Deterioration of components and structures at power generating facilities has caused unscheduled plant outages, personnel safety concerns, and significant impact on operating budgets. However, a new technology is now available that can increase the usable life of components and structures, while significantly reducing the economic burden normally associated with repair or replacement options. This technology, known as “Fiber Reinforced Polymers” or FRP, utilizes carbon fibers and high strength epoxy resins to restore or enhance the structural and or pressure boundary capacity of plant equipment and structures. This technology utilizes the high strength of the carbon fibers to add additional structural capacity to the existing member. This is accomplished through the superior adhesive bond provided by the epoxy. The design determines the orientation of the fibers to add strength in the direction of static and dynamic loading conditions. The repairs to the affected items are performed in-place and completed during relatively short durations. Small crews perform the work and can do internal strengthening with access through only a manhole. Power generation facilities and electrical transmission/distribution networks have typically shunned the use of composite materials to rehabilitate structures or components. The technology and engineering associated with FRP repair methods provides an effective mechanism to rehabilitate piping, pumps, heat exchangers, water boxes, structural shapes and numerous other items while minimizing the cost typically associated with direct replacement.
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International Joint Power Generation Conference collocated with TurboExpo 2003
June 16–19, 2003
Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Conference Sponsors:
- Power Division
ISBN:
0-7918-3692-4
PROCEEDINGS PAPER
Design of Composite Rehabilitation Technologies for Power Generation Facilities Available to Purchase
John A. Charest,
John A. Charest
Universal Utility Services, LLC, Groton, CT
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Sarah Witt
Sarah Witt
Fyfe Company, LLC, San Diego, CA
Search for other works by this author on:
John A. Charest
Universal Utility Services, LLC, Groton, CT
Sarah Witt
Fyfe Company, LLC, San Diego, CA
Paper No:
IJPGC2003-40062, pp. 271-275; 5 pages
Published Online:
December 17, 2008
Citation
Charest, JA, & Witt, S. "Design of Composite Rehabilitation Technologies for Power Generation Facilities." Proceedings of the International Joint Power Generation Conference collocated with TurboExpo 2003. 2003 International Joint Power Generation Conference. Atlanta, Georgia, USA. June 16–19, 2003. pp. 271-275. ASME. https://doi.org/10.1115/IJPGC2003-40062
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