Steam Turbine Major Inspection
We’re lifting the LP upper half casing on a Westinghouse Steam Turbine. Great attention to detail and planning is required to perform a safe, quality lift of this nature. Nice job team!
Keeping the Electricity Flowing
We have quite a few projects ongoing at the moment, even with current COVID-19 concerns. Providing electricity to homes all across the country is vital to the well-being of the public, and it is our responsibility to continue on as we try to get through this together. The men and women that are out in the field performing this work are making a sacrifice for all of us as the country continues to tighten restrictions on travel and access to everyday necessities. We’d like to thank turbine maintenance personnel all across the World for what they are doing right now to keep electricity flowing – stay safe and healthy out there!
Welcome to the team Ralph Pederson!
We would like to welcome Ralph Pederson to the PSG team! Ralph has joined our team as a Principal Steam Turbine Engineer and has a 40+ year background working in various central electric and steam power stations. He previously worked for Westinghouse as a service engineer, technical support contact, and salesperson. Ralph has held a position as a Senior Engineer with an aftermarket electric utility industry service organization. He has been a Senior Specialty Engineer at a 2-unit nuclear power station and has been a Turbine Coordinator for a large investor-owned utility. Ralph has also worked as a Director of Engineering/Technical Services for an aftermarket provider of turbine parts to power utilities. His extensive background in the power industry will be a tremendous asset to our team.
Ralph has a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Grand Forks and has done extensive graduate work at Cardinal Stritch University. He has received ASME recognition of piping and pressure studies (ASME Section 3, ASME B31.1), Level Two Vibration Analysis certification, Nuclear Utility company training of Pressurized Water Reactor Power Plant, as well as specialized training on non-destructive inspection techniques. Ralph is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), American Society of Testing & Materials, and ASM International.
Welcome to the team Ralph, we’re all looking forward to working with you!
Safety Bulletin – Chainfalls and Come-Alongs
by Shannon Scruggs, PSG Safety Director
The chainfall and come-along are two very common manual mechanical lifting devices. Both are designed to provide safety to those using them. But they must be used properly if they are to function safely. Remember the following precautions:
1. Always use the proper capacity hoist for the job you are about to do, remembering that two people pulling on the hand chain will increase the amount you can physically lift but will not increase the capacity of the hoist you are using.
2. Inspect the hoist before you begin to lift any load. Check the upper and lower hooks to see that they swivel properly and are in good shape. Check the inspection date on the hoist housing to ensure it has been inspected within the last 12 months.
3. Inspect the full length of chain as much as possible, look for badly gouged, worn or defective links. Make a load test by lifting and lowering a load slightly. This will tell the operator if the unit is functioning properly.
4. Stand completely clear of the load at all times. Allow no portion of your body or a fellow worker’s body under the load.
5. Center the load under the hoist.
6. Always properly seat the load in the hook.
7. Proper care and handling make a safe hoist. Remember the hoist was designed to ease our burden, and carelessness not only endangers the operator, but in many cases, a valuable load. Keep the chain hoists free of dirt and foreign material. Store all hand chain hoists in a hanging position in a clean area.
8. Do not attempt to “fix” a defective chainfall or come-along. Tag it as “defective” and have it returned to the toolroom for repair or disposal.
Treat the hoist properly, respect its limitations and it will work safely for a long time to come.
Remember: Hazard Awareness + Hazard Mitigation + Focus = Zero Injuries
Steam Turbine Low-Speed Balance
Our Steam Path Repair facility in Pevely, Missouri has many steam turbine rotors that come through each and every year. One of the services we offer to our customers after repairs have been performed is a low speed balance. You can see the process in action here on a 3-bearing steam turbine rotor for a turbine that is rated at approximately 80MWs.
D-11 Turbine Inspections
We are seeing many inspections scheduled on the D-11 fleet of steam turbines all across the United States. This fleet has very specific needs when it comes to maintaining and repairing them, and we have solutions for many of the common repairs needed. From the diaphragms to the packing boxes, and every other component on this machine, we offer repair solutions that will provide you with an efficient and reliable turbine for the foreseeable future. We will execute a turnkey field service inspection at your site with our qualified Technical Field Advisors and turbine execution teams, perform any of the steam path repairs (rotor, diaphragms, etc.) at our Midwest Steam Path Repair Facility, as well as inspect, repair, and manufacture new components for the associated steam valves at our Southeast Valve Repair Facility. If you have any inspections scheduled on your D-11 steam turbines please contact us today to learn more about what we can offer.
Emergency Stop Valve Inspection
We recently received a call from a paper & pulp producer in the Southern U.S. to assist them with an emergency stop valve they were having issues with. Obviously an important safety component to any turbine, we immediately mobilized a Technical Field Advisor to assist in identifying the root cause and developing a path forward. The inspection revealed a broken retaining ring inside the stop valve. We had a new retaining ring manufactured, stop valve re-assembled, and assisted with unit start-up all in just over 24 hours, allowing the plant to get back online as soon as possible. This was another example of our quick emergency response times when there is a customer in need.
ANS Utility Working Conference & Vendor Technology Expo
We look forward to seeing everyone at this year’s ANS Utility Working Conference & Vendor Technology Expo in Amelia Island, Florida. It should be another fun event. Please stop by the Power Services Group booth in the exhibit hall when you get a chance. Mike Ballard will be in attendance representing PSG and will be looking forward to meeting everyone.
We will be raffling off a YETI Cooler at the booth, please drop off your business card for a chance to win.
Safe Travels and see you next week!
2018 Frame 6 User’s Group Conference
We look forward to seeing everyone at this year’s Frame 6 Users Group Conference in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida! It should be another fun event. Please stop by Power Services Group at Booth #13 during the Vendor Trade Show. Safe travels and see you next week!
PSG is equipped and ready to tackle your Journal and Shaft Machining Projects
Power Services Group’s field machining division, Orbital Energy Services, has successfully repaired thousands of shafts and bearing journals in power and industrial facilities across the globe over the past 20 years. Our unique, on-site machining process requires absolutely no need for shaft rotation, and avoids the issues related to removing and shipping equipment to a shop: costly mobilizations, exorbitant shipping costs, potential damage during shipment, valuable lay down space, and plant crane and rigging requirements. Orbital Energy Services’ finely tuned and safe processes coupled with a full range of equipment ensure customers receive the highest quality at a competitive price. If you have a journal or shaft machining project, planned or an emergency, please contact us anytime for a fast response.