TBW does CA, RLA study of 500mw boiler at Korba NTPC

Our Corporate Bureau
14 November 2002

TBW has already been awarded the ‘Well-Known Remnant Life Assessment Organisation’ certificate by the Central Boiler Board of India. The study was carried out by a team of 25 TBW engineers at NTPC, Korba, in September 2002. This was the first 500mw boiler study for TBW after 110mw and 210mw studies.

The CA & RLA study assessed the current condition of the boiler pressure parts and predicted its safe and useful remaining life. It comprised of various onsite non-destructive tests, metallurgical tests and Babcock & Wilcox (USA) patented tests such as non-destructive oxide scale thickness measurement, hone and glow as per the guidelines laid by Indian Boilers Regulation No 391A. This was to avoid premature retirement of boiler components on the basis of the design life; the actual useful lives could well often be in excess of the design life.

The timely completion and quality of study in the stipulated shutdown time has enabled NTPC to gain confidence and deep faith in TBW. NTPC, the leading power supplier to the nation, has appreciated the quality of work of the RLA study done by TBW. All the major problems faced by this unit were addressed in this RLA study.

TBW, a joint venture between Babcock & Wilcox of USA and Thermax of India, manufactures and installs a vast range of steam generation systems for captive and co-generation power plants and the process industry. The company’s quality system is certified under ISO 9001. TBW also has its manufacturing approved under the ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) for power boilers, unfired pressure vessels and pressure piping.

TBW acquired ISO 9001-certification in 1994 with the latest revision in 1997 for the design, manufacture, supply, erection and commissioning of boilers. In FY 2002, TBW notched up a turnover of Rs 93 crore.