The Importance Of Stainless Steel In Power Plant

Stainless steel's discovery in the early 1900s paved the way for a lot of new industries. In addition, it is used as a raw material for a variety of products. From small kitchen cutlery to massive industry equipment.to Stainless steel pipes & stainless steel tubes, there's something for everyone. One metal that is capable of resolving a wide range of issues. Stainless steels are alloy steels that contain 10.5 per cent chromium. Steel becomes corrosion resistant, fire and chemical resistant, food-grade material. It is a superb metal that is ageless due to its high chromium content.

Stainless steel has been widely used in various industries namely, construction and building, kitchenware, automotive, chemical, food and beverage industry, power generation, gas, and oil. The list can go longer. A metal that is durable, long-lasting, corrosion-resistant, easy to clean and sanitise, and powerful enough to hold weights, is nothing but an asset to industries. 

Let’s find out why the energy and power sector is dependent upon stainless steel

Usage Of Stainless Steel in Components of Power Plant

• Boiler Systems

In power plants, the boiler is a critical component of the global heating system. A boiler is a closed vessel in which water or another liquid is heated, steam or vapour is created. Stainless steel boilers are prominent in power plants and other industries as they can resist corrosion caused by gas droplets or burning fuel. SS Grade 304 and 316 are popular for resisting oxidation in chloride conditions.

 

• Heat Exchangers

The existence of heat exchangers is not limited to power plants only. Various industries such as vehicles, automobiles, refrigerators use heat exchangers for dumping waste in the atmosphere to save the system from overheating. Power plants use heat exchangers to get power from hot waste gases. While earlier aluminium was a preferable metal due to its availability and cost-effectiveness. Stainless Steel took over and won the race with longevity and anti-corrosion properties. Stainless steel heat exchangers provide better value in the long run. To conduct heat transfer, tubes need to be as thin as possible, stainless steel pipes consist of walls that are as thin as 0.3 mm. This way stainless steel pipes become an inseparable part of heat exchangers.

 

• Turbines 

Two types of hydropower turbines are used in power plants: reaction and impulse. These turbines convert water into energy. Being constantly in water needs cleaning, SS prevents oxidization and has anti-rust properties. Since stainless steel has a thin layer that resists corrosion. Due to its chromium content, it successfully cleans the surface exposed to air to prevent oxidation. 

Stainless steel has a thin passive layer for resisting corrosion. The layer spontaneously forms on clean surfaces exposed to air and is rich in chromium oxides.

 

• Dam Gates and Sluice Gates

Generating energy over flood tide generates through the sluice gates. Dams commonly use sluices to help control the flow of water. Thus, dams are needed for reliable water supply in power plants. Generally, these gates are made of wooden or metal but stainless steel sluice gates prevent corrosion and are durable and strong enough to manage the flow of water. The preferable type is Duplex steel when it comes to sluice gates.

 

•  Stainless Steel Pipes

The corrosive character of various liquids handled in any oil or gas-fuelled power plant must be appropriately managed on two counts - for safety and scale of economy. Although carbon steel may not be the greatest choice for the range of liquids flowing through these power stations' pipelines, stainless steel pipes provide the best performance.

 

Final Words

Stainless steel has been applicable in all the major industries, it makes it more significant while its usage makes it the biggest asset applicable for various industrial uses. If you are looking for SS Pipes and Tubes for your powerplant needs, Santosh Steel & Pipes India Pvt Ltd is a renowned manufacturer of stainless steel pipes and stainless steel tubes in India. We have been catering to industries like automobiles, sugar mills, petrochemicals, power plants, and oil & gas. Feel free to contact us and visit our website to order the finest quality of steel products.