Failure Analysis of Low Pressure Evaporator Tubes in a Typical Combined Cycle Power Plant

Abstract

Flow-induced corrosion is one of the most prevalent tube damage mechanisms in steam generators of power plants. In this study, tube failure of a steam generator in Fars Combined Cycle Power Plant is evaluated. In addition to analysis of the measured tube thicknesses and the failure statistics data, computational fluid dynamic (CFD) methods are used to simulate flow distribution inside and outside of the tubes in one header of the low pressure circuit of the plant steam generator. The results show that regarding the created two-phase flow pattern inside the tubes, the droplet impingement erosion is the main source of tube failures in the bending areas where the extrados surface of the tubes are partially prone to the droplets. The results are useful for modifying the design of the steam generator from different viewpoints such as, optimal design for appropriate configuration of downcomer, header and footer and tube bending. Also, selecting suitable material for the steam generator tubes and implementation of protective coating in risky areas would benefit from the present results.