Steam Turbine Thermal Stress Online Monitoring Technology - EPRI PDF

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Steam Turbine Thermal Stress

Online Monitoring Technology


Presenter: Dr. Leonid Moroz
17th EPRI Steam Turbine Generator Workshop,
Turbine Generator Users Group Meeting &
Vendor Exhibition, Pittsburgh, PA
August 15, 2017

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1
Outline
1. Importance of Stress Analyzer/Consumed Life Monitoring Technology
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Importance of Stress Analyzer/Consumed Life Monitoring Technologies
1.3 Turbine Damages Caused by or Associated with the Transients
2. Steam Turbine Components Thermal Stress and Life Management in the Design Stage
2.2 Mathematical Modeling of the Heating up Process
2.2.1 Methods Overview
2.2.2 Start-up Diagrams: Theoretical and Actual
2.2.3 Flow parameters and HTC Simulation
2.2.4 FE Thermal Analysis
2.3 Steam Turbine Component Stress Analysis
2.3.1 Critical Elements and Regions with Potential Structural Integrity Problems
2.3.1 Stress Analysis Results Post-Process
2.4 Life Consumption Analysis
2.4.1 Low Cycle Fatigue
2.4.2 Creep Life
2.4.3 Creep-Fatigue Interaction: Cumulative Damage Model

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Outline
3. Sensors/Instrumentation Technology
3.1 Temperature / Pressure Measurements Technology
3.2 Sensors for Equipment Online Diagnostic
3.3 Measured Data Analysis/Post-Process
4. Online Monitoring of Turbine Temperature and Thermal-Stress States
4.1 Brief History of Thermal Stress Monitoring
4.2 General Scheme of Stress Monitoring / Consumed Life Evaluating Approach
4.3 Current Situation. Cutting Edge Systems for Thermal Stress Monitoring
4.5 Initial Data for Analyzer from the Field
4.6 Temperature and Thermal Stresses Monitoring
4.6.1 Scope of Temperature Measurements: HP-IP Rotors, LP Rotors, Casings and Valve Steam Chests
4.7 Models for Monitoring the Temperature and Thermal-Stress States
4.8 Post-Operative Analysis Of the Turbine’s Operating Conditions
4.9 Online Operative Support for Turbine Operators at the Transients
5. Heat Transfer/Stress Model Optimization for Field Applications
5.1 Basic Idea of Steam Turbine Thermal Stress Analyzer
5.2 Analysis Model Optimization for Field Applications
5.3 Calculation Models
6. Challenges

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1. Overview and Importance of Stress
Analyzer/Consumed Life Monitoring
Technology

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Introduction
 The demand for operational
flexibility of existing power plants
has significantly increased over the
last decade due to incentivized
growth of power generation from
renewables and CCPP.

 Thermal stress in steam turbine


thick-walled elements (the steam
turbine rotor in particular)
is a major limit on the flexible
operation of steam turbines

Fig. GE Steam Turbine for CCPP


http://www.directindustry.com/prod/ge-steam-turbines/product-116289-1619774.html

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Importance of Stress Analyzer/Consumed Life Monitoring
Technologies
Conflicting Requirements for CCPP Steam Turbine Design
 Accelerated starts
 Operation flexibility Table. Typical start-up specification with Pn as nominal power (published by VDE, 2012)

(frequent start-up events) Power Plant Technology Hard Coal Lignite-PP CCPP
Load gradient %Pn/min 1.5 1 2
 Long service life
Minimum load %Pn 40 60 50
Hot startup (<8h standstill) h 3 6 1.5
Cold startup (>48h standstill) h 10 10 4

Design Lifetime vs. In-field Actual Operational Lifetime


 Lifetime design requirements are based on theoretical start-up curves
 Actual start-up parameters usually differ from theoretical parameters
 Lifetime consumption must be corrected

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Importance of Stress Analyzer/Consumed Life
Monitoring Technologies
 The requirement of high operational flexibility in power plants and difference between theoretical
and actual start-up operation data creates a need for utilization of online systems for monitoring and
controlling the damage of critical components

 Such systems make use of different measurements and mathematical models enabling calculation of
thermal stresses and their continuous control

 Main purposes of online stress control:


 Assess the actual stress level in the steam turbine
 Protect steam turbine from high thermal stress by monitoring steam temperature and flow
during transient and steady state operation
 Ensure the shortest possible steam turbine start up time for a guaranteed number of startups

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Damage Mechanisms that Determine Component Life
Common damage mechanisms in the
materials of turbine components:
 Fatigue (LCF, HCF)
 Creep
 Creep-Fatigue Interactions
 Corrosion
Source: http://pubs.sciepub.com/ajme/3/6/23
 Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC)
Fig. Damaged Steam Turbine Disk
 Mechanical Damage (erosion)
 Thermal Aging (carbide coarsening/inclusion
growing)

Source: http://pubs.sciepub.com/ajme/3/6/23

Fig. SCC of a Steam Turbine Disk Dovetail Fig. Damage of Turbine Shaft

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Damage Mechanisms that Determine Components Life

Fig. Broken Inlet Steam Pipe Due to


Fatigue in a Position Exposed to High
Temperature and a High Stress Level

Fig. Creep Damages (micro


cracks 400 μm - 2 mm

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Turbine Damages Caused by Transients
1. Thermal Fatigue of Thick-wall Turbine Design Elements
 Thick-wall turbine elements are prone to thermal fatigue caused by
unsteady-state alternating thermal stresses arising at the transients
 Rotors
 Valve steam chests
 Nozzle-boxes
Radial temperature difference
 Casings
Axial temperature difference
 Casing rings
Fig. Temperature Difference in 300 MW Steam Turbine HP Rotor During CS

 Thermal stresses are caused by non-stationary temperature differences across the thickness of the element
 HP-IP rotors (critical elements for steam turbines)
 Radial temperature differences in rotor steam admission sections should be used as the leading indices
of the turbine’s temperature/thermal-stress
 Continuous monitoring of these temperature differences should be arranged by means of mathematical
modeling of the rotor heating based on the measured heating steam temperatures

