Root Cause Analysis for Boiler & HRSG Failures

This training course is primarily intended for experienced O&M staff working in thermal power and process plants as well engineering and management staff at the corporate level. The objective is to give attendees all the essentials for effective determination of the root cause of failures that can occur in the boiler, HRSG and associated steam balance-of-plant. The principal failure modes are reviewed, with focus on those occurring in the boiler, critical piping and other key components such as pressure vessels and condensers. Major emphasis is placed on analyzing how upstream events in the steam cycle process can lead to failures in downstream components. Several actual failure case histories treated by Tetra Engineering staff at plants around the world are presented, providing attendees with practical application of the presented concepts.

Seminar Syllabus

Steam Cycle Components and Failure Modes

A summary of failure modes and mechanisms most frequently observed in various steam cycle components

• Boiler Tubes and Internal Pressure Parts
• Boiler Gas Path and Exterior
• Power Piping (Condensate, Feedwater and Steam)
• Pressure Vessels
  

Collecting Evidence and Identifying the Failure Mechanism

The key first step is to define the problem, collect the evidence and then identify the component failure mechanism. It’s important to remember that this is usually not the same as the failure root cause.

• Defining the Investigation Scope
• Collecting the Field Evidence: Visual, NDE and Destructive Samples
• Process Data Collection
• Overview of Laboratory Analytical Techniques
• Getting the Most Out of Metallurgy
• Effective Reporting
  

Root Cause Analysis Methods

There are several methods or approaches to determining the root cause, these are presented in summary fashion here as background. Despite their differences, all follow a similar overall strategy and aim to achieve the same goal. Whatever the method chosen, it is important to remember that the ultimate objective is to find a solution that prevents further failures.

• Five Whys
• Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA)
• Pareto Analysis
• Fault Tree Analysis
• Current Reality Tree
• Fishbone Diagram
• Kepner-Tregoe Method
• RPR Problem Diagnosis
  

Sample Case Histories and Discussion

Examples from recent projects performed by Tetra staff are presented, covering failure analyses on a variety of steam cycle pressure part components.

This course is offered in a 3 day format and a condensed 1 day format.

Registration:

USA Courses: To register or for more information, please contact Natalie Vasa, at our offices in the United States natalie.vasa@tetra-eng.com or +1 (860) 651-4622 ext. 102.

Europe/Middle East/Asia Courses: Please contact Christine Vallon for registration or information purposes at christine.vallon@tetra-eng.com or by telephone on +33 4 92 96 92 54.

Refer to individual course syllabus for terms and conditions. Tetra Engineering reserves the right to cancel, in our sole discretion, any course 4 weeks prior to the respective start date.