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Customer cases

2009-10-23 11:14:47

Customer Cases

TECHNOS’ customer base is worldwide and the following case studies illustrate a number of success stories where our customers have
realised the advantage of installing TECHNOS equipment.

Based on the expertise and knowledge acquired in the French nuclear industry, the TECHNOS know-how rapidly benefited other clients
worldwide. Our customers’ appreciation of the TECHNOS qualified team has led TECHNOS to be be considered as a major actor in this industry.
Major power plant constructors in Japan and Europe or the USA have regularly been ordering TECHNOS systems and use TECHNOS as their
technological reference.

Energy savings in a 600 MW UK power plant

In this case the power plant first operated without a Tube Cleaning System.
TECHNOS experts proved to the Client the advantage of using a TECHNOS cleaning
system, which was then installed. This curve shows the lower condenser vacuum achieved immediately after CTCS commissioning. The power output gain versus fuel consumption is approximately 0.5%.

Multi-site use of the TECHNOS anti-vibration laths

This major European and World Power Utility was soon convinced by the benefits provided by the TECHNOS anti-vibration laths, in
particular allowing considerably extend its plants’ condensers’ lifetime.

In all of the retubing operations undertaken wirh this particular client since more than a decade the use of the TECHNOS solution has been
specifically requested and has proved to be successful.

Debris filters in a French nuclear power plant

Due to very hard cooling water pumped from a nearby channel, the nuclear plant’s cooling towers continuously accumulated scaling on a
number of small square surfaces. On a regular basis hard scaling fragments were released in with the water flow. In order to prevent
these fragments from blocking the condenser tubes, TECHNOS installed a debris filter in front of each condenser water box. This resulted in
a smoother operation and a higher plant availability.

Dampening of a vertical sea water heat exchanger on a petrochemical site

On this particular site one of a series of identical heat exchangers was vibrating, noisy and threatened some tube leakages that would
have resulted in costly process stops.

The exchangers had an unusual square pitch and close distance between intermediate plates, both making installation complicated.

For this specific case TECHNOS performed an expert evaluation and developed an alternative design that showed complete satisfaction.
The commitment of TECHNOS to find the right solution and the positive result brought the client to write a warm congratulation letter.

Replacement of a competitor balls retrieval system

In this Serbian power plant, a competitors tube cleaning system had originally been installed. This existing system’s balls retrieval device
at the bottom of the grids was outdated and loosing balls. In order to improve the tube cleaning system’s efficiency, TECHNOS’ experts
assessed the existing system and proposed to replace the weak parts by the TECHNOS “VORTEX chambers”. This design improvement
has been highly efficient and fully satisfactory to the Client. This kind of replacement is possible on several technologies still in use.

Condenser Tube Cleaning System

2009-10-23 11:14:16

Condenser Tube Cleaning System

TECHNOS developed its own online Condenser Tube Cleaning
System in order to provide its users with a reliable and efficient
operation of their condenser.

The presence of a continuous tube cleaning system will allow the
condenser or heat exchanger to remain clean. The resulting improved
heat transfer therefore allows a notable gain in power output and /
or fuel consumption.

This contributes to a cleaner environment !

How does a CTCS work ?

Continuous injection of sponge balls through the exchanger tubes
will prevent any build up of scaling and / or biofouling. After each
passage, the balls are retrieved on grids and pumped back to the
exchanger inlet.

Benefits

Efficiency, availability and lifetime of the heat exchanger or condenser

Please click here to download our datasheet.

                1) Debris Filter
                2) Ball Injectors
                3) Balls passing through the condenser
                4) Catching of balls and extraction through the Vortex Chamber
                5) Ball Monitor
                6) Debris return to main pipe

Debris Filter

2009-10-22 10:37:30

Debris Filter

General presentation

The debris filter is the final condenser or heat exchanger tube
protection on the incoming cooling water flow.

The debris filter is designed to automatically separate and
remove debris from the cooling water during operation of the
cooling system. The debris filter ensures high reliability,
availability and performance as well as low maintenance
due to its unique design and concept.

How does it work?

Fixed, semi-spherical shaped filter elements separate the
filter area into several independent filter chambers. A
hood-shaped backwash rotor, located at the filter inlet,
successively covers each filter chamber completely. The
backwash process is automatically initiated by a
differential pressure measuring system which monitors
debris accumulation permanently. The debris removed
from the debris filter screening elements is sent to the
condenser outlet by natural suction.

The TECHNOS - PERRIER-SOREM filter is characterized
by its cleaning efficiency thanks to special processing of
the turbulence generated zones and a large filtration surface
area optimized by mechanical modelling.

Please click here to download our datasheet.

