ML061450154
ML061450154 | |
Person / Time | |
---|---|
Site: | Quad Cities ![]() |
Issue date: | 04/13/2006 |
From: | Giesecke H MPR Associates |
To: | Molaei M Exelon Nuclear, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
References | |
0084512, Release 00022, 1101-0009-HDG-01, 1101-0009-HDG-02 | |
Download: ML061450154 (23) | |
Text
Attachment 7 Request 4 - Level 1 and 2 Vibration Acceptance Criteria Support Documents
Attachment 7 Request 4 - Level 1 and 2 Vibration Acceptance Criteria Support Documents
Attachment 7 Documents Included MPR Associates Inc., Letter 1101 -0009-HDG-01, "Vibration Acceptance Criteria for Quad Cities ASBs," dated April 13, 2006 MPR Associates Inc., Letter 1101 -0009-HDG-02, "Vibration Acceptance Criteria for ERV Valve Actuators - Revision 1," dated April 13, 2006 Attachment to MPR Associates Inc., Letter 1101 -0009-HDG-02, "Vibration Acceptance Criteria for ERV Valve Actuators - Revision 1" MPR Associates Inc., Calculation 1101 -0009-HDG-01, "ASME Code Evaluation for Vibration Testing of ASBs," Revision 0
- IMPR ASSOCIATES mNc ENGINEERS April 13, 2006 1101-0009-HDG-01 Mr. Mohammad Molaei Exelon Nuclear 4300 Winfiel4Road Warrenville, IL 60555
Subject:
Vibration Acceptance Criteria for Quad Cities ASBs
Reference:
Exelon Contract No. 0084512, Release 00022
Dear Mr. Molaei:
This attachment to this letter provides the basis for a Vibration Acceptance Criteria for the Acoustic Side Branch (ASB) devices that are being considered for installation at Quad Cities.
The ASBs are to be installed on the Safety Relief Valve (SRV) and Electromatic Relief Valve (ERV) branch lines on the main steam piping in the drywell. The ASBs are 6" diameter pipes that are either 24" long or 30" long, closed off by a blind flange at the free end, and would branch off the vertical branch lines that support the valves. The ASB contains a steel canister that is packed with circular stainless steel screens to provide resistance to steam flow. The purpose of the ASB is to mitigate the intensity of the acoustic modes that exist in the SRV and ERV branch lines when steam flow rate is high.
The Vibration Acceptance Criteria described below are based on the results from three series of vibration tests that were recently conducted on the ASBs at the Quanta Laboratories in Santa Clara, California. The tests were conducted to determine the vibration levels that could be imposed on an ASB without damaging the internals. These tests included both transverse and inline excitation of the ASBs and utilized five separate internal canisters to evaluate different canister designs and vibratory loadings. The testing and the results of the testing are described in 06Q4568-DR-004, "Quad Cities Acoustic Side Branch (ASB) Vibration Test Report", Rev 2 dated April 9, 2006.
The vibration tests indicated that if the vibration becomes excessive, some debris could be generated from the internals of the canisters. The debris appears to result from two different mechanisms. One mechanism is the fatigue failure of some of the edges of the wire screens as they rub or impact against the canister walls. The other mechanism is a wear mechanism probably due to relative motion between the screens and canister wall that results in the creation of metallic dust or powder. There are indications that canisters are more susceptible to generating debris if the screens are packed too tightly into the canister.
The tests also indicated that the most likely failure mechanism for the ASBs, that could cause a problem, is the fatigue failure of the internal screens. This could generate debris of sufficient 320 KING STREET ALEXANDRIA, VA 22314-3230 703-519-0200 FAX: 703-519-0224 hftp://www.mpr.com
Mr. Mohammad Molaei April 13, 2006 size to cause problems with some components in the main steam system. The attachment to this letter provides a calculation for vibration acceptance criteria that are based on fatigue testing of the ASBs. The acceptance criteria can be summarized as follows:
- The vibration acceleration amplitude in the axial direction should be less than 1.6 g RMS if measured on the blind flange of the ASB and less than 1.5 g RMS if measured on the pipe end of the ASB. This level of vibration is significantly lower than that experienced by canisters #1 and #5 during the testing and meets the guidance provided by the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Appendix II, for cyclic testing of components based on the testing of canister #5 in the third series of tests.
