Remaining Life Assessment of Superheater Tube in Boiler of Coal Fired Power Plant

Abstract

Risk Based Inspection (RBI) would be able to establish an effective structural integrity management program, which reduces plant downtime, industry and regulatory burdens, and continue to maintain plant safety. The object of this research is final superheater of boiler coal fired power plant. Both straight tube and elbow tube of final superheater is in a medium risk category. Elbow tube has higher risk ranking because of the higher corrosion rate due to fly ash corrosion. The remaining life of straight tube is about 26 years and elbow tube is only about 7 years using corrosion rate calculations. Base on risk ranking and remaining life assessment, inspection planning can be developed for the next 3 years and prioritize at an elbow tube of the final superheater section. It can be one of the considerations for the company to pending yearly inspection in order to improve cost efficiency and reduce downtime.