Spring and fall outages are important events for power plants, involving months of careful planning to minimize downtime. As part of the outage at a major Canadian Power Generation Station in Ontario, 4 shutdown coolers with internal tube bundles were originally scheduled for cleaning. After inspection, however, they were found to require complete removal and refurbishing to maintain peak efficiency. Plant personnel coolly partnered with Wachs Canada to expedite the needed repairs and maintain their tight schedule.
Challenge and Solution
Removal of the shutdown coolers required cutting their feed connections. Due to the extremely tight clearances, special mounting legs were used to mount an LCSF split frame to the nozzle elbows prior to parting. After removal, accessing the internal tube bundles required sectioning of the reusable end cap from the shell and removal of a large flanged connection. Finally, the outer shell was sectioned axially to expose the tube bundles for servicing. Reassembly required a weld prep bevel on the end cap and outer shell, plus facing of the large diameter flange mating surfaces.
E.H. Wachs's experience in onsite machining allows them to keep their cool with challenging, time-sensitive projects like this. For removing the shutdown coolers they specified an LCSF 1420/3 with special legs to cut the 16 in. (DN400) short radius elbows. For removal of the end cap, an LCSF 4248/3 was used around the girth of the outer shell. For this application's large diameter flange facing, an HDSF 4860 was used for single pointing the flange mounting surfaces. These precision split frame machines helped plant technicians to weld, reassemble, and reinstall the shutdown coolers on time and on budget.
The Technology
As an innovator in advanced split frame technology, E.H. Wachs offers a complete lineup of split frame clamshell style pipe cutters, part of a complete machining system that offers a solution to the most challenging weld prep machining applications, including pipe cutting and beveling , simultaneous cut and bevel, counterboring, compound beveling, flange facing, and socket weld removal.
Every Wachs split frame uses a safe cold-cutting method that avoids torching, a vital consideration anywhere hydrocarbons are present. Standard sizes range from 0.25 to 96 in. (6.4-2438 mm) to fit a wide range of needs.
