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Vol. 153 No. 8 August 2009 www.powermag.com
2009 Plant
of the Year
The Hague Repowering Project
Wins Marmaduke Award
GT Flex Fuel Design for LNG
IGCC: Are We There Yet?
FGD Dewatering Cuts Cost
City of Springfield's
Dallman 4
Balances Energy
and the
Environment
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POWER www.powermag.com 1
Established 1882 Vol. 153 No. 8 August 2009
www.powermag.com
TK
TK
TK
On the cover
By building a new Illinois coalfired unit on the shore of Lake Springfield, City Water, Light
& Power of the City of Springfield, Ill., has ensured that it will no longer have to buy power
on the wholesale market. KBV Springfield Power Partners was the Dallman 4 engineer-
ing, procurement, and construction contractor. Photo courtesy Terry Farmer Photography,
terryfarmer.com
COVER STORY: 2009 PLANT OF THE YEAR
28 City of Springfields CWLP Dallman 4 Earns POWERs Highest Honor
The $515 million Dallman 4 is the most expensive project ever built by the City of
Springfield, Ill., but it was completed ahead of schedule and under budget. Thanks to
using local coal, it will pay dividends to the municipal utilitys customers for years to
come in the form of low rates supported by income from the sale of surplus power
to the wholesale market. As one of the cleanest coal-fired plants in the U.S., the plant
makes environmental sense, too.
SPECIAL REPORTS
2009 MARMADUKE AWARD
38 The Hague Repowering Project Upgrades CHP System,
Preserves Historic Building
This years winner of the Marmaduke Award for excellence in O&M goes to a project
that pulled off something much harder than a facelift. The challenge was to preserve
the century-old historic exterior of The Hague Power Station while replacing its ag-
ing heart with high-efficiency turbines to ensure that the plant will provide heat and
power to the Dutch city for many years to come.
SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT
46 Improved FGD Dewatering Process Cuts Solid Waste
How would you like to save over half a million dollars in costs related to flue gas de-
sulfurization solids? The plant in this case study shows you how it did just that. (Can
you really afford not to read this?)
GENERATION TECHNOLOGY
52 IGCC Update: Are We There Yet?
Integrated gasification combined cycle has for many years been a promising tech-
nology. Three experts weigh in on the current balance of pros and cons, and on when
IGCC is likely to deliver on its promises.
FEATURES
CARBON MANAGEMENT
58 Commercially Available CO
2
Capture Technology
Fluor Corp.s Econamine FG Plus (EFG+) technology has been widely used in the gas-
treating industry for two decades. Here the company makes the case for using EFG+
in coal-fired power plants by explaining how the process works and sharing its oper-
ating experience with the process at a gas-fired power plant.
28
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|
August 2009 2
STEAM TURBINES
62 Preventing Turbine Water Damage: TDP-1 Updated
The latest revision of ASMEs Recommended Practices for the Prevention of Water
Damage to Steam Turbines Used for Electric Power Generation: Fossil-Fuel Plants in-
cludes recommendations that apply to the newest power plant technologies, includ-
ing combined cycles and digital controls. Consider its design and operating advice
an ounce of prevention.
COMBUSTION SYSTEM DESIGN
66 Flexible Fuel Combustor Design Accommodates LNG
Variations in the constituent elements of liquefied natural gas (LNG) can adversely
affect the operation of power generation turbines using the fuel. Siemens explains
how it is developing an LNG-capable turbine, and modifications for currently avail-
able turbines, to handle the fuel variations that are likely to affect increasing num-
bers of plants.
CLASSIC MARMADUKE
71 Marmys Deep-Freeze Blackout
Each year, as a companion to our report on the Marmaduke Award winner, we reprint
a story about the fictional plant troubleshooter Marmaduke Surfaceblow. This year
we dusted off a tale based on a true scenario set in Greenland.
DEPARTMENTS
6 SPEAKING OF POWER
Politics Trump Scientific Integrity
GLOBAL MONITOR
8 Help Build the Global Energy Observatory
10 Revived FutureGen Faces Renewed Funding Obstacles
11 How Much Coal and Gas Does the U.S. Really Have?
11 Of Fracking, Earthquakes, and Carbon Sequestration
13 Floating and Flying Wind Turbines
14 Major Scottish Coal Plant Starts CCS
Pilot Program
15 European Interest in Saharan Solar
Project Heats Up
16 Turning Sewage Sludge
into Renewable Energy
16 POWER Digest
FOCUS ON O&M
18 Managing Minimum Load
22 Polymeric Solution
for Pump Cavitation
25 The 7,000-Foot Challenge
26 LEGAL & REGULATORY
Old Challenges Persist in Impeding
Renewable Energy Goals
74 NEW PRODUCTS
80 COMMENTARY
Carbon Offsets: Scam, Not Salvation
By H. Sterling Burnett, PhD, National
Center for Policy Analysis.
66
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NV Energy Tracy Station celebration luncheon for
achieving a million work hours with no lost time
accidents.
Serving Up Perfection in Power Solutions
atmb200901.007.indd
2009 CH2M HILL
Celebrating safety milestones is a fullling way to acknowledge great
achievements. On the NV Energy Tracy Station Project , CH2M HILL
performed over 1,000,000 work hours with no lost time accidents.
CH2M HILLs performance reects the value we place on having every
employee return home each day without injury, being good stewards of
the environment, and striving for continual improvement.
CH2M HILL will work with you to meet the worlds demand for energy by
safely delivering the most challenging programs and complex projects
globally and locally. Our expertise enables us to respond to your needs
quickly.
CH2M HILL provides innovative engineering, procurement, construction,
operations and consulting solutions that span the entire power value
chain.
CH2M HILL recently completed the
Xcel Energy High Bridge Project in
St. Paul, Minnesota.
..the performance of [CH2M HILL]
on this project has been exemplary.
Their approach to safety,
production, planning and leadership
has been impressive. Xcel and I
personally consider this project to
be near perfection. My compliments
and congratulations on a job well
done.
David Wilks, President of Power
Generation for Xcel Energy
ch2mhill.com/power
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August 2009 6
SPEAKING OF POWER
Politics Trump
Scientific Integrity
I
n their recent endangerment finding draft technical support
document (TSD), scientists at the U.S. Environmental Protec-
tion Agency (EPA) conclude that carbon dioxide emissions
are a public health hazard and should be regulated under the
Clean Air Act. Federal law requires that regulations be based
on scientific information that is accurate, clear, complete, and
unbiased; the most recent available; and collected by the best
available methods. The EPAs TSD on carbon emissions violates
all of these requirements.
Rush to Judgment
Lisa Jackson, the new EPA administrator, gave her staff only a
few weeks to prepare a TSD for carbon emissions. It should have
taken a year or two. The TSD is the technical documentation
that must be finalized before the EPA can promulgate carbon
regulations, hence the haste. The short schedule to prepare the
TSD forced staff scientists to pick between two poor choices:
maintain the required scientific checks and balances but miss
the TSD deadline of April 2 (the second anniversary of the Su-
preme Courts decision allowing the agency to regulate CO
2
) or
compromise their internal scientific review processes and meet
the schedule. They chose option two.
The EPA working group that authored the TSD circulated its
draft in mid-March for an internal review. Staff researcher Dr.
Alan Carlin, a 38-year EPA veteran, was given less than five days
to prepare his comments. Carlin prepared a blistering 98-page
report that was extremely critical of the TSDs scientific rigor
because EPA decisions [were] based on a scientific hypothesis
that does not appear to explain most of the available data.
Action, Meet Reaction
The EPAs overreaction was immediate when Carlins report went
public. The EPAs director of the National Center for Environmental
Economics (NCEE), Al McGartland, first worried about the inevi-
table political fallout in a March 17 e-mail: The administrator and
the administration has decided to move forward . . . and your
comments do not help the legal or policy case for this decision.
McGartland obviously missed Jacksons January memo promising
to keep the politics out of scientific inquiry: I will ensure EPAs
efforts to address the environmental crises of today are rooted in
three fundamental values: science-based policies and programs,
adherence to the rule of law, and overwhelming transparency.
McGartlands next knee-jerk response was to issue a gag or-
der: Please do not have any direct communication with anyone
outside of (our group) on endangerment. There should be no
meetings, e-mails, written statements, phone calls, etc. In an
interview with CBSNews.com, Carlin said, I was told . . . not to
work on climate change.
The EPAs final comments were simply outrageousthey seek
to discredit the messenger. In a written statement in response to
media questions about Carlins report, the EPA noted that The
individual in question is not a scientist and was not part of the
working group dealing with this issue. The EPA completely ig-
nores Carlins credentials (a BS in physics from CalTech and PhD in
economics from MIT), yet he was sufficiently qualified to be part
of the internal review team of the draft TSD and to work at the
NCEE for many years. Carlin suddenly became unqualified when he
asked hard questions and was unwilling to rubber-stamp the TSD.
Three Categories of Errors Found
Carlins report outlines six specific reasons why the scientific
basis for the TSD is flawed. I dont have room here for the de-
tails, but theyre persuasive and worth reading at http://cei
.org/cei_files/fm/active/0/DOC062509-004.pdf. Carlin suc-
cinctly summed up the TSDs flawed science this way: Until and
unless these and many other inconsistencies . . . are adequately
explained it would appear premature to attribute all or even any
of what warming has occurred to cha nges in GHG/CO
2
atmo-
spheric levels.
Carlin pointed out that the EPA used short-cuts to buttress the
endangerment findings. Much of the TSD is based on Intergov-
ernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) studies and models
rather than on independent research and studies conducted by
EPA scientists, as has been its historical practice. These incon-
sistencies are so important and sufficiently abstruse that in our
view EPA needs to make an independent analysis of the science
of global warming rather than adopting the conclusions of the
IPCC and the CCSP [Climate Change Science Program] without
much more careful and independent EPA staff review than is evi-
denced by the TSD, he wrote.
Carlin also pointed out that there is an obvious logical prob-
lem posed by steadily increasing US health and welfare measures
and the alleged endangerment of health and welfare discussed in
this draft TSD during a period of rapid rise in at least CO
2
ambient
levels. This discontinuity either needs to be carefully explained
in the draft TSD or the conclusions changed.
The EPA has not responded to the concerns raised in Carlins
critique of the TSD in the three months since it was made public.
The Essence of Science
Carlin wrote in his critique that science requires experimentally
determining the correctness of a hypothesis by comparing em-
pirical data with real-world data. Its not a statement of belief.
Heres my critique of the TSD: Its EPAs scientific integrity
that is endangered.
Editor-in-Chief Dr. Robert Peltier, PE
The EPA has not responded to
the concerns raised in Carlins
critique of the TSD in the three
months since it was made public.
GE Energy
I promise
David Chapin, Lead Product Manager,
Filtration Technologies
Boiler cleaning outages whether planned or not are costly and disruptive. Now you can do something
about it. The Powerwave+
impulse cleaning system helps keep your boilers working even while theyre being
cleaned. Which not only helps reduce scheduled shutdowns, it also helps eliminate unscheduled outages due
to buildup. And thats not just a promise. Its the promise of something better. Find out how Powerwave+
technology is already hard at work for your peers at ge-energy.com/powerwave.
