Failure Mechanisms of Turbo Generator Rotor

Abstract

The aim of the thesis was to investigate and become familiar with the failure mechanisms of the rotors of 2- and 4-pole turbo generators and to create a categorization, with the help of which the cases of rotor failure can be examined e.g. according to generator power, voltage, number of poles, manufacturer, year of manufacture or usage. The thesis was research-like in structure. In the thesis, we familiarize ourselves with electricity production, the structure of the turbo generator, condition monitoring of the rotor, failure mechanisms, and we go through the most interesting example cases. The work is mainly based on the literature of the field and TGS Finland Oy's internal material. The rotor of the turbo generator has several different failure mechanisms, and monitoring and identifying them is vital to guarantee reliable operation of the generator. The lifetime and operational reliability of the rotor, and thus the generator, can be affected by regular condition monitoring, where the detected failure mechanisms are identified and repaired.