This work proposes a methodology to perform the fatigue analysis of the steam generator of a parabolic trough power plant. The following methodology assumes cycling duty scenario (300 start-ups and shut downs per year). Two start-up operations of the steam generator are analyzed: evaporator temperature ramp and heat transfer fluid temperature ramp. Furthermore, a part load operation is studied.

The results show that the most compromised parts of the steam generator are the reheater tubesheet for the TEMA CFU design, the steam drum-downcomer junction and the superheater nozzle. Besides, former reheater design (TEMA CFU) does not fulfil the 25-year lifetime condition. To overcome this problem, two alternative designs for the reheater are proposed: U-shell and two TEMA CFU in series. Finally, the lifetimes of TEMA NXU and kettle evaporator designs are compared. Our results show that TEMA NXU allows temperature ramps up to 9 °C/min without putting the steam generator lifetime at risk, whereas kettle temperature ramps greater than 5 °C/min do not fulfil the designed lifetime of 25 years.

Respect to the load changes, the evaporator drum is the most stressed element. A 50% load change produces a damage equivalent to 60% of the damage produced by a daily start-up/shut-down cycle.