Demineralize water production in a powerplant

Panametrics provide accurate and stable measurements

Summary
HEP is the national power company in Croatia and operates 26 hydroelectric, 4
thermal and 3 cogenerating plants. This application relates to a powerstation in one
of those 3 cogeneration plants, which supplies both heat and energy to a nearby city.
Due to rising demand over the years, HEP added a new facility to the plant producing
demineralized water to feed the powerplant. However, during the start-up the water
flow was unstable and the plant operator reached out to a Panametrics’ Channel
Partner seeking a solution.
Application
Process details:
Media: demineralized water (non-conductive)
Pressure: 0 - 3 barg (0 – 43.5 psig)
Flow: between 34 - 100m3/h (150 – 440 GPM)
Temperature: 16°C (61°F)
Pipe material: PVC
Pipe size: From 225x20.5mm (8.9”x 0.8”)
Accuracy: ±2% of reading
Challenge
An in-line ultrasonic flowmeter (supplied by a competitor) had been installed when
the plant was originally constructed. However, its results were unstable, jumping from
100 to 140 to 80m3/h.
The customer was concerned! The team could not control the production and had
to stop the pump, which meant halting operations. They immediately contacted
Panametrics’ Channel Partner.
It was soon established that it was crucial to ensure the demineralized water flow
range stayed within a pre-defined threshold in order to safely start up the energy
production process. The other critical factor was to have a 1 second refresh rate to
improve pump control.
Benefits:
• Easy to set up and program
• No process interruption
• Strong reputation in clamp on
measurement
• Reliability and accuracy
• Strong local support
Application note
Demineralize water production in a powerplant
Solution
Panametrics has enjoyed a strong relationship with HEP thanks to a total of 16
Aquatrans AT600 clamp-on ultrasonic flowmeters providing the customer with
accurate and reliable data.
Familiar with HEP’s set up, the Panametrics Channel Partner was able to secure
stable and reliable measurements in less than 1 hour using the AT600.
The meter was positioned downstream of the existing inline meter. The
team was able to determine that the inline meter was too close to the 90°
bend leading to a non-fully developed flow profile despite the mid-radius
transducers’ position. However, some issues were experienced there too (as
shown in the picture). So the team opted for another location along the line.
With Panametrics technology installed further downstream (not shown)
with much more straight runs upstream and downstream, the resulting
measurements were accurate and stable.
The customer was impressed by Panametrics technology and the Channel
Partners’ hands-on approach. Most importantly HEP was extremely happy it
could continue the startup process without further interruptions.