Developing the next generation of multi-skill employees Elwood Energy started commercial operation in 1999. In 2012, prior to the plant’s first ownership change and exit from a PPA environment, the leadership team realized it would have to develop its next generation of employees. Few job candidates with suitable experience demonstrated sufficient promise to thrive in […]
Elwood: 2019 Best of the Best Read More »
High-energy-piping program simplifies inspection, recordkeeping Like any new facility, all of the programs and procedures needed to operate and maintain Woodbridge Energy Center had to be created from scratch. One, the High Energy Piping Program (HEPP), immediately stood out to the plant team as an area that could benefit greatly through customization and simplification. The
Woodbridge: 2019 Best of the Best Read More »
Effingham County Power, owned by The Carlyle Group and operated by Cogentrix Energy Power Management, is a 525-MW plant in Rincon, Ga, equipped with a 2 × 1 combined cycle. General manager is Bob Kulbacki. Reduce imbalance and variance charges with consistent plant operation Effingham County Power was awarded one of the eight Best of the Best
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The 7F Users Group and CCJ are working together to expand the sharing of best practices and lessons learned among owner/operators of large frame engines. One of the organization’s objectives is to help its members better operate and maintain their plants, and a proactive best practices program supports this goal. The editors presented a summary
7F owner/operators capture five top Best Practices Awards Read More »
Lightweight manhole covers boost productivity, enhance safety Mulberry Cogeneration Owned by Northern Star Generation Operated by CAMS 115-MW, dual-fuel, 1 × 1 combined-cycle cogeneration facility located in Bartow, Fla Plant manager: Allen Czerkiewicz Mulberry operators were required to open manholes in the water treatment area with covers that were very large and weighed around 250
2019 7EA Best Practice: Mulberry Cogen Read More »
Turbine-compartment roof handrails promote safety Ferndale Generating Station Owned by Puget Sound Energy Operated by NAES Corp 270-MW, gas-fired, 2 × 1 combined-cycle cogen plant located in Ferndale, Wash Plant manager: Tim Miller According to the National Safety Council, slips, trips, and falls are among the most common and costly workplace incidents across all industries.
2019 7EA Best Practice: Ferndale Read More »
Investigative process addresses, helps correct generator thermal sensitivity Quail Run Energy Center Owned by Quail Run Energy Partners LP Operated by NAES Corp 550-MW, gas-fired, two 2 × 1 combined-cycle power blocks located in Odessa, Tex Plant manager: Steve Reinhart Over the years, one of the plant’s four gas turbine/generators developed excessive vibration on the
2019 7EA Best Practice: Quail Run Read More »
7EA users captured one Best of the Best and two Best Practices Awards in the 2019 judging. None of the best practices is frame-specific so they may be of value to owner/operators of other frames as well—especially facilities focusing on performance improvement and safety. Thumbnails of the three plants receiving awards: Investigative process addresses, helps
7EA Best Practices: Three plants recognized with 2019 awards Read More »
One of the most important systems in a powerplant is the boiler feedwater (BFW) system, says Henry Kwan of SNC Lavalin Constructors Inc, who has more than a decade of experience in the design of thermal energy systems. When well-designed it can accommodate the wide range of operating conditions required to meet today’s varying power
Cheaper feedwater systems don’t always cost less Read More »
After opening drum doors for inspection, replacing manway gaskets typically calls for plant staff to tighten the manway bolts to a given torque to hold the manway cover in place while the drum is below operating pressure. The seal around the manway is formed when the pressure from the steam inside the drum provides enough
Eliminating the risk of hot-torqueing steam drum doors Read More »
