Upgrade to coal fired power station control system

The Ovation system is expected to improve unit stability, response and thermal efficiencies for a Southeast Illinois coal fired plant, when monitoring and controlling boiler and turbine operations

Emerson Process Management has received a contract to replace the existing turbine control system for Unit 1-2-3 at Marion Generating Station.

Located in Southeast Illinois, the site consists of six units owned by Southern Illinois Power Cooperative (SIPC).

Included are Unit 4, a 173-MW coal-fired plant; Unit 1-2-3, a 120-MW coal-fired plant; as well as two 73-MW combustion turbines.

Under the contract, Emerson will install its Ovation turbine control system technology to replace existing turbine controls which are believed to have contributed to a number of plant trips.

Emerson Power and Water Solutions industry centre will perform the installation during a scheduled spring 2007 outage.

Unit 1-2-3, which began producing power in 1963, originally consisted of three separate 33-MW units.

In the 1990s, these units were refurbished and existing boilers were replaced with one circulating fluidised bed boiler.

Plant operators are already familiar with the Emerson Ovation expert control system.

The Ovation system currently controls the boiler and burner management systems at Unit 1-2-3.

Furthermore, the Ovation system provides control for GE turbines, as well as burner management, balance of plant, SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction), and wet scrubber systems at Unit 4.

Installing the Ovation turbine control solution at Unit 1-2-3 will unify boiler and turbine operations, thereby translating into a number of significant operational benefits.

For example, fully co-ordinated boiler and turbine control has been proven to provide improved unit stability, responsiveness and thermal efficiencies; tighter overall control of plant operations; and a more concise view of key plant and turbine parameters.

"Since replacing the plant vintage controls with the Ovation system several years ago, we've experienced significant reliability and availability improvements," said Ken Mausey, I and C engineer, SIPC: "Now, with the replacement of the existing turbine controls on Unit 1-2-3, we are taking strides that will further optimise operations at Marion Generating Station".

"The Marion Generating Station is a good illustration of the unique Emerson ability to provide comprehensive control solutions that address all key aspects of power generation," said Bob Yeager, president of Emerson Power and Water Solutions division: "Offering technology that monitors and controls not only the turbine, but also other critical plant processes and equipment - such as the burner management system, balance of plant equipment, combustion processes, and scrubbers, to name just a few - is a key differentiator that really sets us apart from other control system suppliers".

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