Efficiency
Extra Edition
The five steps to a more efficient plant
By Tina Toburen, P.E.
Improving your plant performance is an ongoing process, but it isn’t rocket
science. Small steps can make a big difference. The following five steps can
get you on the road to a more efficient and profitable operation, and by reading this article, you’ve already started step one.
1. Performance Awareness
In many cases, a
measurable improvement in plant heat rate can be made simply by increasing the
awareness of performance issues at the site. Keeping site personnel focused on
performance is the first step to making significant improvements.
2. Performance Analysis
In order to improve
performance, you must know how to analyze it. Having tools to perform the
efficiency calculations and correct results to a baseline set of conditions are
paramount to building a solid foundation for any performance improvement
program.
3. Performance
Testing
When looking at long
term performance, and performance improvement, it is imperative to have a
baseline understanding of your equipment’s condition. The best way to achieve
this is by executing a performance test on the equipment you wish to monitor
and improve.
4.
Performance Monitoring
Performance
monitoring is, in essence, running small performance tests on a high frequency
basis, and maintaining the test results for comparison with each other, such
that trends in equipment performance can be analyzed and results used to adjust
dispatch and maintenance schedules. Many plants are required to conduct
performance tests, most notably during
equipment acceptance and in support of Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). These tests are normally run at frequencies no
greater than once each year. While annual testing can provide some insight into
equipment operation, more frequent performance assessments will improve the
ability of the site to recognize and correct equipment deficiencies,
leading to improved site capacity, heat rate, availability, reliability and
profitability.
5. Repeat
This is the most important step of all. Many power generation sites have implemented performance monitoring programs in the past, only to have the champion of the system get promoted, leave the site for new opportunities or retire. Once that program champion has left, many monitoring systems are ignored or simply turned off and any gains once realized are often lost. The performance improvement gains made by the system slowly vanish, and the effort which went into developing the system is also lost. In order to keep your performance monitoring system in good working order, and to maintain and improve your equipment performance, you must sustain performance awareness, continue to analyze your equipment, execute performance tests, and monitor your equipment for performance trends. It’s a never ending cycle which sometimes requires considerable time investment, but the rewards can be great.
Ask
how T2E3 can help you make the first step (or
the second, or…)
T2E3 Products & Services:
Analysis
Tools - Software - Training Seminars – Performance Test Design and Direction -
Site Documentation Audits - Commercial Performance Monitoring Program Design
and Evaluation
Compressor Water Wash Software Beta
Release Available March, 2007
Introducing
the New Compressor Water Wash Program from T2E3, available for Beta release in
March 2007. Beta users are
provided the program free of charge for three months, and are asked to provide
feedback on program user experiences. Feedback will be used to improve the
program prior to initial public release.
Sign up to be a beta user today!
T2E3
Provides Services for Power Generators
T2E3 offers the following products and services:
·
Analysis Tools
–
T2E3 can develop spreadsheet or
compiled software tools and analyses
for use in a performance monitoring program, including integration with site
data systems, for real-time or online systems.
·
Training –both public
seminars and customized options are available.
Highly interactive sessions increase attendees’ knowledge and understanding of
the thermodynamic cycles,
instrumentation and analyses needed to improve equipment performance.
·
Performance
Test Support – T2E3 can provide test procedure development, test design, uncertainty
analysis, test witnessing and / or on-site test direction, all geared toward
making your performance tests consistent, repeatable, and able to meet your
test objectives.
·
Site
Documentation Audit – depending on the age and condition of the site,
documentation on the expected performance of the equipment may not be available, or if it is, it may be
buried in a document library where no
one has time to find it. T2E3 can provide personnel to scour your documentation
and find the information you need to analyze your plant’s performance.
·
Commercial
Program Design and Evaluation –
For sites interested in a more
complete enterprise solution for performance monitoring, T2E3 can support the design and evaluation of
the various commercial products
available within the industry for performance monitoring. Choosing the correct solution will depend on the site goals and objectives
for the performance monitoring program.
Call for a free quote, today!
T2E3
Energy Efficiency
Enterprises
14260
120th PL NE Kirkland, WA 98034
Phone: 425-821-6036
Fax: 253-550-6992
E-mail:
performance@t2e3.com
T2E3 Newsletter Volume 1,
Issue 1: 1st Quarter 2007
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