Initial inspection revealed numerous deficiencies that needed to be remedied. Outage consisted of High Pressure/Intermediate Pressure (HP/IP) turbine section major inspection, HP control valves #3 and #4 inspection, and the left-side combined reheat valve, as well as the Ventilator valve and Blowdown valve. Low pressure A bearings #3 and #4 were also inspected and a start-up trim balance was performed.

Further, recommendations were made for maintenance and repair tasks in the future. Significant work was performed as follows:

HPIP Rotor Repairs

MD&A’s Steampath division performed on-site inspection and repairs of the HPIP rotor. Several issues were noted and resolved, as well as more significant deficiencies, particularly in the IP steampath. Repairs included the replacement of the IP stage 7 buckets, blending of the stage 1 leading edge cover and the stage 2 leading edge airfoils. Strap lapping was performed on various diameters, and low speed balancing of the rotor was performed.

Upon inspection, the original stage 7 buckets were found to be in need of replacement. MD&A replaced the stage 7 buckets with new hardware provided by the customer. The buckets and covers were assembled onto the rotor and the tenons peened. They were assembled in sequence per the customer-provided moment weight diagram. The HPIP rotor was installed in the lathe, the covers were final machined, and the tenon rivet heads were NDE inspected and accepted.

Repairs were required on stage 1 and 2 due to foreign object damage. For stage 1, MD&A’s technicians blended and polished the leading edge, cover and airfoils, thus removing any raised or rolled over material. The airfoils for stage 2 were straightened, benched back, blended and polished to remove stress risers and any raised or loose material. Rotor was low-speed balanced at the completion of the repairs.

Minor circumferential scoring was found on the inboard oil deflector diameter of the turbine end shaft end. MD&A strap lapped both oil deflector diameters to remove any raised material.

Inner Shell

A detailed visual inspection of the removed HP inner shell upper half and in-place lower half was performed by MD&A’s Steampath division. Components were closely reviewed for any signs of corrosion, erosion, foreign object damage (FOD), or other damage. As a result of the team’s findings, on-site repairs were performed, which included thermowell repairs, general stoning, blending, and polishing, and replacement of inlet snout seal rings.

Inspection revealed that the tip of the thermowells on the shell’s ID had severe foreign object damage. MD&A repaired three thermowells on the upper half HP inner shell. Two outboard thermowells were removed, replaced, and re-welded. The third middle thermowell was no longer utilized by the plant and a plug was produced, installed, and welded.

Stoning, blending, and polishing was conducted on several components where needed. On both right and left axial locating fits, minor galling and raised material was found. Stoning was performed to remedy this. The upper half left side bolt hole spot face had arcing damage due to destructive nut removal, which was blended and polished. Minor galling and raised material was found on the faces of the transverse gib key post, which was stoned. Stoning was also performed on the N2 Packing Casing axial locating fits as well as HP2- HP6 diagram grooves to remedy rough surfaces and minor galling.

Inlet snout bore seal rings were found loose on both the left and right side of the upper half and required replacement. After the client had the snout bores machined and honed, MD&A’s technicians installed new inlet seal rings.

HPIP Diaphragm Repairs

A detailed inspection was also conducted on the HPIP diaphragms. The results showed mostly dings, bends and FOD on the partition trailing edge and sidewalls, as well as minor rub and/or bent teeth on the root radial on several stages. Many of the axial steam seal faces demonstrated minor galling and raised material, which were also noted on the HJ faces of several stages

MD&A’s Steampath division performed partition trailing edge straightening, blending, and polishing on stages 3 through 7, and 10 through 12. They also performed minor partition weld repairs to diaphragm halves on stages 7 and 9. Significant foreign object damage was noted on stages 2 and 8. On stage 2, major partition weld repairs were made on both the upper and lower diaphragm halves. Due to time constraints, full repair of stage 8 was postponed until the next outage. There was enough time to conduct immediate repairs, and some preparation for the next outage. Both diaphragm halves were benched back, and corners were weld repaired. Area and contour measurements were also taken and recorded as benchmarks for future reference.

Repairs also included stoning of surfaces as well as straightening and sharpening of seals. MD&A Outage Service division replaced tip seals packing segments on several diaphragm stages.

Alignment was also performed on internal diaphragms and packing casings by an MD&A Turbine Laser Alignment expert.

Also, during the inspection, several bolts and screws we found broken, and damaged threads were noted. Bolts were replaced, and the threaded holes were re-tapped.

