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Title: Experimental prediction of tube support interaction characteristics in steam generators: Volume 1, Unmodified Westinghouse Model D-3 preheater region: Topical report

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:7227130

A multispan, single tube test fixture with up to eight instrumented supports (plus four non-instrumented) was fabricated which enabled accurate tube motion and tube-to-tube support interaction measurements on a Westinghouse Model D-3 economizer geometry. Both Window and Non-Window geometries were tested with detailed alignment conditions provided by Westinghouse. In both cases the tube was excited with independently controlled, biaxial random input motions that simulated the cross flow intensities previously determined by Westinghouse from a 2/3 scale flow model test program. In the subject experiments, measurements were recorded for the two tube models in air and water environments. The excitations intensity was varied to reflect 75 and 100 percent power conditions, as well as a hypothetical 140 percent power case. Data were digitally analyzed to compute statistically significant force, tube motion, tube sliding distance and, most importantly, work rate parameters for each instrumented support elevation. In addition, the observed tube motion and tube support interaction characteristics were documented in terms of orbital tube motion displays; time histories of excitation, tube motion and support reaction force functions; and in terms of energy spectra of tube motions and support reaction forces. A short section of the experimental forcing functions and of the corresponding tube motion and support reaction characteristics was digitized. The forcing functions were used by Westinghouse as input for a corresponding analysis run to enable direct comparisons between analytical and experimental wear prediction techniques for identical geometry (boundary) and excitation conditions. 17 refs., 67 figs., 26 tabs.

Research Organization:
Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (USA); Combustion Engineering, Inc., Windsor, CT (USA)
OSTI ID:
7227130
Report Number(s):
EPRI-NP-5541-Vol.1; ON: TI88011932; TRN: 88-025182
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English