Power Plant Performance Monitoring Systems

[way]

Does anyone out there know of any good on-line Performance Monitoring Systems? I am looking into installing a Performance Monitoring system on two of our Coal Fired Units. Presently I am looking at EtaPRO by General Physics and SmartProcess by Westinghouse.....any others out there?

Thanks in Advance
Way

 

There are severl good products out there, and Eta Pro is at the bottom of the "good" list. (there is a bad list too). The best product is Optimax from ABB. It has been around for a long time, has good solid roots from the Combustion Engineering days, has a lot of expansion modules beyond performance monitoring, has good Boiler cleanliness and gas turbine capabilities. They sell a lot of it at competitive prices.

 

[way]

Thanks. I will check Optimax out.

 

For more information about Optimax contact optimax@ch.abb.com.

 

[rrrivv]

Hi way! I'm Roberto Rivera from Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority. We are planning to install a Performance Monitoring System but we have not decide which one yet. Did you decide which one and why?

Thanks!
Roberto Rivera

 

[way]

Roberto,

We reviewed Optimax, EtaPro, and Westinghouse smart process; and finally decided to go with EtaPro by General Physics. The EtaPro system had a lot more to offer including: using PI historian, incorporating additional tools to work with PI, first class calculations, ease of use over the WAN and LAN, nice graphics, the ability to configure, good training, and nice add ons such as EPReporter.

General Physics installed the system almost a year ago. The installation went relatively smoothe, and we were off and running. Using the knowledge I gained from the training class, I added several modules across the WAN over the next couple of months. I also used EPreporter to set up a number of reports for the operators. In February of this year, I left the company but at that point everything was working well. I recenty talked with the plant manager at the plant, and he indicated that they were still pleased with the system.

The utility that I was working for also had General Physics give an Advanced Operator Training Class. I attended the class with the operators, and felt that it was beneficial for everyone.

Regardless of what system you choose, make sure you and the Instrumentation and Controls people at your utility review all of the inputs into the system. It is also a good idea to calibrate all of the pressure and flow transmitters.

So all in all, I would definitely recommend General Physics. Good luck, and post if you need more info.

Waylon Lowery, PE