ASME PTC46 is nowadays a well known widely used Performance Test Code for Plant thermal performances. The Code — originally published in 1996, revised in 2015 — delivers all required guidance and methods for determination of the thermal performances in optimum precision conditions.
Present paper considers going a step further in the performance test methodology in the modern context, ie specifically for Plants supported by Digital methods. Although a PTC46 test will deliver valuable information, this information — ie the test result — is valid solely at the point of time of the test on site, after which Plant Operator will not necessarily again have a very sharp vision of the level of Performances. Recent Digital tools and methods are a major change in this context and at present Operators of Digitalised Plants have access to a methodic systematic continuous measurement of the gaps between on-line performances and ideal “as should” status.
Availability of such advanced functionalities is now opening the door to a radical change of the guarantees definitions, delivering to Plant developers better inputs without arbitrary assumptions as well as methodic and transparent measurement of the actual performance over significant periods of time, in opposition to the few hours of a PTC46 traditional test.
Present paper addresses the possible definition of such new guarantees, as well as updates of the correction approach that are needed in order to make use of the Code principles in the modern Digital context. Pro and cons of both methods are discussed in detail , as well as analogy with other Power Plant areas.