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Turbine Damages Associated with Transients
2. Brittle Fracture of Rotors
 Most incidents happened during start-ups
 Caused by a gradual growth of hidden flaws in
the rotor metal under combined action of the
tensile centrifugal and thermal stresses
 Especially dangerous for large IP-LP rotors

 Rotor Failure examples: Fig. Failure of the Medium-Low-Pressure Rotor of a


1) Medium-low pressure rotor (Tennessee, USA) Steam Turbine (Gallatin, Tennessee, USA, 1974).
2) 300-MW supercritical-pressure steam turbine
of LMZ at the Kashira power plant

Fig. Shaft breakage sections (1-8) of the 300 MW steam turbine


(Kashira power plant, 2002)

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Turbine Damages Associated with the Transients
3. Stress Corrosion and Corrosion Fatigue Cracking
 Evident in the phase transition zone of the LP cylinders
 Main factor causing crack creation and propagation is
anodal dissolving of metal in the crack root

Fig. Typical Locations of SCC Fig. SCC at a Disc Rim in the Fig. Crack Damage on the LP-1 rotor of AEG’s
Damages (LP turbine discs) Blade Attachment Zone 660-MW Wet-Steam Turbine at Würgassen

4. Solid-Particle Erosion
 Caused by oxide scale that exfoliates from high-temperature boiler surfaces, including superheater /
reheater tubes, outlet headers, main / reheat steam-lines

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Turbine Damages Associated with the Transients
5. Plastic Distortion of Casing and Other Stator Elements
 Great temperature unevenness lead to plastic deformation at the transients arising in:
 HP-IP casings
 Casing rings (HP-IP cylinders)
 Diaphragms (HP-IP cylinders)
 Key factor - the quality of running the transients
 Also caused by metal creep with stationary temperature differences

6. Casing Deformations: Humping or thermal bend of the casing upward

Fig. Transverse Deformation of Casing Fig. Bow of Casing Towards Top

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Turbine Damages Associated with the Transients
7. Water Induction into Turbines
 Most frequent sources are:
 Main and reheat steam-lines and their spray at temperatures
 Can also descend from drainage lines of the main steam-lines, crossover pipes, and cylinder casings
 Sometimes, water and/or cold steam enter turbines through the end gland seals

8. Overheating of Turbine Components Caused by Windage


 Regimes characterized with low flow and high rotation speed when turbine stages operate in
compressor mode’ - Ventilation effect
 - LP Blades
- LP Rotor
- LP Exhaust Hood

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Fatigue of Major Steam Turbine Components

Stress Analyzer Technology HP and IP turbine rotors and casings


for HP-IP components LCF due to starts and shutdowns.
Creep damage due to stationary operation

Fig. GE 109D-14
Steam Turbine LP turbine rotor IP-LP bypass valve Main and reheat turbine valve casings
(http://gm- LCF due to starts casings LCF due to LCF due to starts and shutdowns.
volt.com/tag/109d-14-
and shutdowns bypass operation Creep damage due to stationary operation
steam-turbine/)

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2. Steam Turbine Components Thermal
Stress and Life Management in the Design
Stage

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Mathematical Modeling of the Heating up Process
- Methods
 The thermal state of the steam turbine’s
components during transients is a critical
issue in thermo-stresses
evaluation/monitoring

 Methods:
 Heat conduction equation analytical/
numerical solution
 Simulation using analogous devices
(electrical analogy)
 Mathematical modelling:
 Transfer functions
 FDM
 FEA
 Experimental

Fig. 40MW Steam Turbine HPIP Rotor Heating During Cold Start-up

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Start-up Diagrams

Fig. Cold Start-up Diagram for a 500MW Steam Turbine Fig. Actual Cold Start-up Curves for
Source: By courtesy of Doosan Heavy Industries and Construction 40MW Steam Turbine

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Mathematical Modeling of the Heating up Process
- Flow Parameters

Step 1. Flow parameters & steam


properties:
 Based on measured results
and determined by direct 1D/2D aero-
thermo-dynamic solver Fig. Steam Turbine Flow Path model in AxSTREAM®
 In the flow path
 Rotor end seals/chambers
 Inter-casing space

Fig. Turbine Flow Path Integrated with Rotor Seal System for
1D Aero/Thermodynamic Analysis

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Mathematical Modeling of the Heating up Process
- HTC Simulation
 Heat transfer calculation for convection surfaces
of rotors and casing components is based on the
classical approach (Dittus-Boelter eq.) :

𝑁𝑢 = 𝐾 ∙ 𝑅𝑒 0.8 ∙ 𝑃𝑟 0.333
𝐻𝑇𝐶 = 𝑁𝑢 ∙ 𝑘 𝐷ℎ

Fig. Typical Reaction Steam Turbine Stage Fig. 40 MW Siemens Steam HPIP Turbine Heat Convection
with Thermal BC zones assignments Zones Discretization Example for FE Thermal Analysis

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Mathematical Modeling of the Heating up Process
- FEA Model Development
FEA Model and Mesh
 Casing components (3D models)
 Rotors (Axisymmetric 2D model):

a)

b) Fig. FEA Models for 40 MW Steam Turbine Casing


Components and Rotor (3D)
Fig. 2D Axisymmetric FEA Mechanical Models for
Steam Turbines Rotors: a) 300 MW, b) 40 MW

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Mathematical Modeling of the Heating up Process
- FEA Model Development

Fig. Transient Thermal Analysis Improved Algorithm Fig. 40MW Steam Turbine Thermal State during
(Allows user to account for condensation effect) Cold Start-up

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Steam Turbine Component Stresses During Transients
 The stresses in the rotor are produced by:
 Temperature gradients in the material
(Thermal Stress)
 The centrifugal force
 The pressure
 Thermal Stress (the main contributor) makes up
roughly 95% of the overall stress during start up
transient

Fig. Typical Steam Turbine HPIP Rotor Stresses at


Fig. Peak HP-IP Bore Stress During Startup- Shutdown Cycle Cold and Hot Start-up

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Critical Elements and Regions with Potential Structural
Integrity Problems
 HP-IP Rotors:
 1st , 2nd, 3rd stage blade grooves
 Disks fillets at steam inlet region
 Grooves
 Bore

