Experience and improvement of power plant operation due to continuous monitoring of boiler drum life

This paper deals with the operating experience of the power plant life extension. The scope is the range of thick wall vessels operating at temperatures below 400 degrees C. Boiler drums with the same material properties have suffered ruptures during pressure test after repairs. The main concern was focused on the high life use during the ambient temperature 1.5 p pressure test. With growing experience the evaluation of fatigue is extended to normal operation start up and shut off periods. Some components within the power plant proved, based on analyses from the DMS, not to be fit for the required performance. The systems have been enhanced and have successfully reduced the fatigue sources.