Scenarios for the prediction of transient fluid dynamic forces in the steam pipeline of thermal power plant

Abstract

Various scenarios of the steam pipeline transients in a thermal power plant are numerically simulated and analysed in order to predict maximum fluid dynamic forces that can be exerted during the action of safety systems. The simulation of the steam transients is performed with the one-dimensional thermal-hydraulic code TEA based on the Method-of-Characteristics solving procedure. The main conclusions are that all possible events of safety system action and components malfunctions should be simulated and analysed in order to predict the maximum loads within the whole complex steam pipelines of the power plant, where the main impacts are triggered by the closure of the turbine stop valves and opening of the safety and by-pass valves.