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Wind Protection & Performance
When wind speeds pick up, they cause many issues for cooling systems, especially air cooled condensers. High winds cause wind shear and re-circulation, reducing airflow, causing changes in fan static pressure and increasing dynamic fan blade loading. Fan damage and increases in backpressure are common symptoms. Often during windy conditions plant managers have to reduce base load or “de-rate” their plant to keep running. This is hugely in-efficient resulting in lost energy production.
Putting measures in place to protect your ACC or cooling system from high winds will protect its thermal performance. Our custom wind screens are the ideal solution
We use specialist CFD modelling to determine the losses you are facing from the effects of crosswinds. Galebreaker then designs a potential wind protection solution through the CDF model that provides a %age clawback of those losses. To find out more about how wind screens can benefit your cooling system, download our free wind protection guide.
Why do cooling systems need wind screens?
Did you know that 75% of fan imbalances and blade trips in air-cooled condensers (ACCs) are caused by wind? Or that a 5m/s wind speed can equate to a 30% reduction in airflow.
Find out more about the damage high winds can cause to your cooling system – and the costs that it can create for your business – in our infographic.
The benefits of wind screens for ACCs
Our cruciform and perimeter wind screens provide the following benefits for your cooling system:
Optimised ACC performance
When strong winds affect your ACC, its thermal performance can suffer. Less airflow through the fans leads to increased backpressure, and less heat rejection. With our wind screens in place, you can stabilise airflow and fan static pressure, optimising performance.
Lower maintenance and repair costs
Wind shear can cause serious vibration and damage to your fans. Our wind screens significantly reduce wind speed, preventing mechanical damage and ultimately fan and turbine trips.
A simple, lightweight solution
Our fabric wind shields can be designed to withstand wind loads of up to 120mph. UV stabilised, rot proof and flame retardant, they are incredibly strong and built to last. They can be simply installed using ratchets and hooks, with no welding or bolting required.
Case Studies
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...
Mega Watt Output Improvement in Mexico
Rio Bravo Energy
Improving vacuum on hot windy days at the Rio Bravo Energy...
Mitigating Wind Effects on ACC and ACHE
Chinook Power Station
Chinook Power Station is located near Swift Current Saskatchewan, Canada and owned by SASKPower. The power plant is a 350 MW combined cycle power plant utilizing natural gas. SPG supplied the air cooled condenser...
Motorized Wind Screens in New Jersey, USA
Caithness Long Island LLC
Long Island experiences strong windy conditions and storms often coming in from the Atlantic Ocean. During these conditions the Energy Center experienced both thermal performance challenges as well as mechanical issues...
OPC Rotem Power Station
OPC Rotem Combined Cycle Power Plant
OPC Rotem Combined Cycle Power Plant is a 440MW dual-fuel fired power project, located in Dimona, Southern Israel. Galebreaker and the OPC Rotem Engineering Team concluded that steam turbine output registered an average...
Preventing Fan Trips in Saskatchewan
North Battleford
Reducing dynamic fan blade loading at North Battleford Power...
Reducing Fan Stress in Nevada
Higgins
Tackling fan performance issues at the Higgins Power Station Air...
Talk to our team today
If you want to protect the performance of your cooling system against high winds, our team are ready to create a custom shielding solution that’s perfect for your ACC. To find out more about our wind screens, talk to our team today.
