RELIABILITY OF THERMO-MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT IN POWER PLANTS – ELEMENTS WITH HIGH FAILURE R

Abstract

Thermal power plants are complex systems with many inter-dependence links and several critical elements that condition the operation of the whole plant. Failure of critical elements such as feed water pump results in a general shut down of the whole unit. Such elements are usually provided with back-up units operating in parallel, sized for partial load of the unit. In case of feed water pump failure, the backup unit will ensure the operation of the power unit at partial load until both pump units are restored. However, this is not applicable for the steam turbine or boiler. Steam turbine and boiler are complex elements with many subsystems critical for the operation of the whole unit. Steam turbine and boiler are not usually provided with back up units. The paper reviews the main issues encountered in operation and maintenance of steam turbine and boiler in terms of reliability.

Keywords

• thermal power plant; steam turbine; reliability; failure; risk