Innovations
Whether in business or private life, energy is indispensable, above all for heat and mobility. However, finite reserves of primary energy sources and the challenges of climate change demand higher efficiency in energy conversion and use in the future. Novel solutions can reduce CO2 emissions and at the same time conserve increasingly scarce resources.
With its innovative materials ThyssenKrupp is contributing to reducing CO2 emissions in energy production. In collaboration with E.ON and Hitachi Power Europe we have developed a material which could play a major role in the construction of advanced high-temperature power plants in the future. To increase the efficiency of new power plants the steam temperature in boilers and turbines has been raised from the conventional 600°C to around 700°C while at the same time pressure has been increased from 250 bar to 350 bar. The materials used in current power plants would be unable to withstand these loads on a long-term basis. However our new nickel-based material is able to do so; it displays high strength yet can be readily formed and welded. It could be used to make tubes, valves, connectors and plates in future-generation power plants. The optimized high-performance material is to be trialed in several pilot plants from 2012; laboratory tests will continue in parallel. A precursor has already been tested successfully for roughly five years in various laboratories and test facilities. ThyssenKrupp also expects the further optimized material to confirm the desired properties. With this innovative material the Group is moving towards the goal of facilitating more efficient, low-CO2 power plants.
As a metal that displays particularly high strength, low weight and the ability to withstand high temperatures, titanium saves energy in aviation. Large quantities of titanium alloys are used in the engine, undercarriage, wings and airframe of the A380 super jumbo. Thanks to their comparatively low weight they reduce kerosene consumption. A new titanium alloy is also used in a dense forged component in the undercarriage of the twin-deck passenger plane, where the hydraulic block of the brake system has to withstand a pressure of 300 bar.
Uhde in the Plant Technology business area is one of the world’s leading engineering companies in the design and construction of chemical, refining and other industrial plants, with more than 2,000 plants to its credit. The sustainable production of starting materials is growing in importance around the world. Uhde has now agreed a further alliance in the area of biotechnology with a US partner. Commercial production of succinic acid is expected to begin before the end of 2010. Succinic acid shows great promise for the future of various commercially manufactured chemicals. Compared with conventional alternatives, succinic acid from renewable feedstocks offers favorable production costs, low price volatility and significantly reduced CO2 emissions. Succinic acid is used in a wide range of applications including polymers, solvents, pharmaceuticals and food. Typical end products include car components, electronic casings and paints.
Weight reduction in new vehicle design places demands on both automotive OEMs and their suppliers. By making individual components as light as possible, the aim is to reduce the overall weight of the vehicle and so help cut fuel consumption and emissions. This is also a key issue in the Components Technology business area. It includes measures for the powertrain as well as chassis components that thanks to innovative designs or targeted material selection weigh substantially less than comparable conventional components. In addition, lightweight struts and axles provide added ride comfort.
Next to weight reduction another focus of attention is improved product function, as illustrated by a further important innovation from the business area: DampTronic® Sky, a weight-optimized, robust yet high-tech active damping system. DampTronic® Sky lets the driver steplessly adjust the vehicle's handling properties, making the ride firmer and more agile or more comfortable. This is an active damping system that uses multi-way valve technology in conjunction with a lighter monotube damper to produce exceptionally comfortable handling. In addition, driving safety is enhanced by independent control of compression and rebound damping. Initial production orders have already been placed for the product.
These and further developments illustrate the ambition and ingenuity of our engineers in pursuing sustainable solutions and offering our customers efficient and innovative products.
