Inspection of Power Plant Headers Utilizing Acoustic Emission Monitoring

Fossil power plant high energy, high temperature steam headers have been found to be susceptible to thermal fatigue assisted creep degradation. These mechanisms initiate and grow cracks in chrome molybdenum headers, from the bore hole edges and stub tube-to-header welds. Linking up of multiple cracks can lead to explosive expulsion of tubes and severe shorting of the header life. In order to extend the header life and operate safely, a better understanding of crack growth that may occur during specific plant operating conditions is needed. With that understanding, harsh operating conditions that may be causing excessive crack propagation and header damage can be curtailed. Acoustic emission monitoring of headers was performed to assist in identifying operating conditions that lead to header damage. This Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) sponsored program found acoustic emission activity levels correlated to identified crack growth and analytically calculated stresses. Utilizing these results, draft EPRI guidelines have been developed to aid electric utilities in performing acoustic emission monitoring on superheater headers.