The UK has a significant no. of Gas Turbines, many of which are 20 or even 30 years old. We were approached by the operator of such plants running on six separate UK sites. The client wanted initially to update the ageing CEM installation on their plant in Birmingham which was first commissioned in 1991. What is slightly surprising is that the plant was still running on its original CEM system!
Reliable CEMS are vital on any plant, be that Combustion or Incineration. In this particular instance, the equipment was regularly failing its QAL3. Furthermore, reliability and support was becoming increasingly challenging.
The installed CEMs predated EN14181 – as such, additions had been made to the system through the years to facilitate auto-span checks and a certified DAHS system. The resultant system was significantly complicated for the purpose that it was performing. Many components were not only obsolete, but their suppliers also no longer existed. This kept service engineers and operators alike on their toes! When issues occurred, support became increasingly difficult and ‘guarantees’ were not possible to make.
This particular plant can spend significant periods in standby, requiring availability to respond to demands from the grid at very short notice. Reliability of the CEMs is thus paramount to ensure the plant it ready to run with a healthy and compliant monitoring system at any given moment.
The combined effects of the above motivated the client to look at other options.
The client looked at several CEM options – Gas Turbines often use cold dry analysers with either IR or UV technology being employed. Whilst these technologies are well suited to such applications, they are essentially the same as the 30+ year old system that was to be removed and require gas conditioning systems/ pumps/ converters / filters etc.
Our solution
Our solution, which has now found its way on to a number of Gas Turbine applications, uses a hot wet NDIR analyser. This offers some key advantages, not least simplicity and consequently reliability. Without any of the aforementioned gas conditioning systems, pumps, converters, filters – or even any valves – within the sample path being required – there are significantly fewer points of failure and almost no consumable parts.
This is also beneficial in terms of installation, which is quick, enabling replacement during brief windows of opportunity. The system is easy to train operators on which gives them confidence to interrogate the device whenever they want to.
Another key feature is that the system looks neat and well-presented and, with access to the panels only possible through the front door, the shelter layout is far more practical.
Enquire today
To find out more about our services and solutions, or how we can help your business, please contact our expert team online today and we will be happy to help you!