Tomsk Polytechnic University will present a new development at the St. Petersburg International Gas Forum 2023 - a vacuum ion-plasma unit for applying protective coatings to the inner walls of cylindrical products, such as pipes. The import-substituting technology will help solve the problem of corrosion and erosion of the inner walls of products widely used in oil and gas, chemical and other industries.
Work on the project began in 2022 with the support of Priority-2030 program of the Ministry of Education and Science. The development includes enthusiastic participation from students pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate studies in TPU School of Nuclear Science and Engineering.
“The inspiration for such a facility came from the widespread use of cylindrical products in numerous industries. However, the inner walls of such products are frequently prone to corrosion and erosion. Therefore, it is essential to safeguard them. The issue can be resolved with gas-discharge plasma-produced, corrosion-resistant coatings. Tomsk Polytechnic University employs ion-plasma technologies to apply these coatings in a vacuum. Hence, we use plasma from magnetron sources for coating application. As per our analysis, this will drastically enhance corrosion resistance”, remarks Dmitry Sidelyov, the project manager, and associate professor at TPU's B.P. Weinberg Research Center.
The promising technology used by TPU scientists is an import-substituting technology. Similar methods are used in Great Britain and Japan. In Russia, magnetron deposition technologies are used to solve other problems. The advantages of the technology include relatively small cost of installation (approximately two million rubles, as estimated), the possibility of automating the process, and the stability of coating properties. Furthermore, the use of the unit allows to obtain various types of protective coatings. It can also be adapted to the size of products.
"Currently, a demo model of the facility has been created and tested, and our team has successfully applied initial samples of titanium nitride and zirconium oxide coatings to the interior of a 12Х18Н10Т steel pipe, which is a corrosion-resistant, austenitic stainless steel. This steel is commonly used in a variety of products that require high corrosion resistance and strong mechanical properties. Additionally, it exhibits excellent performance across a wide temperature range", the scientist adds.
The plant could potentially have industrial applications in the oil and gas, chemical, power, and automotive sectors, as well as in other related industries. For instance, it can be used for materials and products in the nuclear industry, and for thermal energy. It could also help address corrosion and erosion issues with cylindrical products.
"The project's success will depend on attracting interested partners. Several companies are already planning to coat the interior surfaces of products with a 40-50 mm diameter. SPIGF provides an exceptional opportunity to showcase our technology and readiness to refine, scale, and supply appropriate equipment to meet customer demands", emphasizes the project manager.
