Scheduling of Steam Turbine Inspection Intervals

You should first ask Nuovo Pignone.

The, "best inspection intervals, assuming smooth operation with no mechanical issue." will be that which is recommended by the manufacturer, as PennPiper has stated.'t want to admit to your superiors that the inspection intervals

So, call or write or e-mail them and exercise good judgment.

You wouldn't want to admit to your superiors that the inspection intervals were set by total strangers, would you?

I'm obviously not familiar with your machines, but I'm aware of GE steam turbines in this size range running 5 years or more continuously. The original inspection/overhaul interval was much shorter. The increase was due to careful operation, continuous on-line monitoring, and on-line lube/seal oil conditioning - it didn't just happen without much diligence. To begin with, the manufacturer's recommendation should be followed.

Assuming 'inspection intervals' means disassembly for internal inspection, it seems to me that quite frequently the unnecessary disassembly and reassembly of a machine causes additional problems.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/56168916/Instruction-Operation-and-Maintenance-Manual-Turbine

My gestimate, every 10 years or 25,000 operating hrs, which ever comes first...rebuild @ 50,000 hrs....

If you are assigned then you must have some/good knowledge on this turbine/any turbine? You should me then not be asking but knowing . If it is none knowledge then it is not your fault. schedule this out first.

You haven't even shared information as to duty, continuous, standby or intermittent? Load continuous or widely varying? A large factor is the design RPM not to mention how you maintain your lubrication system and how you monitor and remove any water that collects there.

Is this a power generation system running at a steady 3000 or 3600 RPM or is it driving a compressor with varying loading in a refinery or chemical plant at 10,000 rpm?

There are many more factors in deciding the harshness of the service than a simple statement that it is a 4MW Steam Turbine. Nuovo Pignone was a very good brand of compressor but tended to run at very high RPM's. They would quote 25,000 rpm compressors against American manufacturers running at 3600 rpm. Of course their diameters were about 1/4 or less with the same output.

As the many replies said, Consult the Manufacturer for their recommendations first, then ask for an Installation list for similar units and similar operations, ask for a contact name and call up a few of them and ask what they do.

Worked for me.

It's all in the manuals that came when it was installed. Check with whoever was doing the job before you, if not then it's the manufacturer or the company who installed it.

You need the whole procedure not just the intervals, what are you going to inspect? You might check vibration daily, and blades every year, it is already defined by the particular manufacturer, you must find it, not ask around for opinions.

Thanks to All, in regard of the manule, it said interval it is based on plant experiance.

Good you read manual. Now you tell us based on your experience.

This is nonsense. The inspection intervals are set by the Examiner/Surveyor from the company that is supplying burst and failure insurance liability cover on the equipment. The answer lies in the inspection reports and if not available, the company needs to be contacted to obtain copies of them.