On-Line Acoutic-Emission Monitoring of Fossil Power Plants: A Critical Assessment. Final Report

摘要

Acoustic emission technology as it applies to the incipient failure detection of fossil plant components is reviewed. Studies were made of the potential application fo acoustic emissions to the detection of failures of rotating shaft systems: turbine generators, pumps, fans, and compressors. Particularly of interst in this review was the early detection of cracks in the turbine generator shaft. Also studied was the use of acoustic monitoring techniques for heat exchanger tube leaks, particularly water walls, superheaters, reheaters, and feedwater heaters. Each potential application is rated as to its payoff and its probability of success. Recommended R and D plans are presented for those areas which offer good chance of success and high payoff. An important conclusion of this work is that monitoring of turbine shaft cracking is possible and desirable, although an optimum system may require rotating sensors in the bore and telemetry signals to transfer the ultrasonic signals to the stationary environment. Acoustic monitoring of the tube leaks in high-pressure water or steam systems, such as water walls, superheaters, and feedwater heaters, is also perceived to be a viable and valuable technique. (ERA citation 06:030473)