Upkeep of Itaipu U09 started to ensure optimum vitality manufacturing

Photograph Itaipu Binacional

Asunción, IP Company.- Upkeep work on Producing Unit 9 (U09) of the Itaipu Hydroelectric Energy Plant started. That is essentially the most detailed preventive operation of the machines, with a periodicity of three years, and is carried out with the intention to preserve the optimum efficiency of the machine to produce electrical energy to roughly 1,500,000 Paraguayan houses.

In line with a beforehand established schedule, one of these process lasts regarding 10 days. Nonetheless, on this event, two particular corrective duties are deliberate to be carried out, so it’s estimated that they’ll final 15 days, based on the Itaipu report.

Among the many actions to be carried out, the substitute of the gaskets of the enlargement joint of the pressured duct (pipe by which the water passes to rotate the unit) and the restore of cavitation of the turbine stand out.

The pressured ducts of the Itaipu Hydroelectric Energy Plant (CHI) have a double telescopic kind enlargement joint, designed to soak up the contraction and enlargement actions of the duct as a result of thermal impact; in addition to any relative motion between the powerhouse and the dam, that are unbiased constructions.

The Upkeep Superintendency defined that inspection and upkeep actions are periodically carried out on these parts, with the purpose of verifying their tightness circumstances.

They specified that an eventual retightening of the press ring prisoners is carried out if leaks larger than what is often tolerated are noticed or, in a extra unfavorable case, the gaskets are changed when it’s not attainable to enhance the sealing situation by different strategies.

For this final state of affairs, the technicians stated, it’s essential to mount a tubular scaffold across the penstock at Elevation 111, which allows the disassembly actions of the higher and decrease packing press rings.

Within the case of U09, an outsourced firm was employed, which can perform the substitute in rotating 12-hour shifts, in parallel with the deliberate three-year upkeep stoppage of the producing unit; with the continual help of Itaipu employees.

As soon as all of the scheduled duties have been accomplished, which includes greater than 100 engineers and technicians from the Binational’s Upkeep and Operation superintendencies, the gear might be returned to the interconnected electrical system.