- The vibration acceleration amplitude in the transverse direction at the flange end of the ASB should be less than 2.3 g RMS. This corresponds to the limit for no fatigue based on the tested vibration magnitude and duration according to the ASME Code. It also corresponds to about 1/2 of the response levels that were measured in the transverse direction during the vibration testing of the production canister. Based on the test data for canisters similar to the production canister design, we would not expect any significant debris to be generated at this vibration level. In addition, the acceptance response level in the transverse direction at the flange assures that the ASB is not being significantly excited at its natural frequency.
These acceptance levels for vibration are based on the following reasoning and observations:
- The ASBs were subjected to vibrations approximately twice these levels for a considerable period of time during the vibration tests at the Quanta Labs. The canisters that were packed in a manner similar to the production model (canister #5) had no significant debris during testing at the higher levels. Using l/2 the levels at which the ASBs responded without any observable damage based on external observations made during the testing, including inspections for debris from the FME end, provides margin with respect to the testing without resulting in an unreasonable vibration level, particularly if the ASBs are effective in suppressing the acoustic modes.
- The acceptance criteria meets the fatigue testing requirements of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel code as outlined in Appendix II. This assures that fatigue of the screens will not occur. Fatigue of the screens is the only mechanism identified during the testing that can generate debris that may have the potential to affect components in the main steam system.
- The acceptance levels provided are sufficient, even if the ASBs have no affect on the acoustic response, to allow operation at current EPU vibration levels since the current acoustic frequencies are well removed from the natural frequencies of the ASBs. There would be no amplification of the vibration at the flange end of the ASB.
Mr. Mohammad Molaei April 13, 2006
- Despite the fact that the ASBs were aligned vertically with the FME at the bottom during testing, such that gravitational forces would tend to help debris to escape from the ASB during the testing, there was no observation that any of the debris that could cause a problem in the steam piping was able to work its way through the screens inside the canister at vibratory loads equal to twice the acceptance level criteria for the production canister. Therefore, we conclude it would be very difficult for the debris to be dislodged through the screens by vibration when the ASB is in the horizontal orientation and experiencing only V2 the acceleration in the axial direction than it experienced during the tests.
- Although no wear would be expected at half the vibratory response that produced no wear during testing of the production canister, wear would likely only result in the generation of the fine metallic dust that was generated at higher vibration levels for the canisters that were more tightly packed with screens. We do not consider that such fine metallic dust would pose a problem to the main steam system.
If you have any questions regarding this letter or the conclusions drawn from the test data, please give me a call.
Sincerely, Hans Giesecke Attachment Cc: Mr. David R. Melear Exelon Nuclear Mr. Robert Stakenborghs Exelon Nuclear Mr. Guy DeBoo Exelon Nuclear Mr. Steve Anagnostis Stevenson & Associates Mr. Roy Hunicutt Exelon Nuclear
I*MPR ASSOCIATES INC EN Q I N E E RS April 13, 2006 l 101-0009-HDG-02 Mr. Mohammad Molaei Exelon Nuclear 4300 Winfield Road Warrenville, IL 60555
Subject:
Vibration Acceptance Criteria for ERV Valve Actuators - Revision I
Reference:
Exelon Contract No. 0084512, Release 00022
Dear Mr. Molaei:
The attachment to this letter is Revision 1 of the report that provides the vibration acceptance criteria for the Electromatic Relief Valve (ERV) pilot valve actuators at Quad Cities. The report is based on our evaluation of the vibration testing that was performed on the actuators at the Quanta Laboratories in Santa Clara, California in February and March of 2006. Revision 1 includes the effect of the March 2006 testing that was conducted to test improvements in the actuator design.
The test results demonstrate that, if the vibration levels in the plant remain below those defined by the acceptance criteria, there is high confidence that the actuators will be capable of performing their function for at least one fuel cycle (24 months) at those vibration levels.
If you have any questions regarding this report or the acceptance criteria, or if you need additional information, please feel free to call.
