PUMPS
PUMPS FOR NUCLEAR POWER
SULZER
SPECIALIST PUMP MAINTENANCE
RESOURCES AVAILABLE 24/7
As an innovative pump manufacturer
and independent maintenance provider,
Sulzer is uniquely placed to offer specialist
technical knowledge and support for all
types of pumps, including those from other
manufacturers. One area that requires
specialist skills and expertise is the nuclear
power sector and Sulzer has established a
service center in Chattanooga, TN, that offers
a comprehensive suite of resources tailored
to this application.
The nuclear industry operates in quite a
unique position in that it has a defined date
when the site will be decommissioned so
the aim is to ensure that all the assets on
site will provide reliable service throughout
the plant’s life. Operators look to minimize
running and maintenance costs by
introducing design changes that will preserve
the existing assets and add to reliability.
SPECIALIST RESOURCES
There can be no margin for error in a nuclear
power plant, everything must perform
exactly as it was designed, but there is still
room for improvements to be added. Sulzer
specializes in assessing legacy equipment
and adding value by modifying a design
or changing a material so that durability is
improved.
Renowned for its expertise in pump
manufacturing and maintenance, with
service centers across the world, Sulzer offers
industry-leading support to all pumping
applications. However, there is one service
center in Chattanooga, TN, that offers state-
of-the-art solutions to the nuclear industry,
a specialist sector that demands particular
attention to detail.
Eric Jenkins, Manager Nuclear Sales
at Chattanooga, explains: “We offer a
specialist service that is tailored to the
exacting requirements of nuclear power
plants. Every part of a project is handled by
highly experienced engineers, managers
and designers to ensure that every repair,
upgrade or reverse engineering task is
delivered on time with particular attention to
industry specifications.”
CASE IN POINT
In a recent project, Sulzer has designed
and manufactured a set of six replacement
raw water cooling pumps for a nuclear
installation. The new pumps had a lower
specific speed than the originals, reducing
their power requirements, which improved
the margin on the diesel generators. The
pumps met all of the required specifications
as well improving performance and reducing
vibration.
The key to this improvement was
understanding the pump curves and how
they interact with each other. Previous issues
with original pumps were resolved but, more
importantly, the amount of power required
from the diesel generators to run the pumps
was significantly reduced. This action
removed any need to re-rate the generators,
which could have cost millions of dollars.
MAKING THE GRADE
Where necessary, Sulzer assumes
responsibility for the design, reverse
engineering and certification of pumps and
assemblies for most original equipment
manufacturers (OEMs). The quality assurance
program employed at Chattanooga Service
Center is certified and audited to meet the
requirements of 10CFR50 Appendix B, part
21, and ASME N and NPT Class 1, 2 and 3.
The focus on improved durability can often
involve improving the metallurgy of a
component or refining impeller geometry to
minimize cavitation. Every application has
its own set of challenges and Sulzer is fully
equipped to assess performance, deliver
specific recommendations and implement
them.
Using state-of-the-art data capture tools,
laser scanners and precision machine
tools, Sulzer can create new components
with improved hydraulic performance and
extended durability.
ROUND-THE-CLOCK SUPPORT
In addition to planned support, there is
also a demand for out-of-hours assistance.
The power generation industry operates
round the clock and as a key provider of
engineering support, the service center at
Chattanooga offers support 24/7.
Eric Jenkins concludes: “The ideal scenario is
for all maintenance projects to be carefully
planned, but occasionally unexpected issues
can arise that require an immediate response
and Sulzer has the necessary resources to
support customers, day or night. In this
way, repair projects can be delivered in the
shortest possible time, minimizing disruption
and returning assets to full operational status
at the earliest opportunity.”
For more information on Sulzer,
visit www.sulzer.com
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PECM Issue 38