 LP rotors
 Bore (last stages)
Fig. Scheme of Critical Zones for Forged High-
 Casings Temperature Rotors (Impulse-Type Turbines)
 Hot inlet parts of HP-IP turbine shells

 Valve steam chests


 Stop valve
 Control valve
 Reheat and intercept valves

 Nozzle-boxes
Fig. HPIP Rotor Critical Zones

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Steam Turbine Components Stress Analysis
Example 40MW Steam Turbine HPIP Rotor

Fig. Normalized Equivalent Stresses in Critical Zones of HPIP


Fig. Stress Distribution in HPIP Rotor During CS Rotor During CS

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Steam Turbine Components Stress Analysis
Example 300MW Steam Turbine HP Rotor

Fig. Normalized Equivalent Stresses in Critical Zones of HP


Fig. Stress Distribution in HP Rotor During CS Rotor during CS

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Life Consumption Analysis
 The accumulation of creep and fatigue damage over time are two principal degradation mechanisms
which eventually lead to crack initiation in critical high temperature steam turbine components

 Fatigue: material weakens due to repeatedly applied loads, and when a material is subject to cyclic
loading, localized cracks initiate and grow by the action of repeated stress

 LCF is associated with localized plastic behavior in metals

 LCF consists of at least two parts


1) Repetitive centrifugal loading
2) Thermal transients

 Strain-based parameter is used for fatigue life prediction

 LCF is a function of the applied strain range and the mean stress

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LCF Analysis
 Start-up / Shut down cycle simulation has to be
considered:
 3D FE Analysis
 Life consuming process

 FEA Formulations:
 Linear (elastic) formulation + Neuberization
 Nonlinear (elastoplastic) formulation

Fig. Equivalent Stresses on 1st Stage Disk Fillet


for 40 MW HPIP Steam Turbine Rotor During 2
 Following aspects should be taken into the account: Cycles of Cold Start-Up/Shut Down
 Cyclically hardened / softened material
 Plasticity model
 Bauschinger effect + geom. non-linearity
 Actual material stress-strain curves
 2 cycles of start-up - steady state - shut down are modelled to reach stabilized stress-strain hysteresis loop
 Experimental strain-life (ɛ-N) curves

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LСF Analysis Methodology
𝑡𝑜𝑡 ) is calculated for critical zones to
 Effective strain range (Δ𝜀𝑒𝑓𝑓
determine the rotor LCF lifetime based on transient stress
analysis results calculated for cycle of operation

𝑡𝑜𝑡 𝑒𝑙 𝑝𝑙
Effective total strain range formula: Δ𝜀𝑒𝑓𝑓 = Δ𝜀𝑒𝑓𝑓 + Δ𝜀𝑒𝑓𝑓 ,

𝑒𝑙 𝑝𝑙 𝑒𝑙 𝑝𝑙 𝑒𝑙 𝑝𝑙 𝑒𝑙 𝑝𝑙 𝑒𝑙 𝑝𝑙
Δ𝜀𝑖𝑗 = 𝜀𝑖𝑗 𝑀𝐴𝑋 − 𝜀𝑖𝑗 𝑀𝐼𝑁 , 𝜀𝑖𝑗 ,𝜀𝑖𝑗 ,𝛾𝑖𝑗 ,𝛾𝑖𝑗 - elastic/plastic strain components

Fig. Stabilized Stress-Strain


𝑡𝑜𝑡
𝑡𝑜𝑡
Δ𝜀′𝑒𝑓𝑓 Loop for LCF Estimation
Correction for non-symmetrical stress cycle: Δ𝜀′𝑒𝑓𝑓 = 𝜎𝑎𝑣𝑟 ,
1−
𝜎𝑢𝑙𝑡

where 𝜎𝑢𝑙𝑡 - ultimate strength, 𝜎𝑎𝑣𝑟 - average stresses in a cycle.

𝑁 𝜀𝑎
Safety factors: N = 𝑚𝑖𝑛 N𝑎𝑁 , N𝑎ɛ , N𝑎𝑁 = ; N𝑎𝜀 = 𝑁 𝜀𝑎 𝐾𝜀 ;
𝐾𝑁

where 𝜀𝑎 – strain amplitude, 𝐾𝑁 , 𝐾𝜀 – safety factors, 𝑁 𝜀𝑎 , 𝑁 𝜀𝑎 𝐾𝜀 – number of cycles to failure

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LСF Analysis Results
Critical region

Fig. 40 MW Steam Turbine Rotor FE Model and Critical Zones


with Regards to Strength and LCF Life

Table. Allowable Number of Start-Ups

Fig. Rotor Material Strain-Life Curve

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Life Prediction for Creep
Creep
 Time-dependent deformation under a certain applied load
 Generally occurs at high temperature (thermal creep)
 The material undergoes a time dependent increase in
length, which could be dangerous while in service
 Creep in service is usually affected by changing conditions
of loading and temperature
Fig. Classical Creep Curve

 Creep for metal is described by the Larson Miller parameter (LMP)

T – temperature, K deg., NC - time to creep rupture, h. C=20

 Predicts rupture lives given certain temperature and stress


 First used by General Electric in the 50’s to perform research on
turbine blades Fig. LMP Curve

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Model for Fatigue-Creep Interaction
 Steam turbine components exposed to the combination
of environment impact and degradation mechanisms:
Lifetime Evaluation
 High temperature creep
 Cyclic loading fatigue Fatigue Creep
Damage Damage
 Corrosive environment embrittlement
 Fracture Criterion for Creep-Fatigue: Combine Palmgren-
Miner (P-M) rule for fatigue life with Robinson’s (R) rule
for creep life under various σ – T combinations

Component
Ni – number of cycles at stress amplitude σ Lifetime

Nfi – number of cycles to failure at stress amplitude σ Fig. Creep-Fatigue


ti – time spent at stress-temperature combination Lifetime Evaluation
tfi – creep fracture life