Sincerely, Hans Giesecke Attachment Cc: Mr. Roy Hunnicutt Exelon Nuclear Mr. Steve Anagnostis Stevenson & Associates 320 KING STREET ALEXANDRIA, VA 22314-3230 703-519-0200 FAX: 703-51940224 hftp://Www.mpr.com
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-MPR A$SOCIATES INt E N G I NE E.R S Contents Background.......................................... 4 Simplified Acceptance Criteria for Modified Actuator ..................................... 5 V ibr Te ationBasis st .......................................... 6 Measured Vibrations at EPU Power Levels ............................................ 6 In-Plant Experience ............................................. 6 Enhancements Made to Actuator Design ............................................ 7 Description of Vibration Tests .......................................... 8 Development of Test Plan ............................................. 8 First Series of Tests ............................................ 8 Second Series of Tests ............................................ 10 Basis for Acceptance Criteria for Modified Actuator ..................................... 10 References......................................................................................................... 12 3
Background
The main steam piping near the reactor at both Quad Cities units has been experiencing significant vibration for some time. This vibration has resulted in damage to the actuators on the Electromatic Relief Valves (ERVs), among other components. The vibration increased significantly (by about a factor of 2) when the plant power level was increased to Extended Power Uprate (EPU) conditions. Apparently, the dominant part of the vibration is being generated by the response of the piping to several acoustic modes that exist inside the piping.
These acoustic modes are most likely standing pressure waves that form in the standpipes that attach the ERVs, Safety Relief Valves (SRVs), and Target Rock valve to the main steam piping.
Most likely, the acoustic response is excited by turbulence in the main steam flow at the connecting tees to the standpipes. Since the turbulence spectrum typically increases in both amplitude and frequency with increasing steam flow, the increase in vibration at EPU power levels is significantly higher than at pre-EPU power levels.
Due to damage to the ERV actuators that was discovered at Quad Cities Unit 1 during Q 1F51, Exelon decided to perform vibration testing of an ERV at the Wyle Laboratories in February 2004. These tests are described in Reference I and Figure 3-5 in Reference 1 shows the initial test configuration, which included an ERV with the attached pilot valve and the pilot valve actuator. The testing resulted in modifications to the actuators to "harden" them against wear by employing better materials for parts where wear was observed. The modified actuators were installed in both units at Quad Cities and after operating an extended period of time at pre-EPU levels, they were inspected and no damage was observed. However, after several months of operation at EPU power levels, significant damage was discovered on some of the actuators and all actuators had some wear in the bushings and guide posts. Figure 1 is a picture of an actuator similar to the modified actuators that were installed following the February 2004 Wyle testing.
The damage to these actuators was concentrated in the guide post-spring-bushing interface due to the hardened spring getting caught between the post and the bushing, causing considerable wear to all three components due to vibratory motion. Damage also occurred to the pivot plate that opens the cutoff switch and limits the current to the solenoid when the pilot valve is open. If this switch fails to operate, the solenoid will fail in about 30 seconds due to excessive current, making the valve inoperable.
Based on the observed damage, in January 2006 a beveled washer was inserted below the bushings to protect the post and bushing from the spring (see Figure 2) and the plants were restarted and operated at pre-EPU power levels while a permanent solution to the problem was being investigated. This permanent solution concentrated on the installation of acoustic side branches (ASBs) on the standpipes that support the valves to mitigate the acoustic modes in conjunction with modifications to the ERV actuators to make them considerably more resistant to the damage mechanisms that were being observed.
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Figure 3 shows a picture of the newly modified actuator. Vibration testing of the new actuator was conducted during February and March of 2006 to test modifications and improve confidence in the new actuator for installation in the plant. The test included testing of alternative designs such as the design that was damaged during operation in the plant to provide a comparison of relative damage levels during the testing. This report evaluates the new design and provides an estimate of the vibration levels that are considered acceptable for operation in the plant.
Simplified Acceptance Criteria for Modified Actuator The vibration limits specified by the Vibration Acceptance Criteria described below are based on the testing that was conducted during February and March of 2006. The acceptance criteria considers a broad band random vibration base with a single frequency sine dwell from an acoustic mode such as was measured in the plant during EPU operating conditions. The Vibration Acceptance Criteria is sufficiently high to envelop the vibration levels experienced by ERV 3D from Quad Cities Unit 2, the actuator with the highest vibration as measured during operation at EPU. Since there is some uncertainty associated with the effect that the ASBs may have on the acoustic mode, the testing included excitation of the actuator at various frequencies, including excitation close to resonance, so that a Vibration Acceptance Criteria could be established that considered all reasonable possibilities for the frequency of the acoustic mode.
