HSOS Industrial Services has successfully completed post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) on a turbine rotor blade in the Netherlands, deploying its newly developed 36-channel annealing system with substantially reduced power consumption.
Background: A Recurring Task, a New Approach
HSOS Industrial Services first carried out post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) on a turbine rotor blade back in September 2017, using conventional resistance heating equipment at the time. Six weeks ago, our specialists returned to the Netherlands for the same type of component — but with a fundamentally different technological setup.
The HSOS 36-Channel Annealing System
The centrepiece of this project was the in-house developed 36-channel heat treatment controller. This system enables fully independent temperature control across up to 36 heating zones simultaneously. Compared with conventional multi-zone equipment, it delivers several key benefits:
- Significantly reduced power consumption through precise load control and elimination of localised overheating
- More uniform temperature profile across the entire component cross-section
- Complete, tamper-proof data logging for every channel, meeting the requirements of applicable codes (e.g. EN ISO 17663, ASME Section I / VIII)
- Flexible installation even on geometrically complex components such as rotor blades
On-Site Execution in the Netherlands
Rotor blades place exceptional demands on heat treatment. Their complex geometry, the metallurgical requirements of the parent material, and tight tolerances for holding temperature, heating rate and cooling rate all require precise engineering. Our technicians tailored the heating zone layout to the specific component geometry, ensuring all temperature gradients remained within the specified limits throughout the cycle.
All thermocouple data was recorded continuously with full traceability. A comprehensive PWHT report was handed over immediately upon completion of the work.
Conclusion: Technical Progress with Measurable Results
Comparing the 2017 execution with the current project demonstrates the tangible impact of HSOS's sustained in-house development. Lower energy consumption, improved quality, shorter outage times — these are not claims, but documented field results.
Contact our team for enquiries regarding PWHT on turbine and rotating components.