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3. Sensors/Instrumentation Technology

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Measurement of Pressure - Liquid Columns
Pressure Measuring Devices
 Liquid columns
 Expansion elements
 Electrical

Fig. Inclined Manometer

Liquid Columns
 Low range pressure measurement
 Could be U-tube type, incline or well-type

a) b)
Fig. Manometer: (a) U-Tube-Type, (b) Well-type

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Measurement of Pressure - Expansion Elements
 Used in modern power plants
 Its movement indicates the pressure (Metallic)
 Either directly coupled with mechanical
linkages or indirectly by an electrical
transducer connected to a read out device

 Diaphragms
Fig. Diaphragms
 Corrugated types
 Capsule element (increase the
deflection capabilities)
 Bellows
 Manufactured from brass alloys
stainless steel
 Used for low pressure measurement
 Connected with spring - for high
pressure measurement a) b) c)

Fig. Bellows: (a) Compressed Type,


(b) Expanded Type Spring, (c) Opposed

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Measurement of Pressure - Electrical Pressure
Transducers
Electrical Pressure Transducers
 Fiber optic-type pressure measurement
 Surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensor

Fiber Optic-Type Pressure Sensor

 Long term accuracy


 Durability Fig. Fiber Optic-Type Pressure Sensor
 Low drift, high fidelity pressure measurements

Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) Sensor

 Wirelessly interrogating
 Can operate passively and in harsh conditions

Fig. Surface Acoustic Wave Sensor

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Measurement of Temperature

 The most important parameter in a thermal power plant is temperature and its
measurement plays a vital role in safe operation
 Rise of temperature in a substance is due to the resultant increase in molecular activity of
the substance on application of heat (which increases the internal energy of the material)
 The efficiency of generation also depends on the temperature measurement

𝜂=1-T2/T1
T2 – Temperature inside the condenser, T1 – Super heater temperature

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Measurement of Temperature
Expansion Thermometer
 Two dissimilar metal tubes having different expansion
coefficients are attached end to end
 For the same temperature change difference in the
lengths arc compared and calibrated for unknown
temperature measurement
 Variation in length is slight and has to be magnified Fig. Expansion Thermometer

Thermoelectric Thermometry
 Based on SEEBACK and PELTIER effect
 Comprise of two junctions at different temperature
Then the emf is induced in the circuit due to the flow
of electrons
 The actual value depends upon the material used
and on temperature differences between the
junctions Fig. Thermoelectric Thermometry

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Measurement of Temperature
Resistance Thermometry
 Suggested by Siemens (1871) METAL MIN. TEMP. MAX.TEMP. MELTING
 Not satisfactory when used for high temperature PLATINUM -260 °C 110°C 1773°C
 Today RTD is given by H.L. Calender (1891) COPPER 0 °C 180°C 1083°C
 PROPERTY-The resistance of the conductor changes NICKEL -220°C 300°C 1435°C
UNGSTEN -200°C 1000°C 3370°C
when its temperature is changed
 Platinum, nickel or nickel alloys are commonly used
 Tungsten is used for high temperature applications

Ultraviolet Sensor
 This device is used in the furnace and it measures
the intensity of ultraviolet rays in accordance with
the wave generated, which directly indicates the
temperature in the furnace
Fig. Ultraviolet Sensor

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Sensors for Equipment Online Diagnostic

Pressure Sensor

 Typical performance specification

 Measurement Range 0psi – 120psi


 Sensitivity ± 15%
 Max Pressure 500psi - 4kpsi
 Type Compression

Intelligent Pressure Scanners

 Typical Performance Specification


 Measurement Range 15 psi to 10,000 psi
 Sensitivity ±0.10%

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41
Sensors for Equipment Online Diagnostic

Temperature Sensor
 Typical performance specification
 Measurement Range 500 °C – 932 °C
 Sensitivity ± 1%
 Max Pressure 932 °C
 Type Thermocouple

Intelligent Temperature Scanners

 Typical performance specification

 Measurement Range 15 psi to 10,000 psi


 Sensitivity ± 0.25°C

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42
Measured Data Analysis/Post-Process
Set values Control Output
Turbine
Turbine
Controller
 Speed rate  Flow  Speed
 Load rate  Temperature  Power
Limitation
 Stress margin
Measurements
Measured Data  Temperature
 Pressure
Analysis
 Speed

 Extensive post-processing of the measured data is needed to retrieve relevant information and compare
it with permissible levels of stresses and fatigue limitations
 Accurate analysis will:
 Prevent unexpected structural failures
 Identify fatigue consumption
 Provide insight in deviations of predicted lifetime consumption
 Increase safety by monitoring lifetime consumption
 Undertake rational measures to limit excessive lifetime consumption
 Justify lifetime extension
 Provide operational feedback for future design

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4. Online Monitoring of Turbine
Temperature and Thermal-Stress States

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History of Thermal Stress Monitoring - Physical Modelling
 Monitoring the thermal-stress states of the turbine
components first occurred in the 1960s to prevent the rotors
of newly designed large power steam turbines from cracking
from cyclic thermal stresses (at transients)

 Physical modeling - introduced by Brown Boveri


 Similar devices were employed by other turbine producers
 Rotors were supervised using start-up probes which were
thermo-physical models of turbine rotors
 Thermo-physical startup probe measures temperature:
 On steam turbine rotor surface
 Mean rotor temperature
 Stresses are calculated based on temperature difference

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History of Thermal Stress Monitoring -
Mathematical Modelling
 Mathematical models (Introduced in the 1970s)
 Better accuracy: replacing the measured average
temperature with a mathematical model
 Further development of thermal stress supervision
systems consisted in complete resignation from the
temperature probe and modeling thermal stresses
based on the standard process measurements
 Rusin (2005): method of thermal stress modeling in
turbine rotors employing Green’s functions and
Duhamel’s integral, as well as steam temperature
measurement at critical locations
 The Green’s functions and Duhamel’s integral have been Fig. Green’s Function, G, for Axial Stress at
Cylinder Surface at Various Temperatures and
used for many years in fatigue life-monitoring of nuclear
Heat Transfer Coefficients
plants equipment by companies such as GE, EDF and
EPRI
 Recent developments include artificial neural networks

