Power Engineering articles from August 2004

Power Engineering archives from August 2004

INPO: a good model for blackout fix.(Opinion)(Institute for Nuclear Power Operations)
August 1, 2004... A year after the blackout of 2003 knocked out 62 GW of load in seven states for as long as four days, the industry is still struggling for a fix. The major accomplishment so far is a government report that blames the whole thing on a...

Combustion oxygen measurement calls for a "practical" approach.(Update)
August 1, 2004... Oxygen measurement in power plant boilers provides critical feedback to plant operators in their quest to optimize efficiency and comply with tightening N[O.sub.x] emissions regulations. The direct relationship between N[O.sub.x] emissions and...

Energy storage: value is clear, but who will pay?(Update)
August 1, 2004... No one disputes that energy storage devices have great value to electricity production, delivery, and use, and that commercial technology options across the size spectrum are available today. The challenge to widespread adoption of these...

Study finds electricity beats hydrogen for power storage/delivery.(Update)
August 1, 2004... A new study finds that major applications for hydrogen envisioned in hydrogen economy scenarios could be more efficiently accomplished with technologies that use electricity directly. It concludes that in key roles envisioned for hydrogen as an...

Economic impact of dual fuel for gas turbines studied.(Update)
August 1, 2004... An analysis of dual fuel capability highlights the economic advantage of providing combined-cycle power plants with the ability to operate on both natural gas and liquid fuel. Results of the study show that dual fuel capability has the...

New Mexico starts planning for solar plant.(Update)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... New Mexico plans to develop a solar plant to help the state contribute to a regional goal set recently by the Western Governors Association of building 1,000 MW of solar power generation. A solar energy task force has been established by Gov....

Washington Group International.(Construction & Contracts)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Washington Group International has been awarded a three-year, $7 million engineering and technical services contract by Reliant Energy covering more than 40 power plants in Texas, New Jersey, New York, Nevada, Pennsylvania, California,...

Day & Zimmermann NPS.(Construction & Contracts)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Day & Zimmermann NPS has been awarded a multi-year contract for FirstEnergy Nuclear Operating Company's nuclear fleet. The company has performed maintenance and modification services at FirstEnergy's Perry, Davis-Besse and Beaver Valley nuclear...

Foxboro.(Construction & Contracts)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... The Dakota Gasification Company, a subsidiary of Basin Electric Power Cooperative, has selected the Foxboro unit of Invensys Process Systems for a five-year modernization project at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant in Beulah, North Dakota. The...

ADA-ES.(Construction & Contracts)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... ADA-ES has signed a commercial contract for $455,000 to supply activated carbon injection equipment for mercury control to a utility client. The system will be used as part of a test plan for the coal-fired plant to comply with state...

Codan Development.(Construction & Contracts)(SBS Injection technology)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Codan Development has announced that its SBS Injection technology for S[O.sub.3] emissions control from coal-fired plants will be formally demonstrated for the Environmental Protection Agency in a long-term demonstration project at Vectren's...

Siemens, Framatome ANP.(Construction & Contracts)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Siemens, Framatome ANP has installed the first digital THYRIPART emergency diesel generator excitation system in the U.S. on Unit 1 at TXU's Comanche Peak Steam Electric Station. THYRIPART is a load dependent static excitation system powered by...

Alberici Constructors.(Construction & Contracts)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Alberici Constructors will provide complete engineering design, equipment and material procurement, and labor for start-up and installation at the 91 MW coal-fired power plant being developed by Corn Belt Energy Corporation in Logan County,...

AREVA.(Construction & Contracts)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... AREVA has been awarded a contract to supply a pressurizer to Florida Power & Light's St. Lucie nuclear plant. The contract covers design, manufacturing, delivery and installation of the pressurizer including replacement heaters.

GE Energy.(Construction & Contracts)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... GE Energy's rental business will provide temporary and backup energy services for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.

Wartsila.(Construction & Contracts)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Wartsila has signed an 11-year agreement with PT Antam Tbk for operation and maintenance of a 152 MW power plant supplying the energy to the Pomalaa nickel facility in Southeast-Sulawesi. In May, Wartsila entered into an additional five power...

Energy Investors Funds Group.(Mergers & Acquisitions)(Black River Energy)(Hamakua Energy Partners)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Energy Investors Funds Group has acquired Black River Energy and its assets including Black River Generation--a 50 MW coal and pet coke facility located at Fort Drum in Watertown, New York. The group has also acquired Hawaii-based Hamakua...

