Hans van Esch

With senior-level technical expertise in turbine refurbishment, Hans van Esch is a metallurgical authority. His career at Hickham Industries, USA and Elbar, Netherlands (both now a part of Sulzer Turbo Services), and Chromalloy has enhanced his long career in process development for gas turbine repairs. His specialty repair process knowledge includes heat treatment, HIPing, chemical cleaning and stripping, inspection, welding, high-temperature brazing, and coating:

• International Turbine R&D repair projects
• Complete gas turbine overhaul and repair expertise including component repair
• Metallurgical inspection, evaluation, failure analysis and root cause analyses
• Troubleshooting and repair development
• Engineering and production staff training
• Engineering division management
• Turbine repair production, production control and ISO 9001 quality implementation
• Sales, marketing and business development including creating business plans and SWOT

Hans is a member of ASM, ASME, and AWS, and has been active as session chair, member of several sub-commissions, as well as writing and presenting papers and training sessions. Hans is active in supporting EPRI with creating repair guidelines for conventional and advanced engines and components including fuel nozzles, technical reports (high-temperature brazing and flow testing), international workshops (F-class and Frame 9FA), and component assessments (Frame 7FA component life extension) and managing large research and development projects. Hans has been awarded several turbine component manufacturing and repair patents.

In 2002, Hans van Esch founded TEServices by taking over the vendor verification from Natole Turbine Enterprises, (NTE). Hans improved the vendor verification with a 6 step program, see Combined Cycle Article. Furthermore, he added metallurgical evaluations, lifetime assessment and extension, failure analysis, and training to the TEServices program. Hans regularly presents on a yearly basis to GTUS, CTOTF, and other end-users' groups (see Publications).

As Component Repair Division Manager, Hans led the ISO 9001 qualification team with component division certification within 6 months. He motivated the engineering group to improve repair processes and develop new repair scopes. Hans trained and educated Hickham engineers and hands-on staff and established clear functional procedures. During this time, he increased sales and profit margins while expanding into new markets and started HICoat, Coatings Division for Hickham. Furthermore, he developed MCrALY High-Velocity Oxygen Fuel (HVOF) and smooth Thermal Barrier Coating (TBC) Air Plasma Sprayed (APS) and introduced air-sprayed compressor applications. Hans supported EPRI with the creation of repair specifications for W501D and F and Frame 7EA and F components. Additionally, he led cross-department projects, including a complete overhaul of Alstom GT10 and provided domestic and international technical and commercial sales support.

Hans repaired CF6-6/50/80, CFM 56, JT 8/9D and PW 4000 gas turbine components. Successfully introducing and integrating laser drilling, low pressure and robotic thermal spraying and electron beam welding technology. He was responsible for engineering and metallurgical laboratory, investigated and resolved quality, process, and production problems. All while, supervising production teams of 150 members.

Hans started up Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) coating processes for SiliconCarbide (SiC) application on graphite semiconductor products at Xycarb. At Elbar R&D, he performed engineering and metallurgical evaluations and developed new repair processes. Part of his responsibilities was to lead specialty processes such as Fluor cleaning (Daytone process), high temperature brazing processes, and developing of compressor coatings HICoat C4 and C7. He collaborated with Hispano Suiza (France) and H.I.P. (England) to improve HIP parameters for nickelbase-superalloys such as IN 738LC (Cost 501/NL6) and led the Cost 501/NL7 Project which improved diesel engine exhaust valves. He employed hardface plating, thermal spraying and cobalt or nickel-base superalloy welding techniques.

• 1992- Financial Management
• 1991- Business Administration (BS)
• 1989- Chemical Engineering (BS

• Hogeschool West-Brabant, Breda, Netherlands
• Hogeschool Eindhoven, Eindhoven, Netherlands
• I.H.B.O. De Maere, Enschede, Netherlands