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August 2009 8
GLOBAL MONITOR
GLOBAL MONI TOR GLOBAL MONI TOR GLOBAL MONI TOR GLOBAL MONI TOR GLOBAL MONI TOR GLOBAL MONI TOR GLOBAL MONI TOR GLOBAL MONI TOR GLOBAL MONI TOR GLOBAL MONI TOR GLOBAL MONI TOR GLOBAL MONI TOR GLOBAL MONI TOR GLOBAL MONI TOR GLOBAL MONI TOR GLOBAL MONI TOR GLOBAL MONI TOR GLOBAL MONI TOR GLOBAL MONI TOR GLOBAL MONI TOR
Help Build the Global
Energy Observatory
How would you like to be able to access data
on all the power plants in the world and all
of their performance metrics, analyze that
data, and map it? Those abilities are part
of the vision behind the Global Energy Ob-
servatory (GEO), an OpenModel website that
serves as a wiki for global energy data.
Like Wikipedia, this enterprise uses
wiki software that allows for the creation
and editing of interlinked web pages by
a collaborative community of users. GEO
seeks to promote an understanding, on
a global scale, of the dynamics of change
in energy systems, quantify emissions and
their impacts, and accelerate the transi-
tion to carbon-neutral, environmentally
benign energy systems while providing af-
fordable energy to all. It is attempting to
do so by using open source software tools,
including Google Earth, and encouraging
community participation. Thats where the
power generation community comes in.
GEOs databases are organized into three
categories: GEOpower for power genera-
tion, GEOresources for fuels and resources,
and GEOtransmission (under construction)
for the transmission of electricity and fu-
els. The GEOpower database can account
for coal, gas, geothermal, hydro, nuclear,
oil, solar PV, solar thermal, waste, and
wind plants of all sizes, though to date
it includes mostly utility-scale plants for
which public data are available.
The project was conceived and devel-
oped by Dr. Rajan Gupta, a fellow of Los
Alamos National Laboratory and a theoret-
ical high energy physicist with wide-rang-
ing research interests. It is sponsored by
the New Mexico Consortium and has been
built primarily by Gupta and four Univer-
sity of New Mexico electrical and computer
engineering masters students.
A Virtual World of Information
Although GEOpower contains information
on many power generation facilities around
the world, the initial data have come from
publicly available sources, so plant entries
are necessarily incomplete. The GEO web-
site explains that the project developed
scripts to scrape data available from open
credible websites and publications in dif-
ferent formats (Excel, html, KML, pdf) into
the database. Data for U.S. plants, for
example, have been imported from Energy
Information Administration and Environ-
mental Protection Agency (EPA) sources.
Gupta estimated that by the end of May,
GEOpower included 40% to 50% of global
power generation capacity.
The GEOpower home page includes links
to tools that allow you to map data, view
and edit data, add a plant, view the his-
tory of edits, download data, and analyze
data. If you map all hydro plants in India,
for example, you can click on any plant lo-
cation to see capacity, and then click into
the database for additional information.
Users must register and log in to edit
and add data, use analysis tools, and
download data so that the consortium
representatives can track and validate
changes, and work with and acknowledge
high quality users.
Because the majority of data included to
date came from official sources, they are
considered prevalidated. Gupta told POWER
that when considering data from other
sources, the system will be analogous to a
peer review system used by scientific jour-
nals: the editors and moderators in this
system would be subject area experts.
Data analysis looks as if it could be very
interesting when the database is more
fully populated. The interface includes 25
performance metrics, from gigawatt-hours
generated to NH
3
(ammonia) emitted. Cur-
rently, data are typically limited to metrics
tracked by regulatory agencies (for exam-
ple, seven years of the EPAs eGRID data for
U.S. plants).
Drilling Down into the Database
To test the database, POWER searched for
the small Valmont Station in Boulder, Colo.
(Figure 1). GEOpower shows the plant as
being owned by Public Service Co. of Colo-
rado (an Xcel Energy subsidiary), having a
design capacity of 236.9 MWe, firing bi-
tuminous coal as its primary fuel, and
using water from Boulder Creek. It also
includes the commissioned date for both
units. Performance data as of mid-June
were GWh generated; heat input; and CO
2
,
SO
x
, NO
x
, and mercury emissions. (Inter-
estingly, GEO showsas does the EPAs
original eGRID data, according to Gupta
CO
2
emissions increasing between 2000
and 2004 even though gigawatt-hours
generated dropped.)
For comparison, we looked at informa-
tion on Xcel Energys Valmont Station web-
site, which gives 229 MW as the plants
size and low-sulfur coal from western
Colorado mines and natural gas as its
fuels. Xcel also provides the following in-
formation about the plant: Unit 5 (V5)
went into service in 1964 and can burn
either coal or natural gas. The unit uses
three surrounding lakes for circulating
1. Getting a grip on global energy data. The collaborative Global Energy Observa-
tory seeks to provide easy access to data on all energy systems around the globe. To date, this
work in progress includes publicly available information on power plants in nine countries. This
screen shot shows the interface for selecting a plant whose data you want to examine and/or
edit. Source: New Mexico Consortium
Be Right
Intergraph and the Intergraph logo are registered trademarks of Intergraph Corporation. 2009 Intergraph Corporation. 07/09 PPM-US-0069B-ENG
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August 2009 30
2009 PLANT OF THE YEAR
high when he said, I certainly think [Dall-
man 4] has raised the expectation for power
plants across the United States, and its great
to have one of the nations best practices in
coal-fired power plants here in Springfield.
Its unique to find a mayor willing to heap
such high praise on an electric utility, but the
praise is well-deserved.
The $515 million project is the most ex-
pensive project ever built by Springfield.
Whats more, it was completed with mini-
mal cost increasesan impressive feat, es-
pecially in todays construction market. The
plant also is entering commercial service
approximately six months ahead of sched-
ule (Table 1, p. 28) and under budget, sav-
ing Springfield even more valuable cash just
when other cities are looking for ways to in-
crease revenues. CWLPs general manager,
Todd Renfrow, noted that the community is
very proud to soon be the owner of one of
the cleanest and most advanced coal-fired
power plants in the nation. The execution of
the project with little cost overrun and being
so far ahead of schedule has raised the bar in
power plant design and construction.
Doug Brown, CWLPs major projects
development director and the Dallman Unit
4 project manager, explained that the proj-
ects primary goals included environmental
protection and energy efficiency: A major
part of this goal is to protect our ratepayers
from the highly volatile market-based rates.
Brown mentioned that a secondary goal of
the project is to enhance the knowledge,
experience, and reputations for excellence of
all the parties involved in the project.
New Power Plant Will Make
Economic Sense
Springfields requirement for 200 MW of coal-
fired capacity was initially identified as part
of a long-term planning study conducted in
2001. One goal of the new project was to iso-
late Springfield from the volatile prices the city
was encountering with market electricity pur-
chases when its electricity production capacity
couldnt meet rising demand. Another business
opportunity provided by the new plant was to
sell surplus power into those same markets, cre-
ating a steady source of future revenue.
The target date for completing the new
project was set for the end of 2009. Addition-
al engineering studies confirmed the need for
the project and refined the cost estimates.
In 2003, Burns & McDonnell was hired
by CWLP to be its owners engineer and to
start the preliminary engineering and per-
mitting phases of the project. In September
2005, the Springfield City Council autho-
rized construction of the project, which was
financed through a bond issue and retail rate
increases. However, there was one large ob-
stacle looming that effectively stopped issu-
ance of the final construction permits.
Landmark Agreement
with Sierra Club
The Sierra Club believed that the air permit
limits werent aggressive enough and that
constructing the new coal-fired plant was
only one element of what should be a much
more comprehensive energy plan for Spring-
field. Therefore, it threatened to file suit in
order to stall the project. In 2006, CWLP ne-
gotiated a landmark agreement with the Si-
erra Club that allowed Dallman 4 to proceed
without any litigation over its air permit.
The original agreement between CWLP
and the Sierra Club received national atten-
tion when it was announced because it was
the first time that a U.S. utility had agreed
to cut greenhouse gases and set emission
reduction targets under standards of the
Kyoto Protocol. Specifically, CWLP agreed
to perform four tasks: close its oldest, least
efficient coal plant (Lakeside); reduce NO
x
and SO
2
emissions for the remaining plants;
invest in renewable energy by purchasing
120 MW of wind power60 MW for the
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www.powermag.com POWER
|
August 2009 32
2009 PLANT OF THE YEAR
City of Springfield and 60 MW for the state
government; and increase CWLPs invest-
ment in energy efficiency and conservation
projects. In return, the Sierra Club agreed
to not contest the air emissions permit for
Dallman 4. As part of that agreement, the
city and state agreed to share the costs of
adding wind power to CWLPs generation
mix by purchasing wind power for 100% of
the state capital and about 140 other state
government buildings.
CWLP, to its credit, immediately pursued
contracts for wind power and entered into
two 10-year contracts with NextEra Energy
Resources LLC (formerly FPL Energy LLC)
for the purchase of 120 MW of wind power.
The initial purchase of 20 MW of wind-gen-
erated energy, from Hancock County, was
made in July 2007; an agreement for 100
MW of wind energy from Crystal Lake was
made in November 2008. Both wind genera-
tion facilities are located in northern Iowa.
Utility officials estimate CWLPs total wind
power purchases over a full year will pro-
duce enough renewable energy to supply the
equivalent of about 18% of CWLPs elec-
tricity supply requirements. In 2008, wind
purchases equaled 4.57% of net generation
at an average price of $43.09/MWh.
Ive waited so long for this day, CWLPs
Renfrow told the city council utilities com-
mittee in early May of this year, noting that
he had struggled to conclude an agreement
with the state under former Governor Rod
Blagojevichs administration, but had been
successful working with Governor Pat Quinn.
The renewable energy purchase agreement is
retroactive to July 1, 2008, and runs through
June 30, 2018. The state will pay about
$19.30/MWh as a surcharge on metered elec-
tricity for the wind power; the surcharge will
increase 4% per year for the term of the con-
tract. In return, Springfield will invest up to
$1.86 million in energy conservation and ef-
ficiency programs in the same state buildings
though 2015. This agreement with Illinois al-
lowed the City of Springfield to tick off two
of the four Sierra Club requirements.
CWLPs Generation Portfolio
Before the new unit was built, CWLPs gen-
erating capacity was provided by three coal-
fired steam turbine generators at Dallman
(372 MW), one dual-fuel natural gas and
oil-fired combustion turbine (128 MW), two
oil-fired combustion turbines (totaling 38
MW), three oil-fired diesel generating units
(totaling 6 MW), and two coal-fired Lake-
side units (76 MW total). CWLPs total sum-
mer maximum net generating capability was
620 MW before adding Dallman 4s contri-
bution and subtracting the recently decom-
missioned Lakeside units.
The two 1960s-vintage units at the adja-
cent Lakeside Power Station were shuttered
with the completion of Dallman 4 (which
also sits adjacent to the existing Dallman
units) as part of the Sierra Club agreement.
