Predictive Monitoring of Main Steam Safety Valves

This report describes the tools employed by the Braidwood Generating Station Main Steam System Engineer to identify Main Steam Safety Valves (MSSVs) which may require refurbishment. These methods include in-service Trevitesting results, visual identification of steam leaks past the valve disc, external temperatures readings on the body and tailpipe flange of the valve, thermography, and risk rank charts. Utilizing these methods, Braidwood Generation Station will begin the transition from preventative maintenance of the MSSVs to a more cost effective predictive maintenance, in which the valves are rebuilt or refurbished on an as-needed basis.

Paper published with permission.