We studied the effects of peak temperature and cooling rate in the secondary welding thermal cycles on the martensite/austenite (M/A) constituents’ characteristics (including fraction, average size and distribution), corrosion resistance and hydrogen permeation behaviors in the inter-critically reheated coarse-grained heat-affected zone (ICCGHAZ) of X80 pipeline steel. We observed that the M/A constituents’ characteristics mainly depend on the secondary peak temperature and cooling rates, while the microstructure style and prior austenite grain size are dependent on the first peak temperature. In addition, the variations in the M/A constituents’ characteristics result in different corrosion resistance and hydrogen permeation behaviors by changing the micro-galvanic effect and the number of hydrogen trapping sites. The high fraction and coarse grain size of M/A constituents are against the corrosion resistance and hydrogen permeation in ICCGHAZs, and their functional relationships are established. Moreover, the effects of the fraction of M/A constituents on the corrosion resistance and hydrogen permeation behaviors are much greater than those of the average size.

The coarse-grained heat-affected zone specimens of X80 pipeline steel were produced by welding thermal simulation under different heat inputs of 10, 30, and 55 kJ/cm to study the effects of heat input on microstructure evolution and corrosion characterization. The corrosion resistance of coarse-grained heat-affected zones was poorer than that of base metal due to less homogenous in the former. For 10 kJ/cm coarse-grained heat-affected zone, the corrosion resistance was poorer than the others due to the more adsorption hydrogen around the needle-like martensite/austenite constituents and greater galvanic driving force between the needle-like martensite/austenite constituents and ferrite. In carbonate/bicarbonate solution, better corrosion resistance for coarse-grained heat-affected zones was obtained when the heat input is 30 kJ/cm, which can be attributed to the severe coarse martensite/austenite constituents for 55 kJ/cm coarse-grained heat-affected zone. In the H2S environment, the better corrosion resistance for coarse-grained heat-affected zone was obtained when the heat input is 55 kJ/cm, which can be attributed to the protective effect of corrosion products. In addition, the high content of M/A constituents for 30 kJ/cm CGHAZ was good for hydrogen adsorption, which was adverse to the corrosion resistance in acid environments.

Membrane gas absorption technology and solar-assisted regeneration system are two promising approaches to reduce high energy consumption associated with carbon dioxide capture from coal fired power plants. In the present study, a solar-assisted hollow fiber membrane contactor (SOL-HFMC) power plant is proposed to capture and desorb CO₂ in hollow fiber membrane contactors with the assistance of solar thermal collectors. Techno-economic assessment and sensitivity analysis of the proposed system is carried out in three studied locations with different weather conditions for a 580 MWe pulverized coal power plant. Research results show that, the output capacity and net efficiency of the SOL-HFMC power plant are significantly higher than those of the reference power plant regardless whether TES system is applied or not. In addition, CEI of the SOL-HFMC power plant with TES system is 4.36 kg CO₂/MWh, 4.45 kg CO₂/MWh and 4.66 kg CO₂/MWh lower than that of the reference power plant. The prices of membrane, vacuum tube collector and phase change material should be reduced to achieve lower LCOE and COR values. Specifically for SOL-HFMC power plant with TES system, the corresponding vacuum tube collector price shall be lower than 25.70 $/m² for Jinan, 95.20 $/m² for Xining, and 128.70 $/m² for Lhasa, respectively. To be more competitive than solar-assisted ammonia-based post-combustion CO₂ capture power plant, the membrane price in Jinan, Xining and Lhasa shall be reduced to 0.012 $/m, 0.015 $/m and 0.016 $/m for the sake of LCOE, and 0.03 $/m, 0.033 $/m and 0.034 $/m for the sake of COR, respectively. The findings can provide guidance for decision-making and risk management strategies.