Onsite – Page 41 – Combined Cycle Journal

Pitfalls to avoid when adding a fuel-gas compression system to an operating plant

With the power-generation sector shifting its fuel mix to an increased dependence on natural gas, the decreased downstream volume and unreliable gas pressure can wreak havoc on legacy power production facilities. It can be challenging for an ageing plant to remain a relevant, competitive, and reliable resource. “If your gas supply system operates at a […]

Pitfalls to avoid when adding a fuel-gas compression system to an operating plant Read More »

HRSG inspection tips

It’s important to have a comprehensive checklist of what to inspect on your HRSG, and how, before conducting a condition assessment of your equipment for plant management and/or due diligence purposes. Your checklist may have scores of items to review but it’s impossible to identify everything to look at—usually because your depth of knowledge and

HRSG inspection tips Read More »

Coating critical steam-valve parts with chrome carbide avoids stellite delamination issue

Stellite liberation from large valves installed in main and hot reheat (HRH) steam systems serving F-class combined cycles, considered a major industry problem 10 years ago, has been eliminated by substituting chrome carbide as the hard-facing material for critical valve parts. The editors first learned of stellite delamination at the 2009 7F Users Group Conference

Coating critical steam-valve parts with chrome carbide avoids stellite delamination issue Read More »

Acoustic leak detection benefits boiler owners, but not all systems are HRSG-qualified

Independent users groups serving owner/operators at cogeneration and simple- and combined-cycle plants powered by gas turbines are an invaluable resource for station personnel. Almost all have online forums available 24/7/365 to help answer technical questions quickly and get you moving in the right direction with possible solutions. Most colleagues offering their unbiased assistance have deep

Acoustic leak detection benefits boiler owners, but not all systems are HRSG-qualified Read More »

Diffuser-duct upgrade mitigates 7FA exhaust-system reliability concerns

Consulting Editor Steve Stultz’s reports on the last HRSG Forum with Bob Anderson and Australasian HRSG Users Group annual meeting discussed ageing issues associated with steam systems installed in the late 1990s and early 2000s. As these systems in combined-cycle and cogeneration plants reach half-way in their design life, overheating of all components has become

Diffuser-duct upgrade mitigates 7FA exhaust-system reliability concerns Read More »

Overhaul, upgrade legacy fog systems to maximize performance

Turning a profit in the business of electric generation can be challenging given the competitive nature of the industry today. Be prepared to take advantage of revenue opportunities, which can surface quickly, by upgrading equipment capable of improving your balance sheet tomorrow. A case in point concerns fogging systems. Those responsible for gas turbines know

Overhaul, upgrade legacy fog systems to maximize performance Read More »

How to mitigate risks associated with gas-turbine LCI starting systems

It’s no secret that many gas turbines are starting and stopping far more frequently than originally designed for. At the same time, independent system operators (ISOs) are imposing stiff fines for failure to meet startup and performance obligations. Most plants have adapted to these more aggressive operating tempos and performance challenges, but one component that

How to mitigate risks associated with gas-turbine LCI starting systems Read More »

Keep your plant competitive: Obsolete legacy systems

Generation assets in competitive markets must perform at a high level year in and year out to meet their contractual obligations. Failure to embrace a philosophy of “continual improvement” in plant operations means it’s only a matter of time before the competition will eat your lunch. The focal point of continual-improvement efforts typically is the

Keep your plant competitive: Obsolete legacy systems Read More »

Sometimes it takes a good turbine mechanic to solve a generator problem

Paul Tucker called CCJ’s editorial offices a few weeks back with a generator experience to share with users. Say Whaaat? Tucker is well known to engineers and technicians at power and process plants for his ability to identify the root causes of turbine problems. There isn’t much he hasn’t experienced in his 50 or so

Sometimes it takes a good turbine mechanic to solve a generator problem Read More »

Transformer armor helps ensure high availability

You don’t hear much at industry meetings these days about physical security of power generation and delivery infrastructure and personnel. Cybersecurity topics get most of the attention. But that doesn’t mean work on physical security solutions has stopped. Certainly not. One recent development concerns transformer protection. Six years ago (Apr 16, 2013), you may recall,

Transformer armor helps ensure high availability Read More »

Scroll to Top