Power plant products |
Replacement weather protection for timber poles
2025 is expected to be pivotal for the utility industry as several countries take significant steps toward reviewing and updating legislation surrounding the use of creosote- treated timber poles. This review follows increasing environmental and health concerns regarding the long-term use of creosote as a wood preservative, leading regulators to reconsider its place in essential infrastructure. Countries across Europe, including France, Germany, and Sweden, are leading the way, with proposals to phase out or significantly restrict creosote for utility poles. The UK and Ireland are expected to reach a decision
imminently on legislative changes aimed at reducing the environmental impact of traditional wood preservation methods. Creosote, once a widely used preservative for its ability to protect timber poles from rot and decay, has faced mounting scrutiny due to its classification as a hazardous material. With tighter regulations anticipated, the utility industry is under increasing pressure to adopt safer, more sustainable alternatives without compromising on pole performance and longevity.
Polesaver has developed an environmentally solution that uses modern preservatives in the
form of sleeves that protect timber poles at their most vulnerable point – the ground-line – where moisture and fungal activity are highest. This technology is said to extend pole service life by locking in preservatives and preventing ground-line decay reducing maintenance costs.
Polesaver believes that the continued use of timber poles present a compelling case when compared to alternative materials such as steel or concrete, being a renewable resource with the ability to store carbon, and they are lighter in weight, cheaper and more easily transportable.
Portable borescope for thermal imaging
LAND, an Amatek business prominent in industrial infrared temperature measurement, has produced a portable borescope accessory kit to enable advanced thermal imaging in a wider range of applications, including hydrocarbon processing and reformers.
Portable borescopes are critical for accurate and reliable spot temperature measurements, and safe transportation of this equipment is vital. The portable furnace thermal imaging system has front and rear handles for easy handling, an air purge sheath with a quick-release fitting for connection of the air hose, a high-powered rechargeable lithium-ion battery and a front shield for protection of both the operator and imager. The system is stored in a high-grade industrial pelicase, which has been proven by extensive drop testing, to ensure safe and secure transport of the
borescope and its key components. Jason Rushton, application engineer, said: “This system is the missing piece in the tube metal temperature portfolio. It gives the portability and flexibility of our Cyclops pyrometers whilst allowing recordings of high-quality thermal images just like our fixed thermal imaging systems.” It can be used with all Land borescope cameras, and is suitable for many applications
including steam methane reforming, ethylene crackers and cokers.
Unlike traditional thermal imagers, the borescope has an extended length, which allows a better view of the upper section of the furnace, providing better data. The kit also comes with a high specification tablet that is pre-installed with ImagePro which provides an instant view of the process and allows for short, recorded videos. The portable Cyclops L pyrometer provide precise temperature measurements in multiple locations and verifies online pyrometer readings. It is designed for one-handed use, which increases safety in hostile environments. Several models of the kit are available for the specific process challenges of liquid metal, high temperature, medium temperature and furnace applications.
Printing of Inconel 718 power components
Sciaky, a subsidiary of Phillips Service Industries, and a specialist in industrial metal 3D printing solutions, has received an order from an undisclosed customer to produce Inconel 718 parts for a critical power generation project using what is described as its cutting-edge additive manufacturing technology. The order involves the deposition of 700+ pounds of Inconel 718, a high- performance nickel-chromium alloy commonly used in demanding environments requiring superior strength and corrosion resistance. With a high deposition rate of approximately 4 pounds per hour for this metal Sciaky is exploiting the results of its investment in advanced technology, enabling faster production while maintaining the rigorous quality standards
required for such materials. Compared to laser and arc additive Inconel 718 deposition methods, which often operate at lower rates, Sciaky’s process allows for enhanced efficiency without sacrificing part integrity.
“Our additive manufacturing technology not only enhances production speed but also improves material properties through precise control of the deposition process,” said Scott Phillips, president at Sciaky.
Inconel 718 is known for its applications in industries like aerospace, power generation, and oil and gas, where its ability to withstand extreme conditions is critical.
With what is believed to be the most widely scalable metal additive manufacturing solution
40 | April 2025|
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in the industry, Sciaky’s EBAM systems can produce parts ranging from 8 inches (203 mm) to 20 feet (> 6 metres) in length. EBAM is also the fastest deposition process in the metal additive manufacturing market, with gross deposition rates of up to 40 lbs (18.14 kg) of metal per hour. Control is achieved with IRISS – the Interlayer Real-time Imaging and Sensing System – which is reputedly the only real-time adaptive control system in the metal 3D printing market that can sense and digitally self-adjust metal deposition with precision and repeatability, and is said to be the main reason that Sciaky’s printing process delivers consistent part geometry, mechanical properties, microstructure, and metal chemistry.
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