Lakeside Power Station was CWLPs origi-
nal generating facility, constructed in the
mid-1930s on the shore of the utilitys then-
new manmade Lake Springfield. By the mid-
1960s, Lakeside consisted of eight coal-fired
boilers and seven turbine-generators, only
two of whichboilers 7 and 8 and turbine
units 6 and 7were operating when the
plant was shut down.
Dallman consists of Dallman 31, an 86-
MW unit installed in 1968; the 87-MW Unit
32, installed in 1972; and the 199-MW Unit
33, placed into service in 1978. In spite of be-
ing decades old, these units continue to oper-
ate economically. In fact, in 2008, the existing
Dallman stations net fuel cost was $19.87 per
MWh. All of the Dallman units are designed
to burn 100% Illinois high-sulfur coal with an
approximate heat content of 10,500 Btu per
pound. Coal for all the units is trucked from
the Viper Mine in Elkhart, Ill., to the coal-
receiving yard for both Dallman plants.
Particulate emissions from the existing
Dallman units are controlled by electrostatic
precipitators. In addition, the Dallman units
are equipped with wet scrubbers to control
SO
2
emissions. The scrubber for Dallman
Unit 33 was installed in 1980; a second
scrubber, serving the two older units, was
put into operation in June 2001.
Each of the Dallman units has also been
equipped with a selective catalytic reduction
(SCR) system placed in service in May 2003,
which operates during the entire year. All
three Dallman units use once-through con-
denser cooling water from Lake Springfield.
Becoming Energy Self-Sufficient
In 2008, CWLP generated about 1.752 mil-
lion MWh and purchased 410 thousand
MWh for total consumption of 2.163 million
MWh. CWLPs summer peak demand of
420 MW was set on Monday, August 4 at 5
p.m., outstripping the economic production
capacity of the existing plants and requiring
market electricity purchases. With the addi-
tion of Dallman 4, CWLP will be able to eas-
ily meet Springfields summer peak demand
and still have plenty of capacity available to
sell into the electricity market.
Not only does Springfield no longer need
to purchase expensive electricity from the
open market, but it also now could very well
be one of the lower-priced suppliers in that
market. The foresight of CWLP and city
leaders in building in that extra capacity will
literally pay dividends to Springfields resi-
dents for many years to come.
The 200-MW net Dallman 4 project is a
prime example of technological advance-
ment and innovation that works in concert
with Springfield residents keen desire to
be environmentally progressive. Dallman 4
satisfies those desires by being one of the
cleanest subcritical pulverized coal units in
the nation. Its flue gas cleaning processes
will remove 99% of the SO
2
, 95% of the
NO
x
formed when burning high-sulfur Il-
linois coal, as well as 90% of the mercury
in the stack gas. Carbon emissions are also
reduced because Dallman 4 is 34% more
efficient than the Lakeside units it replaced
and shuttered in April.
2. Raise the drum slowly. One of the heaviest and most challenging lifts in the course
of constructing a power plant is raising and positioning the steam drum. The complete steam
generator was sourced from Foster Wheeler. Courtesy: CWLP
August 2009
|
POWER www.powermag.com 33
2009 PLANT OF THE YEAR
The design specs of Dallman 4 also send the message that
Springfield is dedicated to buying locally whenever possible. The
plant burns high-sulfur Illinois coalgoing against the grain of
most other new coal-fired plants, which routinely select Powder
River Basin coal.
State-of-the-Art Environmental Protection
KBV Springfield Power Partners (KBV)the projects engineering,
procurement, and construction (EPC) contractorpurchased a Fos-
ter Wheeler boiler (Figure 2), a Toshiba steam turbine generator (Fig-
ure 3), and Wheelabrator Air Pollution Control Inc. (a wholly owned
subsidiary of Siemens Power Generation) air quality control system
(AQCS) equipment. Emissions control at Dallman begins with Foster
Wheelers Vortex series of split-flame, low-NO
x
burners in the boiler
before the combustion gases pass to a substantial lineup of AQCS
equipment (Figure 4).
Downstream of the boiler, an SCR further reduces the NO
x
concen-
tration in the stack gas. Next up is a powder-activated carbon injection
4. Lean and clean. The Foster Wheeler steam generator is con-
figured with low-NO
x
burners that reduce NO
x
produced during com-
bustion. A selective catalytic reduction system will reduce NO
x
levels
in the flue gas to meet the plants permit limit. Courtesy: CWLP
ht t p: //www. appl i edbol t i ng. com email: info@appliedbolting.com
1413 Rockingham Rd. Bellows Falls, VT 05101 USA
1 800 552 1999 1 802 460 3100
T E CHNOL OGY
applied
bolting
the best way to bolt!
TRAI NI NG FI ELD SUPPORT TECHNI CAL EXPERTI SE
Squirter DTIs
l
l
t
o
n
s
/
d
a
y
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Average tons/day 733.5
Average tons/day 489.9
3. Cutting costs. The new automated dry polymer make-down system reduces expenses
by increasing the efficiency of the dewatering operation. Courtesy: Duke Energy
4. A slowdown in sludge generation. This chart illustrates the number of tons of
sludge sent by the Zimmer Station to the landfill on a monthly basis during the evaluation period
from May 1, 2006 through July 31, 2008. The numbers reveal a large overall reduction in the
volume of sludge disposed during the last 12 months of the evaluation period. Courtesy: Duke
Energy
www.powermag.com POWER
|
August 2009 50
SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT
To address this issue, the team removed
the inert material from the clarifier via a
clarifier lateral pump (CLP). The CLP takes
a side stream of material from the clarifier
and pumps the material to one of two settling
thickeners. Then polymer is added to the set-
tling thickener, which allows the inert mate-
rial to increase to a density of approximately
15% to 22%. The settled material is pushed
to the thickener underflow pump suctions
(using a TUF Pump). The material is then
pumped to and processed by a centrifuge
system and removed by truck to the landfill.
The clarifier underflow is returned to the oxi-
dation tank for gypsum recovery.
Finally, many of the Zimmer Stations
FGD-associated pumps, sumps, and other
miscellaneous equipment had to be modified
to deal with gypsum settling and the abra-
siveness of the gypsum material.
Performance Goals for
Reducing Solid Waste
In 2007, Duke Energy set out to further im-
prove the overall performance and effective-
ness of the FGD dewatering process. Key
performance objectives were to:
Improve water-solids separation.
Enhance polymer program effectiveness
and reliability, and optimize treatment
costs.
Maintain centrifuge cake solids at >31%.
Reduce tonnage to landfill.
Decrease operation labor requirements.
Maintain septic-free conditions in clarifiers.
Design and Operating
Improvements
To achieve its goals, the team made improve-
ments in the FGD system design and opera-
tion that included the mechanical, chemical,
and operational changes discussed below and
shown in Figure 2 (p. 48).
Cleaning of the FGD Blowdown Line.
This involved the installation of cleanouts
and more-frequent cleaning of the FGD bleed
stream blowdown lines in order to improve
the recovery of gypsum to the oxidizer rather
than to the clarifier/thickener.
Relocation of the #1 Clarifier Lateral
Pump Suction and Transferring the Side
Stream Flow to #2 or #3 Thickeners. The
lateral pump transfers a percentage of the
settled solids from the #1 clarifier to the #2
or #3 thickeners. Raising the lateral pump
suction from the bottom of the #1 clarifier
up approximately 15 feet results in a major
improvement in the amount of calcium sul-
fate that is captured for recirculation back to
the oxidizer. As a result of changing the posi-
tion of the lateral pump suction, the heavier
calcium sulfate now settles to the bottom of
the #1 clarifier (for continued processing and
gypsum recovery via the oxidizer tank), and
the lighter inert materials are transferred to
the #2 or #3 thickener for concentrating.
Decreasing the Amount of Unneces-
sary Blowdown from Scrubber Modules.
In the past, when it was necessary to dump
or blow down a module directly to the #1
clarifier (bypassing the oxidizer), this action
would allow a high amount of sulfites to react
with the sludge and consequently caused sep-
tic conditions. Later, to help keep the sludge
from going septic under normal conditions,
sodium hypochlorite (bleach) was fed on a
continuous basis.
Plant operators found, however, that the
demand for bleach during these septic condi-
tions exceeded the capacity of the bleach feed
system. Furthermore, shot feeding of high
volumes of bleach only provided temporary
relief. It was not unusual for septic conditions
to exist for days or even weeks after excessive
module dumping. The septic sludge would
often be very difficult to dewater (often re-
quiring twice the amount of polymer). Addi-
tionally, the septic conditions often prompted
complaints from operators and neighbors.
Recently, however, after improving over-
all communications between FGD operations
and the sludge dewatering contractor (Utter
Construction), the number of septic situations
has been reduced and virtually eliminated.
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
5
/
1
/
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6
6
/
1
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6
7
/
1
/
0
6
8
/
1
/
0
6
9
/
1
/
0
6
1
0
/
1
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0
6
1
1
/
1
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6
1
2
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1
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0
6
1
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7
2
/
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3
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4
/
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7
5
/
1
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7
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1
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8
/
1
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7
9
/
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7
1
0
/
1
/
0
7
1
1
/
1
/
0
7
1
2
/
1
/
0
7
1
/
1
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8
2
/
1
/
0
8
3
/
1
/
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8
4
/
1
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8
5
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6
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7
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8
Date
%
S
o
l
i
d
s
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Date
C
e
n
t
r
i
f
u
g
e
#
1
c
a
k
e
s
o
l
i
d
s
(
%
)
5
/
1
/
0
6
6
/
1
/
0
6
7
/
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/
0
6
8
/
1
/
0
6
9
/
1
/
0
6
1
0
/
1
/
0
6
1
1
/
1
/
0
6
1
2
/
1
/
0
6
1
/
1
/
0
7
2
/
1
/
0
7
3
/
1
/
0
7
4
/
1
/
0
7
5
/
1
/
0
7
6
/
1
/
0
7
7
/
1
/
0
7
8
/
1
/
0
7
9
/
1
/
0
7
1
0
/
1
/
0
7
1
1
/
1
/
0
7
1
2
/
1
/
0
7
1
/
1
/
0
8
2
/
1
/
0
8
3
/
1
/
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8
4
/
1
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8
5
/
1
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6
/
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7
/
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8
#1 average cake solids 35.3% #1 average cake solids 38.7%
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
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5
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6
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9
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1
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1
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7
1
1
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7
1
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7
1
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8
2
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3
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4
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/
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Date
%
S
o
l
i
d
s
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Date
C
e
n
t
r
i
f
u
g
e
#
2
c
a
k
e
s
o
l
i
d
s
(
%
)
5
/
1
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0
6
6
/
1
/
0
6
7
/
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8
/
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9
/
1
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1
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6
1
1
/
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/
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6
1
2
/
1
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0
6
1
/
1
/
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2
/
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3
/
1
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4
/
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5
/
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6
/
1
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7
9
/
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/
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7
1
0
/
1
/
0
7
1
1
/
1
/
0
7
1
2
/
1
/
0
7
1
/
1
/
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8
2
/
1
/
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8
3
/
1
/
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8
4
/
1
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5
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8
7
/
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8
#2 average cake solids 35.8% #2 average cake solids 38.4%
5. A piece of cake. Switching to centrifuges with back drives led to a marked improve-
ment in cake solids and polymer consumption. The data shown are from Centrifuge No. 1.
