Power Engineering articles from April 2006

Power Engineering archives from April 2006

Gas shortages.(OPINION)
April 1, 2006... Considering the unparalleled gas turbine boom in the United States from 1999 to 2001, one might expect to see a dramatic increase in domestic natural gas consumption over the same time period. However, while total U.S. natural gas consumption...

The best case for preventing the worst.
April 1, 2006... When one domino falls, others usually follow. Consider the following sequence of events, which occurred at an AmerenUE power plant in August of 2000. 5:54 p.m. All six power plant units are operating as usual. 5:55 p.m. A lube oil line...

Standardized design/streamlined licensing will pave path for new nuclear units.(UPDATE)(Interview)
April 1, 2006... Enercon Services has been retained by NuStart Energy, a consortium that includes Exelon, Entergy, Florida Power & Light, Progress Energy, Duke, Southern Company and Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), to prepare combined license applications...

Amid all the IGCC talk, PC remains the go-to guy: IGCC gets all the buzz while pulverized coal wins all the contracts for new coal-fired capacity.(Integrated gasification combined cycle)(Editorial)
April 1, 2006... Integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) isn't exactly new. Generally defined as gasifying coal to produce various combinations of power and/or a commercially marketable by-product such as methane, methanol, ammonia or sulfur, IGCC has...

Keeping an eye on S[O.sub.3]: injective additives can control S[O.sub.3] emissions at coal-fired power plants, but without a way to continuously monitor S[O.sub.3], it is impossible to optimize additive use. EPRI is studying technologies that can be used to monitor S[O.sub.3] emissions, making it possible to lower additive use and costs.(S[O.sub.3] MONITORING)
April 1, 2006... When used to reduce nitrogen oxide (N[O.sub.x]) emissions from coal-fired power plants, selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology can result in a fraction of the sulfur dioxide (S[O.sub.2]) in the flue gas being oxidized into sulfur...

The power of financial acumen: when a plant staff understands the financial whys, whens, why-nots and what-ifs behind the decision-making process, the company and its shareholders win.(FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT)
April 1, 2006... If you work in a power plant, you almost certainly associate the word "training" with courses centering on technical skills, control room simulation, supervisory skills or safety. While these are all important topics for training, my guess is...

Oil and water shouldn't mix: the ability to control water ingression in steam turbine oil conditioning systems varies among filtration technologies. Plant operators need to know what technology offers the best insurance policy to protect their steam turbines.(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... Oil is the lifeblood of the system, or words to that effect, is a cliche describing the critical role lubrication plays anywhere the potential for metal-to-metal contact exists. Although a cliche, the expression is uncompromisingly true for the...

Complying with new diesel particulate regulations.(DG UPDATE)
April 1, 2006... For owners and operators of stationary diesel engines, exhaust-stream diesel particulate matter (DPM) has become a growing concern. DPM causes a variety of respiratory ailments and has been linked to lung cancer, heart disease and global...

Events.(Calendar)
April 1, 2006... APRIL 19 - 20, AWEA Wind Power Finance and Investment Workshop, American Wind Energy Association (www.awea.org/seminars), Houston, Texas 19 - 20, PowerFair/GasFair, Enerdata Ltd. (www.enerdata.com), Toronto, Ontario MAY 3 -...

Dairyland uses meter to deliver the power.(FIELD NOTES)
April 1, 2006... DAIRYLAND POWER COOPERATIVE of La Crosse, Wis., meets the energy needs of more than half a million people through 25 electric distribution cooperatives and 20 municipal utilities. Formed in 1941, Dairyland currently services 62 counties over...

Electric Globe Control Valve.(PRODUCTS)
April 1, 2006... Asahi/America Inc. has introduced the Compact Electric Globe Control Valve. This modulating control valve has been designed for precise flow control and is available in body materials of PVC, PP, PVDF and PTFE, and in sizes from 1/2 to 2 inch....

Thermal spray solutions portfolio.(PRODUCTS)
April 1, 2006... St. Louis Metallizing recently published a portfolio outlining the many uses of metal alloy, ceramic and carbide coatings to minimize wear and corrosion. These solutions apply to many industries, including power. The publication outlines a...

Gear Drive Lubricant.(PRODUCTS)
April 1, 2006... The Falk Corp. has introduced GMax 6000 Enclosed Gear Drive Lubricant, which provides excellent wear protection, thermal and oxidation stability, and extended operating life. In addition, GMax 6000 is available as a "Factory Fill" option on all...

Power connectors.(PRODUCTS)
April 1, 2006... Amphenol Industrial Operations has introduced a new line of power connectors that are 50 percent smaller and lighter-weight than competitive products. Neptune connectors are designed to provide safe and dependable power interconnections in...

