Increasing maintainability and operability of emergency diesel generators with thermographic inspections

摘要

Nuclear Power Generation Industry, Emergency Diesel Generators are a critical component in ensuring the ability to safely operate the plant. Relegated to a standby role, this equipment must be immediately available to provide power to important plant equipment needed to safely shutdown the reactor, in the event of a loss of normal off-site sources of power. Consequently, maintenance, operation, and surveillance of these generators is performed under close scrutiny, and any deviations from established parameters can potentially lead to the mandatory shutdown of the reactor, and subsequent loss of power generation revenue. At Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station, Thermographic Inspection has become an integral part of the operation of the Diesel Generators. Generators are operated according to the required surveillance tests, and a Thermographic Inspection is made at least twice a year. Some of the applications include checking for exhaust leaks, generator end bearing and cylinder exhaust temperatures, observing the effects of thermal mixing between crosstied cooling systems, and other mechanical and electrical troubleshooting.