Elucidating the mechanisms of reduce creep life in hydrogen to ensure the safety of advanced high-temperature hydrogen technologies

高温水素利用機器の安全性を確実にするための水素中クリープ寿命低下の機構解明に関する研究

Advanced high-temperature hydrogen technologies, such as SOEC for hydrogen generation and SOFC for hydrogen power generation, are expected to play a significant role in achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. The structural components of these devices are subjected to a very aggressive environment, which is high-temperature and hydrogen. Furthermore, considering creep deformation is essential in designing mechanical components that operate at high temperature. However, the understanding of degradation of structural materials in high-temperature hydrogen remains insufficient. The objective of this study is to elucidate the mechanisms by which hydrogen affects creep deformation. To achieve this, I will collaborate internationally and interdisciplinarily with Professor Kirchheim at the University of Gottingen, who has developed the defactant theory based on thermodynamics for hydrogen embrittlement at room temperature, along with his colleagues.

SOECによる水素製造やSOFCによる水素発電などの先進高温水素利用技術は2050年のカーボンニュートラル実現に大きな役割が期待されている．これらの機器の構造部材は「高温」＋「水素」という極めて過酷な環境に曝される．高温で負荷を受ける部材の設計にはクリープ強度の考慮が必要不可欠であるが，クリープ変形に及ぼす水素の影響は十分に明らかになっていない．本研究では水素がクリープ寿命を低下させる機構の解明を目指す．国際共同の分野横断研究として熱力学による Defactant theory に基礎をおくドイツ・ゲッチンゲン大学の Professor Kirchheim らと共同研究を実施する．