01/06/2006

REALIZATIONS DE APLEIN INGENIEROS, S.A.
SYSTEM OF STEAM LEAKAGE DETECTION IN COAL-FIRED BOILERS OF NARCEA POWER STATION


The NARCEA Thermal Power Station belongs to the UNION FENOSA group and is located in Soto del Barco in the Principality of Asturias.

With a power output of 586 MW, it employs 3 electric units with boilers designed to burn coal. The units carry out the transformation of the internal energy of this fuel into electric power, suitable for use.

APLEIN INGENIEROS, S.A. has designed and implanted its System of steam leakage detection the coal-fired boilers, the starting point of this transformation process.

We interviewed Ms. Mª Esther Nava, Maintenance Manager of the NARCEA power station.


What is the purpose of the leakage detection system?

The system detects the sound emitted by steam leaking in the boilers which is produced by the operation of the units and it allows the leakage area to be delimited more precisely, but there is also another very important point, the speed at which this takes place, which allows the shutdown of the units to be programmed with more information.


What made them you opt for the solution presented by APLEIN INGENIEROS, S.A.?

We found it to be that which offered the best quality to price ratio on the market.

Which is the immediate benefit for the Power Station?

As we have mentioned already, for us it is very important to plan the shutdowns for when the energy market requirements are lowest.

With this additional information you can analyze the tendency and make more correct operational forecasts that minimize the impact on the market.

From the operation and control point of view, what parameters can you control?

It is possible to see the influence of certain parameters like the steam pressure, or of certain situations like the regulation, and find the operating point that causes least impact on the boiler until the next shutdown.

Would you recommend the use of this system in other thermal power stations where burning coal is the primary source of energy?

Yes, but also in others using other fuels, since the origin of leaks can be very varied.



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