Power Engineering articles from January 2006

Power Engineering archives from January 2006

Bifocals at dawn.(opinion)(goal setting)
January 1, 2006... The new year, both literally and figuratively, acts as a fulcrum for those of us who follow any sort of calendar-based existence. It's a time of celebration, of hope, of promise, of new beginnings. It's a time to leave behind the previous...

Report examines Chernobyl after 20 years.(chernobyl nuclear power plant accident and its aftermath)
January 1, 2006... The International Atomic Energy Agency and seven other United Nations' (UN) agencies convened a conference in Vienna last September to examine the long-term effects of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident. Conference participants reviewed...

Renewable energy industry: 2005 review/2006 outlook.(VIEW ON RENEWABLES)(Industry Overview)
January 1, 2006... Renewable energy had its best year ever in 2005, and the outlook for 2006 is even better. The Energy Policy Act of 2005: * Establishes goals for federal purchases of renewable energy from identified renewable sources (3 percent for...

CFD modeling could optimize sorbent injection system efficiency.(computational fluid dynamics)(control of mercury emission using advanced technology)
January 1, 2006... Several technologies will probably be needed to remove mercury from coal-plant stack emissions as mandated by new mercury emission control legislation. One of the most promising mercury removal approaches is the injection of a sorbent, such as...

Handling the pressure: Steam Turbine Service projects span coasts, applications and decades of design evolution.(Advertisement)
January 1, 2006... Oceans Apart... Question: What do a half-century-old gas-fired steam peaking unit located near Philadelphia and a pair of 1980s-vintage nuclear steam turbines overlooking the beach at San Luis Obispo have in common? [ILLUSTRATION...

GE Energy.(CONSTRUCTION & CONTRACTS)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... GE Energy has received a service agreement to provide nuclear instrumentation and associated technical and field services for Entergy's boiling water reactors at Grand Gulf, River Bend, FitzPatrick, Pilgrim and Vermont Yankee stations that will...

Alcoa.(Alcoa Inc.)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Alcoa has signed a letter of intent with TXU Energy Company for development, construction, ownership, operation and maintenance of the Sandow 5 Generation Station adjacent to Alcoa's Rockdale, Texas aluminum smelter. The proposed 564 MW unit...

Babcock Power Environmental.(CONSTRUCTION & CONTRACTS)(E.ON U.S)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Babcock Power Environmental has received a contract from E.ON U.S. valued at more than $130 million to design, supply, construct, start and commission wet flue gas desulfurization systems on Kentucky Utilities' Ghent and E.W. Brown plants....

Siemens Power Generation.(CONSTRUCTION & CONTRACTS)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Siemens Power Generation has signed an agreement with Gas Turbine Technologies to provide a third SFC-200 solid oxide fuel cell power system to the company. The SFC-200 is a 125 kW system providing combined heat and power.

Saint-Gobain Ceramics.(CONSTRUCTION & CONTRACTS)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Saint-Gobain Ceramics has signed a contract with Riley Power to supply all materials and installation services for the refractories in a new waste-to-energy unit to be built by RPI at the existing Lee County Waste-to-Energy Facility in Fort...

John Zink Company.(Florida Power and Light Co.)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... John Zink Company's TODD burner technology will be used to retrofit an 800 MW boiler at Florida Power & Light's Manatee Station.

B & W Canada.(CONSTRUCTION & CONTRACTS)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... B & W Canada has signed a contract with Bruce Power L.P. to manufacture 16 Replacement Steam Generators for the Bruce A Nuclear Power Plant, Units 1 and 2.

ScottishPower.(CONSTRUCTION & CONTRACTS)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... ScottishPower's PPM Energy competitive U.S. energy business has begun construction of the 200 MW Big Horn Wind Project near Bickleton, Wash., expected to go into operation this summer.

American Superconductor.(CONSTRUCTION & CONTRACTS)(Windtec Systemtechnik GmbH)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... American Superconductor has received an order for its PowerModule-based wind turbine generator control systems from Windtec Systemtechnik GmbH. The PowerModule-based control systems will be used in 23 1.5 MW wind turbine generators that Windtec...