Courtesy: Duke Energy
6. A solid success. Cake solids improved approximately 3% during the evaluation period
from May 1, 2006 through July 31, 2007. The data shown are from Centrifuge No. 2. Courtesy:
Duke Energy
August 2009
|
POWER www.powermag.com 51
SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT
Current practice is to notify the dewatering
contractor in advance of module dumps and
thereby avoid operating conditions that can
lead to septic conditions, and treating with
bleach as the condition occurs.
Installation of New Dry Polymer
Make-Down System. The dry polymer
make-down system was replaced with a new
automated unit that provides an overall more
efficient and reliable dewatering operation
(Figure 3, p. 49).
Installation of New Centrifuges with
Back Drives. After experimenting with some
newer centrifuges, the dewatering contractor
opted to experiment with some rental centri-
fuges with back drives. These new centrifug-
es provide consistent, reliable operation and
drier cake solids. Ultimately, new centrifuges
were purchased.
Positive Results
When the unit came back into operation after
the spring 2007 outage, there was an immedi-
ate reduction in the number of tons of landfill
material discharged from the centrifuge pro-
cess. This reduction was directly related to
the relocation of the #1 clarifier lateral pump
suction (underflow take-off), the change in
centrifuge technology, and the optimiza-
tion of dewatering polymers. The amount of
material sent to the landfill decreased from
an average of 733.5 tons/day to 489.9 tons/
day, which added up to an annual savings of
$256,500 in landfill costs (Figure 4, p. 49).
The test centrifuges that were installed dur-
ing the spring 2007 outage did not perform as
well as expected and resulted in higher poly-
mer consumption and decreased cake solids.
Consequently, the team made a decision to
abandon the test centrifuges and rent centri-
fuges with back drives. An immediate im-
provement in both cake solids and polymer
consumption was realized. Ultimately, Utter
Construction purchased new centrifuges with
back drives. Cake solids improved approxi-
mately 3% for the time frame associated with
this evaluation. Currently, cake solids operate
in the high 40% range on average for both
centrifuges (Figures 5 through 8).
Lime kiln dust (LKD) is added to the
sludge as it is discharged from the centri-
fuges via a pug mill. LKD is used simply to
increase the dryness of the sludge prior to
shipping it to the landfill. Pebble lime per-
forms the same function but is used on week-
ends in lieu of LKD to avoid the overtime
associated with the pug mill operation. The
pebble lime is mixed with the sludge by a
front-end loader prior to loading the trucks
for the landfill.
The decreased landfill tonnage combined
with increased cake solids and the result-
ing reduced LKD and pebble lime usage
have resulted in additional annual savings of
$310,356 (Table 1), for total annual savings
of $566,856.
Craig Moyer (craig.moyer@
duke-energy.com) is the FGD coordinator
at Duke Energys Zimmer Station. Juan
Fernandez (juanm.fernandez@ge.com)
and Bob Carraro (francis.carraro@
ge.com), area manager, both work at GE
Water & Process Technologies.
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
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2
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2
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3
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3
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1
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5
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Date
W
a
s
t
e
s
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Replacement
centrifuges
Rental
centrifuges Current centrifuges
0
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Replacement
centrifuges
Rental
centrifuges Current centrifuges
7. Less is more. The new automated make-down system provides a more efficient and
reliable dewatering operation. Courtesy: Duke Energy
8. Paring down polymer use. The reduction in polymer consumption translates into
greater savings in operating costs. Courtesy: Duke Energy
Table 1. A money-saving move. By significantly reducing the number of tons of cen-
trifuge solids sent to the landfill each year, the Zimmer Station has been able to realize substan-
tial savings. The dewatering process also avoids burning 2,800 gallons of diesel fuel. Courtesy:
Duke Energy
Parameter
May 2006
May 2007 (tons)
May 2007
May 2008 (tons)
Annual
cost savings
Waste to landll 225,879 148,938 $256,500
Pebble lime 120 12 $205,200
Lime kiln dust 648 504 $105,156
Total cost savings $568,856
www.powermag.com POWER
|
August 2009 52
GENERATION TECHNOLOGY
IGCC Update: Are We There Yet?
If a number of technical, financial, and regulatory hurdles can be overcome,
power generated by integrated gasification combined-cycle technology
could become an important source for U.S. utilities. Our overview pres-
ents diverse perspectives from three industry experts about what it will
take to move this technology off the design table and into the field.
By Angela Neville, JD
I
n May, POWER interviewed represen-
tatives from two large consulting firms
and a national electric energy research
organization. From the challenges of adding
carbon dioxide (CO
2
) capture technology to
coal-fired plants to the impact of tax credits,
the three experts shared their insights about
integrated gasification combined-cycle
(IGCC) technology. They discussed current
and future IGCC technology developments
and their predictions about when this tech-
nology might become commercially avail-
able in the U.S.
Increasingly viewed as having strong
potential to provide abundant electricity in
the U.S., IGCC technology still has to sur-
mount a number of major challenges. As its
name implies, the IGCC generation system
integrates two different technologies: coal
gasification from the chemical industry and
combined-cycle power generation from the
power industry. IGCC power plants can use
synthetic gas (syngas) derived from a variety
of sources such as coal, pet coke, and bio-
mass as their fuel (Figure 1).
Advantages of IGCC Plants
IGCC plants have a number of well-known
advantages over traditional coal-fired power
plants that use pulverized coal (PC), accord-
ing to Steve Jenkins, the vice president of
gasification services at CH2M HILL Inc., an
international consulting, engineering, con-
struction, and operations firm.
IGCC uses less water. IGCC uses about
33% less water for cooling purposes than
a similar-size PC plant. This is because
about two-thirds of the power generated in
an IGCC plant is from the gas turbines and
one-third is from a steam turbine-generator,
which requires cooling water. Minimizing
water needs can be a significant advantage in
areas of the U.S. where water use is a major
siting issue.
IGCC creates a usable by-product.
When using high-temperature gasification
technologies, the ash in the feedstock is re-
moved in the form of a glassy, nonleachable
slag that can be used in the manufacture of
cement or roofing shingles, or as asphalt
filler or aggregate. This slag is different from
the bottom ash and fly ash produced by most
PC units, which can be more leachable. Also,
slag can be more easily handled, stored, and
transported than fly ash.
IGCC has a carbon capture advan-
tage. Although CO
2
capture technologies
are available for both IGCC plants (pre-com-
bustion) and PC plants (post-combustion),
IGCC plants may have an advantage because
the technology required for pre-combustion
CO
2
capture has already been used success-
fully on coal gasification (but not IGCC)
technology. Enhancements are being made
to this technology for better performance in
IGCC configuration. Furthermore, some of
these capture technologies have the capabil-
ity to produce the concentrated CO
2
stream
at high enough pressures to match the needs
of the compressors required to compress the
CO
2
for transport in pipelines for either se-
questration or enhanced oil recovery. How-
ever, the costs and performance impacts
for CO
2
capture vary significantly between
IGCC and PC plants.
IGCC Limitations
The advantages of IGCC must be balanced
against its limitations, said David J. Stopek,
PE, an engineer with Sargent & Lundy, a
Chicago-based consulting firm.
IGCC can offer advantages compared to
a conventional PC plant for the transition to
a power generation fleet with a lower CO
2
footprint based on coal, he commented.
Having said this, you must understand that
IGCC is still an evolving technology com-
pared to the level of commercial status of
conventional PC technology [see table]. Be-
cause IGCC deployment has been limited,
the costs for each plant require extensive
engineering and development. Efforts by GE
and others to develop a standard plant are
intended to help lower the cost for deploy-
ment. The projects first envisioned by Duke
1. Dynamic duo. Integrated gasification combined-cycle (IGCC) plants integrate coal gas-
ification with combined-cycle technology and can use synthetic gas derived from coal, pet
coke, and other feedstocks. Source: Tampa Electric
Slurry plant
Entrained-
flow gasifier
Oxygen plant
Coal slurry
Raw syngas
90%
O
2
N
2
to combustor
N
2
Feedwater
Radiant syngas
cooler
Slag disposal
Black water recycled
High-pressure
steam
Raw syngas
Product
gas cooler
Steam
Sulfuric
acid
Sulfuric acid
plant
Sulfur
removal
Steam
Conventional
gas cleanup
Combustor
Generator
Generator
Clean syngas
Air
Combustion turbine
Hot
exhaust
gas
Heat-recovery
steam generator
Stack
Steam turbine
Ace Power, Sri Lanka
From design and installation to maintenance and operation, Caterpillar
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and control technologies at ISA EXPO 2009, the most significant conference, exhibition, and educa-
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automation and control exchange.
Register now for ISA EXPO 2009 in Houston, TX, 6-8 October at
www.isa.org/isaexpo. Enter promotion code W12326 for
FREE Exhibition Registration.
www.powermag.com POWER
|
August 2009 68
COMBUSTION SYSTEM DESIGN
lower turbine NO
x
emissions are sought. The
more advanced premixed flame combustors,
the dry low-NO
x
(DLN) and ultra-low-NO
x
(ULN) combustion systems, typically per-
form better in terms of lower NO
x
emissions,
but both demand tighter control over the vari-
ability of the gaseous fuel constituents.
LNG users may expect some variation in
fuel composition if their turbine fuel supply
contains a percentage of LNG, and they will
need to assess that variation in light of appli-
cable original equipment manufacturer fuel
specifications. Apart from the potential effect
of voiding warranties, operational issues
such as combustion dynamics, flashback, in-
creased emissions, or decreased component
lifecan occur. Another potential issue that
may arise from a sudden change in fuel com-
position is substantial and unexpected load
swings. Luckily, there is a solution.
We believe a combustion turbine with
properly matched fuel system hardware can
be capable of operating on many LNG-type
fuels while maintaining emissions and other
operational parameters. The key to success is
selecting the right equipment for a particu-
lar application and a firm understanding of
equipment performance under a wide range
of fuel characteristics.
Fuel Flexibility Development
Approach
Siemens has been involved in the develop-
ment of an LNG-capable gas turbine using
advanced premixed combustion systems for
over five years. The key goal of the develop-
ment project was to thoroughly investigate
and then identify robust combustion system
configurations that are capable of reliable op-
eration on a stipulated range of LNG fuels.
The initial step for the fuel flexibility de-
velopment project was a careful evaluation of
most of our commercially available combus-
tion system configurations and then down-
selecting the most robust configurations of
combustion hardware capable of handling
wide changes in fuel composition.
The selection process came after many
hours of rig and field testing to confirm the
equipment selections. Siemens has com-
pleted multiple LNG test campaigns for the
SGT6-5000F (W501F) engine, both in test
rigs and in operating engines. Rig tests for
the SGT6-3000E (W501D5A) and the SGT6-
6000G (W501G) also have been completed.
These tests have added substantial operating
information to our extensive knowledge base
of combustion system design practices, espe-
cially the challenges presented with burning
LNG and highWobbe Index fuels.
