14 July 2020
Volga’s Power Complex Undergoes Modernization
A major upgrade of turbine generator unit PT-80/100-130/13 at Volga’s power complex (NiGRES power plant) has been completed and led to an increase in actual power output by 7 MW.
An impressive technical program, which included both renewal of the main equipment and overhaul of the auxiliary equipment, was carried out at NiGRES in the period from April 15th to May 24th, 2020.
In particular, the works included a retrofit of a high pressure rotor, installation of new honeycomb seals to the diaphragms of the high-pressure (HP) cylinder, repair of standard seals at the low-pressure (LP) cylinder diaphragms, replacement of nozzles at the HP and LP cylinders, replacement of gas coolers for the generator and exciter, and replacement of hydrogen seals of the generator.
Some scope of works related to revamping the flow path was carried out at the Central Machinery and Repair Plant (CRMZ Mosenergo) in Moscow.
Remarkably, the revamping program was managed to be completed four days ahead of schedule. The turbine generator was back on stream on May 25th, which enabled Volga to reach full production capacity one week sooner than originally expected.
Acceptance tests for the upgraded equipment are currently underway. It has already been demonstrated that the target goal — to expand the actual power output by 7 MW at peak capacity (up to 97 MW) — has been achieved. In the next few days the turbine generator will go through heat test runs to check its performance characteristics at different loads and determine optimum operating conditions with the already upgraded flow path.
Overall, in 2019-2020 the Company has already modernized two turbines at its NiGRES power complex (R-32-130 and PT-80/100-130) using the latest technical solutions in turbine construction. Upgrading of their flow path has resulted in an improved efficiency and increased power output by 6-8% at different loads, while steam and gas consumption remain the same.
Volga’s Deputy General Director for Non-Core Production Mr Vasiliy Stepchenko confirms that the program to improve efficiency at the (NiGRES) power complex is in good progress.
As part of the program, one of the feeding pumps has been equipped with a variable frequency drive, which resulted in cost saving of 0.5-1.3 MWh in service power.
A new feeding steam-driven turbine pump 13 abs. atm. is being installed, which will help to increase the cost saving effect in service power by 3 MWh.
A network water heater has been retrofitted to 13 abs. atm. steam, which means that more equipment will be able to work with 13 abs. atm. steam, and, consequently, more energy will be generated by turbine R-32-130.
On top of it, efforts are being made to optimize performance of the existing equipment and modernize the control and digital monitoring systems.
The Company’s management is considering options for additional generation capacities at NiGRES power complex to cover the increasing energy needs at Volga. The Company is also committed to reducing the power generation costs and thus, increasing the competitive ability of Volga’s main products at the market.
Volga Press Service
