Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Proceedings of Power 2008
ASME Power 2008
July 22-24, 2008, Orlando, Florida, USA
POWER2008-60133
CASE STUDIES: PLANT PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENTS THROUGH THE USE OF
INNOVATIVE CONDENSER CLEANING TECHNOLOGY AND LEAK DETECTION
INSPECTION
Eric H. Fayard
Technical Marketing Manager
Conco Systems, Inc
Verona, PA USA
ABSTRACT
One of the largest returns on investment a
plant can achieve is the improved condenser
performance as a result of an effective
condenser tube cleaning. The financial impact
of a poorly performing condenser can cost the
average power station millions of dollars per
year in lost revenue. Even a small increase in
unit back pressure as a result of tube fouling and
air
in-leakage can have dramatic results.
Performance
engineers
are
continuously
reevaluating
their
choice
of
cleaning
technologies
while
implementing
optimal
cleaning schedules as well as conducting air
and water in-leakage surveys.
With so many choices available
for
improvement, plant engineers must choose
systems that are cost effective, safe and
efficient.
In addition,
the
technologies
incorporated should have the capability to satisfy
a variety of conditions. Those conditions can
include: fouling types ranging from bio-films to
the most tenacious calcium scale and the
potential for air in-leakage from the turbine to the
hotwell. As a result, operators must be well
informed regarding best available technology. If
the plant is nuclear powered, the systems
should also provide the least risk to the
personnel.
This
paper will
review
tube
fouling
characteristics, advances in cleaning technology
and
leak detection procedures related to
improving overall plant performance.
INTRODUCTION
Condenser design specifications define a
maximum effective rate of removal of the latent
heat
in
the exhaust vapor entering
the
condenser, as well as its transfer into the
circulating water,
given
the
c