Power Plant Bearing Cooling Water Temperature Control

A midwest power plant was using a diaphragm control valve to control water temperature for their bearing cooling system. The closed-loop bearing cooling system uses the modulating valve to control water temperature between 50 and 170 degrees F. at 170 PSIG. The diaphragm valve was not able to provide the required signal response for tight control.

The local Kinetrol Distributor specified a high performance butterfly valve (HPBV) with Kinetrol spring return actuator and third-party positioner. The new valve and actuator package provided  reliable and accurate controllability with zero hysteresis. It has operated continually for 3 years without maintenance.

Bearing Cooling Water Temperature Control
Bearing Cooling Water Temperature Control Valve

Kinetrol Actuators on Power Plant Descaling Water System

Kinetrol on descale water system
Kinetrol actuator on
descale water system.
Overtime, heat exchanger tubes in power plant boilers build up mineral deposits that prevent proper heat transfer. The poorer the heat transfer, the higher the boiler tube exposure temperature. The higher the exposure temperature, the shorter the life of the boiler tubes. To remedy this, a chemical and mechanical process called descaling is used. Descaling removes these mineral deposits and restores proper heat transfer.

Kinetrol on descale water system
Wider view.
This Kinetrol actuator application is located on the descale water system at a power plant in the Midwestern United States.  Knifegate valves with pneumatic cylinder actuators were installed on the system and were failing. The knifegate valve packing material leaked and created a maintenance nightmare. The customer needed a longer term, lower maintenance solution.

The local Kinetrol Distributor recommended switching to a high performance butterfly valve (HPBV) and Kinetrol double acting actuator as the replacement. These actuators and valves are installed in a very dirty area (see picture), and during power generation, are exposed to high heat and are cycled every 30 seconds. The first installation has been in place for 20 months and operating without problem. Now, as each knifegate comes up for maintenance, they are being replaced with the Kinetrol operated butterfly valve.

For more information, contact Kinetrol USA by visiting https://kinetrolusa.com or calling 972-447-9443.