Creep strain management of power plant components

F. P. Allwood; J. D. Wilson

doi:10.1117/12.269823

20 March 1997 Creep strain management of power plant components

F. P. Allwood, J. D. Wilson

Proceedings Volume 2921, International Conference on Experimental Mechanics: Advances and Applications; (1997) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.269823
Event: International Conference on Experimental Mechanics: Advances and Applications, 1996, Singapore, Singapore

Abstract

Extended life of power plant can only be achieved if it can be shown that the high temperature components have adequate residual creep life. There is often a significant margin between minimum assured creep rupture properties and the actual properties of a component in service. Regular strain monitoring can demonstrate quantitatively that components are fit for extended service and enable utilities to capitalize on this margin. Hitherto, however, widescale application of high temperature strain monitoring has been prohibitively expensive, technically difficult and unreliable in practice. A method of creep life management of high temperature pressure components is described, employing different means of measuring strain which become more focused and refined as creep life exhaustion progresses. Initially, widespread use is made of a direct strain measuring system, employing low cost gauges or'targets' capable of operation at temperatures ranging up to dull red heat -- circa 600 degrees Celsius. The targets are read intermittently at room temperature by a diode array 'camera,' the 'reading' including universal time and date and a target identifier. This information passes directly to a database, maintaining the integrity of the recorded information and minimizing the possibility of errors. As creep strains approach unacceptable levels, the system has identified the most appropriate components and locations for continuous strain measurement, employing capacitance gauges. It has also prioritized components for plant replacement.

Citation Download Citation

F. P. Allwood and J. D. Wilson "Creep strain management of power plant components", Proc. SPIE 2921, International Conference on Experimental Mechanics: Advances and Applications, (20 March 1997); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.269823

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available