Heat Exchanger Life Extension Via In-Situ Reconditioning

The present invention provides a method to greatly extend the lifetime of nickel superalloy components employed in high temperature thermally-based electricity generation. The method is particularly applicable to components operating under high stress such as heat exchangers with high differential pressure across them. These components are typically large, very expensive (many millions), and difficult to replace. The invention enables operating the components longer, at higher temperatures and pressures resulting in higher cycle efficiency and thus higher electrical output and lower required waste heat rejection.

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