Sempra Energy and Carlyle/Riverstone.(Mergers & Acquisitions)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Sempra Energy and Carlyle/Riverstone have completed acquisition of the 632 MW coal-fired Coleto Creek plant in Goliad County, Texas previously owned by AEP. The $430 million purchase and sales agreement includes nine other Texas gas, oil and...

Dominion Virginia Power.(Mergers & Acquisitions)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Dominion Virginia Power has announced plans to acquire the 310 MW gas-fired Chesapeake plant from NRG Energy and the 80 MW wood-burning Hurt plant from Dynegy. Both plants will continue to serve customers in Virginia and North Carolina.

OGE Energy.(Mergers & Acquisitions)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... OGE Energy has completed acquisition of 77% interest (400 MW) in the McClain plant, from bankrupt NRG. Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority owns the other 23%.

Sherrill Hudson.(Personnel & Promotions)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Sherrill Hudson, retired managing partner with accounting firm Deloitte & Touche, has been named chairman and CEO of TECO Energy replacing Robert Fagan, who has resigned. Hudson has been a member of the board since January 2003.

Wayne Law.(Personnel & Promotions)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Wayne Law has been named executive vice president of purchasing and distribution for Motion Industries, distributor of industrial, maintenance, repair and operation equipment parts.

John M. Stropski, Jr.(Personnel & Promotions)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... John M. Stropski, Jr. has been named president and CEO of welding products manufacturer Lincoln Electric.

Robert E. Brown.(Personnel & Promotions)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Robert E. Brown has been appointed president and CEO of CAE, provider of simulation technologies and integrated training services. He had been chairman of Air Canada and was previously president and CEO of Bombardier.

Terry Surles.(Personnel & Promotions)(Electricity Innovation Institute (E2I))(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Terry Surles has been appointed vice president for the Electricity Innovation Institute (E2I). He has been program manager of the Public Interest Energy Research Program and assistant director for the California Energy Commission.

George Earle.(Personnel & Promotions)(U.S. Fuel Cell Council)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... George Earle, director of hydrogen infrastructure for Plug Power, has been elected for a third one-year term as president of the U.S. Fuel Cell Council.

Correction.(Correction Notice)
August 1, 2004... Due to a printing error, the graphic on page 50 of the July issue did not reproduce properly. A corrected version of the figure is available online at www.powereng.com by clicking on the current issue and viewing the article, "Outsourcing O & M...

Lockwood Greene.(Business Briefs)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Lockwood Greene has completed construction, start-up, and performance and reliability testing for Pinnacle West Energy's Silverhawk station 20 miles north of Las Vegas, Nevada. The $400 million, 570 MW combined-cycle unit was completed ahead of...

Headwaters Incorporated.(Business Briefs)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Headwaters Incorporated has received notice of allowance from the U.S. Government for its patent covering ammonia slip mitigation technology. The process was developed to alleviate problems associated with unreacted ammonia originating from...

Prasentia and Siemens Energy & Automation.(Business Briefs)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Prasentia and Siemens Energy & Automation reached an agreement whereby Prasentia will market, sell, and implement Siemens SIMATIC IT software for the U.S. wind power industry and select international markets.

ArcLight Capital Partners.(Business Briefs)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Energy investment firm ArcLight Capital Partners has raised $1.6 billion for a private equity fund to invest in assets across the power and energy value chain. The new fund brings ArcLight's fundraising total to more than $2.5 billion in two...

TXU Energy.(Business Briefs)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... TXU Energy has abandoned the partially constructed 750 MW Twin Oak plant in east Texas. The company began building the project, expected to burn lignite and higher grade coal, in 1976 and shelved it indefinitely in 1992.

Ballard Power Systems.(Business Briefs)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Ballard Power Systems has announced five partnerships as sales channels for its Ecostar power converter--a high-efficiency, grid-tie utility interactive inverter designed for the photovoltaic market. The product is based on Ballard's expertise...

Fluid Components International.(Business Briefs)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Fluid Components International has added two new liquid flow calibration test stands in its calibration laboratory that provide calibrations that range from flow rates of 0.1 to 100GPM to 0.25% accuracy and -40 F to 220 F with 0 to 125 psig...

Access Energy, LLC and G.A.S. Energy Technology.(Business Briefs)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Access Energy, LLC and G.A.S. Energy Technology have entered into a strategic alliance agreement to develop several landfill gas energy projects throughout New England, the Mid-Atlantic States and other regions in the U.S. G.A.S. is a...

