Universal Completes Westinghouse Gas Turbine Silencer in Time for Peak Electric Utility Season
June 25, 2010
Universal's Vast Background in Turbine Exhaust Silencing Provides Hassle-Free Experience
Empire District Electric, a utilities company based in Joplin, Missouri, found its Westinghouse 501D gas turbine exhaust system in need of replacement to prepare for the upcoming summer. Empire contacted Universal in November 2009, with hopes to install a gas turbine silencer at their State Line Peaking Station by Memorial Day weekend. This date marks the traditional beginning of the air conditioning season and the need for maximum electric generating capacity. Universal provided the original silencer for the plant, and Empire returned to Universal for its new silencer, counting on their familiarity and expertise to get the job done.
Upon receiving the request from Empire, Universal immediately began the engineering work for the silencer system. Familiar with the power of Westinghouse 501D turbine, and understanding that peaking stations need to cope with very severe, cyclical service, Universal offered a strong structural design that could handle the job.
Quality Control & Uninterrupted Operations Result in a Successful Outcome
With many years of experience providing silencers for Westinghouse turbine designs, Universal quickly and smoothly moved through development. Universal had completed a similar project for a utilities company in Rochester, Minnesota in 2008, and partnered with the same contractor for the Empire project. Construction began at Empire's plant in early April, with the pressure on to meet the Memorial Day deadline. With experienced contractors and Universal employees on-site at all times, work moved along without a hitch and the system was completed by the 3rd week of May. Universal was careful to not disrupt any of Empire's operations during construction, and kept a strong eye on quality control throughout the entirety of the project. The end result is a gas turbine silencer that was completed on schedule and that can keep up with the demand of the peaking station.
Completed Westinghouse 501D Gas Turbine Silencer at Empire District Electric's plant, ready for final painting.
Universal is a global leader in acoustic and emission technologies. Since 1959, original equipment manufacturers, packagers and end-users have relied on Universal's standard and custom-engineered products for solving noise and air pollution problems in the industrial process, power generation, marine, oil & gas, locomotive and waste water markets. The ability to design, manufacture and install natural gas and diesel inlet and exhaust systems, turbine inlet and exhaust systems, compressor silencers and vent silencers around the globe sets Universal apart from its competition. EPA Tier 4, Euro Stage III and IV, and California Air Resource Board (CARB) requirements are areas of expertise within the Universal family.