L-0 Bucket Visual Inspections

MD&A conducted through the hood visual inspections on the L-0 buckets of the DFLP turbine sections, looking for typical issues. These include signs of mechanical damage, foreign object damage, visible cracks, erosion, corrosion, deposits, missing or “bound-up” midspan dampening sleeves, missing/damaged side entry covers, and missing/migrated wheel dovetail pins.

The findings revealed that most components were in good working order, with one issue that required short-term attention, and several minor issues that should be simply monitored. For instance, the L-0 buckets exhaust sides / trailing edges revealed minor deposits, while the inlet sides / leading edges revealed minor water erosion of the bucket’s nose.  Minor erosion was noted on the leading side bathtub tenons. The LP inner casing above showed minor water erosion / grooving.

One more significant deficiency was noted: atmospheric relief diaphragms rubber disks were found cracked. It was recommended that these be replaced during the current outage.

The visual inspection of the L-0 buckets did not reveal any other issues or findings worth noting or monitoring.

Control Valves

Control valves CV-3 and CV-4 were removed, inspected and serviced. For #3, the bypass seat in the main disc was worn flat, preventing proper seating, and replaced with a new one. The bypass disc for this section was also worn and replaced. For #4, the bypass disc and seat were lapped to restore proper contact. Both bypass discs were also machined to achieve bypass lift per manufacturer’s design specifications. Main seat on both #3 and #4 were lapped to restore 100% contact.

A hydraulic fluid leak was discovered on the CV-4 actuator, leading to replacement. The coupling rod was also replaced, and MD&A machined the rod shoulder to achieve proper clearances

Combined Reheat Valve, Left Side

The combined reheat valve, left side was disassembled, cleaned, inspected and had work performed on major components. The anti-rotation pin hole on the stop valve stem was found oversized. To remedy this, the valve stem and nut were replaced. Significant lapping was required on the reheat stop valve seat and PSH gasket fit to restore 100% contact.

Auxiliary Valves

The Blowdown valve and Ventilator valve were inspected during the outage, and both required repairs. Inspection of the Blowdown valve revealed that the stem and seat were unevenly worn. Both were replaced. Common wear parts on the Blowdown valve and the actuator were noted as worn and replaced. The piston rod bushing inner wall on the Ventilator valve was breaking apart and replaced with a new one.

Conclusion

Detailed above are just many of the significant and minor repairs that were completed based on a thorough inspection by MD&A’s experts. The overall size and success of this particular undertaking cannot be underestimated. In addition to inspection, and repair, MD&A provided single-point project management, which allowed for efficient and coordinated scheduling of all resources involved in the project.

MD&A is a full-service, OEM-alternative, and is respected and utilized worldwide for projects ranging in size and complexity. We are the service provider of choice for power generation asset owners based on their extensive experience, responsiveness, professionalism and dedication to getting the job done both quickly and properly. Above all, MD&A is proud to be a dependable one-stop solution for virtually any power-generation inspection, maintenance and repair need – within the domestic US, and at Global locations worldwide.

Call MD&A today with any steam turbine issue at +1 (518) 399-3616 or use our Contact form.

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View our Valves Video below to see the process and then call MD&A today at (314) 880-3000 or use our Contact form.

MD&A has a full-service, one-stop valve shop that includes valve inspections and repairing damaged valves. We service over 400 valves annually in the shop from various manufacturers (or OEMs) in our Turbine-Generator Repair Facility, located in St. Louis, MO.  Steam turbine valves are essential as they are used to start, stop and regulate the flow of steam thru the turbine.

After the valves arrive from the customer site, we begin with disassembly. We perform an incoming inspection of all valve components and detail dimensional checks on standard MD&A forms. A complete report including those forms, NDE reports, and photographs, along with repair recommendations are provided to the client prior to any repair.

Then reviewing the report with the customer, the valve repairs are initiated upon their approval of repair scope. We focus on repairs that affect the operation of the value, such as clearances, concentricity, sealing surfaces, foreign object barriers & weld repairs.

We perform blue checks which are communicated to the customer through a final report, including “As left” conditions of valve assemblies.

Our valve upgrades can address historic design-flaws by incorporating upgraded materials to eliminate the need for rework thereby increasing valve component life!  Our Triplet Type Main Stop Valve upgrade reduces solid particle erosion.

MD&A’s multi-decade history of successful repair solutions and our knowledge of repair options make us the perfect valves partner.

Next our team reassembles the valves, then they are prepared for shipping back to site.  We have specific custom designed shipping containers so it is properly protected.

MD&A’s machining service capabilities include on-site or in-shop repair on valves and nearly any rotating or stationary turbine-generator component.

Call our Valve Experts today. Together, we power through experience!

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