBM Q20+ machine. The turbine stages and the other housing components were manufactured at H+E using L-PBF.
The components were modified constructively in order to be able to manufacture the turbine ‘first time right’. For example, it was made possible to manufacture the 316L housing segment by L-PBF without support structure.
www.ifam.fraunhofer.de
www.hedd.de
The Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials (IFAM) in Germany, reports that it has developed a fully-functional, true-to-scale gas turbine that demonstrates the potential and limitations of powder bed-based additive manufacturing technologies.
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Linde to supply ExxonMobil with integrated manufacturing complex in Singapore
July 2, 2019
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The Linde Group, Munich, announces that it has signed a long-term agreement with ExxonMobil Asia Pacific to support the latest multi-billion dollar expansion of the company's integrated manufacturing complex in Singapore. This will be the single largest sale of gas contract in the history of the newly merged Linde and of its legacy companies.
Linde will invest $1.4 billion to expand its existing gasification complex at Jurong Island, integrating it with ExxonMobil's project to produce and supply additional hydrogen and synthesis gas. The project will include building and operating four additional gasifiers and a 1200 metric-ton-per-day air separation plant, as well as Linde's proprietary downstream gas processing units and sulfur recovery plants. Linde's gasification complex will produce and supply hydrogen and synthesis gas to ExxonMobil by upgrading the heavy residue feedstock from its new facilities.
Linde will also invest in a dedicated set of pipelines for the transfer of feedstocks and products between ExxonMobil and Linde facilities. Upon completion, the investment will also supply hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and synthesis gas to other customers on Jurong Island and quadruple Linde's present capacity.
Linde's Engineering division will design and build the new facility. Construction is expected to start in the second half of 2019, with start-up anticipated in 2023.
www.linde.com
The Linde Group, Munich, announces that it has signed a long-term agreement with ExxonMobil Asia Pacific to support the latest multi-billion dollar expansion of the company’s integrated manufacturing complex in Singapore.
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Retech supplies vacuum induction melting systems to Siemens for casting turbine blades
May 29, 2019
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Retech Systems LLC, a subsidiary of Seco Warwick Group, Meadville, Pa., announces that two of its furnace systems have been installed at a new Siemens Power and Gas plant. These include a vacuum induction melting directional solidification/single crystal/equiax pitless (VIM DS/SC/EQ) combo casting furnace; and a vacuum induction melting directional solidification /single crystal (DS/SC) solidification casting furnace system.
Pitless DS/SC furnaces are said to greatly reduce or eliminate costs, time, disruptions to facility production, and confined space entry to pits required with the installation of the new Pitless VIM furnaces at the facility.
“The melting systems that Retech is delivering to Siemens incorporate industry-leading special design features,†says Earl Good, VP – Global Vacuum Melting Managing Director, Retech Systems LLC. “These include vacuum induction melting; a reliable and maintenance friendly design ideal for faster and more flexible operation; superb process control for repeatability and high yields; and Retech’s new pitless mold elevator that can be utilized on directional solidification/single crystal furnaces.â€
www.secowarwick.com
Retech Systems LLC, a subsidiary of Seco Warwick Group, Meadville, Pa., announces that two of its furnace systems have been installed at a new Siemens Power and Gas plant.
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DOE awards $36 million to develop materials for high-temperature heat exchangers
March 24, 2019
Source:
The U.S. Department of Energy, Washington, announces $36 million in awards for 18 projects as part of the High Intensity Thermal Exchange through Materials and Manufacturing Processes (HITEMMP). These project teams seek to develop new approaches and technologies for the design and manufacture of high temperature, high pressure, and highly compact heat exchangers and components.
Durable and affordable higher-temperature heat exchangers could make energy conversion much more efficient, which in turn could reduce fuel consumption, system footprint, capital and operational cost, and emissions. HITEMMP projects will target heat exchangers capable of operating for tens of thousands of hours in temperatures and pressures exceeding 1470°F 800°C and 80 bar (1,160 psi) respectively.
