Selection, development and testing of stainless steels and alloys for high-temperature recuperator applications

Compact recuperators/heat-exchangers are essential hardware that increases the efficiency of microturbines and smaller industrial gas turbines. There are several different kinds of recuperator technology (primary surface, plate and fin, spiral, and others), but they all have several common materials needs. Most commercial recuperators today are made from 347 stainless steel sheet or foil. Increased engine size, higher exhaust temperatures and alternate fuels all require greater performance (strength, corrosion resistance) and reliability than 347 steel, especially as temperatures approach or exceed 750°C. To meet these needs, the Department of Energy (DOE) has sponsored programs at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to measure properties of commercial sheet and foil materials, to analyze recuperator components, and to identify or develop materials with improved performance and reliability, but which also are cost-effective. This paper summarizes high-temperature creep and corrosion testing of commercial 347 used for current recuperators, testing of HR 120 and modified 803 alloys, and development of modified 347 stainless steels.