Efficiency and Vibration Testing

Brewer, Glenn W.; ,

Efficiency and Vibration Testing

by Glenn W. Brewer, Idaho Power Co, United States,

Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Waterpower '89

Abstract:

To gather the necessary data to assure the most efficient and reliable operation of the system, Idaho Power Company implemented a plant testing program in 1988. The testing program consists of efficiency testing of the units, and monitoring of the vibration characteristics of the units. Data from both aspects of the test program is used to determine the optimum loading of the units within the plant, and the optimum loading of the plants within the overall system. The data is also used in setting maintenance and repair schedules. Flow is measured by an ultrasonic flow measurement system installed on one unit of each major plant. Flow at the other identical units at that plant is then measured by Winter-Kennedy taps using the constant calculated from the unit with ultrasonic flow measurement. Power and reactive loads are measured by a transducer connected into the power and current transformer circuits. Vibration measurements are made using proximity probes to monitor shaft movement, and servo-accelerometers to monitor casing vibrations. Bearing clearances and the position of the shaft within the bearings are determined by jacking the shaft against the bearings while the unit is off.

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