When you’re sick, or something seems “off,” what do you do? Many people search the web, often arriving at a WebMD, Mayo, or equivalent site, for some initial information. If symptoms persist, you go to your primary-care physician. The doc may tell you to see a specialist or even a surgeon. Thankfully, when your steam […]
How to straighten a bowed steam-turbine rotor Read More »
Matt Foreman, platform leader, Combined-Cycle Steam-Turbine Services, opened the GE Day program at the 2020 virtual meeting of the Steam Turbine Users Group (STUG) with an overview of the topics to be discussed, including: fleet updates, valve and turbine-casing cracking, valve upgrade experience, D11 rotor bow, assessments to improve operability and reduce O&M spend, and
What GE told STUG2020 attendees about its steam turbines Read More »
EPRI led a research effort from 2013 to 2015 to identify contributing factors to the large number of hardfacing failures—a/k/a delamination or disbonding events—experienced industry-wide. The project purposely engaged stakeholders in the valve supply chain with both users and valve manufacturers sponsoring the effort. Content summaries of the three technical update documents issued in 2015
EPRI reports offer a short course on delamination of hardfacing and how to avoid it Read More »
Liberation of cobalt-based hardfacing (oft-used Stellite™ being one of these materials) from large Grade 91 valves installed in combined-cycle main and hot-reheat (HRH) steam systems, and in steam turbines, was a hot topic in the industry about a decade ago. With the need for an evidence-based solution, the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) assembled a
Stellite delamination is preventable, but owner/operators must ‘enforce’ the solution Read More »
During the Siemens Executive Cybersecurity Forum for Electric Power, held virtually June 17, 2021, Manny Cancel, senior VP, North American Electric Reliability Corp (NERC), encouraged electric-power industry stakeholders to share information on cybersecurity threats, vulnerabilities, and experiences through NERC’s E-ISAC (Electricity Information Sharing and Analysis Center) platform. Cybersecurity alphabet soup is thick enough, and it’s
NERC cybersecurity info sharing platform explained at Siemens forum Read More »
The High-temperature Defect Assessment conference has drawn international participation since its inception in April 1998. HIDA began as a European Commission and industry supported research project aimed at unifying defect-assessment procedures validated on materials of interest to high-temperature processes—primarily power generation. HIDA continues to meet periodically in response to industry developments and with a strategic
Bill Gretta, principal, SCR Solutions LLC, presented two case studies at a recent HRSG Forum virtual session, in which a unique field test method combined with sophisticated CFD analysis suggested modifications for improving distribution of ammonia through the SCR catalyst modules to improve NOx reduction and ammonia slip. Old units, and many new ones, are
Improve NH3 distribution to reduce NOx and ammonia slip Read More »
During the HRSG Forum’s second monthly meeting, June 2, 2021, hosted by Bob Anderson and Barry Dooley, close to 130 owner/operator representatives from 34 countries (out of 219 total attendees), were enlightened on two vexing issues with HRSGs: (1) steam-side oxide growth and exfoliation (OGE) from superheater (SH) and reheater (RH) tubes, and (2) the
Steam-side oxides, poor NH3 distribution tackled during second virtual HRSG Forum Read More »
The “Diaphragm Dishing Issues” presentation by Steampath Engineer Jeff Newton in MD&A’s Spring 2021 Webinar Series (February 18) addressed permanent axial distortion of steam-turbine diaphragms, commonly known as dishing. The effect is usually caused by deficiencies in main weld depths, weld materials, welding processes and/or steampath design with the maximum movement at the horizontal joint
Diaphragm dishing most severe in steam turbines installed during the last three decades Read More »
Co-Chairs Barry Dooley of Structural Integrity and Bob Anderson of Competitive Power Resources hosted 90 participants from 17 countries at EHF2021, a virtual event conducted May 18 and 20. More than 60% of the attendees were from 15 generating companies. The 18 presentations made during the meeting covered new information and technology related to HRSGs, plus
European HRSG Forum shines spotlight on tube failures, cycle chemistry, materials issues Read More »
