Hydrotest Rupture of Penstuck Liner at Bath County

by George C. Luden, Virginia Electric & Power Co, Richmond, VA, USA,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Water for Resource Development

Abstract:

Bath County is the construction site of Virginia Electric and Power Company's pumped storage project. Rupture of a penstock liner during hydrotest at high pressure threatened to severely delay completion. With two additional penstocks yet to be hydrotested, questions were raised about the integrity of those two penstocks. Such an occurrence could have devastating effects on the project. Vepco and CBI immediately began a program to (1) identify the cause of failure, (2) develop a repair program, and (3) assess the impact on the remainder of the project. Although no single cause of failure was found, several factors were identified which were involved. The two remaining penstocks were examined and corrective measures taken while the failed penstock was repaired with these factors in mind. Subsequently, all three penstocks were successfully hydrotested.

Subject Headings: Conduits | Hydro power | Linings | Project management | Failure analysis | Energy storage | Steel pipes | Virginia | United States

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