| | 
The Pump Skid business segment of Allweiler was chosen to deliver theentire lubrication-oil module for Finland's Olkiluoto 3, the world's largest power plant. Four Allweiler centrifugal pumps will handle pumping of lubrication oil. The lubrication oil tank holds 123m3. It is thelargest unit of this type that they have ever delivered. Planning forthe system began in 2004. The power plant will generate 1600 MW and is expected to go on-line in 2010.
Allweiler planned and designed the entire lubricating-oil skid with selected strategic partners. Two centrifugal pumps of the NSS series move up to 655m3 of lubricationoil per hour at working pressure of 5.5bar. Two additional pumps of the same series are present as reserve and emergency oil pumps. Due to its size, the system cannot be delivered fully assembled like most others. Each module, such as the tank, oil cleaner, oil cleaner, and oil filter will be delivered individually and installed in the power plant's oil room. For this reason, they had to calculate and align the installations and stainless-steel pipe connections before the modules evenleft its plant, thereby preventing the need for additional adjustmentsat the installation site. Besides the extensive quality documentationand special size-related technical requirements, this was one of largest challenges during design of the system. Unsurprisingly, Finland'satomic energy authorities demanded the highest possible quality standards and external tests, including level-3 tests of all welded connections by certified testers.
"We received this order for two mainreasons," according to Stefan Kleinmann, director of pumps skids at Allweiler AG: "First, because we have a tremendous amount of experiencewith complex auxiliary systems for power plants – from design to installation. And second, we have a long-standing and successful relationship with turbine manufacturer Siemens AG." Lubricating oil skids are acentral part of Allweiler’s Pump Skid division. The lubrication oil modules supply the turbines, the gearing, and the generators with lube oil, which is continuously and automatically filtered, aerated, and cooled inside the system. Within power plants, lubricating oil skids areVICs (very important components) because they are essential for safe and uninterrupted generation of electricity. A failure of the system could result in millions of euros worth of damage.
| |
