Metallographic Aspects Investigation of Penstock Materials in Hydroelectric Power Plants and Penstock Maintenance Methods

Year 2019, Volume: 23 Issue: 5, 744 - 748, 01.10.2019

Gökhan Kahraman , Yahya Taşgın

https://doi.org/10.16984/saufenbilder.532674

Cited By: 2

Abstract

Hydroelectric power
plants are renewable energy sources and have little impact on the environment.
Therefore, it is one of the most preferred energy sources in the world. In
parallel with this situation, it is very important that the hydroelectric power
plants are maintained, their failures are prevented or permanently removed. One
of the most important parts of hydroelectric power plants is penstock pipes.
Along with the snail part of the power plant, the penstock supplies the
pressurized water to the turbine wheel for energy production. In the power
plants that have been producing energy for many years, the maintenance and
material properties of penstock are very important. In this study, one of the
most important equipment of hydroelectric power plants, pressurized water pipes
(penstock) and chemical components have been examined in macro and micro
structure and their maintenance is investigated. In the metallographic study on
the samples taken from two different regions of the penstock pipe; the perlitic
structure, which has a homogeneous distribution into the ferritic structure
forming the matrix, is determined and supported by analyzes. This study will
help to ensure that all hydroelectric power plants operate smoothly in terms of
penstock.

Keywords

Hydroelectric Power Plants, Penstock Pipe, Metallographic Survey

References

• [1] World Energy Councıl, 2016.
• [2] U. Dorji , R. Ghomashchi, “Hydro turbine failure mechanisms,” Engineering Failure Analysis, vol. 44, pp. 136–147, 2014.
• [3] M.K. Padhy, R.P. Saini, “A review on silt erosion in hydro turbines,” Renew Sustain Energy Rev, vol. 12, pp. 1975–1986, 2007.
• [4] A. Adamkowski, “Case study: lapino power plant penstock failure,” J. Hydraul. Eng., Vol. 127 pp. 547–555, 2000.
• [5] F. Kawamura, “Fracture toughness of long-term used SS41 and welding joint”, Master Thesis, Kagawa University, 2005.
• [6] C.K. Sanathanan, “Accurate low order model for hydraulic turbine-penstock,” IEEE Trans Energy Convers, vol. 2 pp. 196-200, 1987.
• [7] G.M. Lucas, J.I. Sarasua, J.A.S. Fernandez, J.R. Wilhelmi, “Power-frequency control of hydropower plants with long penstocks in isolated systems with wind generation,” Renewable Energy, vol. 83, pp. 245-255, 2015.
• [8] G.M. Lucas, J.L.P. Diaz, M. Chazarra, J.L. Sarasua, G. Cavazzini, G. Pavesi, G. Ardizzon, “Risk of penstock fatigue in pumped-storage power plants operating with variable speed in pumping mode,” Renewable Energy, vol. 133, pp. 636-646, 2019.
• [9] R. Kumar, S.K. Singal, “Penstock material selection in small hydropower plants using MADM methods,” Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, vol. 52 pp. 240–255, 2015.
• [10] F. Kawamura, M. Miura, R. Ebara, K. Yanase, “Material strength of long-term used penstock of a hydroelectric power plant,” Case Studies in Structural Engineering, vol. 6, pp. 103–114, 2016.
• [11] A.S. Leon, L. Zhu, “A dimensional analysis for determining optimal discharge and penstock diameter in impulse and reaction water turbines,” Renewable Energy, vol. 71, pp. 609-615, 2014.
• [12] K.V. Alexander, E.P. Giddens, “Optimum penstocks for low head microhydro schemes,” Renewable Energy, vol. 33, pp. 507–519, 2008.
• [13] J.H. Bulloch, A.G. Callagy, “An detailed integrity assessment of a 25 MW hydro-electric power station penstock,” Engineering Failure Analysis, vol. 17, pp. 387–393, 2010.
• [14] H. Başeşme, Hidroelektrik santraller ve Hidroelektrik santral tesisleri, 2003.