Inverse method for stress monitoring in pressure components of steam generators

The purpose of this work is to formulate a space marching method, which can be used to solve inverse multidimensional heat conduction problems. The method is designed to reconstruct the transient temperature distribution in a whole construction element based on measured temperatures taken at selected points inside or on the outer surface of the construction element. Next, the Finite Element Method is used to calculate thermal stresses and stresses caused by other loads such as, for instance, internal pressure. The developed method for solving temperature and total stress distribution will be tested using the measured temperatures generated from a direct solution. Transient temperature and total stress distribution obtained from method presented below will be compared with the values obtained from the direct solution. Finally, the presented method will be applied in order to monitor temperature and stress distribution in an outlet header using the real measured temperature values at seven points on the header's outer surface during the power boiler's shut down operation. The presented method allows to optimize the power block's start-up and shut-down operations, contributes to the reduction of heat loss during these operations and to the extension of power block's life. The fatigue and creep usage factor can be computed in an on-line mode. The presented method herein can be applied to monitoring systems that work in conventional as well as in nuclear power plants. (author)