Jerzy NOWAK
From electromechanical relays to all-optical protections
Electromechanical relays are still quite popular at substations in many countries e.g. in the USA or in Italy. All-optical protections have existed so far (i.e. until 2017) only in research institute laboratories. Electromechanical relays and all-optical protections have a common feature: lack of digitalization and lack of complex, numerical processing of measured currents and voltages. The article starts with short review of Substation Automation Systems currently operating at substations. Discussion on an all-optical protection scheme and on a scheme of all-optical signal transmission from U, I sensors follows description of a digital protection classical method. Shown are potential possibilities of the new technology application.
Keywords: Substation Automation Systems, electromechanical relays, digital protections, all-optical protections
Christian STEINER, Kaspar NINCK
Online Cleaning with Shock Pulse Generators – Current Experience
Shock Pulse Generator (SPG), developed and produced by the Swiss company Explosion Power, is an on-line system boiler cleaning device that produces shock pulses through the ignition of a pressurized gas mixture. The area of the SPG application is very wide and it can be used in various types of boilers fired with different fuels. This universalizm allows also the SPG to be used in various zones of a boiler – from the hottest one which is the combustion chamber to the coldest one in the economizer. Operators of power plants where the SPG was applied confirm longer lifetime of both a boiler and its piping as well as higher efficiency of a boiler itself that together brings better economic results. Some of the leading boiler technology suppliers already decide to use the SPG devices in new installations also due to – amongst other benefits – their modular system configuration and compact design.
Keywords: power and CHP plants, power boilers, boiler cleaning, SPG technology – Shock Pulse Generator
Patrycja MALUCHA, Aleksandra MATYJA
Assessment of cooling towers technical condition as regards the carried on chemical regime – experience from conducted research
Starting from 2004, Zakłady Pomiarowo-Badawcze Energetyki „ENERGOPOMIAR” Sp. z o.o. have taken part in the process of technical and technological inspections conducted on cooling towers operated on the Elektrownia Rybnik site, carrying on the required and agreed tests of water and sediments. Discussed are investigation results which main aim was the assessment of cooling towers technical condition with special attention paid to quantity and quality of sediments present on wet decks as well as the control of physical and chemical parameters of the system cooling and make-up water. Data obtained from such investigations allow to elaborate assumptions of make-up water preparation process optimization and the method to operate installations and devices that the cooling system is comprised of. Noted is that the content of individual sediment components coming from cooling tower packages maintains similar level over the past years and the changes in qualitative composition do not show significant fluctuations. Results of the conducted tests explicitly indicate the correctness of the carried on chemical regime.
Keywords: cooling towers, water and sediment testing, technical and technological inspections conducted by ENERGOPOMIAR Sp. z o.o.
Jacek LEPICH
Diagnosis of reserves and variant optimisation of cooling fan systems modernisation costs and effects – experience from energy audits
Fans belong to one of the biggest consumers of electric energy dedicated for power unit auxiliaries and they are also the indispensable part of big industrial facilities like steelworks or coal mines. They can be met as well in small industrial works as exhaust and dust separating fans or the ones serving for ventilation of production halls, magazines and shops. Presented are modernization examples trying to prove that with such wide range of application and differentiation of their types the fan systems should be subject to energy audits. Described is an exemplary energy audit of air and mill fans installed on an OP-140 boiler. Carrying out of energy efficiency audits brings additional profit for the company in the form of possibility to obtain EEC (White Certificates). Additionally, energy saving measures result in increase of environmental effect for the audited company – CO2 emission reduction.
Keywords: fan systems, energy audit, modernization examples
Robert CHOLEWA
Practical aspects of analysis of production effectiveness indicators deviations in the process of electric energy and heat generation
There is a significant group of production effectiveness indicators deviations that could and should be the basis for optimisation of a power unit operation. Typical examples are optimisation of a cooling water flow, the load of steam air heaters or the work of power unit auxiliaries subject to low load. Complex analysis can also be the basis for optimisation of switching on and off soot blowers and water cannons or for the useful heat production. In the table presented in the article, gathered are the commonly reported production deviations with indications concerning factors influencing their values. Added are comments, and in some cases propositions of changes, thank which the deviation analysis would enable drawing more complex conclusions. Deviations in the factsheet are grouped according to the standards accepted and used in the systems. The commonly presented deviations enable the assessment of technical condition of individual power unit devices like condenser, cooling tower, recovery etc. as well as the determination of a power unit efficiency basing on specific consumption of fuel chemical energy in basic conditions and the value of parameters determining the unit operation. Shown is that in some cases the attitude to determine production deviations should be changed and some special/additional deviations dedicated to unit operators and the ongoing control of a unit operation should be set.
Keywords: electric energy and heat generation, analyses of production effectiveness indicators deviations