For my traineeship at Aon Netherlands, a part of the Aon corporation Chicago, I am trying to write a report on the increase of the lifespan in Dutch powerplants. I know that in the US these plants can function for as much as 50 to 60 years in contradiction to the dutch plants wich did not last for more than 25 years before they were decommissioned. Dutch generation companies want to expand the lifespan of their installations and Aon, being a insurance broker wants to know what the effects of this are in relation to the reliability of the machinery.

Does anyone here know about existing studies or data about the reliability and/or breakdown behaviour of powerplants in relation to their age?

Thanks in advance

So many items are timed stamped (PM rather than PdM). They have routine maintenance at a given time interval as in an outage.

There are many items like bowl mills that have much abrasion in their operation and can be rotated without interfering with power generation (spares).

Your approach in trying to get a freebie for a detailed study is much like Thompson gonzalizing the news. Don't go to the football game - write the review from your hotel room while having a party.

Maybe this is critical but if your consulting to an insurance company is based on free input from this board there may be an ethcial side.

Sorry if I have the wrong take, but you have it worded funny IMHO.

Some principles are worth stating.
1. Powerplants do not die as a whole, but parts of them will become uneconomic, obsolescent, and yes, some will be worn, corroded or fatigued beyond use.
2. Most complex machinery do not follow a wearout pattern (some refer to it as the bathtub curve); they tend to follow an exponetial (or constant hazard) pattern.
3. New environmental standards make some old Plants unacceptable in their existing state. Regulators may give dispensations, but will impose some deadlines to change. The Netherlands has tougher laws than some other Countries.
4. A good audit, to verify Integrity, Operability, Efficiency and Compliance with Standards will reveals which bits need renewal. This can cost quite some $$$, and rectification/retrofits can take a lot of time.

Within these boundaries, there is no reason why you cant extend life of powerplants (or any other Process plant).

Sam, I think you are a bit hard on the lad (or lassie). I am not sure if a freebie was what was requested.

Dear Sir,

I suggest you contact Pr Aleksander Jovanovic at MPA Institute in Stüttgart who is in charge of the Risk-Based Life Management Department. His Department has a specific focus on power plants and related Remaining Life Assessment issues from the point of view of materials.

His e-mail is: aleksandar.jovanovic@mpa.uni-stuttgart.de
Tell him you call on behalf of me.

Best regards