Variable Speed Drives can save Billions of Dollars in meeting 316B – Hot Topic Hour September 11

 

The Hot Topic Webinar on power plant pumps had benefits which were both general and specific. The format of the webinars is flexible to allow for introduction of important new subjects.  The one which was introduced for this session was the ability of variable speed drives to potentially save power companies billions of dollars. There is evidence that power plants can use this technology and avoid installing cooling towers to meet the 316B water intake rules.

 

Starting with the general benefits, Randal Ferman of EKWESTREL discussed the purpose of identifying “minimum flow.”

 

The main purposes of minimum flow are to establish

 

The minimum flow has to take into account a number of pump phenomena.

 

William Livoti of WEB recommended that power plants assess their pump requirements and consider variable speed drives to reduce energy consumption. He cited the advantages when handling off peak loads. A specific example was given for the VFD saving with cooling water makeup pumps. The number of pumps and potential savings is substantial.

 

Jason Hoover of Siemens was able to cite very detailed analyses which show that variable speed drives can be used with once through cooling systems to meet the requirements of 316B. This regulation is designed to prevent fish kill and is based on requiring minimal entrainment of fish and harm to fish which are temporarily entrained. Jason showed that the use of variable speed drives reduces the entrainment and harm by over 80 percent. There are many nuances to the rules and flexibility in the way they can be treated by the individual states.  So the extensive work done by Siemens will be valuable to the plants seeking to obtain compliance

 

Bob McIlvaine provided an overview of the pump coverage in Power Plant Systems and Components  and Gas Turbine and Combined Cycle Decisions.  Coverage includes basic design considerations as well specifics such as the 316B requirements. Each process option will be evaluated. For example, the conversion of coal-fired power plants to burn natural gas introduces a new challenge. How do you marry the existing water systems with the new gas turbine?  Sargent & Lundy has published several papers addressing solutions for specific plants. These are included in the Systems.

 

The individual presentations follow:

 

Power Plant Pumps Webinar - Hot Topic Hour September 11, 2014

For power plant pumps, discussion was the ability of variable speed drives to potentially save power companies billions of dollars. There is evidence that power plants can use this technology and avoid installing cooling towers to meet the 316B water intake rules.

Revision Date:  9/11/2014

Tags:  221112 - Fossil Fuel 化石燃料, 221112 - Fossil Fuel 化石燃料, WEG, Ekwestrel, McIlvaine, Pump


Overview of Power Plant Pumps by Bob McIlvaine, McIlvaine Company - Hot Topic Hour September 11, 2014

Bob McIlvaine provided an overview of the pump coverage in Power Plant Systems and Components and Gas Turbine and Combined Cycle Decisions. Coverage includes basic design considerations as well specifics such as the 316B requirements.

Revision Date:  9/11/2014

Tags:  221112 - Fossil Fuel 化石燃料, 221112 - Fossil Fuel 化石燃料, McIlvaine, Pump


Variable Speed Pumping in GTCC Power Plants by William Livoti, WEG - Hot Topic Hour September 11, 2014

William Livoti of WEB recommended that power plants assess their pump requirements and consider variable speed drives to reduce energy consumption. He cited the advantages when handling off peak loads. A specific example was given for the VFD saving with cooling water makeup pumps. The number of pumps and potential savings is substantial.

Revision Date:  9/11/2014

Tags:  221112 - Fossil Fuel 化石燃料, 221112 - Fossil Fuel 化石燃料, WEG, Pump


Purpose of Minimum Flow by Randal Ferman, EKWESTREL - Hot Topic Hour September 11, 2014

Randal Ferman of EKWESTREL discussed the purpose of identifying “minimum flow.” § The lowest continuous flow the pump is permitted to operate § Without reference to a specific vibration limit or other criteria § The ‘default’ pump manufacturer’s recommendation The main purposes of minimum flow are to establish § Permissible vibration § Impeller cavitation erosion life § Radial bearing loading, shaft bending § Temperature rise The minimum flow has to take into account a number of pump phenomena.

Revision Date:  9/11/2014

Tags:  221112 - Fossil Fuel 化石燃料, 221112 - Fossil Fuel 化石燃料, Ekwestrel, Pump

Monitoring for Gas Turbine Combined Cycle Power Plants” - Hot Topic Webinar on September 18 at 10 a.m. Central

This webinar will be both organizational and informative. It is all part of a whole knowledge system for gas turbine combined cycle plant operators - Gas Turbine and Combined Cycle Decisions.  The free website and periodic webinars empower the operators to buy the best products rather than the most familiar or least expensive. 

The webinar on the 18th will try to answer the question: What are the most important and difficult decisions you will have to make regarding air and water monitoring equipment and services? 

 

Panelists for Water Monitoring for Combined Cycle Power Plants on Sept. 18, 2014:

 

Kai D. Rondum, Product Manager for Boiler Water Treatment at Ashland Water Technologies

 

Joe Zimmerman, Director of Marketing at Chemtrac Systems, Inc.

Ken Kuruc, Manager of Industry Accounts, Fossil at Hach Ultra Analytics

 

David M. Gray, Senior Product Manager at Mettler-Toledo Thornton, Inc.  

 

On August 28 we conducted a webinar on Degasification and DemineralizationOne of the discussions was “Critical Measurements” by Jean Holz of Hach.  She described which measurements were needed at each point in the boiler feedwater and condensate return system. When asked about optical vs. electrochemical choices, she replied that the range of choices depend on the point at which you are measuring and whether you need to measure a few ppb or some higher number. She observed that dissolved oxygen is measured in three accepted methods: Winkler Titration, Clark Cell Electrodes and Luminescence-based Optodes.  LDO has proven to be the best choice except where you need to measure at very low levels. 

These are the types of pertinent questions that the operators want answered. Others would be:

With fast start HRSGs and constant cycling what instrumentation solutions will counter some of the negative consequences of this operating mode?

What are the water chemistry issues facing GTCC operators which are unique to this type of power generation? Which require continuous measurement and which can be measured periodically?

What are the monitoring needs if zero liquid discharge technology is mandated?
 

What other questions are GTCC operators asking?

 

This webinar is free for power plant owners and operators. Click here to view schedule and register.