Based on the contract signed with Ethos Energy multinational company last year successive shutdowns of units A and B took place in July and September this year. The boiler and turbine B underwent a small inspection consisting mainly of valve diagnostics and preparation for overhaul next year. This year the boiler and turbine A underwent a major inspection including overhaul of valves. Due to the very limited technical equipment of workshops in power plant it was necessary to send our team equipped by all special devices (EFCO lapping machines, Hytorc tightening tools, equipment for adjusting of digital positioners, etc.), which entailed demanding training in logistics and customs. This was exacerbated by the current situation and restrictions in the area of Covid-19 disease, where our technicians had to pass tests both on departure and arrival.
The condition of some valves after 22 years of operation and very limited maintenance (some valves have never been repaired) was very poor, however, thanks to the preparation based on diagnostics carried out in 2019, spare parts and repair equipment were available, allowing the valves to be operational. The main feature of our activity for the Belarusian partner is that we bring maintenance at a completely different level consisting of long-term monitoring of valve operation, diagnostics, preparation for shutdown and keeping all records in the digital database ValvKeep. Our activities include the gradual transition and adjusting of valves with modern SVI2AP digital positioners.
Our service team under the guidance of supervisor Ján Hromádka in cooperation with the plant's maintenance staff overhauled 26 control, safety and shut-off valves over 14 days and put them into operation successfully. At block B, another 19 valves were diagnosed which will be overhauled next year. At the end of September all shutdown work will be completed and the power plant will be put back into operation. A long-term contract brings an indisputable advantage in the possibility of diagnostics, long-term valve monitoring and professional preparation for outages, which shortens downtime, eliminates unexpected surprises and, last but not least, leads to greater reliability and efficiency of power plant operation.
