Improved brush change-out procedure
Whiting Clean Energy
BP
525-MW, gas-fired, 2 × 1 combined-cycle cogeneration facility located in Whiting, Ind
Plant manager: Richard Maroney
Key project participants: Full team effort
Challenge.
Changing unit exciterbrushes (Fig 113) is time-consuming,potentially dangerous, and inefficient,thereby reducing the plant’soverall safety and reliability.
Solution.
After researching current products on the market, the site contracted Cutsforth Inc, Cohasset, Minn., to install a new style brush rigging system and new brushes (Fig 114). The EASYchange brush-rigging system reduces the time required to replace an individual brush from 30 minutes to five and eliminated the requirement to bring the unit out of service during brush changeout. This is accomplished by utilizing a preloaded, interchangeable brush holder, pulling the release lever, removing the old holder, then sliding in the replacement.
Results.
The brushes can easily and safely be changed out with the unit in operation. Using Cutsforth’s brush holders results in safer brush changes and increases efficiency by reducing the time required for changing brushes. The system also allows for fewer forced outages with resulting lost revenue for brush maintenance.