Detection of leaks in a water-cooled generator stator bar using perfluorocarbon tracers
A generator stator bar with a suspected leak was removed from the ConEdison Ravenswood power plant and shipped to an independent laboratory for hydraulic pressure testing. The test failed to demonstrate the location and magnitude of leaks. The stator bar was subsequently investigated at Brookhaven's Tracer Technology Center. Pressurization with 3 ppM PMCP (perfluoromethylcyclopentane) in hydrogen as carrier gas revealed a leak close to the turbine end of the generator. The equivalent water leak rate was calculated to be about 1/2 mL per day at 30 psi water pressure. A series of tests was designed to first verify the existence of potential leaks and then to locate these leaks as accurately as possible. Enclosing the bar in a flexible hose, introducing nitrogen gas into the hose and analyzing the hose exhaust with Brookhaven's Dual Trap Analyzer successfully identified the existence of leaks. However, the technique failed to locate the approximation position of the suspected leaks. It was found that diffusion and the existence of a laminar flow regime inside the hose prevented the formation of uniform concentration levels and, hence, consistent readings. Successful leak pinpointing was accomplished by wrapping short sections of the bar in plastic bags. This approach with some suggested improvements is also recommended for future experiments with stator bars. 6 figs., 1 tab.
- Research Organization:
- Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY (USA)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- DOE/ER
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-76CH00016
- OSTI ID:
- 7023783
- Report Number(s):
- BNL-43654; ON: DE90007355
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Locating of leaks in water-cooled generator stator bars using perfluorocarbon tracers
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Electron Devices & Circuits-- (1990-)
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON FLUORIDES
CHEMISTRY
COOLING SYSTEMS
DOCUMENT TYPES
ELECTRIC GENERATORS
ENERGY SYSTEMS
ENERGY TRANSFER
FLOW RATE
FLUID FLOW
FLUID MECHANICS
FLUORIDES
FLUORINE COMPOUNDS
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
HEAT TRANSFER
HYDRAULICS
IN-SITU PROCESSING
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
LEAK DETECTORS
MEASURING METHODS
MECHANICS
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
POWER PLANTS
PROCESSING
PROGRESS REPORT
REACTOR SAFETY
RECOMMENDATIONS
SAFETY
STATORS
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
TRACER TECHNIQUES
WATER CHEMISTRY