power generation
22 Issue 3 2020
Reinventing steam power technology for a low-carbon future Great strides have been made in Africa’s development in biomass
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s debate around the implementation of carbon neutral sources continues, so too does the energy industry’s endeavours to explore a broader array of renewable energy sources, including biomass. Great strides have been made in Africa’s development in biomass. Interestingly, Africa has the highest portion of bioenergy, at 45% of the total energy mix, thereby validating the continent’s potential to capitalise on this renewable energy source. Furthermore, there are currently industrial scale biomass and waste-to-energy plants being explored in Angola, Tanzania, Cote D’Ivoire, Kenya, Malawi, Mauritius, Nigeria and Ethiopia. Within a global context, using GE’s renewable steam technology, the Kamisu Biomass Power Generation plant in Japan will run on 100 percent biomass to generate 50 megawatts (MW) of reliable energy. According to GE, this is one example of how the company is adapting its technologies to meet market demand to support more renewable fuel sources like biomass. Lee Dawes, GE Steam Power SubSaharan Africa CEO, says the South African context will be different. While biomass and waste to energy are considered in the latest IRP, there has been no clear determination on how it will be implemented. “A consideration to reduce CO2 emission could be a coal to biomass conversion. Depending on the size of a plant, typically, existing power plants can be adapted to utilise a wide range of biomass fuels up to 20% to supplement or displace coal providing additional benefit to reduce CO2, NOx and Sox.”
Lee Dawes, CEO, GE Steam Power, Sub-Saharan Africa
In accordance with the Paris Agreement and mounting concerns for the adverse effects of climate change, South African policies are striving to accelerate decarbonisation while meeting the need for rapidly growing demand for reliable, affordable and environmentally sustainable power. He also argues that while biomass is considered a renewable energy source, its sustainability will depend on continuous growth and the cultivation of the biomass sources to ensure a carbon neutral state. “Where the biomass is a secondary revenue stream, it often contributes to the commercial viability of such projects.” With all these developments in energy, it remains imperative to note that, despite the energy source employed, maintaining a sustainable balance between developmental as well as environmental national needs, while managing current challenges to ensure energy security, economic stability and jobs, remains high on government’s agenda. Policy makers will have to devise and implement strategies to ensure a successful transition, taking into consideration the various implications of such a shift, such as the interdependencies of fuel sources along with impact of renewable penetration on the grid. “At GE we respect the choices that countries make regarding their energy mix and fuel sources. Once countries have chosen the fuel that best meets their energy, cost and sustainability needs, we support them with the most efficient technology that has the least possible environmental impact. In countries like South Africa where coal provides selfsufficient and affordable means of energy security, it is essential the plants provide high levels of efficiency and rely on leading air quality control technologies. Therefore, access to finance, upgrade, maintain and in some cases extending the life of existing assets in a sustainable manner is essential,” adds Dawes. GE has made significant progress in assisting governments and utilities to improve the availability and reliability of their plants with the leverage of private finance. This has been implemented by capitalising on the opportunities presented by new digital solutions. “Across the world digital technologies are transforming the energy industry by increasing levels of productivity, lowering operational costs and extending the life of machinery. It’s time for South Africa to join this Fourth Industrial Revolution.” The rolling power blackouts, which carry a significant economic burden to the country, have rendered it imperative to focus intensively on plant availability and reliability.
GE STEAM POWER www.ge.com/power/steam
White paper on power plant analysis available
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etrohm is pleased to present Power Plant Analysis, a practical guide to quality control in power plants. While the major focus is on water chemistry, the new brochure also presents methods for quality control of turbine oils, fuels and operating materials. Power plant analysis spans the entire array of types of thermal power plants dealing with fossilfuelled plants and nuclear plants (BWR, PWR) alike. The new brochure is free of charge and can be downloaded from powerplant.metrohm.com. All thermal power plants use water as a central (operating) medium. As a liquid, it is used for cooling and as a gas, it drives the turbines. In nuclear power plants, it also moderates the fission neutrons and thus controls nuclear fission. A well-devised water chemistry ensures safe and efficient power plant operation. The white paper gives answers to crucial questions, such as: • Which methods to use for corrosion monitoring in process waters? • How to monitor crucial parameters in cooling water? • How to control the quality of boiler feed (ultrapure) water? • How to determine constituents (boric acid, lithium, nickel, zinc, calcium, magnesium) in the primary circuit of a PWR? • How to manage and control corrosion inhibitors (e.g., hydrazine) and conditioning agents?
Power Plant Analysis differentiates between process parameters and laboratory parameters, presenting solutions for both. Particular emphasis is put on corrosion as a major, almost ubiquitous threat to the performance of any type of thermal power plant. Here, the brochure gives an overview of the relevant norms and methods (ISO, ASTM, EN, DIN). Brief chapters on waste water monitoring, flue gas cleaning, turbine and lubricating oils, as well as quality control of fuels and operating materials make Power Plant Analysis a very handy reference for anyone involved in quality control in power plants. Here is the link to download Power Plant Analysis - https://bit.ly/2xDP6KP.
METROHM SA (PTY) LTD Tel: (011) 656 1918 CPT: (021) 852 0213 DBN: (031) 265 0067 Fax: (011) 656 2698 078 643 7113 info@metrohm.co.za www.metrohm.co.za
On-line analysers for sulphate & chloride measurements
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hlorides and sulphates cause pitting and stress corrosion in expensive power plant components, such as turbines and boilers, leading to extensive maintenance and unplanned shutdowns. Monitoring these ions at low ppb levels is therefore a key measurement in power plant chemistry. Mettler Toledo's 3000CS sulphate and chloride analyser provides on-line ppb level detection of chlorides and sulphates in power plant water to control corrosion and minimise damage. On-line, ppb-level chloride and sulphate monitoring The innovative 3000CS analyser uses microfluidic capillary electrophoresis, an ionic separation technology, to directly measure trace levels of harmful sulphate and chloride ions. With on-line measurements every 45 minutes, the analyser automatically performs direct chloride and sulphate measurements in pure water and power cycle chemistry samples for immediate detection of any contamination. The most important point in the cycle is at the turbine inlet, to ensure that only
acceptable levels of chlorides and sulphates enter with the steam into the turbine. Low cost of ownership Typically, chloride and sulphate measurements are done with off-line technologies, such as ion chromatography and inductively coupled plasma. The 3000CS provides accurate chloride and sulphate measurements continuously, delivering a rapid return on investment by eliminating the need for costly internal or external lab tests. ISM predictive diagnostics The unit features semi-automatic calibration and an intuitive touchscreen interface. Intelligent Sensor Management (ISM) technology provides diagnostics to predict when maintenance or replacement of consumables will be required.
MICROSEP (PTY) LTD Darren Prinsloo Tel: (011) 553 2300 Fax: (011) 553 2400 darren.prinsloo@microsep.co.za www.microsep.co.za
