Systems \ Utilities

The fire fighting system serves the purpose of either preventing a fire or, in case a fire breaks out, extinguishing it, also activating an alarm. Designing a Fire fighting system requires specific expertise and involves the integration of different equipment and tools, such as gas detection and fire alarm devices, fire water and foam systems, deluge systems, entailing, when necessary, the active involvement of the fire brigade, on the basis of precise engagement procedures.

Cooling water systems mainly depend on the type of water source. With the increasing use of sea water as feed the cooling water system is usually based on a closed circuit of soft cooling water and a semi-open circuit of saline cooling water, with a sea water cooling tower and sea water make-up. The soft cooling water is a treated-water closed loop – filled with demineralised water coming from a suitable polishing package - indirectly cooled by sea water by means of plate heat exchangers.

Multistage flash distillation is the most widely-used desalination method, especially when large amounts of water are involved. Currently, the main alternative solution is the reverse osmosis technology, which uses semi-permeable membranes and pressure to separate the salts and water, while the traditional process of vacuum distillation is almost obsolete, due to higher energy consumption. The desalination process, in any case, is energy intensive and future costs will continue to mainly depend on the price of energy, unless significant improvements in desalination technology are achieved.

Water treatments in an industrial Plant start at the raw water intake and proceed with the production of the various kinds of water, and the systems commonly needed at the Plant such as cooling water, demi water, process water, boiler feed water, potable water, etc.. The correct treatment depends on both the final use and the characteristics of the available raw water (e.g.: Total Dissolved Solid content, pH, bacteria, algae, fungi, minerals, etc.). For instance, in case of sea water, a desalination process is required to achieve an acceptable TDS content.

The steam network of an industrial plant is based on a multiple level system, from superheated steam to condensate, and requires a complex analysis of the various situations the plant may face, in both normal and emergency conditions. This analysis is usually carried out with the support of dedicated SW and involves the overall design of the system, from the optimum pressure levels to the selection of the capacity, and even of the location of the steam levelling components needed to stabilize the operation.

Gas turbines convert fuel energy into mechanical or electrical power, in the latter case by connecting to electric generators. The underlying thermodynamic cycle, known as the Brayton Cycle, involves the compression of a gas medium (typically air), the addition of fuel energy through combustion or heat exchange, and the expansion of the hot compressed gas through a turbine, to convert the thermal energy into shaft power.

The steam turbine drives a generator, to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. Typically, this will be a rotating field synchronous machine. For the proper selection of the power generator it is necessary to specify process data, such as required power, frequency, terminal voltage, minimum efficiency, type of cooling, maximum vibration and noise levels. At Energeco we have qualified engineers for the accurate specification and selection of the suitable size and type of generator tailored to plant needs. 

Whenever electric power cannot be purchased from outside, or it is too expensive to bring to the plant, or the external grid is unreliable, or, alternatively, there is a significant amount of excess steam available from the process Plant, steam may be used as a driving force to generate electricity: this can be achieved by means of electrical generators driven by condensing or back-pressure turbines.