R&D

Fields of our research Clean Power Generation Laboratory R&D

Base Technology Development for IDPP

In order to realize the intelligent digitalization technology for power plants, the institute completed the design of the application for the diagnostics software for the boiler, turbine, and power generators that are currently in use. Also, we are developing a database regarding the reports for text-mining, status-based performance and asset management system designs, and IoT-based technical support toolkits. We entered into an agreement for a joint R&D project and started an international joint R&D project between KEPCO - Siemens. With this, we established domestic and international cooperation systems to secure the basis for designing our own model.

Development of the technology for the pure oxygen combustion s-CO2 gas turbine

We have completed the conceptual design of the next-generation clean power generation technology, which is the 10MW pure-oxygen combustion super critical at 700℃, 270bar pressure, and 46.03% power generation efficiency. Currently, the project team is working on the basic and detailed designing. In order for detailed designs and optimization of the power generation cycles reflecting the performance of the main equipment, the institute started dynamic analyses such as the efficiency analysis under different load conditions (50 ~ 120%) and shutting down of the equipment. With the dynamic execution of these, the institute plans to complete optimization reflecting the performance of the main equipment as well as the auxiliary equipment such as the pump, belt, and others.

[ Pure-oxygen combustion s-CO2 gas turbine power plant ] [ Diagram of the s-CO2 burner and turbine ]

Establishment of the turbine and boiler assessment system to support overseas power generation industry

For winning overseas power project contracts and optimizing their operations, the institute has developed a platform for supporting the engineers in every step of the projects (project development ~ operating business), including feasibility reviews for bidding and development projects, design verification, test run/operation diagnosis, and improvement, etc.

[ OTS Pro. System Diagram ]
*OTS Pro: Oversea-Business Total Solution Provider

Large Capacity Ultra Super Critical Circulating Fluidized Bed Technology

The institute launched a joint R&D project with KEPCO, Doosan Heavy Industry, Korea South-East Power, Korea Southern Power, and Korea East-West Power for developing the high-efficiency circulating fluidized bed for low-quality coal, a technology that had to be licensed from overseas. The joint R&D project was successful, and we could develop the technologies and original models, as well as the technology to design a 600MW ultra super critical circulating fluidized bed boiler to substitute the imported equipment. The institute plans to establish its own brand through future demonstrations of the technology and expects to find business opportunities in overseas power industries in cooperation with manufacturers, as well as selling the boiler designing technology itself.

[ The exterior of a 600MW ultra super critical circulating fluidized bed boiler ]
*Ultra Super Critical

Establishment of the first-ever fine-dust emission DB for coal thermal power plants and development of automatic, continuous fine-dust measurement technology

In an attempt to tackle with the recent pollution issues, the institute launched a research project titled “Evaluation of the Fine-dust Emission Characteristics to Establish the Plans to Reduce Fine-Dust Emission from Thermal Power Plants and Development of an Automatic Measurement Technology.” As a result of this project, the institute secured the DB for fine dust emission from the entire coal-based thermal power plants, intermediate oil thermal power plants, bio thermal power plants, and LNG power plants, for the first time in history. Also, in order to manage the fine dust emission from power plants in an efficient manner, the institute developed the automatic measurement technology for fine dust and conducted a field test for this technology. The institute plans to conduct further studies such as a long-term durability test and establish a plan to operate the measurement system reflecting the characteristics of different power plants before introducing this technology to domestic power plants.

[ Survey of fine dust emission from the exhaust ] [ Field installation of automatic measurement system for fine dust ]

Development of the training simulator for combustion tuning of power generator gas turbine

The institute developed a gas turbine combustion tuning training simulator to secure a minimum level of performance for power generator gas turbines in use in South Korea and overseas and minimize the gap of required man-power in the field. The technology was tested several times in the Ilihan Power Plant in the Philippines that is operated by KEPCO and successfully used in combustion tuning of the LNG gas turbines in Sejong and Yeongwol. Currently, the institute is commercializing this project through technical transfer.

[ Training simulator for combustion tuning of power generator gas turbine ]

Development of the technologies to enhance durability of compression type deadend clamps used in power transmission lines

During the inspection of power transmission lines many a number of cracks have been discovered repeatedly at locations where compression type deadend clamps were installed. For this, the institute identified the causes of these cracks and established countermeasures. As a result, the macro shrinkage formed in the products where a specific type of casting was applied was identified as the cause of the delayed cracks after conducting comparative analyses and investigating with the manufacturer. We conducted a computerized casting analysis to devise the strategies for improving and managing the casting process, such as the preheating temperature, along with improvements in the molds.

[ Analysis of the damages on compression type clamps. ] [ Improvement of the casting methods of the connectors. ]

Insulation degradation monitoring technology for high voltage motors

The institute developed a system which measures the density of ozone in real time to monitor the insulation status of a high voltage motor during its operation and analyzed the trends of such measurements. The reliability test was also completed successfully. A mid-air discharge generates ozone, and the institute used this phenomenon to develop a system that measures the changes in the ozone density at the outlet of the cooling air of a high voltage motor to monitor the changes in the status of insulation. The monitoring software was developed as a mobile application for the convenience of the users, so that they can check the changing trends of ozone density in real-time with ease. The newly developed insulation monitoring system is free of electric noises and contact issues with the high voltage parts. It is expected that this new system will contribute to enhancing the operating reliability of high voltage motors.

[ Smart-phone based degradation monitoring system ] [ Partial discharge - Ozone generating test ]

Development of the prototype hardware for fire side combustion environment diagnosis equipment

The institute developed a boiler fire side combustion environment diagnosis system that measures the internal combustion environment of a boiler (temperature, thermal flow rate, gas composition, etc.) to identify corrosion of the water cooling wall, poor combustion, deflection combustion, and defective burners. So far, the institute completed detailed designing and building of the sensor modules and the sensor cooling modules for the fire side, as well as the development of the hardware for signal processing and signal analysis modules. The completed prototype has been installed for a pilot combustion to conduct a reliability test. Ultimately, it was possible to secure the new technology and product to diagnose the combustion environment of a boiler for power generation. And, this is expected to give us a new source of profit through commercializing the combustion diagnosis consulting service and preventing damages on the water cooling wall, which could financially be devastating.

[ Hardware component drawings ] [ Prototype hardware ]