Return on investment from NDE and maintenance expenses -- A case history

Journal Article · Mon Oct 31 23:00:00 EST 1994 · Materials Evaluation; (United States)

OSTI ID:7045812

Pruitt, D ^[1]; Lebsack, S ^[2]

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1. Arizona Public Services Co., Fruitland, NM (United States)
2. F.H. Gottfeld GmbH, Herne (Germany)

NDE can generally be shown as an important component of power station maintenance programs. Operational performance records, along with maintenance and inspection costs of three fossil units,have been examined to determine the effectiveness of the inspection program employed by Arizona Public Service (APS) at the Four Corners Power Station. Data from the last 18 years revealed that the effective use of NDE to support maintenance activities has been a significant contributor to the excellent reliability of three coal fired units, all now over 30 years old. The plant burns coal that is extremely high in ash. Consequently, the maintenance overhauls are very aggressive. Both maintenance and inspection costs are comparatively high when viewed independently. However, examined in the context of the availability factors and the cost per megawatt hour (MWH), they are brought back into proper perspective. Another positive benefit of the APS programs has been to improve boiler availability, and consequently net generation, over the past 10 years in spite of the advancing age of the units. This article gives an overview of the APS program and how NDE is used in planning for boiler maintenance activities and during annual overhauls. It illustrates the improved unit availability factors and operating cost reductions that result from use of systematic NDE in support of aggressive plant maintenance.

• OSTI ID: 7045812
• Journal Information: Materials Evaluation; (United States), Journal Name: Materials Evaluation; (United States) Vol. 52:11; ISSN MAEVAD; ISSN 0025-5327
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS
200100* -- Fossil-Fueled Power Plants-- Power Plants & Power Generation
BOILERS
COST
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
ECONOMICS
FOSSIL-FUEL POWER PLANTS
INSPECTION
MAINTENANCE
MATERIALS TESTING
NONDESTRUCTIVE TESTING
OPERATING COST
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THERMAL POWER PLANTS