 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Nozzle Area Checks
A nozzle area check is the measurement of the flow area through the stationary blading of a turbine stage. An accurate measurement of this area is necessary to calculate the flow passing ability of the stage for design and diagnostic work.
Generally knowing the area of the first stage is sufficient for most analysis, but if wear or damage is present that has affected other stages, it may be necessary to measure them as well.
Encotech conducts nozzle area checks by measuring each individual nozzle at the root, pitch, tip, and height, plus trailing edge thickness at the throat or smallest restriction of each passage. Since this is done while the turbine is opened during an outage, the nozzle area check can be incorporated into the scope of a steam path audit to take advantage of the auditor being on site with the necessary tools.