Retrofit Benefits
What is it?
Adding a component or accessory to a product that did not have it when it was manufactured.
Why retrofit?
This can be answered by considering the operating plant costs for:
- Frequent maintenance and re-calibration
- The level of manual intervention to operate
- Unreliable equipment breakdown
- Non-scheduled shut down
- Difficult to diagnose situations causing extended outages
Experience has shown that failures are mainly due to:
- Controls
- Instrumentation
- Auxiliaries
In other words, the core engine is robust and reliable; it is the control and instrumentation equipment that causes the majority of failures.
What can TCL retrofit?
When considering a retrofit always try and move as many control functions from hydro-mechanical equipment to software, electronic or electrical control. This will always improve reliability.
A typical scope of a controls system retrofit might include:
Plant Sensors
- Switches replaced with transmitters (pressure & temperature)
- Vibration
- Speed
- Level
Plant Driven Devices
- Gas control valves
- Liquid fuel control valves
- MCC starters
- Solenoids
- Motors
- Actuators
- Cables
Control Functions
- Governor
- Sequencer
- Temperature monitor
- Pressure monitor
- Vibration monitor
- Overspeed trip
- Emergency shutdown
- AVR, generator protection
- Load management
- Operator interface
- Event recorder
- Remote control
What hardware does TCL use to retrofit?
TCL choose equipment that is readily available, mass produced and modular. This type of equipment will provide you with the following benefits:
- Developed product
- High quality
- Cost effective
- Latest technology
- Readily available
- Reduced delivery time
- Spares readily available