Latest
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News
University of Wyoming and GE reach agreement on coal gasification research facility
GE Energy and the University of Wyoming (UW) reached agreement last week on a proposed development plan for the High Plains Gasification Advanced Technology Center. This facility, consisting of a small-scale gasification system, would enable researchers from both GE and UW to develop advanced gasification and “cleaner” coal solutions for Powder River Basin and other […]
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Coal
Under construction in South Africa
This summary of power generation projects is a web-only supplement to the November 2008 special report titled “Whistling in the dark: Inside South Africa’s power crisis.”
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O&M
Laser scanning produces 3-D plant database
Advanced computer design tools have merged with high-definition laser camera scan data to produce integrated images that are particularly useful for outage and maintenance planning.
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O&M
Acceptable alternatives to titanium tubing
As an alternative to titanium, consider highly alloyed stainless steels for your next tubing project.
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News
Putting a neck on the line
Bernard Welding Equipment has introduced a new Metal Inert Gas (MIG) gun Neck Grip and Neck Coupler to improve operator comfort and access to difficult-to-reach joints. Made of a high-temperature silicone rubber tube that slides onto all Bernard Q-Gun and S-Gun necks, the new Neck Grip reduces fatigue and increases operator control for those welders […]
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Commentary
How unconventional fields are powering Texas
In the 1980s, Houston wildcatter George Mitchell drilled the first well into the Barnett Shale formation that stretches through north and central Texas. He tapped into what would turn out to be one of the most prolific and valuable onshore natural gas reserves in the United States.
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Nuclear
Beaver Valley Power Station, Shippingport, Pennsylvania
Top Plant: Nuclear plant owners understand the economic importance of squeezing every last megawatt-hour from their power generation assets and minimizing outage durations. When First Energy assumed operating responsibility for Beaver Valley, the plant’s operating record was unspectacular, but today the plant has established itself as a routine top-quartile performer, thanks in part to its Full Potential Program.
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History
Whistling in the dark: Inside South Africa’s power crisis
Eskom’s cautionary tale should remind those involved in the power industry anywhere in the world that past performance is not a guarantee of future success.
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O&M
Scenario training improves emergency response preparedness
A key maxim of the military is “train like you fight, and fight like you train.” The same applies to emergency response training, which should be a part of a plant’s routine operation. Don’t risk waiting until an accident occurs to test your response plan. At approximately 8:30 a.m. on a Tuesday morning, the Paducah […]
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Nuclear
St. Lucie Nuclear Generating Station, Unit 2, Hutchinson Island, Florida
Top Plant: The team that handled this reactor vessel head and steam generator replacement project set a new industry standard for integrating a highly complex maintenance outage.