Home > Industrial > Mini Case Studies >
The Dighton Power project is a 165 MW combined cycle power plant based upon an ABB 11N2 single shaft gas turbine and an ABB steam turbine coupled to a common generator. The plant is equipped with a Nooter/Eriksen heat recovery steam generator and utilizes an air cooled condenser for steam condensing. Gemma served as the project EPC contractor, responsible for all aspects of site construction. The Dighton Power Project was completed in 1998. Dighton Energy Facitlity is currently owned by Starwood Group Global LLC and operated by NAES.
The Challenge
Customer had performance problems from prevailing wind creating a wind tunnel effect around the ACC, created by adjacent structures as well as fouling from cottonwood seeds in the spring. Many solutions were looked at with CFD modelling but the most cost effective was a cruciform configuration using M75 fabric. The objective was to improve the aerodynamics around the ACC and the fans to improve airflow and re-gain lost performance.
The Solution
After running different scnerios through our state of the art CFD modelling software, the optimum solution stood out as a cruciform configuration underneath the ACC with our patented M75 fabric. 12 bays were covered in total each approx. 11m x 7.5m (36ft x 25ft) – 4 in the north/south orientation and 8 in the east/west configuration and the installation took about 1 week to complete.
The Benefits
The new owners Starwood Energy have been extremely pleased with the the installation. A reported 2.9 MW improvement performance improvement has been realized. Another consideration/concern was the accumulation of snow and/or ice on the Galebreaker wind screens – Bob Bach the Maintenance Manager said the air flow around the screeens causes them to gently vibrate whcih causes any snow or ice to fall straight off.
Bob Bach, the Maintenance Manager at the plant says that with the windscreen installation the plant has seen a 5% performance improvement on their 50 MW steam turbine.
“The wind screens are performing well. Reviewing plant performance snapshots on the effects of the wind screens our data shows around a 2.9 MW combined cycle increase.”
Case Studies
Check some of our projects to know how we help businesses solve their challenges
Debris Filter Screens in Alberta, Canada
ME Global
Installing a combination of Galebreaker screens around the perimeter of the air cooler stopping any airborne contamination but still providing plenty of airflow with no impact on cooling...
Debris filter screens on an air cooled chiller in the UK
Anonymous site
Debris Filter Protection in the UK Debris filter screens on an air cooled...
Debris Filters in Switzerland
Recycling Plant, Switzerland
Galebreaker wind screens with a specifically selected porosity to stop airborne debris but not completely block...
Full Weather Protection in Ontario
North Bay Power Plant
Performance Improvement in a Challenging...
Improving ACC Airflow in Massachusetts
The Dighton Power Plant
Installing a cruciform configuration underneath the ACC with our patented M75...
Improving Fan Performance near Las Vegas
Apex
Both cruciform and perimeter screens improve performance at the Apex Generating Station...
Improving Mechanical Performance near Boston
Blackstone Energy Project
Reducing fan and gear reducer stress at the ANP Blackstone Energy...
Installing Debris filter screens on Data Centres
Anonymous site
Data centres are at the very heart of modern society and are central to the global...
Mega Watt Output Improvement in Mexico
Rio Bravo Energy
Improving vacuum on hot windy days at the Rio Bravo Energy...
