Safe remaining lifetime assessment of power plant steam boilers

摘要

Energy producing power plants are designed for an operational period of 20-30 years. During this period, inspections are realized to investigate the operational capability of the respective components and the plant as a whole, and when the designed time is approaching its limit, crucial questions are raised with respect to the continuing possible operation, and its safety and risks that stem from the fact that the continuous degradation of material property has occurred during the lifetime of service as a result of service conditions, e.g. high temperatures, fatigue loading etc. The inspection of the boiler and the assessment of its future operational capability should ensure the safe operation and minimization of the failure risks that can cause not only economic losses. This paper summarizes the results of non-destructive (NDT) and destructive mechanical and metallographic tests performed in order that the degradation of material property of the decisive Steam Turbine Boiler Components due to service conditions could be evaluated and the resulting residual lifetime assessed. On the basis of performed examination, the results provided the customer with recommendations relating to the future safe and reliable operation of the boiler.