Emerson Offers Advanced Ovation® Turbine Control Applications for Improved Turbine Performance
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New applications reinforce Emerson's capabilities as a turnkey supplier of turbine control and mechanical solutions
PITTSBURGH, PA (November 30, 2006) - Today at POWER-GEN International 2006, Emerson Process Management announces the availability of additional advanced Ovation® turbine control applications. Leveraging Emerson's significant expertise in both turbine controls and mechanical turbine control equipment, these applications are designed to help power generators improve turbine operation, performance, and reliability.
"No other control system supplier can match Emerson's ability to offer comprehensive turbine solutions that address both the control and mechanical aspects of turbine operation," said Bob Yeager, president of the Power & Water Solutions division of Emerson. "With this combination of expertise, power generators can be assured that Emerson's turbine solutions translate into efficient operation, tighter control and the highest reliability and safety."
Following is a brief overview of each new value-added application.
Startup Sequencing - This application within the Ovation system is composed of two functional pieces - the turbine startup sequencer (TSQ) and the turbine stress evaluator (TSE). The TSQ enables the turbine to more closely follow the parameters of the OEM-recommended loading curves, while the TSE adjusts the curves based on calculations regarding actual turbine operations, further improving turbine startup. The interaction of the TSQ and TSE translates into more consistent turbine operation by reducing turbine startup and loading times, turbine stress, and the time needed to reach the desired turbine speed or load.
Mechanical Trip Protection Replacement - This application replaces the overspeed mechanical bolt that trips the unit in the event of excessive turbine speeds. Emerson's solution, which utilizes a combination of Ovation control logic and sensor technology, provides better, more reliable turbine protection. Switching from the previous low-tech, mechanical approach to Emerson's automated solution also eliminates costly overspeed bolt testing and maintenance.
Trip Protection Upgrades - This application uses a combination of Ovation applied logic and sensors to better manage trip logic so that the unit trips when necessary to prevent equipment damage, yet is less prone to false/unnecessary trips. Emerson has developed Trip Protection Upgrades that are customized specifically for GE and Westinghouse turbines.
The GE Trip Protection Upgrade is a patent-pending application featuring three speed signals that are processed and interrogated on separate Ovation Speed Detector I/O modules. In the event of a turbine over-speed, a testable dump manifold (TDM) trips the turbine by rapidly de-pressurizing the turbine hydraulic trip header. For greater reliability, the manifold assembly is fully redundant and testable while the turbine is online without requiring an actual unit trip.
The Westinghouse Trip Protection Upgrade replaces the "Mystery Box" found in Westinghouse turbines with a pressure status manifold (PSM). The PSM monitors critical pressures and provides the Ovation control system with three independent analog signals. Two out of three voting logic is used in the control system to generate trip signals based on the PSM signal monitoring. Each of the three transmitters has a pressure-blocking valve and a pressure drain valve which allow the transmitters to be tested individually, and provide instrument isolation for on-line replacement. A patent is pending for this application.
Emerson's turbine control solution, which is in operation on more than 1,100 steam and combustion turbines around the world, is based on the company's Ovation expert control technology. Ovation, a key component of Emerson's PlantWeb® digital architecture, was designed specifically to meet the challenges of the power generation industry. Leading power generators worldwide rely on Ovation to monitor and control critical processes/equipment, including the turbine, burner management system, balance of plant equipment, the combustion process, scrubbers, and more. Use of the Ovation system to control both the boiler and turbine results in fully coordinated control that enables utilities to improve unit stability, responsiveness and thermal efficiencies; achieve tighter overall control of plant operations; and obtain a concise view of key plant and turbine parameters.
"Our comprehensive turbine control and mechanical retrofit capabilities are based on decades of power generation industry experience providing mechanical hydraulic control, and electro hydraulic control and equipment for gas and steam turbines from virtually every turbine OEM," said Bob Yeager, president of the Power & Water Solutions division of Emerson. "Based on our significant in-house expertise and successful track record, power generators can continue to trust Emerson to provide valuable turbine solutions."
About Emerson Process Management
Emerson Process Management (www.emersonprocess.com), an Emerson business, is a leader in helping businesses automate their production, processing and distribution in the power, water and wastewater treatment, chemical, oil and gas, refining, pulp and paper, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and other industries.
Emerson's Power & Water Solutions division (www.emersonprocess-powerwater.com) is a global supplier of advanced distributed process control and information systems. The Pittsburgh-based company is a recognized leader in developing plant-wide process control solutions for the power generation, water treatment and wastewater treatment industries. Power & Water Solutions plays a key role in the Emerson mission of combining superior products and technology with industry-specific engineering, consulting, project management and maintenance services.
Emerson brands include PlantWeb®, Ovation®; SmartProcess®; Fisher®; MicroMotion®; Rosemount®; Mobrey®, Daniel®, Bristol®, DeltaV(TM); and AMS(TM) Suite.
About Emerson
Emerson (NYSE: EMR), based in St. Louis, is a global leader in bringing technology and engineering together to provide innovative solutions to customers through its network power, process management, industrial automation, climate technologies, and appliance and tools businesses. Sales in fiscal 2006 were $20.1 billion. For more information, visit www.GoToEmerson.com.
