Analysis of current state and integrity evaluation for the supply tank of generation unit 6 of thermal power plant Nikola Tesla ”A”, Obrenovac

Stable supply tank, with volume V = 250 m3 and operating pressure p = 1,5 MPa, of generation unit 6 at thermal power plant 'Nikola Tesla A' in Obrenovac, is designed for water-steam working fluid. It was made of steel Č 1204 as a single-part welded structure with a single wall. Cylindrical tank shell consists of 8 segments, while torispherical deep bottoms consist of 3 segments. The tank is in the horizontal position and it lays on 4 supports. There are five manometers installed at the tank for pressure control, as well as 5 spring-loaded safety valves. In this paper results of non-destructive tests performed on the tank are presented. Mechanical damages on parent material, up to 1.5 mm deep, were detected at the outer surface of the cylindrical section of the right bottom (as seen from the boiler) and on the inner surface of the shell, as well as sporadic pitting corrosion, up to 0.5 mm deep, and 2 mm misalignment of sheet metals in areas where shell segments are joined. Crack type linear indications were detected on the surface of welded joints through the use of magnetic particle testing. Through ultrasonic and radiographic testing it was determined that the homogeneity of welded joints is satisfactory. Hardness testing was performed on all segments of the tank, and obtained values were in the range between 118 and 130 HB. Metallographic examination, performed on specimens of all segments of the tank, showed that microstructure of material is either fine-grained or striped ferrite-pearlite. On the basis of test results the repair technology for shell and bottom segments was made, while on the basis of the analytical calculation of tank strength the integrity evaluation was carried out for the upcoming period of service, depending on the category of the vessel.