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History of Thermal Stress Monitoring - Analogous
Modelling
 Analogous device for modeling the rotor
thermal-stress states was developed and applied
to the HP-IP rotors of LMZ turbines K-300-240
 Based on the method of approximate transfer
functions, taking into account variation of heat
transfer conditions on the rotor surface with the
steam flow through the turbine

Fig. Analogous Model for Monitoring the


Thermal-Stress States of a Rotor
(1- heating steam temperature sensor,
2 – steam pressure sensor,
3,4 – normalizing converters,
5- inlet summer,
6 –non-linear converters,
7 – multiplier,
8– integrator,
Fig. Thermal State Variations and Cyclic Stress-Strain Diagram 9 –non-periodic element,
10 – multipoint recorder)
for the HP Rotor of 300MW Steam Turbine at Warm Start-up

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History of Thermal Stress Monitoring - Microprocessor-
Based Controllers
 Microprocessor-Based Controllers:
 Considers the dependence of the metal thermal
conduction on temperature
 Influence of the turbine rotation speed
 Axial heat flux to the front seal and bearing
 In the 1980s the principle of physical modeling was
partially replaced with mathematical modeling
 Finite-Difference method
 Raise accuracy of modeling: error approximation 10-
15%:
1) HPIP rotors
Fig. Microprocessor-Based Controller
2) LP rotors (heating up/cooling down during outages)
(source: www.siemensvakfi.org/i/content/
3) Stator elements (if poorly suitable for accurate 3855_1_R3C_Istanbul-2008_e_V1-0.pdf)

temperature measurements)
4) Thick-wall components of boilers

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History of Thermal Stress Monitoring - Microprocessor-
Based Controllers
 Example: algorithmic module “CONTUR”
 Supercritical-pressure turbines 250, 300, 500,
and 800 MW
 Calculates the temperature and thermal-
stress state for HP-IP rotors
 Models the heating up of the HP stop-valve
steam-chests,
 Temperature state indices as applied to other
stator elements on the basis of their
measured metal temperatures
 Post-operating evaluation of the LCF

 Great variety of the applied solutions:


 Tensomax
 Tensomarg
Fig. Set of Algorithms and Information Flows of Local
 Turbomax
Subsystem of Diagnostic Monitoring of the Turbine
 Turbomax 7+

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General Scheme of Stress Monitoring /
Consumed Life Evaluating Approach

Plant Modelling of Stresses Damage Total Damage /


Instrumentation Transient Thermal Evaluation Evaluation: Consumed Life
Data State: 1) LCF Damage
1) Temperature (t) 1) Transfer functions 2) Creep Damage
2) Pressure (t) 2) FD Method
3) RPM (t) 3) FE Method
4) Physical methods

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Cutting Edge Systems for Thermal Stress Monitoring -
ABB Group TURBOMAX
ABB-Alstom Turbomax®
Thermal Stress Calculator

 The history of TURBOMAX began in 1957


 Performs thermal stress simulation
 Developed in the frame of automatic
control module
 Limits the load if thermal stresses of the
turbine rotor exceed the permissible limits

Fig. Block Diagram of the ABB Turbomax Thermal Stress Calculator

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Cutting Edge Systems for Thermal Stress Monitoring -
Alstom (GE) TURBOMAX 7 / 7+
 Protects the HP and IP rotors and the HP and IP valve chests
 Mathematical models:
 HP-IP rotors: cylinder models (based on startup probe temperature measurements located
in HP and IP inner casings at the steam path inlet)
 HP-IP valve chests: Duhamel’s integral (based on steam temperature measurement before
the protected valve chest and metal temperature measurement of the protected chest)
 Stress limits are related to the stress responsible for cumulative LCF damage
 The stress limiter participates in the control and protection system through control
and protective signal exchange

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Cutting Edge Systems for Thermal Stress Monitoring -
Alstom (GE) TURBOMAX 7 / 7+

Fig. Idea of TURBOMAX 7


(reference: Dominiczak K., Radulski W., Banaszkiewicz M., Mróz K., Bondyra R. Thermal stress limiter for 13K215 steam
turbine retrofit in Połaniec Power Plant, Poland Journal of Power Technologies 96 (4) (2016) 285–294)

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Cutting Edge Systems for Thermal Stress Monitoring -
Siemens SPPA-R3000 Control System (2006)
Siemens SPPA-R3000
 Thermal stress control and supervision
 SPPA-R3000: Direct influence of thermal stress on
different operating conditions:
 Gradients
 Cold, warm, hot start-up and load changes
 Protection, critical speed ranges
 Application: steam turbines 1-1600 MW
 Advanced stress monitoring algorithm which can be
fully integrated into the turbine governor for optimal
exploitation of the stress limits. Leader in:
 Fastest start-up
 Fuel savings
 Higher load output
 Lowest lifetime consumption
Fig. Siemens Thermal Stress Evaluator in the Frame of
Steam Turbine Control System
(source: www.siemensvakfi.org/i/content/3855_1_R3C_Istanbul-2008_e_V1-0.pdf)

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Turbine Stress Controller of Siemens

 Example: Turbine Stress Controller of Siemens


 Measured temperature on the heated surface of
the probe (into the cylinder casing) is considered
to be representative for the rotor
 Temperature difference characterizing the
rotor’s thermal-stress state is calculated based on
this temperature

Fig. Configuration of Turbine Stress Controller of Siemens


(Source: Sill U. and W. Zörner. Steam Turbine Generators Process Control and
Diagnostics, Erlangen: Publicis MCD Verlag, 1996)

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Cutting Edge Systems for Thermal Stress Monitoring -
BHEL Turbine Stress Evaluator (TSE)
 Compares thermal stress in the
monitored components with the
permissible limits to generate margins
 Derives start up criteria for automatic
turbine run-up system
 Components Monitored:
 Emergency stop valve
 HP control valve
 HP casing
 HP shaft
 IP shaft

