The Project – ID Fan Cracking Millmerran Power Station
Millmerran Power is a two-unit 850MW-generating power station near Millmerran in South West Queensland. One of the most energy efficient coal-fired projects in Australia, the power station uses a supercritical boiler, with low nitrogen-oxide burners that cut NOx emissions by 50 to 70%. Commissioned in 2002, Millmerran cost AUS $1.5bn and is owned and operated by InterGen.
The station supplies base-load power and came on line early in 2003. It supplies enough electricity to power approximately 1.1 million homes. Millmerran Power sells all its electricity into the National Electricity Market (NEM), and in recent years has been achieving capacity factors of more than 85%. The power station won the Banksia Environmental Award 2006 in the water category. Coal comes from the adjacent open-cut Commodore mine.
The Problem
During routine overhaul work Millmerran Power Station had a requirement to replace wear plates on the induced draft fan motor. To prevent cracking a constant heat was required on all weld areas. The fan impellor is in a difficult access location with restricted movement. The client was seeking a reduction in the amount of cabling and thermocouples within the space to improve the CS environment.
The Solution and Equipment
Renteca supplied heat treatment techs and induction heating equipment. The heat treatment equipment included miller proheat 35 air and water cooled cables, chart recorders, thermocouple extensions to reduce the amount of cabling within the space. Renteca supplied the personal for 24/7 shifts throughout the project
