Grantee Research Project Results
Final Report: Self-Healing Corrosion Resistant Coating: An Enabling Technology to Allow Use of Alternate Water for Cooling
EPA Contract Number: EPD13041Title: Self-Healing Corrosion Resistant Coating: An Enabling Technology to Allow Use of Alternate Water for Cooling
Investigators: Allen, Fred
Small Business: NEI Corporation
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: I
Project Period: May 15, 2013 through November 14, 2013
Project Amount: $79,999
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (2013) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: SBIR - Water , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Description:
Due to the projected population growth and limited availability of fresh water sources, utilities are considering the use of alternate water for cooling purposes. A key limitation in the use of such alternate water sources is the corrosion of pipe materials, such as copper and steel, due to the presence of high levels of dissolved salts and ammonia. The Phase I project presents a new approach to enable the use of these non-traditional sources of water in industrial and power plant cooling applications. The proposed solution is a thin, self-healing coating that provides adequate corrosion protection without adversely affecting the heat transfer efficiency of the coated tubes in heat exchangers and other parts of the cooling system.
Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):
Inorganic corrosion resistant coatings were developed for copper alloys with two attributes: barrier characteristics, and a self-healing functionality. Materials characterization confirmed the formation of the desired microstructure. Self-healing phenomena was demonstrated by introducing artificial defects on coated and uncoated panels and subjecting them to salt-fog environment according to the ASTM B117 standard. A thin coating ensured that the thermal conductivity of the coated tubes was not affected relative to uncoated tubes. A closed loop system with flowing water (dynamic conditions) was built in-house to confirm the corrosion protection provided by the coating at elevated temperatures and higher concentration of ammonia. Similarly, hybrid inorganic-organic coatings were developed for mild steel as barrier coatings with self-healing properties.
Conclusions:
Corrosion resistant, self-healing coatings for copper alloys and mild steel developed during the Phase I program provided substantial corrosion protection in alternate waters without compromising the thermal conductivity of the coated parts. It was demonstrated that the developed coating technology presents a new approach to enable the use of non-traditional sources of water in industrial and power plant cooling applications.
Supplemental Keywords:
corrosion resistant coating, industrial cooling, alternative water sources, self-healing anti-corrosion coatingThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.