Failure of safety valves due to flow-induced vibration
Journal Article
·
· J. Pressure Vessel Technol.; (United States)
Flow-induced sonic vibration in boiler safety nozzles led to premature valve wear and failure. The valves were mounted just downstream of a 1-1/2 diameter pipe elbow, in contravention of guidelines suggesting an 8 to 10 diameter separation to avoid sonic vibrations. Initial modifications proved unsuccessful. A consultant then recommended replacing the cylindrical valve nozzles with reducers, which stopped the vibration. A review of flow-induced cavity vibrations is presented. In the case of the safety valves the vibration is believed due to fluid-dynamic instability of the cavity shear layer, enhanced and controlled by the resonant characteristics of the adjacent cavity. The precise feedback, or coupling, mechanism that sustains the oscillation is unknown. Possible reasons for the success of the tapered shape reducer are discussed. The limited design guidance available for safety valve placement is reviewed. Results of a safety valve vibration experience survey are presented and discussed.
- OSTI ID:
- 7047161
- Journal Information:
- J. Pressure Vessel Technol.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Pressure Vessel Technol.; (United States) Vol. 102:1; ISSN JPVTA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Prediction of check valve performance and degradation in nuclear power plant systems: Final report, September 1987--April 1988
Heat exchanger nozzle stresses due to pipe vibration
Thermal hydraulics of valves for nuclear applications
Technical Report
·
Sun May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1988
·
OSTI ID:5157375
Heat exchanger nozzle stresses due to pipe vibration
Conference
·
Fri Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1982
· Am. Soc. Mech. Eng., Pressure Vessels Piping Div., (Tech. Rep.) PVP; (United States)
·
OSTI ID:5321384
Thermal hydraulics of valves for nuclear applications
Journal Article
·
Wed Oct 31 23:00:00 EST 1984
· Nucl. Sci. Eng.; (United States)
·
OSTI ID:6029495