The annual conference of the Combined Cycle Users Group (CCUG) was conducted online for the first time in 2020. The presentations summarized below took place during Week 3 of the conference and are available to owner/operators on the Power Users website. Access Week 1 (User presentations) and Week 2 (GE Day) recaps here. More to […]
CCUG 2020: Focus on Covid best practices, safety, HRSGs, emissions control Read More »
TesTex Inc specializes in electromagnetic non-destructive testing and has developed innovative methods and equipment for combined-cycle HRSG healthcare. Founded in 1987, the company, both multi-industry and global, maintains a focus on heat-recovery steam generators in the challenging combined-cycle world. Its primary mission is fast, accurate, and cost-effective NDT services using pioneering state-of-the-art equipment and expertise.
Finding and fixing HRSG tube leaks before they can grow to the point of requiring an unplanned outage to correct them is a priority of many maintenance managers during annual inspections. Tube-to-header welds are particularly susceptible to cracking and leakage given today’s fast-start/fast-ramp operating practices. There are several tools inspection personnel traditionally have used to
How to quickly inspect for cracking at tube-to-header welds in HRSG Read More »
Powerplant work can be a humbling experience. It seems that once you begin feeling overly comfortable about how well your facility is running, something unexpected occurs and snaps you back to reality. You can blame the “bad luck” on the gremlins, but more likely the cause was human error. Consider the following experience at a
Lessons learned from an HRSG over-pressure event Read More »
Perhaps no one understands your job-related challenges better than colleagues with the same engine. That’s what makes the Frame 6 Users Group’s compressor, turbine, combustion, and I&C roundtables particularly valuable. These sessions allow you to describe issues of concern to fellow users and let them suggest possible solutions based on their experiences. Think of it
Roundtable discussions help Frame 6 users solve current problems Read More »
BASF-Geismar’s operations staff was challenged to develop a tool that provides a simple and intuitive display of the performance of the Utilities Dept’s systems and equipment. Critical to the development of a user-friendly performance dashboard are the following: Identify the proper key performance indicators (KPI) to monitor. Model equipment/system performance accurately to provide appropriate target
Plant equipment meeting expectations? Check the performance dashboard Read More »
Boiler combustion controls are designed to optimize the air flow to the fuel flow rate such that sufficient air (oxygen) is available for complete combustion and the amount of performance-robbing excess air is minimized. Recall that insufficient air results in the formation of excess carbon monoxide, a regulated parameter, as well as a loss in
Boiler efficiency controller improves performance through process automation Read More »
BASF Geismar – BASF Chemical Co 160-MW, gas-fired, 2 x 1 combined cycle cogeneration facility location in Geismar, La. Plant Manager: Jerry Lebold The sharing of best practices among owner/operators contributes to safer working conditions and to increases in unit availability and reliability fleet-wide. The Frame 6 users have been proactive in this regard, contributing
Sharing of best practices a top priority of the Frame 6 Users Group Read More »
Turbine Tip No. 9 by Dave Lucier, owner/GM, PAL Turbine Services, applies to General Electric package power plants (PPP), including the following: Model Series 5001P, 6001B, and 7001 B-EA. Suppose your company has purchased a pre-owned PPP and must move it to a new location. Such resales have become more popular recently as the original
What to do before relocating a gas turbine Read More »
Turbine Tip No. 10 by Dave Lucier, owner/GM, PAL Turbine Services, applies to General Electric package power plants (PPP), including the following: Model Series 5001, 6001, and 7001. GE PPPs originally had Cardox CO2 fire protection (Fig 1) with individual bottles of suppressant connected in two systems—initial burst and sustained delivery—to three compartments: accessory base,
Replace your ageing CO2 fire protection system Read More »
