To optimize your mechanical equipment, you need to create the right environment.
High humidity causes condensation, corrosion and rust, which in a power plant, causes problems with gas turbines, pumps, switchgears and electronics operations. This could lead to start up failures after maintenance outages, with fines for non-delivery. A power plant's components are subject to corrosion when they are not in operation. This is referred to as "standby" corrosion. A plant may be shutdown due to planned or unplanned maintenance, or due to low seasonal power demand. A shutdown may be scheduled or not, the duration of the shutdown extending from a few days to several years.
Since the risk of irreparable corrosion damage is very great in the event of a long-term shutdown, preventative measures must be taken in good time. These measures must be simple, effective and inexpensive.
Corrosion is an electro-chemical process, controlled by diffusion, which can take place on metal surfaces due to the simultaneous action of water and oxygen, the oxygen being dissolved in the water.
During shutdown corrosion can, therefore, take place on all turbine parts where the ambient air, which always contains a certain amount of water vapor, comes into contact with metal surfaces. The ability of the air to absorb water vapor depends on the temperature and pressure of the air.
The dry air created by Munters equipment ensures that the power plant is protected from
corrosion and stays in perfect condition - all this for a fraction of the cost of a new plant.
Munters desiccant dehumidifiers are helping power plant owners throughout the world reduce costs by solving corrosion problems, by speeding maintenance procedures and by reducing the use of hazardous chemicals and gases. The benefits provided by dry air are appreciated by all departments in the plant.
The maintenance group appreciates the accessibility of all components made possible when dry air is used instead of nitrogen for corrosion protection.
The safety staff knows the benefits of using dry air rather than toxic corrosion inhibitors to protect components.
Operations personnel appreciate the reliability improvement when dry air reduces corrosion in the boiler and condenser tubes and in the flue gas passages.
Corrosion engineers appreciate the predictable coating operations made possible by dehumidifiers.
And start-up crews appreciate the predictable operation that follows an outage where equipment, motors and controls have been kept free of moisture damage by controlling humidity.
Munters offers humidity and temperature control during long and short term shutdowns preventing the onset of corrosion.
For more information e-mail dhinfo@munters.com or call 1-800-843-5360 to speak with a customer service representative.