Practical Experience with the Methodology of Prediction of Corrosion-Fatigue Failures of Steam Turbine Rotating Blades

Abstract

Corrosion fatigue fractures initiating from corrosion pits are one of the most serious problem during service of rotating blades of the low-pressure parts of steam turbines. A methodology for fatigue failure prediction, originally based on the knowledge obtained by EPRI (Electric Power Research Institute), using corrosion pits parameters assessment and local stresses calculation was adapted to the conditions of ČEZ a.s. power stations. This contribution deals with the evaluation of the corrosion state of blades of three low pressure rotors after long service. Measurement was done in power stations equipped with turbines of power 200 MW and 110 MW respectively. Possibilities and uncertainties (influence of filling of pits with oxides, cyclic stress calculations, and the selection of the geometric factor Y) and their elimination are discussed.