ASME performance test on TVA Sequoyah Unit 1

In April 1983 an ASME Performance Test was conducted on the Sequoyah 1 nuclear turbine-generator unit. Test data was collected using a mobile computer-controlled data-acquisition system. Excellent and consistent test results were achieved which showed that the unit performed better than expected. Earlier calorimetric analysis had indicated that the unit was not generating the expected electrical output. These earlier results were based on final feedwater flow measurement using permanently-installed station venturis. The ASME tests, which employed calibrated ASME throat-tap nozzles to measure feedwater flow, showed that the permanently-installed venturis had been indicating high, thereby causing the unit to be operated at less than 100% thermal power prior to the ASME test. The causes of this discrepancy are discussed in the paper. This paper includes a description of the test program and testing procedures and the performance of the major components of the heat cycle