Ansaldo Energia has built a vacuum overspeed testing cell for the testing of steam turbine, gas turbine, and turbogenerator rotors. This unique facility consists of a reinforced concrete bunker measuring 20 meters in length and 8 meters in diameter, capable of achieving a vacuum level of approximately 1 mbar.
We are proud to highlight that there are only five facilities worldwide with similar dimensions and capabilities. The cell is designed to test rotors of various sizes, with a maximum weight of up to 220 tons.
The system is powered by an electric motor with a mechanical output of 7.25 MW, capable of reaching a speed of 4,500 rpm. This setup allows the balancing of rotors at both 50 Hz and 60 Hz, meeting the specific requirements of all countries.
The rotor testing process has two main objectives:
- Mechanical integrity verification: this involves an overspeed test at 120% of the nominal speed to evaluate the rotor's suitability and structural stability.
- Dynamic balancing: this ensures optimal mass distribution to minimize vibrations and maintain overall dynamic behavior within specified limits.
All test data is acquired and processed in a control room equipped with state-of-the-art automated systems for plant monitoring and dynamic balancing.