Siemens has also reviewed information
regarding U.S. and global gas reserves. Our
review showed that U.S. domestic natural gas
reserves have had a Wobbe Index value in the
range of approximately 1,315 to 1,370 Btu/
scf (Figure 2). However, in our review of in-
formation on global gas reserves, the Wobbe
Indices of the fuels from the international
sources showed more variation, with reported
values ranging from 1,366 to 1,441 Btu/scf.
W
o
b
b
e
I
n
d
e
x
(
H
H
V
)
N
i
g
e
r
i
a
O
m
a
n
M
a
l
a
y
s
i
a
A
u
s
t
r
a
l
i
a
Q
a
t
a
r
U
A
E
A
l
g
e
r
i
a
T
r
i
n
i
d
a
d
Relative size of reserve
U.S. domestic
1,342 +/2%
1,500
1,450
1,400
1,350
1,300
1,250
1,200
LNG 1
10.0%
3.0%
1.5%
LNG 2
15.0%
5.5%
2.5%
LNG 3
1.5%
15.0%
5.0%
C2Ethane
C3Propane
C4Butane
Constituent
Test fuel
2. Global LNG supplies. Chemical constituents of LNG from worldwide suppliers vary
widely. Source: Natural Gas Plus Sub-Committee
Table 1. Three fuel options stud-
ied. Three test fuels were selected to simu-
late a range of LNG fuels during combustor
testing. Each fuel represented a range of
expected chemical constituents. Source:
Siemens Energy Inc.
3. Fuel flexibility testing set-up. These were the test rig (top) and mixing skid setup
(bottom) used during LNG testing. Courtesy: Siemens Energy Inc.
August 2009
|
POWER www.powermag.com 69
COMBUSTION SYSTEM DESIGN
Our research also concluded that, in ad-
dition to the variation in heat content, indi-
vidual components in the LNG varied widely
among sources. However, it was observed
that the maximum percentages of the higher
hydrocarbons was about 14% ethane, 4%
propane, and 2.5% butane, but these maxi-
mum percentages were not all found in a par-
ticular fuel gas at the same time. Considering
the wide range in fuel constituents and heat
content, Siemens opted to use three represen-
tative fuels for its testing regimen (Table 1).
Testing for Fuel Flexibility
We expect interest in DLN- and ULN-
equipped turbines will continue to increase in
the future because the regulatory drive to re-
duce NO
x
emissions remains strong. We also
expect that the fraction of LNG in our pipe-
lines will rise even if the levels are typically
small today. Lacking LNG in the fuel gas
pipeline that met our testing specifications at
our test facility, our challenge was to find the
means to test the impact of various LNG fuels
on combustion tuning. Mixing skids were in-
stalled to blend the different fuel components
to simulate LNG blends. Figure 3 shows the
combustor test rig and mixing skid used dur-
ing our simulated LNG tests.
Based on our research, we established three
different types of fuel compositions (Table 1)
to cover what we considered to be the char-
acteristics of most of the worlds gas reserves
and beyond. The fuel composite LNG1 in-
cluded characteristics as reported for most of
the worlds LNG sources. The fuel composite
LNG2 has a wider specification, which was
intended to cover almost all of the worlds gas
reserves characteristics as reported. Finally,
the LNG3 fuel composite was established to
test more extreme conditions and verify sys-
tem design and operating margins.
The objective of these rig tests was to de-
termine the operating and emissions charac-
teristics of the combustion system on a range
of fuels, from typical natural gas through
LNG fuels. These tests were conducted at the
normal steady state operating range and from
partial load to baseload for all fuel compo-
sitions mentioned above. Ignition tests were
also performed to confirm successful gas
ignition in the combustor using both natural
gas and LNG fuels.
At the conclusion of this series of tests,
we found that typically NO
x
output increased
with an increase in the Wobbe Index of the
three test fuels (Figure 4). We also found
that an increase in Wobbe Index increased
the propensity of flashback (the progression
of flame in the reverse direction of flow and
possible attachment to combustor hardware).
Flashback can be a significant issue during
combustion turbine operation, as it can reduce
combustor life and, in extreme cases, cause
combustor damage and extensive repairs.
An interesting result of the testing was a
reduction of combustion dynamics (large-
amplitude pressure oscillations in the com-
bustion chamber, driven by heat release
oscillations, which can be destructive to en-
gine hardware) when burning the simulated
LNG. Because the simulated LNG had more
of the heavier hydrocarbons, it provided a
relatively more stable flame that in turn pro-
duces less-intense combustion dynamics.
We also found during our tests that certain
combinations of combustion hardware were
more susceptible to flashback and signifi-
cantly increased NO
x
emissions. Other com-
binations of combustors fared significantly
better in terms of these critical parameters,
as illustrated in Figure 4, for tests performed
on the DLN combustion system configura-
tion. Configuration B performed relatively
better than Configuration A in terms of NO
x
emissions. Although there was an increase in
NO
x
, the combustors may be tuned to achieve
lower NO
x
levels, as indicated by the Config-
uration B (tuned) curve. Configuration B was
Conguration A
Conguration B
N
O
x
,
p
p
m
v
d
@
1
5
%
O
2
Typical pipeline
natural gas
LNG1:
typical LNG
LNG2: 99%
LNG covered
LNG3:
extreme LNG
1,300 1,320 1,340 1,360 1,380 1,400 1,420 1,440 1,460 1,480 1,500 1,520
Wobbe Index (HHV) Btu/scf
D5A ULN
F ULN
G ULN
N
O
x
,
p
p
m
v
d
@
1
5
%
O
2
Typical pipeline
natural gas
LNG1:
typical LNG
LNG2:
99% LNG covered
LNG3:
extreme LNG
1,300 1,320 1,340 1,360 1,380 1,400 1,420 1,440 1,460 1,480 1,500 1,520
Wobbe Index (HHV) Btu/scf
4. DLN fuel flexibility testing. This graph shows the typical response of the dry low-
NO
x
combustion system on three different LNG fuels compared with typical pipeline natural
gas. Configuration B-tuned was the final configuration selection for this application. Source:
Siemens Energy Inc.
5. ULN fuel flexibility testing. This graph shows the typical response of the ultra-low-
NO
x
combustion system for different gas turbine frames for NO
x
emissions. A ULN system
is much less susceptible to wider constituent variations that may be present in LNG. Source:
Siemens Energy Inc.
www.powermag.com POWER
|
August 2009 70
COMBUSTION SYSTEM DESIGN
chosen as the preferred combustor configura-
tion for DLN applications.
We also found that the ULN combustion
system is much less susceptible to the wider
constituent variations that may be present in
LNG. There was marginal impact on NO
x
emissions while operating on LNG1, LNG2,
and even LNG3 fuels (Figure 5, p. 69). Flash-
back margin was also found to be acceptable.
There was no measurable impact on combus-
tion dynamics with regard to the use of these
fuels in the ULN combustion system.
Fuel Flexibility Solution
Overall, we found that many LNG-type fuels
can be considered for use in Siemens com-
bustion turbines if certain modifications are
made to those turbines. These modifications
can include either the installation of the pre-
ferred combustion hardware identified from
the rig and engine tests described above or
the combustion hardware along with the In-
tegrated Fuel Gas Characterization (IFGC)
system designed to tune the combustor in
real time within defined changes in fuel com-
position. Site-specific evaluation is required
to determine required system modifications
for the unit based on current configuration,
expected fuels, and desired emission levels.
The typical combustion turbine must be
manually tuned, if possible, to operate effi-
ciently across its design load range when a
new gas fuel is introduced. Manual tuning is
out of the question when the composition of
fuel is found to change rapidly.
Siemens IFGC (Figure 6) system is de-
signed to make real-time adjustments that a
fixed gas turbine combustion control system
is incapable of making. The IFGC system
consists of a meter (a Wobbe Meter with a
redundant integrated gas chromatograph),
Combustion Dynamics Protection Sys-
tem (CDPS) hardware, and a fuel gas buf-
fer tank. The primary purpose of the IFGC
system is to minimize power fluctuations
or load swings due to changes in the fuel
composition and Wobbe Index. The IFGC
meter is located upstream of the combus-
tion turbine; it is designed to continuously
analyze the supply fuel gass Wobbe Index
and send a signal to the control system. The
control system, based on the Wobbe Index
signal value, then adjusts the fuel supply to
the combustion turbine. The fuel gas buffer
tank introduces a short delay to accommo-
date the response time of the control system
before the analyzed fuel reaches the com-
bustion turbine.
The IFGC also addresses the possibility
of poor light-off events associated with fuel
quality. The IFGC, with its feed-forward
control, can accommodate many fuel quality
variations and help ensure adequate fuel flow
for light-off. Flashback, another issue for
LNG fuels, is also dependent on fuel compo-
sition. The IFGC feed-forward system using
the buffer tank is intended to adjust the con-
trol settings to minimize flashback.
The CDPS system can help mitigate poten-
tially destructive combustion dynamics and
out-of-specification emissions. The CDPS is
an active control dynamics monitoring and
control system. The CDPS receives signals
from the plants continuous emissions moni-
toring system, located at the turbine exhaust,
and compares this information with the unit-
specific emissions permit. Depending on
the variation between the two numbers, the
CDPS is designed to adjust the control set-
tings to maintain emissions and acceptable
levels of combustion dynamics. The IFGC
and CDPS together adjust real-time fuel set-
tings based on operational conditions like
fuel gas variability, combustion dynamics,
and the like.
New Fuel Specification Developed
Subsequent to the engine and rig tests, Sie-
mens prepared a fuel specification that allows
a wider range of fuels for the SGT6-5000F,
which can be implemented on units that have
installed the appropriate combustion and
IFGC hardware. A site-specific evaluation is
required to assess the hardware, control sys-
tems, and other equipment that may be nec-
essary to safely burn LNG.
Note that unless and until all of these up-
gades are installed, and Siemens has issued
a revised fuel specification for each specific
unit, operators must continue to follow the
fuel specifications in their contracts.
Siemens has also developed modification
packages to retrofit operating SGT6-5000F
combustion turbines to burn a wider range of
fuels, as defined in Table 2, while maintain-
ing exhaust NO
x
output.
With more flexible fuel specifications,
combustion turbines can better remain fuel
supply sourceneutral. That ability can help
provide better plant operating economics
and keep such units high on the dispatch
priority list.
The authors would like to acknowl-
edge the core team that has made this
development a success. In alphabeti-
cal order, they are Khalil Abou-Jaoude,
Richard Bunce, Jacqueline Engel,
Matthew LaGrow, Steve Mumford, Bruce
Rising, Fred Shoemaker, Damien Tee-
han, and Jianfan Wu.
Pratyush Nag (pratyush.nag@siemens
.com) is manager, Modernizations &
Upgrades, Service Engineering Americas
for Siemens Energy Inc. Ranjeet Vader
(ranjeet.vader@siemens.com) is principal
engineer, GT Modernization & Upgrades,
Service Engineering Americas for
Siemens Energy Inc.
6. Fuel flexibility solution. Siemens Integrated Fuel Gas Characterization system al-
lows real-time combustor tuning in response to varying fuel gas constituents. Source: Siemens
Energy Inc.
