Seamless Pipes for Supercritical Fluid Transport

Supercritical fluid (SCF) pipelines are used in high-efficiency power plants, CO₂ sequestration, and aerospace propulsion, requiring seamless pipes with high-pressure endurance, corrosion resistance, and thermal stability.

Challenges of Supercritical Fluid Environments:

• Extreme High Pressure (>25 MPa) – Requires high-strength alloys.

• High-Temperature Creep (>600°C) – Conventional steel softens and deforms.

• CO₂ Corrosion & Hydrate Deposition – Affects long-term pipeline integrity.

Seamless Pipe Materials for Supercritical Environments:

• P91/P92 Alloy Steel (9Cr-1Mo-V-Nb) – Excellent high-temperature strength, used in ultra-supercritical coal power plants.

• INCOLOY 800H/825 – Corrosion-resistant for supercritical CO₂ (sCO₂) pipeline systems.

• Ti-6Al-4V Titanium Alloy – Lightweight and heat-resistant for aerospace propulsion pipelines.

Advanced Manufacturing:

• Explosive Cladding + Inner Alloy Lining – Combines stainless steel with nickel-based alloys for corrosion protection.

• Cold Rolling + Cryogenic Treatment (-196°C) – Reduces residual stress and improves fatigue resistance.

Case Studies:

• U.S. DOE Supercritical CO₂ Power Project – Utilizes P92 seamless pipes as main steam conduits.

• SpaceX Supercritical Methane Fuel Lines – Uses Ti-6Al-4V titanium seamless pipes.