Using Pleated Air Filters for Reducing Dust, Debris Buildup in Hydro Generators

摘要

During Duke Energy's upgrade and modernization program for its hydro system, the utility's engineers worked with local industrial HVAC contractors to investigate the possibility of retrofitting generator air-filtering systems to the air intake areas of many of the 1910- and 1920-vintage vertical machines. The resulting retrofit design has kept the utility's air-cooled generators free of dust, pollen, and insects. This has helped maintain efficient heat transfer that allows the generators to operate at cooler temperatures than when clogged with dirt and debris. Keeping the generators clean is critical because one of the keys to long generator life is minimizing unnecessary generator heating.