PTC INQ, #04-12

TECHNICAL INQUIRY

SUBJECT: PTC 6.2 Steam Turbines in Combined Cycle – 2004

NOTE: This Code has not yet been published. It has however been approved by the Society and by the
ANSI as an American National Standard

QUESTION 1:
Is benchmark testing considered a recommendation or a requirement for a PTC 6.2 test?

ANSWER 1:
Benchmark testing is recommended, but not required. Para. 3.2.4 on benchmark states “If a new or
modified turbine, then a performance benchmark should be established as soon as benchmark test
conditions can be achieved. As a minimum, enthalpy-drop testing is required. Additional methods
for benchmarking the turbine performance include internal leakage tests, and stage pressure
measurements. This information may aid in the determination of turbine performance change.”

The need for benchmark testing depends on the point in time when the steam turbine test will be
performed; however, due to the frequent need for monitoring possible degradation from the time of a
unit startup to the time of the steam turbine performance test, PTC 6.2 contains the recommendation that
a benchmark test be performed. Benchmark testing provides a mechanism to identify the as installed
turbine performance and a means of either quantifying turbine degradation or verifying that no
degradation has occurred.

QUESTION 2:
The hard part of implementing a PTC 6.2 test is the same as that for a PTC 6 test., installing flow
metering immediately prior to test. What the value of doing this considering the time and cost to weld in
high pressure flow sections prior to test and flanged connections on HP systems are out of the question?

ANSWER 2:
The only related requirement in PTC 6.2 is that the metering not be installed during steam blows. The
underlying philosophy of PTC 6.2 is to achieve test results of the lowest uncertainty based on current
technology and knowledge, taking into account test cost and value of the information obtained.
Experience has shown that flow sections installed during steam blows may be subject to distortion and
impact damage that can result in loss of accuracy of the flow element and subsequently an additional
uncertainty contribution in the flow measurement. Since the results of a PTC 6.2 test are highly
sensitive to flow, the additional uncertainty contribution should be avoided to maintain a reasonable
uncertainty level of the results. Please note that some plant configurations enable the use of condensate
flow to determine main steam flow. Flanged sections can be accommodated in condensate systems.

QUESTION 3:
Are the uncertainty limits in Table 3.4 e ±?

ANSWER 3:
The uncertainty limits are intended to be ±.