Micro and nano ceramic-metal composite coatings by thermal spray process to control slurry erosion in hydroturbine steel: An overview

Abstract

The increasing rate of erosion due to the presence of excessive silt concentration in river water of the Himalayan region is adversely affecting the availability of most demanded hydropower in India. Many researchers investigated several methods to minimize the rate of erosion wear on hydro turbine blades, runners, pumps, guide vanes, valves, seats, etc. However, some of them are successful, some are not. The problem of silt erosion is encountered during the high flow monsoon period. Various techniques have been developed to rally suitable coatings like chemical vapor deposition technique, thermal spray technique, an electroplating technique, etc. Therefore, in this paper, an attempt has been made to provide an overview of suitable micro and nanocomposite coatings with the application of thermal spray high-velocity oxygen fuel deposition process to minimize the problem of erosion due to silt in hydropower plants.