Operating
Steam turbine maintenance

Steam turbines can be classified into two main categories, depending on whether they are located on a conventional [B 1 250]thermodynamic cycle or a low-temperature nuclear cycle (pressurized water reactor [B 3 312]or boiling water reactor). The characteristics of these cycles lead to differences in machine design, degradation modes and corresponding maintenance actions.

• The classic cycle is characterized by a high steam temperature, which requires the designer and operator to take into account the phenomenon of material creep.

• The low-temperature nuclear cycle, characterized by lower steam temperatures, does not subject machines to creep. On the other hand, steam expansion, which largely takes place in the wet range, makes...