Reader comments.(Update)
August 1, 2004... Re: For Yucca Mountain, Less Is More, (PE, May 2004, p.28) We may be overlooking the Yucca Mountain facility as a future source of resources. New technology has led to the reprocessing of tailings from abandoned mines, converting sewage...

Manpower needs attract congress' attention.(Nuclear Reactions)(Column)
August 1, 2004... Several months ago I noted in this column that there may be a nuclear manpower problem on the horizon. With nuclear plant owners extending their operating licenses for 20 more years, it is clear there will be a continuing need for new engineers...

On-site power: dollars and sense inside the fence; The desire for on-site power projects that lower costs and increase profits must be tempered with the ability to distinguish between those that will and those that won't.(On-Site Power)(Cover Story)
August 1, 2004... When it comes to inside-the-fence power, "If you build it they will come," may reflect the philosophy on which some decisions have been made. Less pithy but much wiser is, "If you build it, make sure your power requirements and thermal needs...

Where will you be when the lights go out?(On-Site Power)
August 1, 2004... The nation's utilities are feeling the heat from consumers and regulatory agencies when it comes to making assurances that the record brownouts and blackouts experienced in recent summers are strictly a thing of the past. A case in point:...

Cost reduction strategies for gas turbine LTSAs.(Gas Turbine LTSAs)(long-term service agreements)
August 1, 2004... As both equipment manufacturers and power producers continue to weather the market uncertainty created following the boom and bust of the gas turbine "bubble" of 1998-2001, one by-product of the transformed power generation marketplace is an...

C[O.sub.2] emissions trading: nascent market grows despite regulatory uncertainty.(Emissions Trading)
August 1, 2004... While the claims remain fiercely contested, the consensus among scientists is that carbon dioxide (C[O.sub.2]) emissions are increasing and remain a primary contributor to global warming. Daily output of man-made C[O.sub.2]--primarily from...

Retractable and sensitized packing reduces friction and increases turbine efficiency.(Steam Turbine Packing)
August 1, 2004... Retractable packing (RP) was first installed in a steam turbine in the 1980s. Today, the packing is installed in more than 600 turbines worldwide. Over the last 20 years, research has shown that the use of RP helps improve a plant's heat rate...

Canada mixing it up to meet demand, comply with Kyoto.(Canadian Power Market)(Editorial)
August 1, 2004... In 2001 the total electricity generation in Canada was 566.3 billion kWhr. A majority of the power, 56%, was generated by hydro. Oil, natural gas and coal accounted for 28.3% and nuclear power supplied 13% of the electricity generated....

Small-scale power market spurt expected.(News & Views on Distributed Generation)
August 1, 2004... Use of small-scale power generation technologies (less than 10 MW) is projected to grow rapidly over the next five years to match economic growth trends, according to a newly updated report from Business Communications Company (BCC). The...

Alliance aims to boost CHP use by U.S. chains.(News & Views on Distributed Generation)(combined heat and power)
August 1, 2004... The Gas Technology Institute (GTI), the American Gas Association (AGA) and the American Gas Foundation have realigned a collaborative program designed to raise awareness of the energy advantages of combined heat and power (CHP) energy systems...

200 kW microturbine surpasses 1,000 hours in testing.(News & Views on Distributed Generation)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Microturbine manufacturer Capstone Turbine announced in June that its first beta C200 (200 kW) system surpassed a 1,000-hour operating milestone. The beta unit was installed and commissioned in May at the National Fuel Cell Research Center and...

Events.(Calendar)
August 1, 2004... AUGUST Aug. 29-Sept. 3, World Renewable Energy Congress, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, (www.nrel.gov/wrec), Denver, Colo. Aug. 30-Sept. 2, Power Plant Air Pollutant Control Mega Symposium, DOE/EPRI/EPA/AWMA...

Utility streamlines document storage.(Field Notes)
August 1, 2004... ASSOCIATED ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE'S (AEC) St. Francis power station in Campbell, Missouri needed an improved document management system for its thousands of documents and photos. A typical power plant's documentation consists of more than 13,000...

Ion plasma generator reduces wind turbine lightning strikes.(Field Notes)
August 1, 2004... Inside 20 years, the U.S., Europe and Japan have the potential for generating up to 40% of their electrical needs from wind energy. With the trend toward larger wind turbines, the cost/kWh for generating electricity continues to drop. As a...

Valve brochure.(Products)
August 1, 2004... Pacific Valves, a division of the Crane Valve Group, has published an eight-page brochure, that describes its non-lubricated, metal-seated Wedgeplug valves. Available in ASME Classes 150-900, the Wedgeplug valves provide protection from erosion...

