EQUIPMENT
Pressurized Radiant Boiler w/ reheat @ 1.2 MMlbs/hr, 1800 psig, 1000F
PROJECT: Total Unit Trip Testing Project for a Large Generation Site
This project was a 180 MW, natural gas-fired fossil fueled generating unit with a Babcock & Wilcox 1.2 MMlbs/hr boiler at 1800 psig and 1000F final superheat. The unit was originally constructed in 1952 and owned by Consolidated Edison of New York. An independent power producer (IPP) purchased the plant which consisted of five larger generating units. The first two large units had been destructively decommissioned by Consolidated Edison in 1992. In the eight years of retirement, both of these units were pirated by Consolidated Edison personnel to maintain the remaining three operational units. The new IPP determined that one of the previously destructively decommissioned unit's generation availability would economically benefit their total mix of generation assets in the east coast competitive market place.
The IPP contracted various independent contractors to provide restoration expertise to the revitalization of the project unit. While presenting potential alternatives for boiler flame monitoring systems, I discovered that the restoration work also needed engineering resources for the complete research, restoration, and testing of the hardwired trip circuits for the boiler, turbine, and generator/transformer protective systems.
In addition, the primary contracted Project Manager realized that my extensive background in overall unit technical knowledge could be used to build an engineering inspection team to oversee restoration activities, testing, and final startup. I was the lead engineer for a team consisting of myself on the boiler trips, a Mechanical Engineer on the turbine trips, an Electrical Engineer for the generator trips, and a Senior Operator for overall startup and unit clearance coordination work.
RESULTS
• Completely reviewed all relative site documentation including all electrical schematics, compared this review to the field installation, corrected through repair or replacement all deficiencies, and wrote and conducted final boiler trip test.