High-temperature thermocouples.(PRODUCTS)
April 1, 2006... GeoCorp Inc. has increased the service life of high-temperature thermocouples by removing all oxygen from the thermocouple sheath and backfilling with inert gases. The inert gas backfilling and vacuum sealing allows the thermocouples to remain...

Cooling tower packing.(PRODUCTS)
April 1, 2006... Tri-Mer Corp. has introduced a line of lightweight cooling tower packing that's compatible with all commercial tower types and sizes. Tri-Packs CT is a high-efficiency cooling tower media that facilitates continuous formation of droplets...

Sight flow indicators.(PRODUCTS)
April 1, 2006... Papailias Inc. has introduced Series FIF sight flow indicators with flanged ends per ANSI B16.5 and B16.24 that offer inline, on-the-spot viewing of a pipeline's contents. Series FIF units may be configured with flapper, drip tube or rotary...

Nuclear-qualified instrument brochure.(PRODUCTS)
April 1, 2006... A new eight-page brochure, describing the company's line of nuclear-qualified instrumentation, is now available from Weed Instrument. "Excellence in Solutions-Products-Services" describes various nuclear-qualified products, including...

Electric valve actuators.(PRODUCTS)
April 1, 2006... Rotork Controls Inc. has announced a new line of IQ PRO intelligent electric valve actuators as well as a compatible IQ PRO setting tool with advanced downloading capabilities. IQ PRO actuators provide enhanced text displays, performance...

Fabricated Pipeline Strainer.(PRODUCTS)
April 1, 2006... The Eaton Model 950 Fabricated Duplex Pipeline Strainer continuously removes damage-causing particulate matter from 1/2 inch down to 45 microns from the flow in pipeline systems. The system flow never has to be shut down for strainer basket...

Fluid Handling System.(PRODUCTS)
April 1, 2006... The Innovative Fluid Handling Systems Storage & Dispensing System from the IFH Group provides an easy, safe and clean alternative to clumsy, messy 55-gallon drums for handling oils, lubricants and other fluids such as cutting oils, bearing...

Infrared cameras.(PRODUCTS)
April 1, 2006... Mikron Infrared Inc. has introduced a first in infrared imaging technology for predictive maintenance applications. The new M7800 and M7815 cameras introduce a high-resolution 320x240 UFPA detector with a 60 Hz refresh rate. With four times the...

Unitized flexible disc element.(PRODUCTS)
April 1, 2006... Rexnord has introduced the new Rex Thomas Tpack, an advanced technology unitized flexible disc coupling element that improves serviceability and provides additional torque capacity. The new design is compatible with currently installed Rex...

Bus control system.(PRODUCTS)
April 1, 2006... Hayward Flow Control Systems has introduced a bus control system that allows eight or more electrical or pneumatically actuated valves to be controlled by a PLC with just a single pair of wires. Each actuator is assigned a unique address that...

Automatic Titrator.(PRODUCTS)
April 1, 2006... JM Science has announced the newest Aquacounter Automatic Titrator, which is easy to operate, expandable and upgradable. The COM-300 performs pH, acid/base, complexometric, redox, Karl Fischer, photometric, non-aqueous titrations and ISE...

Articulating videoscope.(PRODUCTS)
April 1, 2006... Instrument Technology Inc. has introduced Model 128006--a 6mm articulating, flexible videoscope specifically designed to reach into small, previously unreachable places. The scope comes with a portable comprehensive kit and features a 10-inch...

Ceramic Repair Putty.(PRODUCTS)
April 1, 2006... Devcon's Ceramic Repair Putty is a fast, economical way to repair or rebuild worn or damaged equipment. The alumina-filled epoxy compound is engineered to form a smooth, long-lasting barrier against abrasion, corrosion, cavitation and chemical...

Portable supplied air system.(PRODUCTS)
April 1, 2006... MST Inc. has announced a line of air purification equipment for use with supplied air respirators. Respiratory Protector Portable CO Removal Systems provide clean, humidified air to workers, while allowing extra freedom of movement not...

Rotary Torque Sensor Systems.(PRODUCTS)
April 1, 2006... Rotary Torque Sensor Systems from the Force/Torque Division of PCB Piezotronics Inc. are ideally designed for automotive driveline and powertrain dynamometers and other torque measurement applications that require a robust torque transducer....

Words of wisdom.
April 1, 2006... 1. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a broken fan belt and a leaky tire. 2. It's always darkest before dawn, so if you're going to steal your neighbor's newspaper, that's the time to do it. 3. Don't be irreplaceable. If you...