State of the Art Thermal Spray Technology in the International Waste to Energy Industry

International Waste to Energy and Incineration markets are likely to continue to grow in capacity over the next 5 to 6 years. With this comes a greater need to burn more corrosive materials combust at higher temperatures and extract more energy. The reliability burden that this places on operators of plants will re-open opportunities for thermal spray solutions. Where maintenance costs, opportunity costs and access restrictions may preclude alternative in-situ technologies, thermal spray technology may fill a gap in providing new reliable and flexible process and materials technologies for at least the midterm protection of water wall and superheater tubes. The state of the art of the technology is such that coating performance in WTE corrosive environments now approach the performance of corrosion resistant wrought materials. This is verified through accurate laboratory modeling and scale tests and trials conducted by OEM’s and plants.