Inspection Management – Turbine non-rotating plant services

For example, steam chests experience considerable cyclic thermal stresses during service. These stresses lead to the growth of thermal fatigue cracks which have been known to result in the catastrophic failure of chests.

Due to limited internal access caused by complex geometry and internal ‘furniture’, inspections are usually limited to ultrasonic crack sizing from external surfaces.  The accuracy of sizing is however compromised due to the geometry, unknown crack orientation and long beam paths giving rise to beam spread. RWE can provide the appropriate inspection services for these difficult to reach areas.

By carrying out ultrasonic inspection of steam chests, RWE can offer you:

• significant cost/time savings from fast high integrity scanning
• improved plant life management from better detection parameters and accurate, repeatable data for metallurgical appraisal
• improved insurance profile from reduced failure risks (some insurers have insisted on utilising phased array on certain turbine rotor inspections)
• considerably improved sizing accuracy and repeatability using phased-array technology