MICHELL INSTRUMENTS GENERATES SAFETY FOR THE POWER INDUSTRY
We all know from an early age that water conducts electricity. Therefore
it is obvious that surplus humidity in air and gases can be catastrophic
in an electricity generation plant.
Application Engineers at Michell Instruments, the dew point specialists,
have identified the main areas where excess moisture can cause danger
to the environment, equipment and even to human life.
- Noxious gases emitted by gas-fired power stations can be reduced
by controlling the humidity of air mixed with the fuel gas.
- Energy consumption can be reduced by allowing dew point control of
compressed air dryer changeover.
- Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6), which is frequently used as an insulating
gas within high-voltage switchgear, must be sufficiently dry to prevent
arcing, which results in contact erosion and reactions producing corrosive
hydrofluoric acid.
- In CCGT power plants damage and downtime caused by flame back-up through
condensate formation inside the burner nozzles can be avoided by accurate
measurement of hydrocarbon dew point in fuel gas.
- In nuclear power plants it is essential that CO2 and steam loops are
not counter-contaminated. This can be assured by verifying the integrity
of heat exchangers.
- Pipe fracture caused by freezing can be prevented by the proper control
of compressed air dryers.
- An explosion in a power plant is almost unimaginable. However, a few
years ago, that's exactly what happened at a well known power station
in the UK, and it was because of excess humidity. If H2 gas is not maintained
at below 0°c dew point in a generator set this can cause the formation
of condensation on exposed live metal parts, which may then lead to
an explosion.
Michell Instruments Ltd provides a range of advanced industrial hygrometry
products that can help to protect the environment, plant equipment and
people by monitoring and controlling humidity in air and gases.
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