Wobbe meter/gas chromatograph
Control
system
Buffer
tank
Throttle valves
Gas turbine
Combustion Dynamics
Protection System
CEMS
(Turbine
exhaust)
Dynamic
sensors
Customer scope
Fuel
Wobbe Index variation 1,288 to 1,424 Btu/scf
Methane (CH
4
) (mol %) Greater than or equal to 80%
Ethane (C
2
H
6
) (mol %) Less than or equal to 15%
Propane (C
3
H
8
) (mol %) Less than or equal to 5%
Butanes (C
4
H
10+
) (mol %) Less than or equal to 3%
Table 2. Add more fuel flexibil-
ity. Siemens has developed a more flexible
combustion turbine fuel specification to ac-
commodate a wider range of LNG content in
commercial natural gas supplies. The specifi-
cation can be implemented on certain units
on a case-by-case basis. Installation of spe-
cific component upgrades and a modified fuel
specification may be required by Siemens.
Source: Siemens Energy Inc.
August 2009
|
POWER www.powermag.com 71
CLASSIC MARMADUKE
F
ew people know that Greenland resembles an ice-filled bowl,
rimmed by coastal ranges. The greatest known ice thickness is
over two miles (11,190 feet), and its tremendous weight has de-
pressed the ground surface to 1,200 feet below sea level. This gigantic
ice cap covers 700,000 square miles and, if melted, would raise the
level of the oceans by 20 ft.
On Greenland, and only 886 miles from the North Pole, is Camp
Century, the city under ice. This camp, occupied by 100 to 200 men,
was constructed 40 ft below the ice cap surface and has 21 tunnels,
including a Main Street that is 1,100 ft long.
Camp Century was built by the Corps of Engineers and is oper-
ated by the U.S. Army Arctic Research Support Group. The camp is
located 138 miles inland, which is slightly farther from Thule Airbase
on Baffin Bay. Obviously, logistic support in such an environment is
difficult, especially during the winter months. Thats why the Army
decided a nuclear power plant would serve Camp Centurys needs
especially well. For example, based on experience in the Antarctic,
60% of the cargo lift is fuel. So the fuel oil the Army buys for 12 a
gallon ends up costing up to $6 a gallon by the time its in the storage
tanks at our frozen bases. Thats pretty steep.
The answer was the PM-2A pre-packaged nuclear power plant to
provide the needed electricity and steam from nuclear fuel instead of
oil. The reactor would need less than 50 lb of uranium-235 every year,
compared to over one-half million gallons of diesel fuel. The plant
was constructed on skids, then loaded aboard the USNS Marine Fid-
dler for Thule, Greenland. There she was unloaded for the truck trip
to the ice cap, where began the sled trip to Camp Century. Criticality
was reached only 78 days after arrival at the site. This included tying
the various skids together, checking out the systems, and getting the
reactor core loaded. And there had been no field welding.
One unusual feature is the method of providing water for the camp.
Steam from the nuclear plant supplies a steam jet, which descends
slowly into the ice and melts a bell-shaped chamber. An attached
pump sends up water as required. Over 10,000 gallons daily have
been supplied thus.
Fond Recollections
Our portable medium-powered nuclear plant up in the Arctic is be-
ing reshielded right now, Marmaduke old buddy, said Colonel Hanel
to his cantankerous old shipmate, after only three months of opera-
tion. I must say she has no resemblance to the power plant we had on
the SS Nightingale in World War II, remember?
Ill drink to that also, rumbled Marmaduke, refilling his glass
from the bottle of Sandpaper Gin and expertly ballasting his double
bottoms.
The scene of this friendly dialogue which occurred in 1959 was the
Bent Propeller Bar in the Hells Kitchen section of New York City. The
Colonel and the tall marine engineer with the steel brush mustache
had run into each other by accident. After both men drank a toast to
the Nightingales main engine, then in turn to her boilers and to most
of her equipment, down to her lowly bilge pumps, they started all over
again, toasting their old ships crewone by one. Suddenly Marma-
duke asked in his gravelly voice, Whats this NPFO you keep jaw-
boning about, Colonel? Some new kind of ship I havent heard of?
Youd never guess, Marmy, answered the Colonel. Im with the
Armys Nuclear Power Field Office in Fort Belvoir, Virginia. And come
Marmys Deep-Freeze Blackout
Steve Elonka began chronicling the exploits of Marmaduke Surfaceblowa
six-foot-four marine engineer with a steel brush mustache and a foghorn
voicein POWER in 1948, when he raised the wooden mast of the SS Asia
Sun with the help of two cobras and a case of Sandpaper Gin. Marmys
simple solutions to seemingly intractable plant problems remain timeless.
This Classic Marmaduke story, published 50 years ago, takes place during
the Cold War at an Air Force Base in northern Greenland, where under-ice
tunnels were constructed to move nuclear rockets around the facility unob-
served. The miniature nuclear reactor was operated for almost three years
before it was shut down and returned to the U.S., ending the Armys nuclear
program. Greenland officially became a separate county within the King-
dom of Denmark in 1953, and home rule was introduced in 1979.
Marmaduke arrives at Greenlands Camp Century, the city under ice.
Source: POWER
www.powermag.com POWER
|
August 2009 72
CLASSIC MARMADUKE
to think of it, if you have never been shipmates
with one of these prepackaged power plants, I
just might work a deal to let you fly up there
with me tomorrow. What say? Besides, our old
shipmate SFC Tom Cruse is up there now.
Fire away, crackled the marine engi-
neer, in his foghorn voice. Im for eyeball-
ing that deep-freeze plant, so heave me a
line and take me in tow. Where did you say
that reactor is?
This ones at Camp Century, informed
the Colonel. She has a 2,000 kW steam tur-
bine electric generating unit for heat, light
and exhaust steam for melting ice for the
camps water supply. And youll see a lot of
other ingenious devices up there that might
be new to you. Of course three diesel engines
back up the reactor when its shut down. I
dont have to tell you that every source of
heat and light must be assured to support hu-
man life under the ice cap.
Worlds Largest Island
Next morning the two men were aboard an
Air Force C-134, headed for frozen Thule in
Greenland. After a short stopover at Goose
Bay in Labrador, the C-134 set down on the
long, ice-covered runway at Thule, where
7,000 Americans operate the largest U.S. in-
stallation in the Arctic.
Marmaduke and the Colonel were no soon-
er off the plane, after landing in a blizzard,
than they were met by an Army sergeant. The
sergeant told them that a heavy swing, which
is a snow train made up of a Cat pulling two
or three 20-ton sleds, was ready to shove off
from Camp Tuto as soon as they arrived there.
Eight or nine of these trains make up a heavy
swing. After all, there is safety in numbers. It
was midwinter, and the thermometer had sunk
to minus 48F. Not only that, but a 30-knot
wind was mercilessly blasting without letup.
At first Marmy and the Colonel had some
trouble getting used to the midnight dark-
ness at midday. But by the time they arrived
at Camp Tuto, they had acquired their night
vision. Two days later, after crawling along
at three miles an hour in dark subzero cold
and howling Arctic winds, the heavy swing
pulled into the welcome protection of the
maintenance tunnel at Camp Century.
After they had paid their respects to the camp
commander and thawed out a bit, Marmaduke
spent the afternoon eyeballing the camp. He
was especially interested in the unique power
plant. Besides the reshielding work going on,
he saw that No. 3 diesel was also down for ma-
jor overhaul. She had a broken crankshaft, and
a new one had been ordered from the States.
But No. 1 and 2 engines were on the line and
producing 600 kW of power, on which the
camp seemed to live comfortably enough. The
normal load was about 900 kW.
By evening, Marmaduke had met most of
the camp personnel. He couldnt remember
more congenial shipmates anywhere. They
were alert, had good senses of humor, and
were eager to answer his questions and make
him feel at home. Several of them had even
heard of his reputation as an ingenious trou-
bleshooter both on land and sea.
That evening Marmaduke sat down to a
steak dinner, which, to everyones surprise,
he washed down with Sandpaper Gin. Keeps
my heating system from congealing and it
also loosens up the barnacles, he explained.
After dinner he visited the Non Com
Club, which invitation he had accepted that
afternoon from the noncommissioned officer,
MSG Buteau, in charge of the nuclear plant.
Marmaduke was right at home, for there was
a Navy chief aboard and several Army men
who had been in the Navy as well as the mer-
chant marine.
Electricity Is Life
As with seafaring men the world over, con-
versation soon got around to the ships on
which theyd sailed, the ports theyd visited,
and their exciting experiences around the
globe. The hours passed so pleasantly, it was
half past midnight before Marmaduke real-
ized it and bade his host good night. As he
started back to his bunk in the commissioned
officers quarters, the lights dimmed, then
flickered and went out. For an instant it was
deathly quiet in the club.
In seconds, flashlights winked on, for the
men stationed in the sub-surface camp, like
marine engineers on watch aboard ship, al-
ways had flashlights on their persons. Some-
one immediately shoved a flashlight into
Marmadukes hand.
Theres trouble at the diesel plant, ex-
claimed one of the men, rushing for the
door. As Marmy hurriedly followed his new
shipmates along Main Street and entered the
diesel plant, he saw Lee McNeil, the watch
operator, busily adjusting the one remaining
diesel engine.
Whats wrong, Mac? rumbled Marma-
duke, who had shortly before said good night
to McNeil in the Non Com Club when he left
to take over the 12-to-8 watch.
Number one was running rough, then
started knocking, explained McNeil, notice-
ably preoccupied. Thats why I had to open
several camp feeders and take the engine off
the line a few minutes ago. But No. 2 can
carry 300 kW and she seems to be holding
her own.
As Marmaduke watched, the utility crew
pitched in like a well-drilled team. They
trimmed every watt that wasnt absolutely
essential from the camps load.
Instantly, the camp commander was on the
intercom. He gave orders to close several liv-
ing quarters and told the men to double up.
Heat was now priceless, and there was none
to waste. Some of the men were asked to sleep
in the mess hall. Beams of light flashed in the
dark as the men busied themselves doubling
up and again settling down for the night. The
diesel technicians immediately turned on No.
1 engine.
About 2:30 a.m., the improbable hap-
pened. No. 2 diesel coughed a few times,
then died. Now Camp Century was in black-
ness, save for a few strategic areas where
emergency lights were powered with nickel
cadmium batteries. But more serious, the
camp was now completely without heat.
Again, the camp commanders solemn
voice came over the intercom. Speaking
calmly, he informed his crew of this latest
catastrophe. The men knew that, without
electricity for heat, there would be no area
within the camp warmer than 30 F below
zero in only about 20 minutes. So unless the
engineers could learn quickly why No. 2 die-
sel had stopped and then could get her started
and back on the line, the camp was doomed.
And so perhaps were all of them.
Working by flashlights, the engineers first
got their heads together. They were sure of
only one thing: that No. 2 engine had worn
rings and for that reason was next on the list
for overhaul; in fact, a full set of replace-
ment parts was near the engine, ready to in-
stall. But why did she stop? A quick check
of the crankcase oil confirmed their suspi-
cion: the lube oil had become diluted with
diesel fuel oil leaking past the rings, and
so the crankcase oils lubricity was drasti-
cally reduced. That caused seizure of No. 2
crankshaft journal, as it had been recently
overhauled and had the least clearance in its
bearing.
