Power Plants
Scheduled Maintenance
Power plant maintenance involves inspecting, maintaining, repairing and replacing equipment, machinery and other assets that support the everyday operations of power plants. No matter how big or small, every single piece of equipment within a power plant plays a critical role in meeting daily goals and supporting the plant’s overall operations. Therefore, equipment maintenance is a top priority for power plants, as failure of equipment can lead to devastating consequences ranging from decreased plant output to full-blown outages.
Strategic power plant maintenance requires a forward-thinking mindset. Power plants that strive for proactive maintenance should take actions in the present moment that will ultimately lead to better results and performance in the future. To help cultivate this proactive mentality, there are a wealth of modern power plant maintenance tools that enterprises within the industry can use to achieve their goals.
Overhauls
A power plant overhaul is a scheduled maintenance and repair process that involves inspecting, maintaining, refurbishing, and replacing equipment and plant components. The goal of a power plant overhaul is to improve the performance of the power generation units and ensure the plant operates safely and reliably.
- Remove the unit from service: The unit is taken out of service so repairs can be made.
- Clean and access the unit: The unit is cleaned and made safe to access.
- Inspect the plant: The plant is inspected to determine its condition and the need for repairs.
- Complete repairs: Repairs, projects, and other work activities are completed to ensure the unit operates safely and reliably.
- Reassemble the plant: The plant is reassembled.
- Recommission and return to service: The unit is recommissioned and returned to service.
Overhaul of Rotating Equipment
Overhauling rotating equipment in power plants is a process that involves inspecting, identifying, and repairing or replacing worn or under-performing components to restore the equipment’s performance. The goal is to extend the equipment’s life and reliability, reduce downtime, and minimize environmental impact.
- Inspection
A thorough inspection is performed to assess the condition of the equipment and identify any issues. This may involve visual examination, measurements, and testing. - Troubleshooting
Technicians analyze the data collected to diagnose the specific problem affecting the equipment. - Disassembly
The equipment is disassembled, removing necessary components like impellers, bearings, seals, and shafts. - Component repair or replacement
Faulty components are repaired or replaced. Repair options include welding, machining, reconditioning, or surface restoration coatings. If the damage is severe or the component is beyond repair, a replacement part may be necessary.
Overhaul of Compressor Stations
An overhaul of compressor stations in power plants is a critical maintenance and upgrade process that ensures the reliability, efficiency, and safety of the power generation system. Compressor stations are integral to the operation of gas turbines, where they compress air or gas for combustion or other processes.
If you’re looking for a way to increase gas compression operating profits, you may find it in your own equipment. Our compressor overhaul service can provide a cost-effective way to extend the life of your Solar gas compressors.
Our expertise in Overhaul and restaging of Solar gas compressors is based on our unique understanding of the design characteristics of the equipment we manufacture.
Managing Shut Downs
Managing a shutdown in a power plant is a critical process that requires meticulous planning, coordination, and execution to ensure safety, minimize downtime, and optimize the efficiency of maintenance and repairs.
- Plan early: Start planning as early as possible, and allow enough time to detail each job. This includes obtaining bids, managing inventory, and scheduling key tradespeople.
- Create a shutdown countdown: Create a countdown schedule with a list of activities and deadlines.
- Prioritize safety: Safety should be the top priority. Ensure that all personnel wear required personal protective equipment (PPE) and follow lock out/tag out (LOTO) procedures.
- Communicate clearly: Keep the team informed, provide regular updates, and emphasize safety protocols.
- Coordinate: Ensure interdepartmental collaboration and hold daily briefings.
- Track progress: Use project management tools to track milestones and adapt to changes.
- Conduct a post-shutdown review: Document lessons learned and recognize team efforts.
- Account for unexpected delays: Plan for a buffer of time in case things don’t go as planned.
- Ensure spare parts are available: Check records for all maintenance actions that need to be performed during plant shutdowns.
