Power Generation

Taking a systematic approach to specifying a tank heater can help ensure the equipment specified delivers the heating performance desired. Factors to consider include the amount of energy needed, heat loss, direct or indirect heating, materials of construction, and controls.

The concepts of “preventive maintenance” and “condition monitoring” are not always characterized in a way that is entirely accurate. They sometimes seem to be treated as a “one-size-fits-all” service that many operators believe they need. However, these concepts can mean very different things depending on the application.

Industrial process plants are complex facilities with thousands of components that play a role in the operation of the plant. Not all these components hold the same consequences if they are improperly selected or if they fail to perform their designed function.

Recently an article was published that presented an easily constructed Excel sheet that estimates hydrodynamic noise in control valves1. A number of people have asked me if there is something similar for aerodynamic noise. 

Investing in oil reclamation technology can help reduce the costs associated with oil usage. Learn more in the article below.

There are many types of options to sift through, and keying in on the ones that benefit your process the most will guide you to the most appropriate controller.

A veteran of valve sizing with more than 40 years of experience provides his perspective on how to calculate the compressibility factor of a real gas for control valve sizing purposes.

Most control valve manufacturers include IEC 60534-8-4:2015 in their control valve sizing and selection software to predict control valve hydrodynamic noise. However, users who want to make quick noise predictions or who want to construct valve sizing applications, programming the above noise standard can be a daunting task. 

The first step to solving a problem is recognizing that one is present. An operations team cannot adequately put a sufficient maintenance plan in place if there is no awareness that maintenance is required.

If one wants to be able to do accurate hand calculations, or construct a simple program or Excel sheet, the method described here gives answers that agree exactly with iterative calculations using the equations in the current version of the ISA and IEC standards.

The availability of an easily constructed Excel worksheet that calculates and graphs control valve installed gain in conjunction with the user’s preferred control valve sizing application has prompted a new interest in the application of these calculations. Three examples are shown here.

For a power plant to run as efficiently as possible, proper filtration is a critical part of the equation.

The process industries have control valves with actuators designed to open, close and control them.  Many people prefer pneumatic actuators given their long history, reliability and high performance.

Application requirements are paramount, but don't overspend when a less expensive option will do.

In this article, featured in Process Heating Magazine, Ryan Kraus discusses the various criteria to consider when selecting a circulation heater.

A simple process method based on the principle that piping pressure losses are approximately proportional to flow squared is presented.

A fuel leak in any part of a generator set can potentially be a catastrophe for the operator. But the issue can be tackled.

As long as products have had ethernet ports, people have been asking for remote access to them. They believed they could just plug the devices into the internet, and it would all work. As more software tools became available and internet speeds increased, capable users found ways to give themselves access, however, there was a catch.

Most facilities in the chemical process industries (CPI) require some form of heat. The amount of heat required and the necessary level of consistency can vary from process to process. Regardless of the details, engineers must decide on a heating source that works best for a particular process.

In terms of what matters to most in the field today, it is safe to assume that reliability, flexibility, accuracy and cost are at the top of the list. With these factors in mind, implementing a silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR) control system for an electric heater is often an optimal approach.

Maintaining a consistent internal environment for your enclosures is critical for equipment to function properly. The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) has defined standards for specific enclosures designed for the application and environment when correctly installed. Learn more.

Reducing the amount of hydrocarbon leakage from compressor stations is not only imperative for the environment, but for your bottom line. Compressor-related emissions can be reduced by using electric heaters to heat the pressurized natural gas.

A lot must be reviewed prior to selecting the right fitting for power plant instrumentation applications. Among the choices are whether to use single- or double-ferrule designs; heat codes, lubrication, and corrosion resistance must also be considered.

In many machines as much as 90% of all particles suspended in the oil can be iron or steel and can be particularly troublesome to operators. This article looks at the advantages and benefits of magnetic filtration and how it can often outperform traditional methods.

Laying out an effective heat tracing design requires careful attention to detail. Every aspect of the system must be meticulously considered, including both the temperature requirements of the fluids being protected as well as the physical characteristics of the equipment being heat traced.

In the world of instrumentation, there are a number of different topics discussed and analyzed.  However, one that should not be overlooked is that of instrumentation fittings. Do you know what technologies are available? Do you know the strengths and /weaknesses? Are there any new trends?

For automating machines that require only two to three axes of electric actuators, pulse outputs may be the simplest way to go.

Developing a strong preventative maintenance plan for plant shutdowns and turnarounds is the best way for operators to minimize the risk of equipment failure, which can lead to unnecessary shutdowns and ultimately, higher costs.

Depending on the industry and specific environment, different rooms will have different cleanroom classification requirements. There is information out there regarding how classifications are tested and determined, but not as much about how to improve a specific room's classification ranking.