Marmaduke watched the engineers open the
crankcase drains to remove the contaminated
oil. One gang got busy opening her main bear-
ings to file the welded metal from the scored
crankshaft journal, replace the top, and roll
out the bottom bearing insert. Another group
started replacing her pistons with spare ones
that were already ringed and ready to install.
A third crew hurried out to find a drum of
lubricating oil. But to their utter dismay, they
learned that the only crankcase oil available
was in drums stored out in the tunnel. And out
there the temperature was 30F below zero.
A drum was quickly rolled into the diesel
room. But they could tell that the oil inside had
congealed into a solid mass. Marmaduke, like
the camp crew, took this latest kick in the teeth
with silence. They were all in the same boat,
and theyd sink or swim together. And there
was no one answer to their complex problems.
Theyd have to take one hurdle at a time.
August 2009
|
POWER www.powermag.com 73
CLASSIC MARMADUKE
Now the tall muscular visitor pitched in
and helped the boys hoist the heavy oil drum
up on the metal rack. The drums filling plug
was unscrewed, but no oil would flow out.
McNeil poked his finger against the solid
mass inside. Like taffy, he said simply. By
then, the situation looked hopeless.
Temperatures Go Negative
The temperature in the diesel plant was
now down to 22F below zero. The men had
noticed that the battery powered lights had
begun to dim. While no one mentioned it,
they all realized that their working time was
nearing the end unless something drastic
was done. But what? A black gloom over-
took several of the men.
The diesel technicians were about to give
up on the congealed oil. Then Marmaduke
suddenly roared. Bilgewater on stubborn oil.
Ill make it move. Get me a blanket we can cut
into strips and saturate with that warm crank-
case oil you just drained. Then well light it
under this drum and youll see some action.
Hold everything, excitedly erupted one of
the crew, coming to life at Marmadukes sug-
gestion. How about those smudge-type burn-
ers stored in the motor maintenance shop?
Thats right, shouted another.
We use them in early winter to mark the
landing zone for the helicopter when theres
still some daylight. Now there was new hope,
and the effect on everyone was electric.
Two pots were quickly brought into the
diesel room and placed under the oil drum.
Four men stood by with fire extinguish-
ers. A fire under ice is dreaded as much as
at sea. Within ten minutes the oil began to
ooze from the bung. By then the temperature
had also climbed in the diesel room, and the
newly ringed pistons and crankshaft bearing
liners were back in place.
It took another three-quarters of an hour to
heat the oil sufficiently, fill the crankcase to
the proper level, close up the engine, and have
it ready for cranking. During this time, several
smudge pots kept the engine room warm.
The battery used for cranking the little
pony diesel, which in turn cranked the big
engines, was not only cold, but also olda
very bad combination. Leston McNeil won-
dered out loud how many times the battery
might turn over the cold pony engine before
it gave up the ghost.
Liquid Gold Rush
By then, two full hours had passed since the
total loss of power at Camp Century. And the
camp commander himself had all but given
up hope of saving the camp. Now his chief
concern was saving his men. While the en-
gineers were busy trying to breathe life into
their ailing machinery, the commander had
already given word to prepare for evacuation
to the surface.
His plan was to move the men, with what-
ever personal gear they needed and could
carry, to the small Jamesway type huts up on
the surface. Those small huts had been set
up for the men who had built Camp Century.
Each contained a built-in camp stove which
burned diesel fuel oil. At least the men would
have some hope for survival. But the sub-sur-
face camp, for the time being, would become
a frozen tomb.
The first detail of men returned crest-
fallen. They reported that the Jamesway huts
were buried under a mountain of drift snow.
So a second detail of men with one piece of
large snow-removing equipment was quickly
dispatched to open up the huts.
It was at this point that the plant operators
were ready to start No. 2 diesel. But the engine
must start on the first try. There was no sec-
ond chance. After attempting to take the chill
off the unit with a smudge pot, it was care-
fully primed with ether as a starting fuel. All
eyes were on McNeil, who offered up a silent
prayer and then punched the starting button.
Suddenly, the loud metallic roar of the tiny
unmuffled pony engine rumbled through the
quiet frozen tomb like the eruption of Mount
Vesuvius during the last days of Pompeii.
But that ear-splitting noise was the sweetest
music ever heard by most of the men in the
diesel room.
In only a few minutes, No. 2 diesel was
thundering out her welcome explosions of
life and warmth. And after only a few min-
utes of warm-up, McNeil closed the breaker.
The utility crew quickly threw the various
switches that energized the tunnels lights
and heaters, and vital sustaining life was
again flowing back into Camp Century. Mar-
maduke and the men in the diesel room heard
wild shouts of joy from tunnel after tunnel as
their lights went on. And by noon next day,
No. 1 diesel also was cranking away.
Comparing Notes
Two days later, Marmaduke and Colonel
Hanel were back at the Bent Propeller Bar
in Manhattan for a drink before parting
company.
Sure glad the reshielding work was com-
pleted in time to get the nuclear plant going
again, began the Colonel, lifting his glass.
Those boys wont get the crankshaft for No.
3 diesel for some time. But with the reactor
going now, that type of emergency wont
happen again soon.
Im with you, rumbled Marmaduke as
he ballasted his bottoms.
Youve been in some hellish emergencies
all over the world, Marmy, began the Colonel
again. Do any of them shape up with what we
went through at Camp Century last week?
Marmaduke lit a long black cigar and blew
a few smoke rings towards the ceiling. He then
worked up a vacuum and took on more fuel.
Not since the time the old SS Trade Horn
suddenly broke her rudder during a storm
and was within minutes of piling up on the
treacherous coral beach in Makassar Straits
off Borneo, rumbled Marmaduke in his fog-
horn voice.
Whats so unusual about that? asked the
Colonel, looking uncertainly at his friend.
All you had to do was reverse the engine,
wasnt it?
Thats all, agreed Marmy, blowing a few
more smoke rings. But one of Bring-em-
Back-Alive Frank Bucks black panthers was
frightened by the storm and had broken out
of his bamboo cage on No. 2 hatch and ran
below. And there he was, parked in front of
the main engine throttle.
The nuclear reactor used at Camp Century was the first of eight portable nuclear reactors made
by the Army to produce power in remote regions. This modular plant was assembled at Camp
Century in 27 days and began making electricity just nine hours after 43 pounds of enriched
uranium-235 were loaded in the reactor. The plant was rated at 2 MW and was configured to
also produce steam to operate the water well. The plant operated reliably for 33 months until it
was shut down and removed in 1963. Source: U.S. Army
www.powermag.com POWER
|
August 2009 74
NEW PRODUCTS
TO POWER YOUR BUSINESS
Inclusion in New Products does not imply endorsement by POWER magazine.
Improved Coal Dust Collector
Martin Engineering has introduced an upgraded version of the
MARTIN Insertable Dust Collector, which features improved lters
and a smaller footprint to control airborne coal dust at belt conveyor
loading points and other bulk material-handling operations.
Insertable dust collectors are typically installed to reduce problems
associated with central baghouse collection systems, including long
runs of ducting, large enclosures, maintenance difculties, and high
power consumption.
The improved collectors lter elements are approximately one-
eighth the size of the previous systems lter envelopes. The mesh-
like material lters better and lasts longer while consuming less
energy than conventional lter bags. The upgraded lters also allow
a reduction in the size of the fans used to move air through the
lter elements, therefore reducing the systems power consumption.
Another unique feature of the collector is its pulse-cleaning system,
where a short pulse of air is sent back through the lter to dislodge
accumulated material. (www.martin-eng.com)
Adjustable Speed Direct Drive Cooling Tower Motor
Arkansas-based Baldor Electric Co. launched a new direct drive technology
for the cooling tower industry that improves reliability, reduces
maintenance, runs quieter, and saves energy. The Adjustable Speed Direct
Drive Cooling Tower Motor combines technologies of the eld-proven
laminated nned frame RPM AC motor with a high-performance permanent
magnet salient pole rotor design, and it can directly replace the right-
angle gearbox and jack shaft installation in many conventional cooling
towers. The fan couples directly to the motor shaft and is controlled by
Baldors unique VS1 Cooling Tower Drive to provide optimal variable-
speed performance that runs quieter and uses less energy.
The Baldor VS1 Cooling Tower Drive is specically designed to work
with the cooling tower motor to provide easy cooling tower start-ups.
It uses unique sensorless algorithms to accomplish smooth, low-speed
operation. In addition, the drive supports multiple protocols so it can
communicate seamlessly with most building automation systems. The
system is ideal for either retrot or new tower designs. (www.baldor.com)
Intelligent Cooling Tower System
Electro-Chemical Devices new plug-and-play Model 2122
Cooling Tower Control System (CTCS) is designed to apply
the various chemicals used to prevent corrosion, scaling,
and fouling in water-based wet cooling towers. The system
also controls acid feed via pH monitoring, blowdown via
conductivity, and the inhibitor via a user-selected time
basis. Model 2122 CTCS features a unique timer-based
overfeed function that locks out the blowdown cycle or the
acid/base feed function, and that triggers a process alarm
if the acid feed or blowdown cycle proceeds longer than
the operators predetermined cycle time.
The system consists of ECDs Model 22 Controller, a
Model PHS10 pH sensor, and a Model CS10 conductivity
sensor. The C22 features four SPDT relays and is rated NEMA
4X for rugged environments. An optional digital input
card can be added to monitor no-ow conditions for extra
safety. (www.ecdi.com)
August 2009
|
POWER www.powermag.com 75
Opportunities in Operations and Maintenance,
Project Engineering and Project Management,
Business and Project Development,
First-line Supervision to Executive Level Positions.
Employer pays fee. Send resumes to:
POWER PROFESSIONALS
P.O. Box 87875
Vancouver, WA 98687-7875
email: dwood@powerindustrycareers.com
(360) 260-0979 l (360) 253-5292
www.powerindustrycareers.com
Plant Manager Tulsa, Oklahoma
Were looking for a Plant Manager to lead our Tulsa, Oklahoma manufacturing operations.
Job responsibilities will include:
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Trackandanalyzeusageandcostoflaborandmaterialsforeachjob.
Determinecorrectiveactiontominimizerecurrenceofvariances.
Calculateandpostperformancematricesdailyforeachdepartment.
Leadorganizationsafetyprogram,toensureasafe,healthy,andaccidentfreeworkenvironment.
IdentifyBestOperatingPractices(BOPs),documentthem,andcompileforreferenceandtraining
purposes.
Workwithsupportspecialiststodevelopoperatingprocessguidelines.
Preparemonthlyperformanceandadhocreportsasrequired.
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companysprimarymarketincludesFeedWaterHeatersandCondensersforelectricpowerproducersin
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Contact:NickSleePrincipalChicago,ILT:312-782-1581F:312-782-2096nslee@dhrinternational.com
orJamesRestelliSeniorAssociateSt.Louis,MOT:314.727.2000F:314.727.2903
jrestelli@dhrinternational.com
Constellation Energy Power Generation West Region:
Open Positions in Utah and Central California for Plant Manager,
Production Manager, Maintenance Manager and O&M Manager
Constellation Energy, a FORTUNE 500 company, is seeking applicants
for Plant Manager, Production Manager, Maintenance Manager and
O&M Manager positions.
