Estimate of a power distributor life span based on the fracture mechanics criteria

Abstract

Dimensioning of pressure vessels can be done according to various criteria, the basic one being the safety against the fracture by splashing. In this paper two methods for this dimensioning procedure are presented. The first one is based on application of the classical mechanics while the second one uses the fracture mechanics principles. Both methods were applied for checking the exploitation properties and capability of a vapor distributor in a power plant. Based on the in-situ measured damages and calculations by both methods, it was concluded that the vapor distributor could be further used as a part of the boiler installation in the local power plant. The second criterion, based on the application of the fracture mechanics principles, provided more reliable results than the first one, based on the classical mechanics.