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An efficiency steam path audit is comprised of an opening steam path audit (OSPA) and closing steam path audit (CSPA). The auditor will typically spend 3-5 days on-site taking physical measurements of the steam path components and visual inspections. The physical measurements are used to estimate the contribution degraded steam path components will have on the unit efficiency and plant heat rate. The fuel cost savings can be calculated and used to estimate a least cost maintenance option. Finally, the auditor will summarize all findings, calculations, recommendations in a concise report format intended to quickly disposition findings based on the dollars and cents.

Most customers find it convenient to have a meeting with the auditor, plant staff, outage project management, and the service center to ensure spare parts and repair plans are understood so that they may be properly incorporated in the outage plan. A CSPA can be performed as a check on maintenance and is one option to evaluate steam path repairs related to performance recovery that have been performed during the outage.

Toshiba will request several economic evaluation inputs to create thermal model.

The following are typical inspections performed during an audit as well as items on which you can expect recommendations. The report is comprised of Efficiency effect based on below measurements, recommendation with cost-effective solutions, and a photographic record of the findings.

  • Rotating and Stationary Vane Surface Roughness
  • Nozzle Diaphragm Trailing Edge Thickness
  • Damage by Solid Particle Erosion (SPE)
  • Water Washing or Water Droplet Erosion
  • Impact on Rotating Blade Row Deposits
  • Tip Seal, Nozzle Packing, and Shaft Packing Leakage
  • Casing Penetration Leakage (e.g. MS inlet, extractions, etc.)

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