However, at lower frequencies a strong acoustic mode could damage the actuator due to the higher displacements associated with lower frequency at the same acceleration magnitude.
Therefore, the acceptable acceleration levels had to be reduced at lower frequencies. In effect, at frequencies below 100 Hz, the Acceptance Criteria must be limited by displacement amplitude whereas at high frequencies, the Acceptance Criteria must be limited by acceleration amplitude.
To account for both these phenomena, an acceptance criteria was devised that limits the vibration at the base of the actuator where it attaches to the yoke of the pilot valve to about /2 the levels tested based on the integrated spectrum RMS values as follows:
- The integrated RMS value for the spectrum of the measured displacement should be less than 2.2 mils RMS. Due to the difficulty of obtaining accurate acceleration values at low frequency, the displacement RMS value should be based on the frequency interval between 30 and 200 Hz.
- The integrated RMS value for the spectrum of the measured acceleration should be less than 2 g RMS. To be consistent with the displacement value, the frequency range of integration should also be between 30 Hz and 200 Hz.
- A horizontal value that is the square root of the sum of the squares (SRSS) of the two orthogonal horizontal components should be obtained and compared to the acceptance criteria value. The vertical component should be compared directly to the acceptance criteria value.
Based on the test data, the actuator will be able to withstand vibration levels up to the acceptance criteria limits for at least one full operating cycle (24 months) without incurring an unacceptable amount of damage that would prevent its operation. The vibration levels should be limited by 5
both the acceleration and displacement values. The acceleration value of 2 g RMS will limit the amplitude of the acoustic mode at frequencies above 100 Hz whereas the displacement value of 2.2 mils RMS will ensure that the acoustic mode, if its frequency is less than 100 Hz, will not be strong enough to damage the actuator. The basis for the acceptance criteria is discussed in the rest of this report.
Vibration Test Basis Vibration testing for the ERV actuator was performed at the Quanta Laboratories in Santa Clara, California in two phases during February and March of 2006. The tests are described in Reference 2.
Measured Vibrations at EPU Power Levels The acoustic modes generate single frequency responses that are tuned to each specific standpipe and they exist over a frequency range of about 130 to 160 Hertz, depending on the particular standpipe involved. Vibration measurements obtained at Quad Cities during operation at EPU indicate that, in general, the vibration levels on Unit 2 are high~r then those on Unit 1. In particular, the valve with the highest vibration is ERV 3D on Unit 2 and its vibration is dominated by an acoustic mode with a frequency of about 151 Hz. Figure 4 provides a plot of all the power spectral densities of the measured locations on the Unit 2 ERVs. The plot is provided in a linear scale to accentuate the dominance of the acoustic modes. The acceleration vibration spectra for ERV 3D on Unit 2 are plotted separately in Figure 5 and the ones for all the other valves on Unit 2 are plotted in Figure 6 to demonstrate that the 3D valve is subjected to the highest vibration levels. In fact, when the spectra from Unit 2 ERV 3E is removed from Figure 6, the remaining responses for valves 3B and 3C are much smaller. Consequently, the vibration spectrum levels from ERV 3D on Quad Cities Unit 2 were used to develop the "base test spectrum". However, the frequency inputs for the base spectrum were expanded to account for the different frequencies of the various acoustic modes as well as for any impact that the ASBs may have if they are installed on the standpipes of the valves.
As is seen in Figures 4 through 6, the measured vibration is essentially composed of monochromatic accelerations at about 138 Hz, 151 Hz, and 161 Hz with the dominant response at 151 Hz at an amplitude of about 2 g RMS. The amplitude of the associated displacement is less than one mil.
In-Plant Experience -
The modified actuators that were installed in Unit 1 operated at EPU vibration levels for over 5 months and those that were installed in Unit 2 operated at EPU vibration levels for over 6 months. Prior to operation at EPU power levels, the Unit 2 actuators operated for over a year at pre-EPU vibration levels, after which they were inspected. No significant damage was identified at that time.
