Steam Generator In-Service Inspections at Paks NPP

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miklo´s Do´czi
Keyword(s):  
Heat Exchanger ◽  
Steam Generator ◽  
Eddy Current ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Tube Bundle ◽  
Degradation Mechanism ◽  
Feed Water ◽  
Material Damage ◽  
Steam Generators ◽  
Service Inspection

Steam Generator is one of the most critical components in nuclear power plants. It has of overriding importance from point of view of safe and reliable operation of the whole plant. Variety of degradation mechanisms affecting SG tube bundle may cause different types of material damage. In Paks NPP eddy current in-service inspection have been performed since 1988. In the year 1997 higher number of defected tubes were found in case of Unit#2, compared to results of the previous years. A medium term SG inspection program had been performed in the time period between 1998–2004. Based on the results of eddy current inspections high number of heat exchanger tubes had been plugged. Chemical cleanings of all steam generators were performed aiming to reduce the magnetite, copper deposits and corrosion agents acting on the surface of the tubes. Replacement of the main condensers had been performed to stop the uncontrolled water income caused by the relatively frequent leakages of the condenser tubes. Several tube samples had been cut from the first row of the tube bundles of different steam generators to study the effectiveness of the cleaning process and to determine the composition of deposits on the tube outside surface. Also several tubes with eddy current indications had been pulled out from the steam generators to determine the acting degradation mechanism. Examination of removed tubes can provide opportunity to check the reliability of eddy current inspection using bobbin coil. Also there were tubes pulled out form SG with existing cracks. From the year 2005 new inspection program had been started. As the first results of the new inspection program shows, there is only a few new indications had been found and there is no measurable crack propagation in case of existing indications. During the recent years feed-water collectors were replaced in case of all units of the power plant, because of material damage (erosion corrosion). The paper summarizes the results of eddy current in-service inspection of heat exchanger tubes, results of examinations of removed tubes and also deals with results of visual examination of the feed-water distributor system.

scholarly journals Fouling Of Nuclear Steam Generators: Fundamental Studies, Operating Experience and Remedial Measures Using Chemical Additives

2013 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.W. Turner
Keyword(s):  
Economic Performance ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Tube Bundle ◽  
Operating Experience ◽  
Feed Water ◽  
Chemical Additives ◽  
Steam Generators ◽  
Primary Coolant ◽  
And Performance

Fouling remains a potentially serious issue that if left unchecked can lead to degradation of the safety and performance of nuclear steam generators (SGs). It has been demonstrated that the majority of the corrosion product transported with the feed water to the SGs accumulates in the SG on the tube-bundle. By increasing the risk of tube failure and acting as a barrier to heat transfer, deposit on the tube bundle has the potential to impair the ability of the SG to perform its two safety-critical roles: provision of a barrier to the release of radioactivity from the reactor coolant and removal of heat from the primary coolant during power operation and under certain post accident scenarios. Thus, it is imperative to develop improved ways to mitigate SG fouling for the long-term safe, reliable and economic performance of nuclear power plants (NPPs). This paper provides an overview of our current understanding of the mechanisms by which deposit accumulates on the secondary side of the SG, how this accumulation affects SG performance and how accumulation of deposit can be mitigated using chemical additives to the secondary heat-transport system. The paper concludes with some key questions that remain to be addressed to further advance our knowledge of deposit accumulation and how it can be controlled to maintain safe, economic performance of nuclear SGs.

scholarly journals Exergy efficiency analysis of lignite-fired steam generator

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 2087-2101
Author(s):  
Drenusha Krasniqi-Alidema ◽  
Risto Filkoski ◽  
Marigona Krasniqi
Keyword(s):  
Steam Generator ◽  
Flue Gas ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Thermal Power ◽  
Calorific Value ◽  
Feed Water ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Gas Temperature ◽  
Steam Generators ◽  
Energy And Exergy

The operation of steam generators and thermal power plants is commonly evaluated on a basis of energy analysis. However, the real useful energy loss cannot be completely justified only by the First law of thermodynamics, since it does not differentiate between the quality and amount of energy. The present work aims to give a contribution towards identification of the sources and magnitude of thermodynamic inefficiencies in utility steam generators. The work deals with a parallel analysis of the energy and exergy balances of a coal-fired steam generator that belongs to a 315 MWe power generation unit. The steam generator is de-signed for operation on low grade coal - lignite with net calorific value 6280 to 9211 kJ/kg, in a cycle at 545?C/177.4 bar, with feed water temperature 251?C, combustion air preheated to 272?C and outlet flue gas temperature 160?C. Since the largest exergy dissipation in the thermal power plant cycle occurs in the steam generator, energy, and exergy balances of the furnace and heat exchanging surfaces are established in order to identify the main sources of inefficiency. On a basis of the analysis, optimization of the combustion and heat transfer processes can be achieved through a set of measures, including retrofitting option of lignite pre-drying with flue gas and air preheating with dryer exhaust gases.

scholarly journals Gas Turbine Heat Recovery Steam Generators for Combined Cycles Natural or Forced Circulation Considerations

1988 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akber Pasha
Keyword(s):  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Steam Generator ◽  
Heat Recovery ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Natural Circulation ◽  
Combined Cycle ◽  
Heat Recovery Steam Generator ◽  
Steam Generators ◽  
Forced Circulation ◽  
Gas Turbine Exhaust

