Metallographic Aspects Investigation of Penstock Materials in Hydroelectric Power Plants and Penstock Maintenance Methods

Abstract

Hydroelectric powerplants are renewable energy sources and have little impact on the environment.Therefore, it is one of the most preferred energy sources in the world. Inparallel with this situation, it is very important that the hydroelectric powerplants are maintained, their failures are prevented or permanently removed. Oneof the most important parts of hydroelectric power plants is penstock pipes.Along with the snail part of the power plant, the penstock supplies thepressurized water to the turbine wheel for energy production. In the powerplants that have been producing energy for many years, the maintenance andmaterial properties of penstock are very important. In this study, one of themost important equipment of hydroelectric power plants, pressurized water pipes(penstock) and chemical components have been examined in macro and microstructure and their maintenance is investigated. In the metallographic study onthe samples taken from two different regions of the penstock pipe; the perliticstructure, which has a homogeneous distribution into the ferritic structureforming the matrix, is determined and supported by analyzes. This study willhelp to ensure that all hydroelectric power plants operate smoothly in terms ofpenstock.

Keywords

• hydroelectric power plants
• penstock pipe
• metallographic survey