Comprehensive approach to weld repair on elements of power transmission – case study for hydro turbine shaft

Abstract

Turbine and generator rotors and shafts undergo high stresses during regular working life and, from a safety and operational aspect, are the most significant components of a power generation system. Depending on the appropriate operating conditions, like temperature and/or corrosion the, shafts can be fabricated out of low/high alloy heat resistance material or of low alloyed, highly toughened material for different application. Despite known good practice and developed operation procedures, the failures of shafts sometimes occurs. The right and well defined failure analysis is the basis for feasibility analysis of repair method in the power generating industry. The analysis of direct and indirect costs of repair after the failure analysis as well as the analysis of the repair and post-repair conditions of the repaired element is the vital for decision on the key question. Is it possible to repair this element and what is the optimal repair strategy? This paper compares and analyses two approaches, by weldability analysis and weld cycle simulation, in order to determine welding feasibility analysis of cracked hydro turbine shafts.