2022 Power Users Mega Event: Monday Highlights (Aug 29)

GUG. The first morning features a training session on generator insulation systems, with Siemens, GE, and NEC participating. User presentations dominate the afternoon. Topics are vendor quality, stator-winding manufacturing issues, the sharing of lessons learned by one utility, a stator-winding installation case study on the importance of correct alignment of endwinding support system components, and diagnostics for outage planning. A roundtable discussion on materials, manufacturing, and installation challenges closes out the day’s classroom program. Doors to the vendor fair open at 5:30.

PPCUG. The program begins after lunch at 1 p.m. with a series of training sessions—including:

• How to set up a Mark VIe controller.
• Tools of the trade: Watch Windows, Toolbox Trender, dynamic data recorders.
• Updating control constants to prevent data loss.
• Trip logs.
• PI historian.

CCUG. Monday morning training is four hours on the basics of vibration analysis. The afternoon session includes the following presentations:

• Online HRSG inspection: Tying together offline and inspection and maintenance.
• Repair versus replacement of P91 non-return valves—a case study.
• HRSG inspection tools.
• Insurance hot topics.

STUG. The first-morning training session for steam-turbine users focuses on a topic of interest to many owner/operators today: Evaluating equipment and/or component upgrade considerations. The program will be conducted by Team EPRI. It will begin with the question, “What pain points are users experiencing regarding equipment replacement considerations?” Takeaways will include guidance on how to build and solicit an effective bid specification, the importance of quality oversight and execution, and questions to consider asking during a design review.

The afternoon session features user presentations and roundtable discussions. Two of the topics available at press time: Turning-gear maintenance and failure, and two failure modes for crossover bellows.

7EA. Owner/operators attending the 7EA meeting have two options for the opening morning’s training sessions: Tour MD&A’s gas-turbine parts manufacturing and repair facility (transportation provided if you reserve a seat at the registration desk) or participate in a short course on legacy engines designed both for newcomers as well as experienced users who could benefit from a refresher.

The afternoon session kicks off with Mike Hoogsteden’s (director of field services for Advanced Turbine Support) not-to-miss annual presentation, “State of the 7EA fleet.” Key topics include the following: Issues identified across the fleet during recent inspections, rotor-blade/stator-vane clashing, in-situ compressor- and turbine-blade blending advancements, new TILs, and generator robotic inspections.

Presentations by vendors take up most of the time remaining until the vendor fair—covering anti-condensation measures for metal-enclosed buss, 7EA root-cause analysis process, and exhaust-frame mods and upgrades.

Frame 6B. The morning training session is a short course on Frame 6B engine details that impact operation and maintenance. Presenters are John F D Peterson, PE, and Zahi Youwakim, two long-term members of the Frame 6B steering committee; Peterson, now retired, was one of the group’s founders. The program is designed both for newcomers as well as experienced users who could benefit from a refresher.

The afternoon program opens with a safety roundtable and accompanying case histories. A presentation on gas-turbine train alignment is next, with the Turbine Auxiliaries Session to follow. The latter runs until the meeting concludes for the day at 5 p.m. The vendor fair opens at 5:30.

Frame 5. The opening session is a short training course on Frame 6B engine details impacting O&M. This material also is relevant for Frame 5 owner/operators.

In the afternoon, the following vendor presentations are scheduled:

• The Frame 5’s future as a critical peaking asset (Allied Power Group).
• Wet low-emissions technology to comply with New York State’s NOx abatement program for Frame 5 turbines (Petrotech).
• Machine alignment (Cascade Machinery Vibration Solutions).
• Combustion-system optimization (Sulzer).
• Methods to improve operational performance of gas turbines (Schock Manufacturing).

LCPG. No session scheduled, but attendees are welcome to visit any track.