In the last ten years, the design of pneumatic manufacturers' online tools for sizing components have evolved, the fieldbus systems are ever-changing, component designs are constantly improving, and network devices such as the Industrial Internet of Things have reshaped the industry. Learn more.

We think of routine care and maintenance of a system to stave off failures as standard practice, but what about preventive maintenance of the replacement parts used when the system does fail?

In today's coal-fired power generation plant, one element of critical preventative maintenance is keeping everything at a temperature that will prevent instrumentation from freezing. Learn more about the successful application of heat trace solutions in coal-fired power generation plants.

Inside of plants today, AC motors are becoming the industry standard. Many plants are shifting to AC motors from hydraulic motors or DC motors when powering heavy loads, which were more popular in the past. This shift can be attributed to a variety of reasons and most have to do with cost.

When selecting the pipes and valves for a cooling system, it is important to understand the options available—and the possible outcomes associated with each selection. Many factors can impact the effectiveness, longevity and quality of the overall cooling system. Learn more.

Contemplating an actuator for your pneumatic linear-motion system? Here are some tips on how to select the best one for the job.

According to the United States Energy Information Administration, coal power accounted for 39 percent of the country’s electricity production last year.

Inside power generation plants, there is a need to eliminate the dangerous oil mist produced by lubrication systems. Wherever there is significant metal on metal contact, there should be some form of lubrication system installed that will increase the lifespan of the machinery.

Dry Resin Ion-Exchange Cartridges have become the international choice for reducing Total Acid Number (TAN) in lubricating, hydraulic and insulating oil systems.

United Electric Controls has introduced a unique new family of HART capable transmitters that provides programmable switching functionality for industrial process monitoring applications. The One Series 1XTXSW transmitter line is the first to integrate HART 7 compatible 4-20 mA output. Lean more.

Workplace safety is—or should be—a primary focus of every organization, regardless of whether we’re talking about a classroom, an office, a manufacturing facility, or an oil rig. Employees deserve a workspace that is as safe and secure as it can possibly be.

Advantech ProView Ethernet Switch is a SCADA manageable switches which are the convergence switches for process control and IT networking management.

This is Part IV in a four-part series based on the contents of the new textbook, “Control Valve Application Technology, Techniques and Considerations for Properly Selecting the Right Control Valve.”

Cavitation is the 2nd leading cause of a pump system failure. It’s for this reason that a full understanding of what cavitation is, how it is caused and how it can be prevented is critical in the fluid power industry.

In order to get good control with stability throughout the full range of required flow rates, one must use a control valve that has an installed flow characteristic that is linear, or at least as close to linear as possible in most systems.

Tasked with increased demand for high power output, many operators in North American sectors such as power generation, oil and gas, petrochemical and chemical have been challenged by low-voltage solutions and their associated logistical challenges.

This is Part II in a four-part series based on the contents of the new textbook, “Control Valve Application Technology, Techniques and Considerations for Properly Selecting the Right Control Valve.”

This article discusses the importance of selecting the correct flow characteristic and correctly sizing the valve in order for the valve to properly control the process.

Considering the number of variables, gaining precise control of a process heating application can be a difficult task. In industries with a high demand for consistent quality, controlling the temperature of a substance from the start to the finish of a process is an absolute necessity. Learn more.

An HMI that is expressive, intuitive, and easy to implement makes industrial machines more attractive and competitive. The Omron Sysmac NA Series HMI enables faster, more efficient control and monitoring - and a more natural relationship between operator and machine.

Loss of containment is one of the costliest things that can go wrong at a plant. Accordingly, smart enterprises employ a variety of measures that ensure loss of containment just doesn’t happen – or when it does, the adverse circumstances are kept to a minimum.

The noise abatement laws and health and safety legislation are becoming increasingly strict. Metso introduces Q2- Trim, the optimum solution for noise problems, that at the same time fulfills all legislative requirements and customer needs.

A primary goal of many a plant manager is maintaining continuous and cost-effective operation of a plant’s turbine engines. When considering this goal, it is important for plant managers to be aware of recent advances in filter designs for turbine air intakes.

Proper treatment of boiler systems when they are off line is a constant concern for those managing and overseeing the operations of a power plant. Many power plants are known in the industry as peaker plants, meaning they are not running constantly.

When using a servo motor, one should consider torque, speed, and other applications for a specific motion control application.

Certain frequencies of sound can play havoc on industrial equipment. When control valves are not selected appropriately, there is an increased risk for cavitation, which causes high noise and vibration levels, resulting in very rapid damage to the valve's internals and/or the downstream piping.

When control valve professionals talk about "control valve sizing," they really mean the entire process of selecting the valve that will do the best job of controlling the process. Selecting the right size valve is an important part of the process, but there are other equally important considerations as well.