However, after the operation at EPU power levels, some actuators had significant damage. In particular, the actuator on ERV 3D had significant damage to the posts, the springs, and the 6
cutoff switch and was not considered capable of operating. The actuator on ERV 3E also had significant damage to the rods but was still operational. The actuators on ERV 3B and ERV 3C had some damage to the posts but were still functional. The damage level was comparable to the measured vibration level since 3D had the highest measured vibration, 3E had the second highest, and 3B and 3C had relatively low levels of vibration.
Enhancements Made to ActuatorDesign The new actuator design (see Figure 3) incorporated a significant number of improvements, many of which were implemented as a result of lessons learned during the testing. The new actuator provides substantially more support for the guide posts. This was accomplished by mounting the posts to a thicker support plate at the bottom in place of the angle brackets on the original and including a frame that is tied to that plate and supports the tops of the guide posts.
In addition, the springs are of a larger diameter and are split into two parts. The ends of the spring were mounted on the outside of both the bushings and a spacer that was added between the two spring parts on each post so the springs would remain separated from the posts. This prevents the springs from getting caught between the post and the bushing and limits the wear that will occur to the springs, the bushings, and the posts. Clearance between the top bushing and the post must be loose enough to prevent binding due to clearances between the plunger and the frame that allow the plunger to displace at the bottom but must be small enough to limit impact or fretting wear when the posts vibrate. The new actuator design also includes a silicone isolation pad that prevents much of the high frequency vibration from reaching the posts. In addition, the pivot plate that actuates the cutoff switch to limit current through the solenoids when the pilot valve is open was improved by tightening clearances to avoid rattling, adding bushings for the pivot pins, and modifying the material for the pivot pins and bushings to improve wear characteristics. Finally, the brackets used to attach the actuator components to its base were reinforced by gussets to help redistribute stresses over a larger region and procedures were implemented to ensure there is even loading on the heads of the bolts that secure the solenoid frame to the base plate of the actuator. The gussets were added halfway through the first series of testing due to cracking in the brackets and indicated, by no additional damage through the most severe testing period, that they were effective in eliminating the cracking problem. The modifications to the pivot plate were implemented due to knowledge gained during the first series of testing.
During the second series of tests, it was discovered that the clearance for the upper bushings on the guide rods was too tight, resulting in binding of the bushing on the guide post. The clearance was increased from 2.5 mils to 15 mils and the leading edge of the bushing was chamfered to reduce the susceptibility for binding. In addition, it was discovered that the bolts that hold the frame on the base plate were not making full contact around their circumference, resulting in significant bending moment on the head of the bolt and the failure of several bolts early in the second round of testing. This oversight was corrected by modifying the production procedure to ensure good contact between the head of the bolt and the bearing surface by counter-boring the contact surface to obtain a good fit. Since the prototype actuator had experienced a significant amount of testing at higher vibration levels without any baseplate bolt failures, and since the new actuator on which the contact was modified completed the testing without any additional bolt failures, it was apparent that the cause of the bolt failures was correctly identified.
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Description of Vibration Tests The purpose of the vibration testing Was to demonstrate a high confidence level that the modified ERV actuator could operate for a full fuel cycle without being damaged such that it would no longer function to operate the ERV. An alternate purpose was to obtain a vibration spectrum envelope below which only limited damage would be expected so that the envelope could be used for comparison to measured plant vibration spectra. If the plant vibration spectra are below this envelope, the actuator would be expected to perform adequately in response to the applied vibratory loading.
In order to provide confidence in the results of the tests, it was decided to test the original actuator in conjunction to the others, thereby providing a reference point for comparison. All actuators were mounted on the same shaker table simultaneously to ensure they all saw the same vibration input.
The results of the testing are covered in Reference 2 and are only described in general here.
Development of Test Plan The test plan for these tests utilized a conservative "base test spectrum" that envelops the measured spectra from all the ERV and pilot valve spectra that were obtained from actual plant measurements while the plants were operating at EPU power levels. Including the spectra from the pilot valves in the base spectrum allowed the actuators to be vibration tested independently of the ERV since the applied spectrum was representative of what was applied directly to the actuator in the plant. In order to account for changes in the natural frequency of the acoustic modes that may result from installation of the ASBs, the frequency spectrum was broadened to include any possible actuator resonance between the range of 90 Hz and 160 Hz.
