Inspection techniques for the detection of corrosion related cracks in steam turbine blades

Conference · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1982 · Am. Soc. Mech. Eng., (Pap.); (United States)

OSTI ID:5387895

Armor, A F; Porter, J P; Reinhart, E R

Loss in utility plant availability created by failure-causing stress corrosion cracks in steam turbine blades makes early detection of this problem critical. Visual examination and magnetic particle testing are the nondestructive examination (NDE) methods usually utilized during field inspection of blades; however, there are reported instances where stress corrosion cracks were missed. A consequence of missed cracks could be blade failure during operation, leading to costly, unscheduled plant outage. To alleviate this problem, the utility industry is currently funding a study which includes a survey of the industry to define and assess limitations of the current NDE practices for turbine blades, an evaluation of NDE methods using flawed blade samples, conducting field tests, and development of standardized methods and procedures. Preliminary results of the first year of the study are presented.

• Research Organization: Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA
• OSTI ID: 5387895
• Report Number(s): CONF-821018-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Am. Soc. Mech. Eng., (Pap.); (United States) Journal Volume: 82-JPGC-PWR-44
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS
200104* -- Fossil-Fueled Power Plants-- Components
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320603 -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Municipalities & Community Systems-- Public Utilities-- (1980-)
CRACKS
ELECTRIC UTILITIES
FAILURES
FIELD TESTS
INSPECTION
MACHINERY
MATERIALS TESTING
NONDESTRUCTIVE TESTING
OUTAGES
PUBLIC UTILITIES
STANDARDIZATION
STEAM TURBINES
TESTING
TURBINE BLADES
TURBINES
TURBOMACHINERY