Babcock has the expertise to conduct pressure-part design using “Design-by-analysis’ (DBA) methods.
Design evaluation of a main steam spherical header
Babcock was required to re-qualify a main steam piping spherical header for 200 000 hours (approx. 22.8 years) of operation where current code formula design allows for 120 000 hrs (approx. 13.7 years).
Babcock used the DBA methods of BS EN 13445 in conjunction with finite element analysis (FEA). DBA uses advanced structural analysis together with acceptance criteria specified by the BS EN 13445 to assess the adequacy of a given design. This is done for all relevant failure modes of the component in question.
Babcock was able to demonstrate that the design is not suitable for 200 000 hours, but rather for 141 800 hours. This equates to roughly 3 years of additional operation at 80% plant availability.