 Measuring Points:
 Surface and mid wall temperatures of ESV (Ti & Tm)
 Surface and mid wall temperatures of HPCV
 Surface and mid wall temperatures of HP casing
 Derived value for HP and IP shaft temperatures from Fig. Determination of Representative
specified locations Temperatures for Shaft Stresses

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Cutting Edge Systems for Thermal Stress Monitoring -
BHEL Turbine Stress Evaluator (TSE)
Margins:
 For any component, the difference of Ti –Tm
represents the actual thermal stresses
 The permissible value of thermal stress is
determined by the value of Tm and operating
mode
 From the difference of the permissible stress and
prevailing actual stress, the margin is derived
 The margins of different components are provided
in the bar graph form in the TSE monitor
 The reference variable derived from the minimum
margin acts directly on the turbine control system

Fig. Action of TSE on Turbine Control System

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Recommended Steam Turbine Monitoring Parameters
by Turbine Size/Type
Steam Turbine Parameters to be Small Single Stage Medium Size Multi-stage Admission/ Extraction Combined Cycle Large Reheat
Monitored Continuously Units 0.5-2 MW Units 1.5-10 MW and Non-Reheat Units Reheat Units Subcritical and Super-
<100 MW critical Units
Speed (RPM) X X X X X
Power (MW or SHP) X X X X X
Steam Turbine Inlet Pressure X X X X X
Steam Turbine Inlet Temperature X X X X X
Steam Turbine 1st Stage Pressure X X X X
HP Turbine Outlet, IP Turbine Inlet, IP Turbine Outlet/LP
Turbine Inlet Pressures and Temperatures
X X
Admission Steam Inlet Pressure and Temperature (As
Applicable)
X X
Extraction Steam Outlet Pressure and Temperature (As
Applicable)
X
Turbine Exhaust Steam Pressure X X X X X
Turbine Exhaust Steam Temperature X X X
Sealing Steam Pressures X X X X X
Sealing Seal Exhauster Vacuum X X X X
HP and IP Turbine Shell/Steam Chest
Temperatures/Differentials
X X X
Rotor/Shell Differential Expansions X X X
Rotor Eccentricity X X X
HP and IP Stress X
Extraction Line and Drain Line Thermocouples X X X
Lube Oil Supply Pressure X X X X X
Lube Oil Supply Temperature X X X X
Lube Oil Sump Level X X X
Bearing Metal or Drain Temperatures X X X X
Bearing Vibration (Seismic, Shaft) Rider, or Proximity
Measurements
X X X X
Thrust Bearing Wear/Tear X X X X
Hydraulic Fluid Pressures and Temperatures X X X X
Cooling Water Supply Pressures and Temperatures for
Lube Oil and Hydraulic Fluid Heat Exchangers
X X X X X
Water and Steam Purity Monitoring X X X X
Control Valve Position (%) Indication X X X X
Admission and Extraction Valve Position (%) Indication X X

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Initial Data for Stress Evaluator from the Field
Standard Power Plant Measurements:
 Rotor speed (rpm)
 Power (MW)
 Flow rate
 Steam temperature (inlet and 1st stage)
 Steam pressure (inlet and 1st stage)
 Steam turbine shell and steam chest
temperatures
 HP turbine outlet, IP turbine inlet, and IP
turbine outlet/LP turbine inlet (or
crossover) pressures and temperatures
 Steam turbine rotor/shell differential
expansions (for large turbines)
Fig. Instrument Panel for Typical 1000 MW Power Station

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Scope of Temperature Measurements

 Scope: All major turbine elements


 It is desirable to minimize the
number of temperature
measurements
 Sufficient to control data for the
most thermally stressed (critical)
elements
 High-temperature rotors (HP,
IP)
 Cylinder casings
 Valve steam chests

Fig. Thermocouples Installation Scheme for Valve Chest and HP


Casing for 800 MW Steam Turbine

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Steam Turbine Temperature Measurement - Location
Casing Temperatures
In Front Over Mid LP/Gen
Over HP an IP Case Over LP Case
Standard Bearing Bearing

HPIP Turbine LP Turbine

Fig. Thermocouples Installation Scheme for Typical 40 MW Steam Turbine


Other Locations
 Flange joint
 Monitor and limit the temperature differences
 Flange-bolt temperature difference proportional to the temperature difference across the flange width
 Top-bottom temperature difference to prevent humping and thermal bend of the casing upward
 Number of metal temperature measurements (for high-temperature casings) can significantly vary
61
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Temperature Measurements - HP-IP Rotors
 Heating conditions influenced by the  Highest thermal stress (maximum radial
steam flow temperature differences):
 Thermal stresses are determined by  First stage disc’s fillet
means of online mathematical modeling  Thermal grooves at the inlet

of the heating up process for the rotor


based on the measured heating steam
temperature

 Δt - radial temperature difference


 t- average integral temperature
 Δt and t can be calculated based on
the measured heating steam
temperature at the first HP stage

Fig. Temperature Distribution Along the External and Bore Surfaces


for a Typical Forged HP Rotor of an Impulse-Type Turbine

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Temperature Measurements - HP-IP Rotors
 HP Rotors – Steam Temperature:
 After the valves
 Input of a calculated correction
 Errors by crossover pipes between the HP valve
steam chests and cylinder

 IP rotors – Steam Temperature:


 After the intercept values
 In the steam admission chamber
 Calculated corrections

 Rotors with artificial steam cooling


 The effect should be taken into the account
Fig. GE Energy HP Turbine Rotor
http://images.pennnet.com/articles/pe/cap/cap_gephoto.jpg

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Temperature Measurements - LP Rotors
 LP rotors for large steam turbines
 Great steam flow amounts
 Increased steam temperatures downstream from
the IP cylinder
 The most dangerous stresses are tensile
(centrifugal and thermal stress in the metal
depth)
 On the surface of the central bore
 At the rotor axis in the steam admission section
vicinity

