Two relatively short white papers available from Mitsubishi Power can bring you up to speed on the state-of-the-art and future of remote operation and support and on digital strategies for improving steam-plant performance. Some of the insights shared on the latter topic also are of value to combined-cycle owner/operators. “Remote Operation and Support—the New Normal?” […]
Camfil Power Systems and Penn State joined the Gas Turbine Assn in March (2021) as Affiliate and Associate members, respectively, reports Managing Director Sal DellaVilla. They complement Mitsubishi Power, GE Power, Siemens Energy, Pratt & Whitney, Turbine Logic, Strategic Power Systems, PSM, Solar Turbines, and PW Power Systems in advancing the organization’s efforts to ensure
Camfil, Penn State join Gas Turbine Association Read More »
Riken Keiki Co’s OHC-800 (photo), a relatively new type of calorimeter, uses optical and sonic sensors to provide real-time monitoring with high accuracy. The instrument’s use in optimizing turbine and boiler air/fuel ratios make it of interest to O&M personnel at gas-turbine-based simple- and combined-cycle plants. Recall that competitor gas chromatographs provide highly accurate analyses
New type of gas calorimeter said to benefit turbine users Read More »
The 501F Users Group returns to in-person conferencing in 2022 with a year of experience in the virtual meeting world under its belt. The organization’s 22nd annual conference convenes in New Orleans at the Hyatt Regency on Sunday, February 20, and runs through noon on the 24th (Thursday). Sunday is reserved for socializing. There’s a
501F Users Group 2022 F2F meeting preview; 2021 virtual conference recap Read More »
New purge procedure allows faster start of gas-line maintenance Challenge. CPV Valley Energy Center’s procedure for depressurization and purge of its fuel-gas system for inspection and maintenance required multiple movements of equipment (nitrogen trailers and hook-ups). Plant’s goal was having a procedure that didn’t require the movement of equipment and one conducive to faster purging.
501F Best Practices: Valley (Best of the Best) Read More »
Electronic log enables tighter control of boiler chemistry Challenge. The need for proper control of boiler chemistry is well known. An important part of any operator’s shift involves monitoring of boiler chemistry parameters and taking action to ensure they are maintained within posted specifications. The actions in real time help assure long-term integrity of boiler
501F Best Practices: South Point Read More »
Permanent monitoring system cuts time, cost of vibration analysis Background. Klamath Energy’s mechanical-draft counterflow cooling tower was built by Balcke-Dürr in 2000 without vibration probes installed on its gearboxes. The CT is of fiberglass-reinforced polyester (FRP) construction with eight cells, each 48 ft wide × 48 ft long. The tower’s fans are driven by 200-hp,
501F Best Practices: Klamath Energy Read More »
Single-permissive remote start, automated fuel equalizing Challenge. Rolling Hills recently updated its run profile from a 30-min start window to five minutes. Like many other plants with a 5-min window, a remote start program was implemented. The challenge that Rolling Hills faced was to simplify the old startup sequence so an operator could bring units
501F Best Practices: Rolling Hills Read More »
An owner/operator presenting on aqueous-ammonia (NH3) storage tank inspections at the CCUG2020 Week Four session said that according to the governing standard, API510, a “fitness for service” assessment should be conducted every 10 years (or half the remaining life calculated during the last inspection) for pressure tanks. The method results in a calculated remaining life,
How to inspect your aqueous-ammonia storage tank Read More »
EPRI Technical Executive Sam Korellis opened the CCUG2020 Week Four agenda with a review of EPRI’s cooling-tower (CT) fan-motor-drive and gearbox field evaluation program and its implications for CTs serving more than 800 units at about 300 powerplants. Many CTs are equipped with multiple fans which start and stop depending on load and ambient temperature.
Test program identifies ways to improve cooling-tower fan reliability Read More »
