ENERGY PRODUCTION g
used to separate the electrical circuits of the individual cells of large solar panels. The laser ablates the layers of photovoltaic material down to the glass base layer in a scribing process. Lasers with wavelengths of either 532nm (green) or 1,064nm (IR) are typically used, and deliver a precise and consistent result.
Nuclear decommissioning In the UK alone, more than 20 nuclear facilities will be decommissioned by 2030. This process will include the cutting up of vast quantities of metal structures such as pipes and cylinders – some of which are contaminated with radiation. Flame cutting techniques are traditionally used, but laser cutting is an attractive prospect because it is faster and reduces the need for humans to work in contaminated environments. Fibre delivery can also allow laser cutting to reach areas that are otherwise extremely difficult to access. While some parts can be simply cut up and then disposed of, others require decontamination either before long term storage or if they are going to be reused. It makes economic sense to recycle stainless steel, for example, but all of the layers of radioactive oxides that have built up on some nuclear power plant components must be removed before these materials can be reused. Nanosecond pulse (10-9
s)
high-powered lasers with energies in the tens of kilowatt range and wavelengths in the near-infrared region can be used to clean the radioactive residues off concrete in a process known as ‘concrete scabbling’, and to remove deposits from the inside of stainless-steel tubes, by oxidising the surface that needs cleaning. This laser ablation process is carried out layer by layer, with the ejected material vacuumed away via a suction pump. One of the advantages of using a fibre-delivered laser for this task is that it can reach surfaces in tricky to access locations. Also, unlike using water jets or mechanical means, laser cleaning avoids the creation of secondary waste, which can end up redeposited on the surface of the component, and at the very least requires careful handling and disposal.
Emerging applications In the future, there is potential for pulsed femtosecond (10-15
“Another area in which lasers could play a role is in the production of batteries for storing power generated by renewable resources”
Laser cutting and cleaning are both playing an increasing role in the decommissioning of nuclear power plants
s)
lasers to be used to create a new generation of solar panels made from etched metal surfaces. Researchers have shown that etching a nanoscale pattern into tungsten via a femtosecond laser allows the metal to selectively absorb light at solar wavelengths while reducing the heat dissipation at other wavelengths of light. Another area in which lasers
could play an important role is in the production of batteries for storing power, generated by renewable sources such as wind and solar, in residential settings. The types of batteries being proposed for this use would require their component materials to be accurately cut, and contain strong welds of dissimilar metals. There are also studies aiming to demonstrate whether laser welding could
provide a better alternative to conventional welding techniques for joining components in energy generation or related equipment. This includes the components of chemical tanks and pressure vessels used in the oil and gas sector, and those within technologies such as heat exchangers, and the support structures for wind turbines. These components may be subject to a variety of extreme conditions such as high temperatures and pressures, and corrosive substances. As a consequence, any welds used must comply with stringent safety standards. Laser welding in these
scenarios offers the promise of considerable efficiency improvements and cost savings, so not surprisingly, feasibility studies are ongoing. l
REFERENCES [1]
[2]
https://energy.ec.europa.eu/topics/ renewable-energy/solar-energy_en
https://ember-climate.org/insights/ research/european-electricity- review-2023/
[3]
https://www.nationalgrid.com/stories/ energy-explained/how-much-uks- energy-renewable
For more information about the application of laser technology in energy production, visit:
www.lasersystemseurope.com/ industries/energy-production
Laser cladding is now being used in the repair of gas turbines 24 LASER SYSTEMS EUROPE THE 2023 GUIDE TO LASER SYSTEMS @LASERSYSTEMSMAG |
WWW.LASERSYSTEMSEUROPE.COM
Shutterstock/industryviews
Shutterstock/Ugis Riba
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