The key areas of research of Wear Resistance Research Center of National Research Institute “Moscow Power Engineering Institute” are outlined, the developed technologies are specified, photographs are presented of the main production and experimental equipment created in recent years in various areas.

A review is presented of vacuum equipment for implementation of state-of-the-art ion-plasma technologies as applied to solving problems of raising wear-resistance of high-load components of energy sector equipment. Examples are cited of treatment of articles through application of ion-plasma technologies

The feasibility is substantiated of micro-metering of a surface active agent from the class of film-forming amines - octadecylamine (ODA) into the flow section of the steam turbine LPC, which ensures both decreasing the rate of impingement corrosion of moving blades of the wet vapor stages and intensifying heat exchange in the condenser through transforming film-type condensation into drop-type condensation. The ultimate level of ODA concentrations in vapor is determined, which would prevent the condenser’s tube circuit from being “choked up” as a result of its condensation.

Aggregated results are presented of implementation of a comprehensive technology consisting in modification of properties of functional surfaces of pipelines and heat power equipment involving use of surface active agents (SAA-technology) at district heat supply facilities in 2003 - 2013. The scale of implementation of the SAA-technology in municipal heat supply systems in the Russian Federation is demonstrated. The feasibility analysis is performed of the SAA technology efficiency all across the process stages: production, transportation, distribution and consumption of thermal energy.

Testing thermal insulation for frost resistance by the cyclic freezing-thawing method enables to forecast the service life of thermal insulation when long-term field tests are impossible. Comparative analysis is presented of results of frost resistance tests of thin-film multilayer coatings and foamed polyurethane thermal insulation exposed to alternating freeze-thaw loads.

Results are presented of experimental studies of effects produced by the impeller properties on raising energy efficiency of type D centrifugal pumps. Hydrophobization of the impeller flow channel is shown to reduce specific energy consumption of centrifugal pumps of both the cantilever type and the double suction type (type D).

Matters of efficiency of various designs of a single-well system for removal and withdrawal of thermal energy of the Earth’s interior are considered: those with a casing pipe all along the single-well heat exchange apparatus, and with no casing pipe in hard interior formations.

Analysis is performed of measures on raising the efficiency of compressor stations of gas trunk transfer by the exergy method. Results are presented of using the heat of exhaust gases for heating purposes and the power of turbo-expander for driving fans of the horizontal air cooling unit (HACU). Exergy flow charts are made.

Prospects are considered for application of thermal-hydraulic distributors in district heat supply systems for raising their reliability and energy efficiency; their optimum geometrical parameters are determined.

Analysis of energy efficiency of using heat of ventilation emissions for heating intake air is performed. Comparison is undertaken of through ventilation systems with and without a waste heat exchanger. A mathematical model and an algorithm for calculation of ventilation systems under consideration are suggested. Comparative analysis results are presented as exemplified by particular production premises.

Key problems are considered of quantitative layer-by-layer analysis of modified surface layers and protective coatings for improving operational characteristics of surfaces of power engineering equipment based on nitrides, carbides and carbonitrides of metals by the glow discharge spectroscopy method (C and N calibration, selection of measurement parameters, structure of sample surface). For coatings with different nitrogen and carbon contents, certification of their contents is performed by the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) method to be used for calibration of glow discharge spectrometers. Relationship is analyzed between parameters of the measurement conditions and the shape of craters for burning of different types of materials and coatings. Resolution of the glow discharge method in research of nanostructure coatings is considered.

Exergetic efficiency is considered as the key indicator of efficiency of power-generating plants. By way of example, estimated calculation is presented of an energy source based on using deep thermal energy of the Earth’s interior involving application of a turbine plant operating on a low-boiling working medium.

The primary objective of the paper is to reduce energy consumption of processes of conversion of raw hydrocarbons. Analysis of fuel-and-energy balances of gas processing plants has shown that the rectification process is the main consumer of thermal energy. As an example, the process of rectification of natural gas liquids is examined. Simulation of the process was exercised in the Aspen HYSYS software. Based on the simulation results, the most efficient rectification technologies are proposed involving heat pumps depending on technical characteristics of plants and properties of substances to be separated.

Problems are considered of coordinated operation of thermal energy sources and consumers in distributed heat supply systems. Analysis is performed of variation of thermal loads of a utility complex resulting from climatic anomalies, increase in heat protective parameters of buildings, actual reserves are identified for reducing losses and raising energy efficiency and reliability of municipal heat supply systems. For selection of the optimum and balanced composition of equipment of energy sources (public use CHP), a method is suggested for comprehensive analysis of the energy consumption structure (ratio of heat and electricity demand) of municipal facilities.