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600MW Turbine Loose Part Detection

  • Upon receiving an urgent vibration measurement request from a thermal power plant with an installed capacity of 1200 MW, the Resonance Institute technical team acted swiftly and arrived at the site within two hours.

  • The root cause of a sudden noise issue in a 600 MW steam turbine - gas turbine - generator system was identified using the 16-channel TWave T8 analyzer.

Measurement and Analysis:

  • By connecting to the relative shaft sensors on the turbine and generator bearings via the protection system, it was confirmed that the vibration levels were within normal and standard-specified limits.

  • Periodic impacts, determined to originate from within the casing near the bearing on the gas turbine side of the generator, were observed in measurements taken using the TWave T8 analyzer's 16 channels.

  • The 0.25X (one-fourth of the rotational frequency) and its harmonics, which increased in amplitude above 400 MW, indicated the presence of a loose component.
     

  • With the help of accelerometers placed on the body, it was determined that the vibration source was an area close to the top of the generator, behind the stator windings.

  • As a result of the examination of the technical drawings with the field technical personnel, it was thought that the loose part could be the valve that provides internal pressure balance in the hydrogen-cooled generator.

0.25X Impacts

Vibration source

Conclusion:

  • The next day, after the turbine shutdown, it was determined that the bolts of the valve were loosened when checked by field personnel. It was confirmed that the impacts and noise stopped after the bolts were tightened.

  • With rapid intervention, flexible measurement capability and advanced analysis methods, a major problem was prevented and production continued uninterrupted.

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