Looking for traces
Even the most minute of traces become clearly visible when subject to a 100,000 + magnification. That is what the laboratory staff of Hitachi Power Europe use in the form of a scanning electron microscope to analyze fractured surfaces on materials. And this is only one of a number of tasks. The experts in materials technology and analysis examine and assess, for example, fossil fuels, determine the calorific value and grindability of various coal types and look for trace elements in combustion residues (for instance, in slag and ash). Their aim is to improve combustion and, at the same time, reduce environmental pollution. This is achieved, for instance, by optimizing the design of coal mills and burners for the different kinds of fuels.
The practical experience of the laboratory staff goes back over many decades. They undertake remaining service life examinations and damage analyses, check how material specimens can be worked on and ensure that newly developed materials are suitable for the power plant generations of tomorrow.
That is why close cooperation with planners/designers and startup engineers alike is a routine matter for the laboratory staff. The Hitachi Power Europe laboratory is accredited in keeping with DIN EN ISO / IEC 17025. | 