FPL Group and Constellation Energy.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... FPL Group and Constellation Energy have agreed to merge as Constellation Energy, which, with a total generating capacity of 45,000 MW, would be the largest electric power supplier in the United States. The merger would create the nation's...

Babcock Power Services.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Babcock Power Services has acquired the assets of welding firm Cladding Technology, which specializes in the Hard-surfacing welding overlay process whereby hard metals are applied to surfaces subject to highly destructive wear such as...

Mirant.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Mirant, which has emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy, has received approval from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the Northern District of Texas to sell its 285 MW combined-cycle Mint Farm power plant in Longview, Wash. to Wayzata Investment...

Peabody Energy.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Alcoa Fuels )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Peabody Energy has acquired more than 100 million tons of high Btu coal reserves and associated mining facilities from Alcoa Fuels in Union and Webster counties, Kentucky.

Wartsila.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Wartsila has signed an agreement to acquire the assets of New Orleans-based Gerhardt Holding Co., which specializes in servicing control and automation equipment for gas and diesel engines and steam turbines.

Atlantic Plant Services.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Atlantic Plant Services, which provides scaffolding services to the power sector, has acquired Insulco, which provides insulation materials along with their installation, removal and replacement, as well as coatings and environmental services.

Duke Energy and Cinergy Corp.(PERSONNEL AND PROMOTIONS)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Upon completion of the merger of Duke Energy and Cinergy Corp., the board of the combined company is expected to elect Duke Energy Chairman Paul Anderson chairman of the board and Cinergy Chairman and CEO James Rogers president and CEO.

Sempra Energy.(appointment of Donald Felsinger, Neal Schmale )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Donald Felsinger has been elected chairman and CEO of Sempra Energy, replacing Stephen Baum, who has retired. Neal Schmale has been named president and COO.

Idaho Power.(J. LaMont Keen )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Idaho Power President J. LaMont Keen has assumed the title of CEO from Jan B. Packwood, who will continue to serve as president and CEO of IDACORP. Keen's previous duties as COO will now be shared by Darrel Anderson, James Miller, and Daniel...

Calpine Corporation.(PERSONNEL AND PROMOTIONS)(Robert May )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Robert May has been named CEO of Calpine Corporation, replacing acting CEO Kenneth Derr. Most recently, May served as non-executive chairman of the board of HealthSouth and as interim president and CEO of Charter Communications. In November,...

Calpine.(Calpine Corp.)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... California-based independent energy producer Calpine has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

PIC Companies.(Marubeni Corp.)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... The PIC Companies have formed a joint venture with Marubeni Corporation of Japan for the operation and maintenance of power generation facilities worldwide. PIC will maintain majority equity and management control of PIC-Marubeni Energy Group,...

Peabody Energy and ArcLight Capital Partners.(BUSINESS BRIEFS)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Peabody Energy and ArcLight Capital Partners have agreed to advance project development of a commercial-scale coal gasification project in Illinois that would transform coal into pipeline quality synthetic natural gas. The initial project would...

Dominion.(BUSINESS BRIEFS)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Dominion plans to spend about $500 million to install additional emissions controls on coal-fired power stations in Virginia to reduce sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and mercury emissions to meet emissions reductions required by the Clean Air...

TECO Energy.(Progress Energy Florida Inc.)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... TECO Energy (Tampa Electric) has indicated it would consider partnering with Progress Energy to build a new nuclear power plant in Florida.

McIlvaine Company.(BUSINESS BRIEFS)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... The McIlvaine Company's online publication World FGD Markets, reports that the flue gas desulfurization market will reach nearly $8 billion in 2006. McIlvaine says next year's market will be more than 40 percent larger than the 2005 market and...

Reader comment.(UPDATE)
January 1, 2006... The October 2005 Power Engineering article by Richard Baker and Jeff Kelly on Valve Vigilance was excellent and timely but with one mistake. Under the heading, "Holding in the motor control contactor," the article states, "A very common...