Once the "base test spectrum" was defined, the base spectrum was multiplied by a scale factor to provide a means for adjusting the level of vibration in a controlled manner. The multiplier to that base spectrum could be used to slowly increase the overall vibration levels and ultimately to accelerate the wear mechanism so that an equivalent amount of wear could be generated in a short term test as would be expected to occur in the plant over a full fuel cycle. The inclusion of the original actuators on the table was used to demonstrate that sufficient excitation levels were being applied to the actuators to represent long term plant conditions. If the original actuator displayed damage similar to what occurred in the plant, it would indicate that the alternative actuators were subjected to realistic accelerated vibration levels during the testing.
First Series of Tests A test spectrum was designed to envelop any spectrum that would be experienced in the plant.
This spectrum included a broadband component of 0.3 g RMS and a series of swept sine inputs that ensured any resonant frequencies of the actuators were being excited. There were 4 swept sine inputs, at 2 g RMS each, distributed above 100 Hertz and three additional swept sine inputs below 100 Hz scaled in amplitude to maintain the average vibration displacement amplitude to the same level that would result for a 100 Hz sine component. The low frequency swept sines have the ability to damage the actuators due to their increased vibration displacement amplitude.
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Since there was very little low frequency input in the plant spectra, it was considered possible that too much low frequency input would result in unrealistic damage to the actuators and invalidate the test results. Details are provided in Reference 2.
The test spectrum was multiplied by a scale factor so that different levels of excitation could be applied to the actuators in a controlled manner. The testing utilized a gradually increasing multiplier with detailed inspections conducted prior to each time the multiplier was increased so that the level and characteristics of the vibration that would cause damage to occur could be defined. In this manner, the damage that was being incurred by each actuator on the test table could be quantified with respect to the severity of the load.
Prior to age-testing of the actuators, the actuators were subjected to sine sweeps to identify their natural frequencies and modes. Each actuator was tested individually with tri-axial accelerometers attached at various locations such as on the top of the guide posts, the plunger, and the support plate. The sine sweeps were conducted at two levels of input and the results indicated that the natural frequencies were quite sensitive to input level. In order to account for changes in the natural frequencies due to input level or changes in the frequency of the acoustic modes that may result from installation of the ASBs, the frequency spectrum was broadened to include any possible actuator resonance between the range of 90 Hz and 160 Hz.
In the first series of tests, the applied spectra were increased slowly, starting at levels that were 1/8 of the base spectrum and finishing at levels that were more than twice the base spectrum..
Damage assessments indicated that the low frequency vibration may have been causing excess damage to the actuator covers relative to the damage to the posts that was observed in the plant.
Since the plant spectra did not have very much low frequency input and the broadband component of the test spectrum enveloped the plant spectrum at those frequencies, it was decided to limit the sine wave part of the spectrum to a single frequency sine dwell in conjunction with the random broadband input to better represent the measured plant conditions. After 20 hours2.314815e-4 days <br />0.00556 hours <br />3.306878e-5 weeks <br />7.61e-6 months <br /> of testing with this new spectrum with a multiplier of 2.0, significant damage occurred to the original actuator that was similar, though less severe, than that experienced by the most highly damaged actuator in the plant. The spring on one side of the original actuator broke and became trapped between the bushing and the guide rod, doing significant damage to the guide rod and resulting in the plunger not being operable. On the other hand, the other two actuators had much less damage with the Modified GE actuator only experiencing a slight amount of wear, more like polishing, between the guide posts and the bushings.
Additional vibration testing resulted in the spring on the original actuator wearing all the way through the bushing and coming out the top of the actuator cover. Since there were observation holes in the cover above the guide post, the spring became free and no additional damage due to the spring-guidepost-bushing interaction occurred on this post. However, the spring would have remained trapped inside the cover during operation in the plant and might have caused additional wear. Also, every inspection of the original actuator freed up the spring from inside the bushing, interrupting the accelerated damage rate that would have resulted in the plant. The new actuator again had only slight wear.
After it had been demonstrated that a spectrum similar to the one measured in the plant would result in damage to the original actuator that was similar to that observed in the plant, the 9
frequency of the sine dwell was moved to excite the natural frequency of the new actuator. A multiplier of 2.0 was still being applied. Despite significant testing with a spectrum that was specifically designed to test the new actuator, only about 2 mils of wear was measured on the guide posts of the new actuator. However, a weak spot associated with the cut-off switch that limits the current to the solenoid after the valve has opened was identified. The tests indicated that wear around the pins about which the plate rotates would likely be the failure mode of this actuator if the vibration becomes too large.