 This thermal stress can be taken in proportion Fig. GE Energy LP Turbine Rotor
http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2013/04/firstenergy_corps_perry_nuclea.html
to the entire metal temperature difference Δt
(between the metal temperatures on the
heated and bore surfaces)

 Steam temperature for the monitoring of LP


rotors: measured in the LP crossover pipes

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Temperature Measurements - Casing Components
1. Casing Component Wall Thickness and Flange Width
 Monitoring an ‘effective’ temperature difference

ai (i = 1, 2, …n) - influential
factors

 ‘Effective’ temperature difference for dominant


temperature Δt1 to be in proportion to σt

2. Temperature difference lengthwise the wall


determines the bending thermal stresses

Δtw – temperature difference across the wall thickness

 Correction for the distance from the measured point to Fig. Metal Temperature Differences in a Turbine Casing
the heated surface Characterizing its Thermal Stress State

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Steam Turbine Temperature Measurement Locations
Casing Wall
Casing Wall Temperature Measurement

 Thermocouple
installation for
online stress
evaluation

Fig. Steam Turbine Casing Wall Temperature Measurements


(source: www.siemensvakfi.org/i/content/3855_1_R3C_Istanbul-2008_e_V1-0.pdf)

66
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Steam Turbine Temperature Measurement Locations
Steam Temperature
 Temperature in a critical location of the protected rotor
is simulated by a startup probe [*]
 Measures temperature in the inner casing in front of
the steam path
a)
 The depth of temperature measurement by the startup
probe as well as the inner casing boss in the vicinity of
the startup probe provides appropriate modeling of the
critical location of the protected rotor

b) c)

Fig. Startup probe (a), Installed in Steam Turbine Casing HP (b), IP (c)
(reference: Dominiczak K., Radulski W., Banaszkiewicz M., Mróz K., Bondyra R. Thermal stress limiter for 13K215 steam
turbine retrofit in Połaniec Power Plant, Poland Journal of Power Technologies 96 (4) (2016) 285–294)

67
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Models for Monitoring Thermal-Stress States
 Casing Components and Valve Steam Chests - Direct thermometry can be applied
 Turbine Rotors: Direct thermometry is too complex and unreliable.
Indirect methods of physical or mathematical modeling can be utilized

Physical models Mathematical models

1) Imitates the shape of the rotor sector, swept by 1) Materialized on the basis of analogs or digital
steam of the same temperature as the rotor near its computing techniques
most stressed section 2) Reliable computing resources
Limitations: 3) Diverse calculation schemes:
1) Settling the probe within the turbine cylinder in  Finite elements
the proper place involves serious design difficulties  Finite differences
2) HTCs from steam to the probe head and the rotor  Approximate transfer functions
surface are significantly distinct from each other
3) Hardly removed heat flows on the side probe
surfaces cause errors in modeling

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Post-Operative Analysis of the Turbine’s Operating
Conditions
 The measured and calculated data of online diagnostic monitoring should be recorded and stored to
be analyzed offline by plant engineers and supervisors
 The main goals of this analysis is evaluation of:
 Equipment's state
 Quality of its service
 The resultant comprehension of the equipment state provides the basis for scheduling
maintenance—inspections, current repairs, and overhauls
 Together with results of maintenance diagnostics at the stopped unit, this analysis is used for
planning replacement of individual equipment elements or more general upgrades
 Evaluation of the operation quality is basic to teaching and training the operational personnel to
prevent repetition of the revealed characteristic operating errors. All these measures are necessary
to keep and improve the unit’s efficiency, reliability, and flexibility
 Effectiveness of this offline analysis depends on the opportunity to access the stored results, their
completeness and representativeness, and the possibility of processing them

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Online Operative Support for Turbine Operators
at Transients
 Support the operational personnel in observing the state of equipment:
 Information about equipment condition during operating
 Assistance in alarming or ambiguous situations, relying on the properly processed measured data

 Example: Nuclear Power


Plant Control Complex with
Advanced Man-Machine
Interface 90 (NUCAMM-90),
developed by Hitachi in the
mid-1990s

Fig. Main Control Board of NUCAMM-90 for the 1356MW Kashiwazaki- Kariwa Unit 7

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5. Heat Transfer / Stress Analysis Model
Optimization for Field Applications

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Basic Idea of Steam Turbine Thermal Stress Analyzer
 Stress measurements for steam turbine components are
Online Stress
extremely difficult due to the:
Calculation:
 High operating temperature  Actual stress calculation
 Life limiting location accessibility  Allowable stress
 Rotation in the case of the steam turbine rotor calculation
 Indirect methods of stress assessment are currently used
 Stress in supervised steam turbine components is Instrumentation
estimated by thermal stress analyzers - monitoring in steam turbine
vicinity
systems which assess on-line current stress and
allowable stress in components
Steam Turbine Control
 Due to real time calculation limitations, stresses are not  influence on steam
assessed in the whole supervised component but only in flow through turbine
 influence on
a life limiting location
thermodynamic
 The main goal of the thermal stress limiter is to limit parameters of steam
stress amplitude in the supervised steam turbine admitting the turbine

component in order to fully achieve the required


number of cycles
Fig. Idea of Steam Turbine Thermal Stress Limiter

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Turbine Stress Evaluator

 1 – rotation speed and load limiters of the


turbine’s electrohydraulic system
 2, 3, 4 –computing device, indicator, and
multipoint recorder
 5, 6, 7 – detectors of temperature differences
in HP valve steam-chests, HP and IP rotors
 8 – HP combined unit of stop/control valves
 9 – rotation speed sensor
 10, 11, 12 – HP, IP, LP turbine cylinders
 13 – electric output sensor

Fig. Turbine Stress Evaluator of Siemens


(Source: Hoerster B., W. Gorzegno, and H. Termuehlen. “Two-Shift Handley Station Units 4 and 5—
Experience with 2000 Starts,” Proc. of the American Power Conference 47, Chicago, 1985, 62-71.)

