Sumitomo Metals Receives Chairman’s Prize from the Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation for its “Invention of Advanced Steam Oxidation-Resistant Steel Tube for Ultra-Supercritical (USC) Boilers”
2011.06.20
- Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd.
| On Monday, June 20, Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd. (Sumitomo Metals) received the Chairman’s Prize from the Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation (JIII) at the 2011 National Commendation for Invention Award Ceremony*) held by JIII for its “Invention of Advanced Steam Oxidation-Resistant Steel Tube for Ultra-Supercritical (USC) Boilers.” | |||
| 1.Summary of the Invention | |||
| This award was for boiler tubes that produce high-temperature, high-pressure steam, which are the core of thermal power generation. The Company received the award for the development and practical application of this innovative boiler tube, which enabled an advance from the conventional supercritical (SC) power plant to the USC plant, for the first time in about 30 years. The developed boiler tube (product name: SUPER304H™) has been globally standardized by enabling the achievement of highly energy-efficient operation of thermal power plants throughout the world, particularly by significantly contributing to the reduction of CO2 emissions and coal usage. | |||
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| 2.Background | |||
| About 40% of the worldwide supply of electricity, which has recently been expanding, comes from coal-fired thermal power, and its volume is expected to double in 2030. Coal is a relatively low-price resource and there are also abundant reserves. Moreover, as recoverable reserves are distributed all over the world, coal-fired power generation is forecast to continue to expand as a stable, key form of power at power plants around the world. However, as a large quantity of CO2 is emitted per power generation volume, from the viewpoint of energy saving and CO2 emissions, the biggest challenge had been to improve energy efficiency. | |||
| 3.Product Overview | |||
| Based on the conditions of conventional supercritical power plants (steam temperature of 566 degrees Celsius and pressure of 24MPa), power generating efficiency had stayed at around 41%. However, thanks to the invention of advanced steam oxidation-resistant steel tube for USC boilers, USC power plants (steam temperature of 600 degrees Celsius and pressure of 25MPa) with power generating efficiency of about 43% have been realized. SUPER304H™ tube, based on the invention that won this award, has a global market share of 80%, and has been employed in 22 USC power plant boilers in Japan and more than 200 on a worldwide basis. These tubes greatly reduce CO2 emitted by coal-fired thermal power, which is increasing around the world, and help to make coal-fired thermal power cleaner than it previously was. Going forward, applications are also expected for solar-power generation, biomass power generation, and integrated coal gasification combined cycle (ICGCC) power generation. From the viewpoint of preserving the global environment, Sumitomo Metals is endeavoring to solve problems in society through its advanced technological capabilities, and will contribute to the global society through its business operations. |
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| 4.Information regarding the Award Ceremony | |||
(1)Date |
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Monday, June 20, 2011, 15:00 – 16:00 | |
| (2)Venue | : | Orchard Room, 2nd Floor, Annex, Hotel Okura | |
(3)Awardees |
: | 【Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation Chairman’s Prize】 | |
| Atsuro Iseda, General Manager, Quality Control & Technical Service Department, Pipe & Tube Company, Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd. | |||
| 【Invention Practice Service Prize】 | |||
| Hiroshi Tomono, Representative Director and President, Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd. | |||
| *National Commendation for Invention Award | |||
| In the aim of enhancing technology in Japan and contributing to the development of industry, these awards commend people who have perfected excellent inventions that are highly original and people who have contributed to the practical application of inventions, as well as guidance, encouragement and research development. |
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| 【Website of the Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation】 | |||
| https://www.jiii.or.jp/english/e.htm | |||
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Innovated thermo-mechanical boiler tube production technology |
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