Second Series of Tests Due to excessive wear in the pins that secure the pivot plate for the cutout switch, the pins were replaced with a harder material and a bushing was embedded into the frame to provide better wear resistance for this part of the actuator. As a result of this modification, a second series of tests were conducted at the Quanta Labs in Santa Clara. This second series included three actuators; the original design, the prototype that was tested previously, and a production actuator that met the criteria necessary for installation in the plant. The second series of testing identified several additional problems that were resolved as a result of the testing. In addition, the broad band component of the base spectrum was increased from 0.3 g RMS to 0.4 g RMS to provide more margin for the acceptance criteria.
Basis for Acceptance Criteria for Modified Actuator The testing demonstrated that the design improvements of the modified actuator worked well.
- Support to the posts was effective in reducing post vibration, eliminating distortion of the posts, and maintaining a uniform configuration that allowed the plunger to operate.
- The new bushing and spring design was very effective in eliminating the spring as a source of the damage by preventing the springs from becoming trapped between the bushing and the support rods where they would induce significant wear of the posts.
- The isolation damper at the base of the actuator was effective in isolating the internals of the actuator from high frequency vibration. However, the angle brackets that tie the actuator to its base developed cracks and had to be reinforced by gussets during the test. The gussets experienced enough high level vibration during the latter part of the testing to demonstrate they would not crack during normal operation.
- The pivot plate set screw for the cut-off switch that limits current to the solenoid had not been modified at the time the first series of testing was conducted and remained the weak part of the newly modified actuator design. This deficiency led to the last three actuation tests to be inconclusive during the first series of tests since sparks were generated at the cut-off switch when the plunger hit the pivot plate. The pivot pins continued to experience significant wear. If the clearance around these pins becomes too large, the plate will no longer rotate to open the switch. The design was modified for the second series of tests to harden the pins and their mating surface in order to reduce wear in this region. The results indicated the modification was very successful.
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Since the spectrum the actuators were subjected to had a broadband component and specific sine dwells that were tuned to excite at the actuators natural frequencies, the frequency content of the excitation was significantly more severe than that which is anticipated in the plant. Based on the test data, a multiplier of 2.0 resulted in damage to the old actuator that was similar to that seen in the plant. Therefore, the multiplier of 2.0 for the test period was comparable to extended operations in the plant with an effective multiplier of 1.0. Since the new actuator experienced little damage during the second series of testing, it should be acceptable for vibration levels equivalent to the "base test spectrum" with a multiplier of 1.0. The equivalence of short term testing with a multiplier of 2.0 to an extended operating cycle at a multiplier of 1.0 is also indicated by the relative damage that occurred to the actuators after operating in the plant at pre-EPU levels compared to operating at EPU levels, particularly when the impact of the spring being caught inside the bushing is removed from consideration.
As a result of the above analysis, we consider a reasonable limit for the vibration spectrum of the new Quad Cities ERV actuators consists of the following:
- Broadband acceleration input at the base of the actuator must be less than 0.4 g RMS which is equivalent to an average amplitude of 0.00089 g2 /Hz. The integrated vibration input should be less than the 0.4 g RMS value. Individual responses slightly in excess of the 0.00089 g2 /Hz value are considered acceptable as long as the integrated value of the broadband component remains below 0.4 g RMS.
- In addition to the broadband excitation, a monochromatic frequency due to the acoustic mode can be tolerated if the amplitude of that frequency is less than 2.0 g RMS at 100 Hz to 200 Hz. Below 100 Hz, the displacement amplitude of the monochromatic vibration must remain below the 100 Hz 2 g RMS value. Figure 7 provides a plot of the vibration limit as a function of frequency for the monochromatic input at the base of the actuator resulting from excitation by the acoustic mode. This graph provides the maximum acceleration of a single sine wave at a specific frequency as a function of that frequency.
The graph does not represent a spectrum with multiple frequency inputs. Numeric values of the acceptable limit are listed as a function of frequency in Table 1. The broadband background spectrum of 0.4 g RMS can be tolerated in addition to this monochromatic frequency excitation.
