58 years with no unplanned downtime

3rd Quarter 2014 Hydraulic systems & components

Termoelektarna Šoštanj (TES), the Slovenian coal-fired power plant operator, has enjoyed the high reliability of Voith variable speed fluid couplings for 58 years. They control the speeds of the boiler feed pumps – and have been doing it since 1956 without unplanned downtime.

Using the speed control capability of the boiler feed pump, the main control component of a power plant, the operator can easily match the process to the fluctuating energy demand of customers. In 1956, TES elected to install the Voith hydrodynamic variable speed fluid coupling (type 510 SVL) to control the speed of the pump. The fill level of this fill-controlled coupling can be changed during operation. This allows precise, stepless speed control. As a result, the boiler feed pump is always operating in the optimum speed control range.

Although the power plant operator has long since had to recondition the surrounding components in the driveline, the variable speed fluid coupling in the power plant has been operating reliably for 58 years. With its compact, robust design, the coupling is especially well suited to extreme ambient conditions. Through the hydrodynamic principle, the force is transmitted without wear. The coupling lifetime is consequently many times that of a variable frequency drive. This saves the operator maintenance and service costs.

Thanks to the mechanical separation of the drive side from the driven side, the coupling protects the entire driveline against vibrations and impacts. In addition, the motor runs up to speed without load and the driven machine accelerates gently. This reduces the load on the driveline and extends the lifetime of the individual components.

For more information contact Terry-Lynn McIntosh, Voith Turbo, +27 (0)11 418 4036, terry.mcintosh@voith.com, www.voith.com

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