Dust filters.(Products)
August 1, 2004... MikroPul's new RAF-IS reverse air filter locates all motors and switches outside the filter housing so there is no chance of a spark caused by an electrical component or wiring. The cylindrical filter is a ledgeless design with deluge nozzles,...

V-belt tensioner.(Products)
August 1, 2004... To maintain a steady tension, the Lovejoy ROSTA HD Tensioner self-adjusts to correct for V-belt slippage and stretching. Each ROSTA HD Tensioner is built to customer specifications. With the belt drive parameters, layout, drive data and space...

Belt rivet strips.(Products)
August 1, 2004... Flexible Steel Lacing Company's Flexco Rapid Loader Collated Rivet Strips speed and simplify the installation of Flexco SR Rivet Hinged and BR Butt Rivet conveyor belt fasteners. Plastic strips hold four sets of five rivets in a pattern ready...

Hoist system.(Products)
August 1, 2004... The Advanced Hoist System, from Unique Concepts, is the next generation of confined space entry and rescue system. The system, constructed of lightweight materials including high-strength, 7075-T6 aluminum alloy, is the lightest hoist system...

Sensor catalog.(Products)
August 1, 2004... A new short form catalog from United Electric Controls (UE) summarizes the company's electronic and electromechanical pressure, differential pressure and temperature switches, temperature sensors and pressure transducers. The catalog contains a...

Ultrasonic flowmeter.(Products)
August 1, 2004... The Portaflow-X ultrasonic flowmeter combines accuracy, portability, and ease of use in an affordable hand-held unit. The flowmeter uses the transit time difference principle to measure flow rates through pipes from the outside. This...

Valve Stroke-Test.(Products)
August 1, 2004... A new Stroke-Test from Smith Flow Control allows testing of critical valves without the need to shut down the process. During operation the system operates on the principal of valve partial stroke testing which allows a safety system to...

Air compressors.(Products)
August 1, 2004... Atlas Copco has introduced the new AQ range of water injected screw compressors. These compressors, available in 40-75 HP fixed speed and 75 HP variable speed drives, have pressure ratings up to 188 psig. At the heart of the new AQ range is a...

Heat exchanger and separator brochure.(Products)
August 1, 2004... Alfa Laval has released a new brochure entitled Alfa Laval in the power plant--How our systems fit into the picture. This four-page brochure presents the company's capabilities for retrofitting heat exchangers and separators in all types of...

Hard-facing alloy.(Products)
August 1, 2004... Stoody Hydroloy 914 alloy is the highest rated hard-facing material available for hydro turbine applications when tested according to ASTM G32 for cavitation erosion. When tested against more expensive Stoodite alloys the Hydroloy 914 alloy was...

Oil purification.(Products)
August 1, 2004... The ISOPur LR-Series is a patented, submicron purification system for hydraulic and lubricating oils used in high performance power plant equipment. In operation the system is ca pable of purifying 30-150 gph. By purifying oils to a submicron...

Actuators.(Products)
August 1, 2004... Joyce/Dayton Corp. has announced the release of a new line of AC and DC Linear and Integrated (modular) Actuators in load ranges up to 2,000 lb. Actuators in this load range are for heavy duty applications and have been designed for durability...

Transmitter.(Products)
August 1, 2004... Emerson Process Management introduces the new Rosemount 848L Logic Transmitter for cost-effective integrating of logic and discrete I/O capability on a Foundation fieldbus H1 segment, without the need for a separate discrete I/O bus. The 848L...

Pressure sensor.(Products)
August 1, 2004... Red Valve Company announces the introduction of the Series 43 Pressure Sensor with grooved ends for grooved-end piping systems. The Series 43 is particularly suited for pump protection applications, such as a blockage downstream of a pump that...

External locking devices.(Products)
August 1, 2004... Ringfeder external Shrink Discs are ideal for connecting power transmission components with higher torques to shafts in rotating machinery. When installed, Shrink Discs create an easily adjustable and releasable mechanical shrink fit. For...

The UK model for renewable energy growth.(View on Renewables)
August 1, 2004... The United Kingdom stands at the forefront of renewable energy market development. The 2002 Renewables Obligation sets out a progressive strategy for achieving environmental protection, energy reliability and a competitive marketplace for...

Algebra brain-teaser.(efun@pe.laf)
August 1, 2004... The efun page extends its scope just slightly this month by offering the brain-teaser below instead of the usual joke. Algebra-inclined readers are encouraged to review the attached proof, identify the fatal flaw, and send a reply to...