The extraction,conversion and use of energy resources: future challenge to materials technology

Abstract

The growing shortage of all types of fossil fuels, and concerns about global warming are beginning to have a major impact on the power generation and transport sectors. Renewable energy, in conjunction with energy conservation measures such as cogeneration, and the use of biofuels and hydrogen in transport will help extend fossil fuel resources, but there is real need to find and exploit new coal, oil, and gas reserves. Materials technology must play its part in these new developments. Future fossil fuel generating plants will have to capture the carbon dioxide produced, and to compensate for the parasitic power losses this implies, this will require conventional plants to operate at very high temperatures. Likely targets for the strength of advanced austenitics are postulated, and the need to carry out R&D into type IV cracking, dissimilar metal weld issues, and steam side oxidation is emphasised.