Projects of the year: the 2005 Projects-of-the-Year award winners were recognized at POWER-GEN International in Las Vegas in early December.
January 1, 2006... Each year, Power Engineering magazine recognizes some of the world's best power projects during POWER-GEN International. The projects are selected based on demonstrated technical excellence and outstanding economic, social and environmental...

Turbine touchups: design changes, retrofit solutions and performance evaluation techniques enable steam turbine owners to keep their machines in proper running order and sustain high plant efficiency.(STEAM TURBINES)
January 1, 2006... Maintaining steam turbines in proper running condition is critical to achieving optimum power plant efficiency. As steam turbines age, leakage rates accelerate, mechanical rubbing increases and the likelihood of fatigue/corrosion/erosion...

Monitoring madness: high quality continuous emission monitoring capability can be as essential as high quality emission control equipment. Future mercury monitoring and control requirements add to the justification for better CEMS.(Continuous emissions monitoring systems)
January 1, 2006... The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requires utilities to record and report emissions of nitrogen oxide (N[O.sub.X]), sulfur dioxide (S[O.sub.2]), carbon dioxide (C[O.sub.2]), carbon monoxide (CO) and oxygen ([O.sub.2]) on a continuous...

Diversity is the word: one of the main themes at POWER-GEN International, held recently in Las Vegas, centered around how current political, economic and environmental issues are causing many generators to consider a mix of generation technologies and fuels.(Power Gen)
January 1, 2006... Finding the right mix of generation technologies was a major topic during POWER-GEN International's keynote session. "Diversity is again in vogue--not in the cobbled nature of Enron's far-flung enterprise, but in the measured tones of a focused...

World's largest battery storage system marks second year of operation.(NEWS & VIEWS ON DISTRIBUTED GENERATION)(Golden Valley Electric Association)
January 1, 2006... Distributed generation technologies can sometimes dramatically enhance the economics and reliability of grid power systems. In August, 2003, Golden Valley Electric Association (GVEA), which serves 90,000 customers across a 2,000 square mile...

Landfill gas provides solution to rising natural gas prices.(FIELD NOTES)
January 1, 2006... RISING NATURAL GAS and fuel oil prices have users of all kinds looking for cost-effective fuel alternatives. Landfill gas (LFG) is one viable and popular substitute for these fuels. Many companies are successfully implementing LFG product...

Baghouse Leak Detectors.(SUPPLIER'S SHOWCASE)
January 1, 2006... * No Optics * No Maintenance * Detect & Locate Leaks FilterSense is the world leader in Baghouse Leak Detectors and Leak Locating Systems. Field-proven since 1994 FilterSense's particulate monitors and filter leak locating systems...

Biomass combustion.(SUPPLIER'S SHOWCASE)
January 1, 2006... B & W for Biomass With renewable energy receiving more attention as a beneficial and necessary component of a power producer's portfolio, this new brochure from The Babcock & Wilcox Company (B & W) promotes its biomass combustion equipment...

Condensation solutions.(SUPPLIER'S SHOWCASE)
January 1, 2006... HCP Series delivers "More Power to You." Increase energy production, reduce windage losses and get more uptime. What you do with your downtime, is up to you. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * Improve [H.sub.2] Gas Purity Levels * Works...

Control systems: Diamond Power[R].(SUPPLIER'S SHOWCASE)
January 1, 2006... Putting You In Control... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Diamond Power[R] SentrySeries[TM] Control Systems SentrySeries[TM] is a suite of boiler cleaning solutions that... * Utilizes industry standard hardware and software tools...

Control systems: built for power.(SUPPLIER'S SHOWCASE)
January 1, 2006... The Ovation[R] expert control system from Emerson is designed from the ground-up to meet the unique demands of the power generation industry. Proven in thousands of power applications, Ovation is the choice of all 10 of the top U.S. utilities....

Controls.(SUPPLIER'S SHOWCASE)
January 1, 2006... The Reduced Bore DigitalYEWFLO vortex flowmeter eliminates the need for costly sections of reducing runs normally required to increase the volocity through the meter for more stable, accurate measurements at low flows. Now these reductions are...

