Maximum Unit Availability – That is the key to profitability for independent power producers and facilities generating power to support manufacturing or mining. A forced outage during peak season can be disastrous, but even a planned outage that is extended for unforeseen repairs can be very costly. The pressure to return a turbine to service sometimes results in reduced operation efficiency and can even lead to another forced outage before the next scheduled maintenance.
Benefits
Identify Imminent Failures – Results can indicate major problems such as wiped journal bearings, loose foundations, contact between rotating and stationary parts, and split joint leaks. Minor examples are noisy bearings, overheating motors and fans, dirty lube oil, ineffective coolers, and sticking or leaking valves.
Identify Heat Losses – Thermal imagery can identify heat losses from steam leaks or poor insulation which rob efficiency.
Prep For Planned Outage – Identification of possible repairs allows you to secure spare parts or sources for remanufacturing, develop contingency plans, better estimate outage duration, schedule appropriately, and secure contingency funding.
Pre- and Post-Outage Benchmarks – Assessments before and after the outage confirm that the problems were solved and efficiency was restored.
Review of Reports
Final reports provide assembly data and visuals of past problems which may reveal clues to present problems and future unit failure. Since the assessment is performed while the unit is running, the pictures and measurements from previous Final Reports allow a view into the internal conditions of the unit.
Generator Grading
PSG will review past testing reports to provide an overall assessment of generator condition and future need for repairs. The reports are evaluated according to PSG’s Generator Reliability Assessment & Diagnostic Evaluation (GRADE) algorithm. This analysis, combined with additional tests, can be used to develop a rationale and plan for extending the life of your generator.
Trend Analysis
PSG offers a Running Condition Assessment as a stand-alone item. However, the greatest benefit will be obtained through an ongoing trend analysis of regularly scheduled Running Condition Assessments. Multiple assessments will mark the decline of the turbine generator characteristics over time.The next outage should be planned and scheduled accordingly. Understanding this relationship will allow PSG to more accurately anticipate failure modes, resulting in better management planning and increased profitability.
Summary
Power Services Group has developed a Running Condition Assessment program which can reduce unscheduled outages, identify future repairs, shorten planned outages through contingency planning and increase the overall reliability of the equipment. The program allows plant management to better predict maintenance and capital costs, enhance unit availability and efficiency, and allow better decision making when scheduling major and minor inspections.
Ready to speak to a PSG representative about this service? Please visit our contact page to send us a message or call (800) 226-7557 to begin the conversation.