Transducers, transmitters & sensors Lowering generating costs


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mart wireless technology from Emerson Process Management is helping Barking Power identify potential problems, which is improving plant availability and efficiency at its Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) power station in London. The Rosemount 708 wireless acoustic transmitters assist plant personnel in identifying failed steam traps, leaking valves and boiler tube leaks. This avoids the cost of lost steam and feedwater, and lost revenue from plant downtime. Barking Power Station, oper- ated by Thames Power Services, is capable of generating 1000MW of electricity – about 2% of the peak electricity demand in England and Wales. “Improving process perfor- mance is all about understand- ing what is happening around the plant and being able to respond quickly to any prob- lems," explained Ian MacDonald, senior control sys- tems engineer, Barking Power. "Emerson’s Smart Wireless tech- nology enables us to introduce additional measurement points quickly and cost effectively at any location, so we can gather additional information to iden- tify potential faults." Initially, 35 wireless acoustic transmitters were installed


across the plant. Should a steam trap fail or a small leak begin, an acoustic device transmits changes in sound and tempera- ture, which is configured to alert operators of a potential problem. The plant began gain- ing the benefits of the new devices immediately, as a leak from a high pressure super heater steam trap was identified that would have cost £1400 for every 24 hours of lost operation. An additional 15 acoustic transmitters were installed to monitor other problematic areas, including vent valves that can stick during start-up and pressure relief valves that don’t seat correctly. Compared to the previous manual methods, the new wireless devices enable precise monitoring and alert operators when valves have opened for just a single second. Rosemount 708 wireless acoustic transmitters have also been installed to identify leak- ing boiler tubes. Data is fed into the plant’s existing Emerson Ovation control system, where noise levels can be trended. Repairs can then be scheduled. Using the wireless networks already in place, additional devices can be added at much lower cost than if they had to be wired-in individually. Emerson Process Management www.EmersonProcess.eu Enter 221


Process & Control SEPTEMBER 2012


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