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Analysis Model Optimization for Field Applications
Thermo-structural analysis models have to be optimized for the field application to provide:
 High speed of simulation
 Results accuracy
 Simplicity and reliability of the models and methods
 To be able to continuously calculate the actual conditions of the turbine components
that are subjected to high material stresses, not only must the turbine characteristics be
known (i.e., its geometrical, thermodynamic flow and material-specific characteristics),
but also a large number of measured values and logical quantities must be taken into
account.
 The combination of known and measured information is the basis for program
initialization and for determining the actual operating states of the running turbine

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Calculation Models

Calculation Models:
 Thermodynamics
 Temperature
 Stress Simulation

Thermodynamic Calculation Model


 Considers the turbine through which steam is flowing as a multiple orifice system
 The steam parameters pressure, temperature and heat transfer for the shaft cross-
sectional area under investigation are obtained by iteration (always taking into account the
valve characteristics and the power efficiency of the turbine stages)
 The physical material characteristics are determined on the basis of a steam characteristics
table
 In the cooling and heating phases, the turbine casing temperature is used as the reference for all
further calculation.

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HP-IP Valve Chests Stresses Calculation
 Based on equivalent stress (mechanical & thermal)
 Mechanical stresses are based of measured pressure:
 HP valve chests live steam
 IP valve chests reheat steam
 Thermal stresses are determined by Duhamel’s integral:

 Input signals for thermal stress calculations are online


measured temperatures:
1) HP valve chest: live steam temperature and valve
casing temperature
2) IP valve chest: reheated steam temperature and
valve casing temperature
Fig. Example Results of Temperature and Stress
Calculations of the 200 MW Steam Turbine Valve chest
(source: Chernousenko О. Yu, Summarizing and analysis of results of calculation study
on individual service life of HPC&MPC cases and rotors of 200MW К-200-130 turbine
// Energy and thermal processes and equipment., NTU«KhPI», Kharkiv,2008. N6.)

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HP-IP Rotors Stresses Calculation - Smooth Cylinder
Model
 Mathematical model for online rotor
stresses estimation - smooth cylinder
 Stress attained maximum at the heated
surface
 Stresses are proportional to the surface-
mean temperature difference:

b)
E – Young modulus,
Fig. Distribution of Temperature
β – thermal expansion coeff., (a) and Stress (b) Within Rotor
ν – Poisson coefficient, During Heating-up
Tp – surface temperature, Source: Banaszkiewicz M. Steam turbines start-
ups. Transactions of the institute of fluid-flow
Tsr – mean temperature machinery, No. 126, 2014, 169–198

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Stress Concentration Accounting
 On rotor surface, stress concentrates at
locations of sudden change in geometry,
such as wheel roots or labyrinth seals,
therefore the solid cylinder approximation
described above cannot be used without
modification.
 The obtained axial stress is multiplied by
the stress concentration factor kc (1.6÷2.0): Fig. Stress Concentration in 40 MW Steam
Turbine HPIP Rotor

E – Young modulus,
α – thermal expansion coeff.,
ν – Poisson coefficient,
ΔT = Tp – Tsr – temperature difference

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HP-IP Rotors Stresses Calculation - 2D Axisymmetric FEA
Model
 Detailed FEA 2D/3D models are used in Probe model with
modern stress analyzers based on life integrated surface
stress sensor
steam and hot reheat steam parameters
 2 meshed models are required:
 Vicinity of the probe and the surface
Probe
temperature sensor is modelled by a 2D location
or 3D structure with planar symmetry
 Full rotor is modelled by a 2D FE model
with axial symmetry
 The heat transfer coefficients are Rotor 2D FE
calculated from the steam mass flows and axisymmetric
model
local steam pressure and temperatures

Fig. FE Models for Probe Vicinity and for Rotor are


Required to Improve the Precision Simulation

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Modern vs. Old-Fashioned Online Stress Calculation

Online Stress Prediction

Precise 2D / 3D FE Simulation Simplified Approach:


rotor is modeled as a cylinder

 High accuracy of results  Moderate or low accuracy of results


 High performance computational recourses are  Computational recourses is not an issue
needed  Simplified approaches are used:
 Modern turbine protections rely on precise  Rotor is modelled as a simple cylinder (2D)
2D/3D FE calculations  Transfer function are widely used

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6. Challenges

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Bad Sensors Problem
 Sensors going bad are very common issues
 Wrong readings are a dangerous phenomenon, as they can result in the wrong diagnoses
 Bad sensors make more than 70 % of all detections made, and a sensor which has impact on a
protection logic could cause a major issue. Therefore, the focus of continuous monitoring lies on
persistently evaluating all aspects of the plant and on cooperating with the customer to maintain the
sensors and other equipment of the plant at the highest level possible

7% Hardware
22% Operation
Main challenges for future
 To decrease sensitivity to shock and vibration
 To increase sustainability to aggressive
environment
 To decrease fragility
 To increase sensitivity 71% Sensors
 Long-term stability
Fig. Power Plant Failure Statistics

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Accuracy of Thermal Stresses Prediction
 Limited Field Data
 The information and amount of thermal/pressure probes available are often very limited
 Rotor metal temperature measurements are nearly impossible to take
 Simplified calculation models and methods can be applied due to hardware limitations
 Such models do not represent the actual component behavior accurately
 Applied models don’t consider advanced physical effects such as:
 “Condensation” phenomena which takes place in the early stages of cold start-up
 “Windage” effect at regimes characterized by low flow and high rotation speed when turbine operates at
compressor mode
 No backup solution, often calculations stop after several years and results are lost
 Possible measurement deviations due to replacement of measurement equipment can lead to wrong
calculation results
 Modern methods which are based on FEA Simulation on-line should be developed to predict stresses
and lifetime with highest accuracy

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Thank You for Your Attention!

Questions?

Europe Contact: Burlington (HQ) Contact: New York City Contact :


[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
Phone: +41 44 586-1998 Phone: +1‐781‐685‐4942 Phone: +1-347-580-1459
SoftInWay Switzerland GmbH 1500 District Avenue 149 Madison Ave.
Baarerstrasse 2 – 6300 Zug, Burlington, MA 01803 New York, NY 10016
Switzerland

Visit us at www.SoftInWay.com to get more information!

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