Procedure of Structural Analysis on Steam Turbines in Various Loads for Early Fatigue Failure Detection

• Published in: 2024 International Electronics Symposium (IES) pp. 107 - 113
• Main Authors: Arini, Nu Rhahida, Zaki Nugroho, Muhammad, Safitra, Arrad Ghani, Fahrunnas
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: IEEE 06.08.2024
• Subjects: ANSYS; Deflection; Deformation; Dynamic load; Finite element analysis; Finite element method; Generators; Load management; Shafts; Software; Steam turbine Introduction; Stress distribution; Structure; Turbines
• DOI: 10.1109/IES63037.2024.10665793

A steam turbine is a key component in steam power plants that converts the thermal energy of steam produced by the steam generator. The energy of steam rotates the turbine shaft, which is coupled with an electrical generator to produce electricity. With dynamic loading applied, analyzing a steam turbine is necessary to maintain its optimal condition for long-term use. One method that can be utilized to assess its condition is structural analysis using numerical methods with the ANSYS Structural tool. This method allows the evaluation of the turbine's structural condition under dynamic loads and predicts the stress distribution and deformation of the steam turbine. The method employs Finite Element Method (FEM). The aim of this research is to evaluate the structural integrity of steam turbine bearings under various dynamic loads using the FEM integrated with ANSYS software. The simulation indicates an increase in deflection and stress in the steam turbine as the load variations increase. The study seeks to obtain maximum and minimum stress and deformation values at each turbine bearing focus under different loads, compare these values to understand how load variations impact the turbine's structural integrity, and provide insights for improving the design and maintenance of steam turbines. Quantitatively, the maximum deformation and stress increase with higher loads, with values ranging from 0.9251 MPa to 198.08 MPa for stress and 37778 mm to 44119 mm for deformation, highlighting the critical need for load management to prevent structural failure.