Ultrasonic Testing Techniques for Integrity Assessment of Hydraulic Turbine Runner

Abstract

Given the significance of minimizing energy production costs, ensuring continuous operation of power generation machinery is imperative. Hydro-Québec, a leading entity in power generation, employs predictive models to forecast the service life of its turbine runners to circumvent unplanned shutdowns. The reliability of these models heavily depends on accurately characterizing runner flaws, which constitutes a critical input. This necessitates the application of non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques for flaw characterization hence the need to evaluate the effectiveness of such methods and explore alternatives that could yield superior diagnostic results. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of NDT methods especially ultrasonic techniques providing dependable flaw data (both experimental and simulation) to feed life and structural reliability estimation models. By refining the accuracy of these estimates, Hydro-Québec intends to reduce downtime, thereby lowering the costs associated with power generation. Despite considerable research in this domain, a gap remains in our understanding of flaw detectability, particularly in the welded joints of hydroelectric turbine runner blades. This extended investigation not only contributes to the advancement of predictive maintenance strategies but also supports operational efficiency and cost reduction in energy production.