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Title: Improved nuclear LP turbine inspection strategy -- A team approach

Conference ·
OSTI ID:207803
 [1];  [2]; ;  [3]
  1. EPRI NDE Center, Charlotte, NC (United States). Inspection Applications Division
  2. PECO Energy, Wayne, PA (United States). System Design Section
  3. General Electric Co., Schenectady, NY (United States)

This paper describes the impact of nondestructive examination (NDE) of turbine wheel dovetails and shrunk on wheel interfaces to the power generation provider. The performance of these inspections is crucial to ensure safe and reliable uninterrupted service of power generating equipment. The results of these inspections impact recommended reinspection intervals based on initial flaw sizes, material properties and equipment operation. Current technology in inspection practices has provided for new solutions that support optimization of recommended planned outage intervals. A case study is provided which details the combined team effort of customer, consultant, and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to improve the process of inspection and data evaluation in order to provide appropriate resolution of the test results. Advances in ultrasonic test imaging and flaw sizing techniques were used to evaluate standard flaw default values assigned to turbine wheel keyways. Structural assessment of the corrected flaw default sizes and consideration of equipment operation, including turbine preheating, served to extend the reinspect cycle to 6 years.

OSTI ID:
207803
Report Number(s):
CONF-951010-; ISBN 0-7918-1488-2; TRN: IM9616%%131
Resource Relation:
Conference: International joint power generation conference and exposition, Minneapolis, MN (United States), 8-12 Oct 1995; Other Information: PBD: 1995; Related Information: Is Part Of Proceedings of the 1995 international joint power generation conference -- Volume 3: Power. PWR-Volume 28; Fruchtman, I.; Hartman, S.; Moore, B.; Henry, R.; Karg, D.; Curley, M.; Reid, S.; Sykes, B. [eds.]; PB: 545 p.
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English