In recent years the combined cycle has become a very attractive power plant arrangement because of its high cycle efficiency, short order-to-on-line time and flexibility in the sizing when compared to conventional steam power plants. However, optimization of the cycle and selection of combined cycle equipment has become more complex because the three major components, Gas Turbine, Heat Recovery Steam Generator and Steam Turbine, are often designed and built by different manufacturers. Heat Recovery Steam Generators are classified into two major categories — 1) Natural Circulation and 2) Forced Circulation. Both circulation designs have certain advantages, disadvantages and limitations. This paper analyzes various factors including; availability, start-up, gas turbine exhaust conditions, reliability, space requirements, etc., which are affected by the type of circulation and which in turn affect the design, price and performance of the Heat Recovery Steam Generator. Modern trends around the world are discussed and conclusions are drawn as to the best type of circulation for a Heat Recovery Steam Generator for combined cycle application.

Crack Growth Prediction and Leakage Potential of Steam Generator Tubes Subjected to Flow Induced Vibrations

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Salim El Bouzidi ◽  
Marwan Hassan ◽  
Jovica Riznic
Keyword(s):  
Crack Growth ◽  
Steam Generator ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Mechanical Energy ◽  
Steam Generators ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Flow Induced Vibrations ◽  
Crack Growth Model

Nuclear steam generators are critical components of nuclear power plants. Flow-Induced Vibrations (FIV) are a major threat to the operation of nuclear steam generators. The two main manifestations of FIV in heat exchangers are turbulence and fluidelastic instability, which would add mechanical energy to the system resulting in great levels of vibrations. The consequences on the operation of steam generators are premature wear of the tubes, as well as development of cracks that may leak radioactive heavy water. This paper investigates the effect of tube support clearance on crack propagation. A crack growth model is used to simulate the growth of Surface Flaws and Through-Wall Cracks of various initial sizes due to a wide range of support clearances. Leakage rates are predicted using a two-phase flow leakage model. Non-linear finite element analysis is used to simulate a full U-bend subjected to fluidelastic and turbulence forces. Monte Carlo Simulations are then used to conduct a probabilistic assessment of steam generator life due to crack development.

Proven Concepts for LLW-Treatment of Large Components for Free-Release and Recycling

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lena Bergstro¨m ◽  
Maria Lindberg ◽  
Anders Lindstro¨m ◽  
Bo Wirendal ◽  
Joachim Lorenzen
Keyword(s):  
Steam Generator ◽  
Heat Exchangers ◽  
Tube Bundle ◽  
Pilot Project ◽  
Initial Weight ◽  
Steam Generators ◽  
Huge Number ◽  
Material Recycling ◽  
Waste Production ◽  
Sampling Program

This paper describes Studsvik’s technical concept of LLW-treatment of large, retired components from nuclear installations in operation or in decommissioning. Many turbines, heat exchangers and other LLW components have been treated in Studsvik during the last 20 years. This also includes development of techniques and tools, especially our latest experience gained under the pilot project for treatment of one full size PWR steam generator from Ringhals NPP, Sweden. The ambition of this pilot project was to minimize the waste volumes for disposal and to maximize the material recycling. Another objective, respecting ALARA, was the successful minimization of the dose exposure to the personnel. The treatment concept for large, retired components comprises the whole sequence of preparations from road and sea transports and the management of the metallic LLW by segmentation, decontamination and sorting using specially devised tools and shielded treatment cell, to the decision criteria for recycling of the metals, radiological analyses and conditioning of the residual waste into the final packages suitable for customer-related disposal. For e.g. turbine rotors with their huge number of blades the crucial moments are segmentation techniques, thus cold segmentation is a preferred method to keep focus on minimization of volumes for secondary waste. Also a variety of decontamination techniques using blasting cabinet or blasting tumbling machines keeps secondary waste production to a minimum. The technical challenge of the treatment of more complicated components like steam generators also begins with the segmentation. A first step is the separation of the steam dome in order to dock the rest of the steam generator to a specially built treatment cell. Thereafter, the decontamination of the tube bundle is performed using a remotely controlled manipulator. After decontamination is concluded the cutting of the tubes as well as of the shell is performed in the same cell with remotely controlled tools. Some of the sections of steam dome shell or turbine shafts can be cleared directly for unconditional reuse without melting after decontamination and sampling program. Experience shows that the amount of material possible for clearance for unconditional use is between 95 – 97% for conventional metallic scrap. For components like turbines, heat exchangers or steam generators the recycling ratio can vary to about 80–85% of the initial weight.

Degradation Mechanism of Dissimilar Metal Weld Joints on Steam Generator Collectors VVER 440MW Type

2017 ◽  
Vol 741 ◽  
pp. 134-137
Author(s):  
Lubomír Junek ◽  
Ladislav Jurasek ◽  
Zdeněk Čančura ◽  
Miroslava Ernestová ◽  
Zuzana Skoumalová
Keyword(s):  
Steam Generator ◽  
Experimental Analysis ◽  
Degradation Mechanism ◽  
Steam Generators ◽  
Dissimilar Metal ◽  
Weld Joints ◽  
Dissimilar Metal Weld ◽  
Metal Weld

Indications were detected on dissimilar metal welds (DMW) of steam generators (SG) after 20 years of operation during NDT inspections. Indications started slowly growth every year. DMW on SGs had to be repaired. Paper describes experimental analysis and degradation mechanism of SG weld joints failures.

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