Filters water.(SUPPLIER'S SHOWCASE)
January 1, 2006... "Water Filter uses dirt to enhance cleanliness". [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Studies have shown that the accumulation of dirt in a screen filter actually improves the efficiency of the filter. As the solids accumulate on the screen, the...

Gas turbines.(SUPPLIER'S SHOWCASE)
January 1, 2006... GE Energy is one of the world's leading suppliers of power generation technology, energy services and management systems, with an installed base of power generation equipment in more than 120 countries. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] GE Energy...

Tube protection.(SUPPLIER'S SHOWCASE)
January 1, 2006... GenClad[R] Tubing for Near-Drum Corrosion Protection [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Some recovery boilers have experienced near-drum corrosion (NDC), a problem that is characterized by tube wall thinning near the lower drum of the boiler's...

On-site machining services.(SUPPLIER'S SHOWCASE)
January 1, 2006... www.dlricci.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] D.L. Ricci Corp invites you to explore our updated Website. Our award winning site, now includes: 32 product action videos, PDF Tech Sheets, Searchable On-line Catalog, Case Studies and more. Easy...

Performance monitoring system.(SUPPLIER'S SHOWCASE)
January 1, 2006... EtaPRO[TM] bridges the gap between your DCS and business systems, providing a single solution for enterprise-wide, real-time plant performance monitoring, modeling, and reporting. When power plant professionals optimize their generating assets,...

Software.(SUPPLIER'S SHOWCASE)
January 1, 2006... Get Smart [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] SmartProcess optimization software from Emerson offers a suite of intelligent software modules proven to significantly reduce NOx; lower opacity; stabilize steam temperature; improve overall boiler...

Software plant performance.(SUPPLIER'S SHOWCASE)
January 1, 2006... * Cost-effective, industry-standard performance test procedures and calculation templates (Excel) for: [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Boilers & Air Heaters (Coal/Oil/Gas) Compressors & Pumps Condensers & Feedwater Heaters Cooling...

Varnish Removal System.(SUPPLIER'S SHOWCASE)
January 1, 2006... Varnish Removal Systems [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Kleentek works electrostatically to purge hydraulic oil of contaminants at the molecular level. Using a patented filter media, these systems remove the sub-micron particles that mechanical...

Wall systems.(SUPPLIER'S SHOWCASE)
January 1, 2006... Parkline's Concealed Fastener Wall System is embossed for a textured, high quality look. Each panel is painted with siliconized polyester paints and installed with concealed fasteners. Concealing the fasteners gives your building a clean,...

Wrenches.(SUPPLIER'S SHOWCASE)
January 1, 2006... Wright Tool's WrightGrip[TM], an innovative, high-strength, anti-slip design is standard on all Wright Tool open-end and combination wrenches in sizes up to 1-1/4". WrightGrip ensures the openend wrench fits more snugly on the fastener,...

Diesel generator sets.(PRODUCTS)
January 1, 2006... Caterpillar Inc. has introduced the first in a new series of diesel-fueled generator sets with ACERT Technology. (Caterpillar introduced ACERT Technology to meet EPA '04 regulations for on-highway trucks.) The rating ranges for the new package...

Oil conditioning systems.(PRODUCTS)
January 1, 2006... Kaydon Custom Filtration Corp. has introduced a new generation of Turbo-TOC oil conditioning systems. They are designed to prevent oxidation and viscosity breakdown that may compromise the effectiveness of turbine lubricants. Suited to...

Rotary actuators.(PRODUCTS)
January 1, 2006... SKF rotary actuators provide precise positioning, accuracy and repeatability in heavy-duty industrial applications, including high-power switching and gas turbines, among others. They are designed to deliver optimized torque in a small package...

Scout first aid.(efun@pe.laf)(the lighter side of first aid)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... First aid doesn't have to be complicated. These pearls of wisdom will address many worrisome situations. 1. If you are choking on an ice cube, don't panic. Simply pour a cup of boiling water down your throat. Presto, the blockage will...