20 Reasons To Retrofit Turbine Controls On Large Utility Steam Turbines
- Upgrade is less costly than replacement.
- Forced outages attributable to existing controls.
- Projected Operation and Maintenance costs for existing system too high.
- Operational Improvements (integrating turbine information into plant DCS).
- Modernize and automate typical turbine functions being done manually.
- Typical problems with OEM – no spare parts and no support.
- Poor speed / load regulation from component wear. Refurbished parts no lasting with frequent repairs. Existing control functionality was no longer operational.
- Positions turbine for a deregulated market.
- Upgrading the turbine controls was a natural extension of upgrading other systems including boiler controls.
- Individual valve operation accomplished with the upgrade, allows for more flexible, profitable operation.
- Difficult to obtain spare parts from any source.
- Difficult to troubleshoot.
- New cycling operation requires new functionality and flexibility.
- Difficult to get parts from OEM, and when they’re available they are very expen- sive.
- Relying on 3rd party companies for maintenance.
- Part of the re-powering of the entire plant.
- Incorporate Automatic Starting and Loading.
- Automate throttle valve operation.
- Improve response to frequency deviations/system upsets.
- Ability to perform on line test and repair with newer control technologies.