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Turbine connection

Turbine connection

Turbine connection

(OP)
The turbine of our local hydraulic power plant from the 1980's keeps failing its bolted connections.  Does anyone know of and engineer or engineering company that deals with dynamic, vibratory and cyclical loads or turbine connections?

Eric McDonald, PE
McDonald Structural Engineering, PLLC

RE: Turbine connection

A hint as to what part of the world you are located in might help garner some tips of firms in your area are.

rmw

RE: Turbine connection

(OP)
The project is located in Western North Carolina.  Appearantly the owner has tried several approaches in the past.  I have the impression they are willing to do whatever is necessary.  

Eric McDonald, PE
McDonald Structural Engineering, PLLC

RE: Turbine connection

We have some excellent hydraulic people here. A little more detail as to the nature of the failure may elicit a more helpful response.
Re the posting issues:
The regulars here participate for a variety of reasons.
A large part of the motivation of some of us is a combination of:
A> We enjoy problem solving.
b> We share and exchange information. I am a fairly active participant but I learn much more than I am able to share.
C We enjoy the social aspects of sharing experiences with respected friends.
The manner of your question doesn't really speak to the motivation of some of those most able to help identify and solve your problems.
A positive reaction may be to post the details of your problem and work with us in search of a solution. You may find that after the issue has been addressed, that there is no need to involve another party. You may also find that a very knowledgeable expert will recommend one or several firms that are able to help.
Welcome to Eng-Tips and the best of luck with your next post.
Bill

Bill
--------------------
"Why not the best?"
Jimmy Carter

RE: Turbine connection

Some more basic info is needed:

Type (Francis...Kaplan...Tube...Pelton), Size of the unit in MW...Vertical or Horizontal...Head..RPM..(all the relevant parameters of the unit.

What "bolts are failing"...coupling. foundation...is there vibration...

Is the unit being operated in the cavitation load range for long periods..All Francis and Kaplan units have a cavitation range of load where the unit is not allowed to operate for extended periods, can be 20 to 60% load for a Francis or a wider range for a Kaplan. Cavitation means vibration and damage eventually.

Is there anything wrong with the governor? Oscillation or hunting..Is there a governor or only an actuator system...

Is the plant attended or manned?

Is there any likelyhood that the unit was synchronized with the network incorrectly (badly out of phase), that alone can wreck a unit in the worst case.

Are there any electrical problems known...

What about the waterways..is there an intake gate or butterfly valve involved...

Do you have photos of the damage?

We can help possibly with some past experience elsewhere.

 regards, rasevskii

RE: Turbine connection

Having looked at your site in Marshall, NC, and the Google map, it would seem that the unit is a replacement for a former cotton mill water power plant. In that case I assume it is a vertical Francis or Kaplan Unit of a few MW only. Therefore the next questions are: Is it an induction or synchronous generator and is there a gearbox or is it direct driven? If an induction unit it may be being banged onto the network at the incorrect speed, or if a sync unit see comments in the last post.

Was there always a problem or is this something new in recent time?

Is this a PLC controlled unit and has there been any problem or reprogramming of the PLC? It would seem then that there is no governor, but only an actuator control with loading controlled by forebay level, and the plant is unmanned, and possibly things go wrong when nobody is there.

Possibly your area is prone to lightning (my experience in that part of the world) and the PLC (if any) has been affected at times by this.

just some ideas maybe relevant or not.

rasevskii

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