Description

ASME PTC 30.1 – Air-Cooled Steam Condensers

ASME PTC 30.1 provides uniform test methods for conducting and reporting thermal performance characteristics of mechanical draft air-cooled steam condensers (ACC) operating under vacuum conditions. It provides rules for conducting acceptance tests, along with guidelines for monitoring thermal performance and conducting routine tests. The test can be used to determine compliance with contractual obligations; and the Performance Test Code can be incorporated into contractual agreements.

The test can be used to determine compliance with contractual obligations and the Code can be incorporated into commercial agreements. A test shall be considered an ASME Performance Code Test only if the test procedures comply with those stipulated in this Performance Test Code and the post-test uncertainty analysis results are in accordance with subsection 1-3. The explicit measurement methods and procedures have been developed to provide a test of the highest level of accuracy consistent with practical limitations for acceptance testing. Any departure from Performance Test Code requirements could introduce additional uncertainty beyond that considered acceptable to meet the objectives of the Performance Test Code.

ASME PTC 30.1 offers rules for determining the thermal performance of the referenced equipment with regard to the steam flow capability while meeting any applicable fan power guarantees. This steam flow capability may be alternatively expressed as a deviation from design flow capability, deviation from design turbine backpressure, or as the absolute value of the steam turbine backpressure. This Performance Test Code also provides procedures for assessing compliance to specified dissolved oxygen and specified condensate temperature, although it does not address procedures for assessing noise.

This Performance Test Code is not intended for tests of devices for which the process fluid is above atmospheric pressure, devices for process fluids other than steam, devices for single-phase process fluids, wet surface air cooled condensers, natural draft or fan-assisted air cooled condensers, and air cooled condensers with inlet air conditioning in-service.

Careful application of ASME PTC 30.1 will lead to more standardized performance-testing that can be conducted on a regular basis to facilitate contractual and purchase agreements among all parties.

Intended for those engaged with contracting for air-cooled steam condensers within electric-utility power plants, industrial plants, process plants and commercial installations, including: equipment and systems test engineers, instrument engineers, industrial and power plant engineers, steam turbine manufacturers, instrument manufacturers, A/E firms, and third-party testing agencies.