Restoring condenser performance in extreme conditions
Sohar power plant was experiencing overheated vacuum condenser pumps and limiting output. Aggreko's bespoke cooling solution cut temperatures to 22°C, adding 11 MW of capacity and an estimated US $1.1M in production.
- Client
- Major utility company
- Location
- Sohar Power Plant, Oman
- Sector
- Utilities
- THE CHALLENGE
Improving condenser performance in one of the most demanding operating environments
- THE SOLUTION
A bespoke temporary cooling solution engineered to improve condenser performance
- THE IMPACT
Restoring operating conditions. Recovering generation capacity
the challenge
Improving condenser performance in one of the most demanding operating environments
A major utility company operating a power plant in Sohar was experiencing vacuum condenser pump overheating during extreme summer heat, with operating temperatures reaching 50°C. The high operating temperatures prevented the steam turbine condenser from achieving its target vacuum. Operating at 0.195 bar instead of the required 0.125 bar, the system was unable to maintain the low vacuum needed for efficient operation, resulting in reduced power generation capacity, lower operating efficiency and accelerated equipment degradation.
The project presented additional challenges due to restricted space around the installation area, requiring the temporary cooling package to be carefully positioned while maintaining safe access and accommodating planned maintenance activities. The customer required more than temporary cooling equipment. They needed an engineered, bespoke solution designed around the operating conditions of the plant and capable of improving performance without disrupting ongoing operations.