Keeping Fluid Systems Clean

摘要

Four years ago the author wrote about the very successful application of micro-filtration for makeup water pre-treatment at a former utility. The machine replaced an aging clarifier and sand filters, where it greatly reduced operating costs and vastly improved the quality of water being fed to a downstream reverse osmosis unit. Obviously, however, power generating units have many other fluid systems in which fluid purity is also very critical. These include the condensate/feedwater system, turbine lube oil system, electro-hydraulic control system, and others. This article examines fluid purity issues in these systems. Varnish formation in oil is a subject of great importance at both conventional steam plants and those with combustion turbines. A process that has been recognized for some time but is now beginning to grab headlines is that of adsorption to remove varnish. A well designed and functioning varnish removal system should reduce the VPR to well below the normal value of 35.