Objective
The goal of this project is to make a microsystem that can measure strain in large industrial plant operating at up to 600 C. The microsystem will detect strain rates as small as 10 8 hr 1.
The operation of plant in the power generation, chemical and petrochemical processes and nuclear sectors all require boilers and pipework to operate for long periods at high temperatures in the creep range. At these temperatures, accurate knowledge of the plant condition is needed to ensure safe and reliable operation and to avoid catastrophic creep failure.
At present, this knowledge is gained from costly, periodic shut downs and manual inspection. A microsystem which could continuously monitor plant condition would bring about very significant reductions in the cost of operation and maintenance. In the power generation industry alone, an immediate 6% saving on EU wide maintenance costs of 540 MECU would be realized. This would save over 32 MECU per annum. Continuous monitoring is therefore viewed by plant operators as a vital enabling technology necessary to implement modern principles of asset management.
The microsystem will be built around a Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) strain sensor. The sensor will be packaged with integral antennas so that it can be interrogated by a short range RF link, which will reduce installation difficulties. To successfully develop a
microsystem like this, a range of expertise is needed and the consortium has been formed with this in mind. The work is divided into ten tasks and these cover the different aspects of the development, namely: provision of SAW crystals; development of the SAW microsensor; packaging the microsystem; development of the RF system; system integration and laboratory tests; and testing on industrial plant.
The results will be exploited by turning the microsystem (and RF link) into a commercial product. Members of the consortium have the capability to manufacture and market the microsystem which will be sold to: the end users within the consortium; a user group to be formed towards the end of the project; and to third parties. Commercialization is planned to commence with a selected user group in power generation and process plant sectors, but it is expected that the benefits and technical advances provided by the proposed system will expand the end user base to include industrial sectors such as turbomachinery, aerospace, chemical, petrochemical and nuclear industries.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Data not available
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
KT22 7SA Leatherhead
United Kingdom
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.