Instrotech's Inspecta FFT tube leak detection system - fully South African-designed and manufactured - is now installed at another Australian power station to protect boilers from expensive damage caused by undetected steam leaks.
This is the second contract in Australia and is for two systems for Mount Piper power station in Portland. In 1999, Instrotech gained their first breakthrough into 'down-under' with a supply contract to Flinders Power in Port Augusta. Both contracts involve protection on two boilers of 660 MW.
The Inspecta FFT (now in its third generation and installed on all South African power station boilers and also in Germany, India and China) is, in essence, an early warning system. The sound within a boiler is continually monitored. Changes in audio patterns are an indication of leaks developing in tubes within the boiler. Severe mechanical damage can occur if leaks go undetected. With Inspecta, leak progression can be monitored and shutdowns for repairs can be planned to take place out of peak power periods.
Installation of the systems are to be supervised by Instrotech's Australian office which was established eight years ago to market the full range of Instrotech - developed instrumentation such as panel meters, transmitters and controllers.
Both contracts include a five-year full maintenance contract. All boilers are fitted with automatic air purge, which assist in providing maintenance-free operation. This feature has now become standard with all new installation tube leak detection contracts. All four systems are modem-connected to the Instrotech office and on two occasions the power station was notified of a developing leak from 400 km away.
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