The vibration limits specified consider a broad band random vibration base with a single frequency sine dwell from the acoustic mode. The frequency of the acoustic mode is not specified but its amplitude must be contained by the envelope provided in column 2 of Table 1 and shown in Figure 7. Table 1 also provides the RMS value of the complete spectrum for both the acceleration and the displacement. For simplicity in application, a conservative criteria based on the full spectrum can be implemented by limiting the RMS value of the acceleration to less than 2 g RMS while simultaneously limiting the RMS value of the displacement to less than 2.2 mils RMS. In this manner, the vibration amplitude is limited by the displacement for frequencies below 100 Hz while limiting the acceleration for frequencies above 100 Hz.
These vibration limits are based on the measured vibration of the table on which the actuators were tested. Therefore, the acceptance criteria must be compared to measured values from the 11
plant that are located on the pilot valve yoke or the actuator base plate where it attaches to the yoke.
References
- 1. SIA Report SIR-04-023, Rev. 0, "Quad Cities ERV Vibration Testing Assessment", dated February, 2004
- 2. 06Q4568-DR-005, "Quad Cities ERV Pilot Valve Actuator Vibration Test Report", Rev. 1, dated April 11, 2006.
Table 1. Acceptable Response Magnitude at Base of Actuator Frequency Acoustic Mode Broadband Total Total RMS Hertz g RMS g RMS g RMS Displacement 20 0.08 0.4 0.4079 0.0022 30 0.18 0.4 0.4386 0.0022 40 0.32 0.4 0.5123 0.0022 50 0.50 0.4 0.6403 0.0022 60 0.72 0.4 0.8236 0.0022 70 0.98 0.4 1.0585 0.0022 80 1.28 0.4 1.3410 0.0022 90 1.62 0.4 1.6687 0.0022 100 2.00 0.4 2.0396 0.0022 110 2.00 0.4 2.0396 0.0019 120 2.00 0.4 2.0396 0.0017 130 2.00 0.4 2.0396 0.0016 140 2.00 0.4 2.0396 0.0015 150 2.00 0.4 2.0396 0.0014 160 2.00 0.4 2.0396 0.0014 170 2.00 0.4 2.0396 0.0013 180 2.00 0.4 2.0396 0.0012 190 2.00 0.4 2.0396 0.0012 200 2.00 0.4 2.0396 0.0012 12
Figure 1. ERV Actuator Similar to the One that was Damaged in the Plant (No Cover) 13 U
Figure 2. Modification to Post-Spring-Bushing Interface Using a Beveled Washer 14
Figure 3. New Actuator Design for Testing 15
- EEX Unit 2 EPU test TC41, 5122105, 930 Mwe - Power Spectrum for All Valvei EEY 2.50
- BEY 2.00 BEPX BEZ N sEY z
BPZ
-sEZ
< 1.50 0 0PX c
0 -PY 1.00 CEX 11----'CEY 0.50 -- CEZ
,-DEY 0.00 __ DEZ 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 DPX
_ DPY Frequency (Hz)
Figure 4. EPU Vibration Spectra for all Unit 2 ERVs Unit 2 EPU test TC41, 5122/05, 930 Mwe - Power Spectrum for ERV 3D Only 2.50 DEX
-DEY
-DEZ 2.00
- DPX
-DPY
-DPZ
,0 1.00 0.50 0.00 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 Frequency (Hz)
Figure 5. EPU Vibration Spectra for ERV 3D Only 16 U
Unit 2 EPU test TC41, 5122/05,930 Mwe - Power Spectrum Al Valves Except 3D - E 2.50 2.50 - -EEYEEZ EX 2.00 PY YEFZ
, 1.50 -BDE
.- BEY 0
a BEZ
~i1.00 BPY 0.50 BPZ CEX(
0.00 Ad CEY 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 CEZ Frequency (Hz)
Figure 6. EPU Vibration Spectra for all Unit 2 ERVs Except 3D Limits on Vibration Amplitude 3.0 2.5 2.0 1.5 0.5 0.0 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 Frequency (Hertz)
Figure 7. Acceptable Vibration Magnitude at the base of the New Actuator due to the Acoustic Mode as a Function of the Acoustic Mode Frequency 17