Cheng Fluid Systems, Inc.

Cheng Fluid Systems, Inc.

United States
ph: +1(650) 941-9290
info@chengfluid.com

Power Plant

POWER DIVISION: CRV® Megawatt Improvement & Economic Savings

APPLICATIONS	USER RESULT
FLOW METER RUN REDUCTION: In most pipeline applications, meter piping configurations are cramped and do not allow enough room for the required straight length of pipe, to properly install a meter and have it measure accurately.	Customer installed 18” CRV® close coupled ahead of a flow meter and saved over $100,000 in piping modification cost.
CONDENSER COOLING CIRCUITS: Reduce elbow losses and increase pump efficiency providing higher condenser heat extraction.	Recent Bechtel Power study completed for Washington Public Power Supply System WNP-2 reported potential 1.3 MW improvement due to decreased condenser cooling water circulation tunnel losses.
REDUCE CHECK-VALVE CHATTER: Eliminate elbow induced flow pulsations into check-valves.	Dynamic flow distortions exiting elbow impinge directly on check-valve plate and cause eventual hinge pin failure and resultant catastrophic failure of downstream components.
ELBOW EROSION: Fly ash, slurries or two-phase flows are notorious for eroding pipe components. By smoothing flow through pipe bends, erosion can be substantially reduced.	Customer reported wet steam in condensate return line eroded every two months. Installation of CRV® has resulted in over 18 months of operation with no indication of corrosion damage.
WATER HAMMER: Water hammer is a reverse-flow phenomenon – a pressure shock wave travels up a pipe in a direction opposite to the fluid flow. When a CRV® is installed, its trailing edge can serve as a one-way damper that dissipates the shock wave.	Nuclear plant reported water hammer in heater drain line to condenser. CRV® showed potential reduction and isolation of pressure transients.
FLOW DISTORTION: Reduce noise and vibration in branches, tees and expansions due to fluid turbulence and vortex shedding.	Mid-west utility experiencing severe vibration in flashtank discharge line to condenser limiting full load. CRV® solution eliminates turbulence and vortex shedding in piping transitions.
REDUCE AUXILARY LOADS: A CRV® installed ahead of pumps provides uniform flow into the pump suction increasing efficiency and decreasing noise, vibration and shaft input horsepower.	Northeast utility installed a CRV® on condensate return pump inlet. Pump efficiency improvement resulted in 1MW additional plant capacity.

Application Experience of Interest to Power Plant Operators

The application of CRV^®s at appropriate locations in power plants can provide the following benefits to the plant operator:

An increase in power output
A reduction of maintenance and repair costs through increased component life
An increase in plant safety
A reduction in fitting produced noise an vibration

The Electric Utilities companies who are using the CRV^® include such industry leaders as Consolidated Edison of New York, Pacific Gas and Electric, Cincinnati Gas and Electric, Florida Power and Light, Savannah River Nuclear, Pennsylvania Power and Light, and Southern California Edison.

Examples in the Electric Utility industry include:

New York State Gas & Electric. Following installation of a CRV^®, flow through the pump increased, resulting in 1.1 MW unit load increase, valued at $550,000 per year.
Pacific Gas & Electric hydroelectric plant. A 10” CRV^® eliminated the need for frequent repair of a $10,000 penstock valve. Prior to installation, the valve could not be fully opened, requiring 20 minutes to flood the turbine chamber, while generating severe vibration and noise. The CRV^® permitted full valve operation, requiring less than 30 seconds to flood the chamber, and eliminating the extreme noise safety hazard.

Cheng Fluid Systems, Inc.

United States
ph: +1(650) 941-9290
info@chengfluid.com