Utilization of pyrometer data to detect oxidation
A method for determining oxidation in turbine buckets (30) allows for conditional based maintenance of the turbine buckets (30). The method includes measuring a temperature of a turbine bucket (30) and comparing the measured temperature to a temperature of a reference turbine bucket to determine the condition of the bucket (30). The method provides useful temperature data to determine if the turbine should be stopped and the bucket (30) serviced. This method may be used in place of interval based maintenance to increase bucket (30) life, reduce bucket (30) failure, and increase turbine operating time.