Application of Thermal Spray and Ceramic Coatings and Reinforced Epoxy for Cavitation Damage Repair of Hydroelectric Turbines and Pumps
Abstract
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is one of the largest single producers of hydroelectric power in the United States. The Corps' ability to generate power can be reduced by cavitation in hydroelectric turbines. Cavitation is the damage that results from high velocity liquid flow and pressure changes. Cavitation can be repaired by traditional methods, such as welding or application of epoxy, or by the newer nonfusion methods, such as thermal spray and the use of reinforced epoxies. This research shows that the performance of reinforced epoxies is sensitive to surface preparation and method of application. Repair by these compounds lasts from 6 months to 1 year, but the downtime for repair is very short. New thermal-sprayed metallized coating systems have been tested in the laboratory and show potential for application in cavitation repair. New ceramic coatings have improved cavitation resistance, but their application is limited by current thermal spray technology, which is improving. Cavitation, Reinforced epoxies, Hydroelectric turbines, Thermal spray, Ceramic coatings.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA267624
Entities
People
- Ashok Kumar
- Paul Willis
- Richard Ruzga
Organizations
- Construction Engineering Research Laboratory