Responsible for overall management of operation and maintenance
of the electric generating facilities including:
Operate and maintain facilities to maximize plant proftability.
Develop timetable for most cost-effective outages and identify other
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Establish, maintain and enforce plant operating procedures within
company guidelines, including implementation of Environmental
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Establish plant revenue and expense budgets in conjunction with
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fnancial justifcation for expenditures.
Utilize strong leadership and effective team building skills.
About Constellation Energy
Constellation Energy (www.constellation.com) is a leading supplier of
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plants in the United States.
Visit constellation.com/careers for more information.
0809 Power Classified.indd 75 7/17/09 5:01:06 PM
www.powermag.com POWER
|
August 2009 76
READER SERVICE NUMBER 201 READER SERVICE NUMBER 200
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0809 Power Classified.indd 76 7/17/09 5:02:04 PM
August 2009
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POWER www.powermag.com 77
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gkspowergen.com 734-582-9600
3D Laser Scanning
Digital Site Survey
As-Built Documentation
SCANNING SERVICES
READER SERVICE NUMBER 210
GEGU's - 750 KW Guascor - natural gas fred -
3/60/480 volts (Qty 2)
GTGUs - 20 MW Brown Boveri oil fred cheap
BOILERS - 200,000#/HR Combustion Engineering
package - 600# steam pressure - gas fred
- 25,000#/HR ABCO - 150# steam pressure -
natural gas and propane fred (Qty 4)
We buy and sell transformers, boilers, steam tur-
bine generator units, gas turbine generator units,
diesel engine generator units, etc.
INTERNATIONAL POWER MACHINERY CO.
50 Public Square - Terminal Tower, Suite 834
Cleveland, OH 44113 U.S.A.
PH 216-621-9514/FAX 216-621-9515
Email: kernx06@sbcglobal.net Web: www.intlpwr.com
READER SERVICE NUMBER 211
READER SERVICE NUMBER 205
George H. Bodman
Pres. / Technical Advisor
Offce 1-800-286-6069
Offce (281) 359-4006
PO Box 5758 E-mail: blrclgdr@aol.com
Kingwood, TX 77325-5758 Fax (281) 359-4225
GEORGE H. BODMAN, INC.
Chemical cleaning advisory services for
boilers and balance of plant systems
BoilerCleaningDoctor.com
24 / 7 EMERGENCY SERVICE
BOILERS
20,000 - 400,000 #/Hr.
DIESEL & TURBINE GENERATORS
50 - 25,000 KW
GEARS & TURBINES
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WE STOCK LARGE INVENTORIES OF:
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847-541-5600 FAX: 847-541-1279
WEB SITE: www.wabashpower.com
FOR SALE/RENT
READER SERVICE NUMBER 209
POWER
EQUIPMENT CO.
444 Carpenter Avenue, Wheeling, IL 60090
wabash
0809 Power Classified.indd 77 7/17/09 5:03:07 PM
www.powermag.com POWER
|
August 2009 78
PRODUCT Showcase
x Place one or more diffusers
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x Reduce valve first costs
x Reduce valve maintenance
CU SERVICES LLC
725 Parkview Cir, Elk Grove, IL 60007
Phone 847-439-2303
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BUYERS MART
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August 2009 78
READER SERVICE NUMBER 214
NEED CABLE? FROM STOCK
Copper Power to 69kv; Bare ACSR & AAC Conductor;
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WEB SITE: www.basicwire.com
READER SERVICE NUMBER 213
Guidelines for Preparing for a
Temporary Steam Plant/
Emergency Preparedness Plan
Nationwide Boiler Inc. has prepared an eight-
page, informative brochure that outlines
many of the important steps to consider
when planning for a temporary steam plant.
Because emergency conditions are fre-
quently the reason a temporary steam plant
is required, this comprehensive brochure is
also a valuable tool for use in contingency/
emergency planning.
www.nationwideboiler.com
READER SERVICE NUMBER 217 READER SERVICE NUMBER 215
GSI
Generator Services International, Inc
Attention: Generator Owners
Looking For Results This Fall ?
Call GSI Today
Tel (704)-496-3090 Fax (704) 399-5983
Power Generation Consultants
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Go With Experience
1865 Scott Futrell Dr. sales@gsionsite.com
Charlotte, NC 28208 www.gsionsite.com
Clean Energy Update, brought to you by the editors of
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POWER www.powermag.com 79
Advertisers index
Enter reader service numbers on the FREE Product Information Source card in this issue.
Page
Reader
Service
Number Page
Reader
Service
Number
Air systems Limited 12 10
www.asplparts.com
Applied Bolting technology 33 22
www.appliedbolting.com
Ashross 43 26
www.ashross.com
Babcock Power 19 13
www.babcockpower.com
Babcock & Wilcox Cover 4 3
www.babcock.com
Caterpillar inc 53 28
www.catpowerplants.com/a33
CH2MHiLL 5 16
www.ch2mhill.com/power
Conoco Phillips Cover 2 1
www.conocophillipslubricants.com/POWER
dearborn Mid-West Conveyor Co 21 15
www.dmwcc.com
Ge energy 7 7
www.ge-energy.com/powerwave
Ge energy 23 29
www.ge-energy.com/gasification
Hach 9 21
www.hach.com
Hitachi Power system Cover 3 2
www.hitachi.us/hpsa
Houston dynamic services 37 24
www.houstondynamic.com
intergraph Corp 29 19
www.intergraph.com
Kiewit 3 5
www.kiewit.com
nanosteel Company 20 14
www.nanosteelco.com
national steel erection 14 11
www.nationalsteelerection.com
Paharpur Cooling towers 17 12
www.paharpur.com
Petro-valve 1, 11 4, 9
www.petrovalve.com
siemens 27 18
www.siemens.com/energy/cybersecurity
siemens i&C 47 27
www.siemens.com/energy/competitive
solvay Chemicals inc 45 6
www.solvair.com
swagelok 31 8
www.swagelok.com/moreproducts
turbine energy solutions 30 20
sales@turbineenergysolutions.com
two sockets two Meters 36 23
http://pow.ts-tm.com
Westinghouse electric 39 25
www.westinghousenuclear.com
CLAssified AdvertisinG
Pages 75-78, To place a classified ad, contact:
Diane Hammes, POWER magazine, 713-343-1885,
dianeh@powermag.com
12
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August 2009 80
COMMENTARY
Carbon Offsets:
Scam, Not Salvation
By H. Sterling Burnett, PhD
I
n the battle against climate change, most media attention has
been paid to cap-and-trade schemes, under which countries
set upper limits (caps) on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
and allow companies to sell (trade) unused emissions rights to
other firms. However, there is a second path to global warming
salvation: Carbon offsets.
Carbon Reduction Goals
Under the carbon offset scheme, a country (or company) can
meet its emissions targets by paying others to reduce their emis-
sions. To facilitate this process, the United Nations created the
Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), an international market
where buyers who need to offset their emissions can purchase
carbon credits from developing countrieseffectively paying for
emissions reductions by others.
Typical emissions reductions include replacing old plant and
equipment, adopting new agricultural practices, or sequestering
carbon dioxide (CO
2
) underground or in trees. The CDM converts
proposed emissions reductions into tradable certified emission
reductions credits. The main criterion the CDM uses to confirm
emissions cuts is additionality. A project is additional when it
makes emissions reductions that would not have happened with-
out extra financing from carbon credits. In other words, credits
are issued only for emissions reductions that would not have
occurred otherwise.
Domestically, the U.S. has considered its own carbon reduc-
tion plans that included a proposed offset program. For instance,
2008s cap-and-trade bill sponsored by Senators Joseph Lieber-
man (I-Conn.) and John Warner (R-Va.) would have allowed 85%
of emissions reductions to be met through domestic carbon al-
lowances and 15% through domestic carbon offsets.
CDM and Offset Programs Shortcomings
Unfortunately, both internationally and in the U.S., proving
that emissions cuts are reductions that would not have occurred
without the offset payments is proving difficult. Indeed, recent
evidence reveals that offsets are vulnerable to fraud and actually
increase costs. For example, Indias largest exporter of basmati
rice, KRBL, was set to receive several hundred thousand dollars
worth of CDM credits a year for installing a $5 million generator
to produce electricity from rice husks, a renewable energy source.
Although the company claimed the biomass generator would not
have been installed without funding from the credits, the senior
manager at the plant admitted to the British Broadcasting Corp.
that KRBL would have done the project anyway.
In addition, research by the nongovernmental advocacy group
International Rivers has found that almost three-quarters of
CDM-registered projects were already complete at the time of
approval and thus did not need carbon credits to be built. And
a report by Lambert Schneider of Germanys Institute for Applied
Ecology found that 40% of CDM projects represented unlikely
or at least questionable emissions cuts. David Victor, the head
of Stanford Universitys Energy and Sustainable Development
Program, found that between a third and two-thirds of CDM
offsets do not represent actual emissions cuts.
The voluntary offset market in the U.S. faces the same prob-
lem as CDM projects. For example, to offset all the emissions
from the 2007 Academy Awards, the company TerraPass bought
offsets from a landfill project in Arkansas. BusinessWeek investi-
gators later found that the project would have been undertaken
even without offset funding.
It is inherently difficult to measure emission reductions under
a carbon offset project. Take carbon offsets for the absorption of
GHGs by planting new trees. Estimating greenhouse gas uptake
depends on the age of the trees, their growth rate, and climate
and soil conditions. Even after all these factors are considered, if
the trees do not live as long as 100 years, they will not become
net carbon absorbers.
Even when CDM projects reduce GHG emissions, the CDM sys-
tem is an inefficient way to cut GHGs.
One example of the problems with this type of approach is
shown in the recent regulatory treatment of another contami-
nant. Currently, 30% of carbon offset credits pay for the capture
and destruction of trifluoromethane (HFC-23), a GHG created as
a by-product of manufacturing refrigerant gases. HFC-23 has
11,700 times more heat-trapping potential per unit than CO
2
.
The carbon offset credits that were sold to reduce HFC-23 are
twice as valuable as the refrigerant itself. Indeed, research-
ers estimate that HFC-23 emitters could receive as much as
$7.15 billion from the sale of carbon offsets through the CDM.
By contrast, if companies paid plants directly to capture and
destroy the emissions, the cost would be less than $155.4 mil-
lion. However, doing so would be outside of the CDM system,
which requires the companies to buy certified offsets. Thus,
the reductions would not count against the companys carbon
reduction requirements.
Such perverse incentives have led some analysts to fear that
refrigerant producers are increasing their output solely so they
can sell more carbon offsets to reduce the additional waste gas.
The Need for Healthy Skepticism
It is debatable whether Congress should even take up climate
legislation as evidence continues to mount that the climate di-
saster tales told by the likes of Al Gore and James Hansen are
more imaginary (based on models) than real. However, if Con-
gress does act, it should be skeptical of the merits of carbon
offset schemes. Thus far, they have proven expensive and open
to fraud and abuse.
Dr. H. Sterling Burnett (sterling.burnett@ncpa.org) is a senior
fellow with the National Center for Policy Analysis.
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Environmental Upgrades, Services and Parts
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