Quantum Cascade Laser-Based Absorption Spectrometer for Airborne Measurements of Trace Nitrogen Species

65418 Increasing the operational temperatures of coal combustion plants will increase efficiency. The use of higher temperatures will in turn require the replacement of currently-used common alloy steels used as structural components. These components need to withstand temperatures above 700¿C and resist corrosion from flowing coal ash. Ferritic steels are corrosion resistant but lack high temperature strength whereas austentic steels have good high temperature strength but lack corrosion resistance. This project will develop a low-cost, sol-gel-based protective coating on austentic steel that will provide bother oxidation and corrosion resistance. The new amorphous coating material (Cerablak) will have extremely low oxygen diffusivity and will be deposited as a thin dense hermetic using a simple dip-coating or spray process. In Phase I, 304 stainless steel coupons will be coasted with Cerablak using a dip coating process. Dip-coating parameters will be varied to obtain a suitable protective coating that is adherent, stable, and protective in oxygen environments. Preliminary exposure tests will determine its compatibility with coal. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: Stainless steel is used extensively in many applications where corrosion is a major problem. The use of this coating should not only the extend life of structural components in coal combustion plants, but also provide benefits in low maintenance, minimize scrap waste, and offer high process efficiencies through the use of higher operational temperatures. Applications include advanced turbines, chemical processing, refining and petrochemical processing, aerospace engines, and space propulsion.