Some examples:
General Electric Company, GE Global Research – Niskayuna, New York
Ultra Performance Heat Exchanger Enabled by Additive Technology (UPHEAT) – $2,500,000.
The GE team will develop a metallic-based, ultra-performance heat exchanger enabled by additive manufacturing technology and capable of operation at 900°C (1652°F) and 250 bar (3626 psi).
The Boeing Company – Huntington Beach, California
Highly Compact Metallic Heat Exchangers for Extreme Environments – $2,397,756.52.
Boeing will develop a compact, extreme environment heat exchanger (EEHX) for application in supercritical carbon dioxide power cycles for hypersonic aircraft and distributed power generation.
United Technologies Research Center (UTRC) – East Hartford, Connecticut
Additive, Topology-Optimized Ultra-Compact Heat Exchanger – $2,100,000
UTRC will develop an ultra-compact, topology-optimized 800°C (1472°F), 250 bar (3626 psi) heat exchanger substantially smaller and substantially more durable than current commercial cross-flow heat exchangers.
CompRex, LLC – De Pere, Wisconsin
Compact Heat Exchanger for High Temperature High Pressure Applications Using Advanced Cermet - – $1,455,000.00
CompRex, LLC aims to realize a transformational and disruptive advancement in heat exchange technology for high temperature (>800°C or 1472°F) and high pressure (80 bar or 1160 psi) applications through use of advanced metal and ceramic composite material, development of a new simplified manufacturing approach, and optimization of heat exchanger design.
For a complete list of projects, visit
https://arpa-e.energy.gov/?q=document/hitemmp-project-descriptions
The U.S. Department of Energy, Washington, announces $36 million in awards for 18 projects as part of the High Intensity Thermal Exchange through Materials and Manufacturing Processes (HITEMMP).
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Australian scientists develop molten metal catalyst to change carbon dioxide into coal
March 3, 2019
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RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia, announces that its researchers have developed a molten metal catalyst technique that can efficiently convert carbon dioxide from a gas into solid particles of carbon. Published in the journal Nature Communications, the research offers an alternative pathway for safely and permanently removing the greenhouse gas from our atmosphere.
RMIT researcher Dr. Torben Daeneke, an Australian Research Council DECRA Fellow, says that converting CO2 into a solid could be a more sustainable approach. “While we can’t literally turn back time, turning carbon dioxide back into coal and burying it back in the ground is a bit like rewinding the emissions clock,†says Dr. Daeneke “By using liquid metals as a catalyst, we’ve shown it is possible to turn the gas back into carbon at room temperature, in a process that’s efficient and scalable. While more research needs to be done, it’s a crucial first step to delivering storage of solid carbon.â€
Lead author Dr. Dorna Esrafilzadeh, a Vice-Chancellor’s Research Fellow in RMIT’s School of Engineering, developed the electrochemical technique. The researchers designed a liquid metal catalyst with specific surface properties that made it extremely efficient at conducting electricity, while chemically activating the surface. The carbon dioxide is dissolved in a beaker filled with a liquid electrolyte and a small amount of the liquid metal, which is then charged with an electrical current. The CO2 slowly converts into solid flakes of carbon, which are naturally detached from the liquid metal surface, allowing the continuous production of carbonaceous solid.
Dr. Esrafilzadeh says the carbon produced could also be used as an electrode. “A side benefit of the process is that the carbon can hold electrical charge, becoming a supercapacitor, so it could potentially be used as a component in future vehicles. The process also produces synthetic fuel as a by-product, which could also have industrial applications.â€
The paper is published in Nature Communications (“Room temperature CO2 reduction to solid carbon species on liquid metals featuring atomically thin ceria interfacesâ€, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-08824-8).
https://www.rmit.edu.au/
RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia, announces that its researchers have developed a molten metal catalyst technique that can efficiently convert carbon dioxide from a gas into solid particles of carbon.
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