Debris filter in brief

§Fully automated operation with low power consumption
§High degree of reliability and availability
§Low maintenance costs
§Any cooling water source with adaptable filtration degree mesh
§Large quantity of coarse debris as well as fibrous debris can be removed
§Low pressure drop during normal and backwash operations

Contact us

2009-10-19 15:11:44

TECHNOS’ commercial department will be pleased to answer any request sent to our e-mail address :

technos.technos@power.alstom.com

You may also contact us over the phone :

+33 1 49 92 44 03

+ 33 1 49 92 42 94

Expandable Laths

2009-10-19 14:48:19

Expandable Laths

To prevent tube vibration TECHNOS has developed a soft dampening
system adapted to a wide range of bundle sizes. With over 20 years
of experience, TECHNOS has proven to be a reliable and easy to install
solution, where other techniques may be tough to install, have poor
anchorage and are not able to meet Clients’ expectations.

How does it work ?

A synthetic “memory-shape” tube is put under vacuum in order to flatten
it out. It is then cut to the proper length fitting the bundle and both ends
are welded.. This will make each individual part quite easy to install on
site. Once in place the lath is cut open and thanks to the memory shape
effect, it will reinflate and start its dampening effect.

Please click here to download our datasheet.

Laths during installation

Laths after installation

Benefits

§Easy to install
§Will not move once properly installed
§No release of Chlorine, Sulphur in the process water.
§Adapted to most common condensers or heat exchangers

Products

2009-10-19 14:39:43

Cleaning Balls

2009-10-19 14:38:23

Cleaning Balls

The cleaning balls are the active part of the tube cleaning system.
The choice of the ball type depends on the exchanger design and
operating conditions. In particular water quality and flow, tubes
material and sizes.

TECHNOS manufactures a wide range of ball types, in which you
will find those adapted to your particular exchanger. Please request
an offer from our sales department.

How do they work ?

Balls are usually sized slightly larger than the exchanger tubes’ inner
diameter.

Due to the water pressure loss across the tubes, the balls are pushed
through and will be reinjected after collection. During their contact
with the tubes, they will actively rub the tubes inner surface, thus
keeping it clean.

Please click here to download our datasheet.

Benefits

Continuous injection of sponge balls through the exchanger tubes
will prevent any build-up of scaling and / or biofouling. A clean
tube means maintaining a high heat exchange rate and a power
plant’s high electrical output. TECHNOS cleaning balls are also
highly efficient when used in other manufacturers’ equipment.

Other Manufacturers' Equipment

2009-10-08 17:50:50

Other Manufacturers' Equipment

Our experts can assess other manufacturer's equipment to repair or
improve it's operation.

Large parts of other manufacturers' equipment can be repaired, or
improved by using TECHNOS material and expertise.

For example, TECHNOS has successfully performed the replacement
of the balls retrieval system in some competitors’ devices which has
led to complete customer satisfaction..

This service is adapted case by case.

Even systems based on the original condenser tube cleaning systems
patent can be assessed in order to propose improvements.

Original patent of the first condenser tube cleaning system using balls
registered by Westinghouse company in 1931.

After-sales service and spare parts

2009-10-08 17:31:40

After-sales service

and spare parts

TECHNOS has developed a range of services to help maintain, improve
and commission your condenser tube cleaning system. TECHNOS
proposes these services on their own equipment as well as on our
competitors’ equipment.

TECHNOS can supply the following range of services to meet your
maintenance needs:

- Commissioning of condenser tube cleaning systems.

- Expert evaluation of existing systems in order to improve or
resolve operational problems.

- Supervision of installation and (or) repairs.

- Improvement of existing systems by adding modules to ameliorate
the use of the equipment.

- A range of spare parts.

For all these services, the TECHNOS After-Sales Service Team will be
available to answer your request within the shortest possible delay
and efficiently find your optimal solution.

The TECHNOS After-Sales Service ensures optimum performance of
your cleaning system backed by our manufacturer’s warranty.

Depending on your maintenance needs, TECHNOS can provide you
with a range of spare parts certified compliant with the original
design or adapted spare parts for required use.

Additionally TECHNOS can propose spare part lists meeting your
specific needs corresponding to your overhaul schedules (annual
overhauls, three yearly overhauls, etc.).

Antivibration Laths

2009-10-08 17:24:27

Antivibration Laths

General ageing or after retubing heat exchanger bundles often tend
to vibrate and create tubes failures. This can lead to stopping a power
plant or an industrial process with the resulting financial and
operational consequences.

TECHNOS' Experts are available to study your condenser vibration
problems, to advise the Customer on the type and number of anti-vibration
laths to use, on the installation position and process. We can propose
the best installation solution depending on your condenser access and
your retubing operations.

Exchanger performance

2009-10-08 17:20:03

Exchanger performance

The exchanger performance is directly related to the condenser tube
exchanger cleanliness. As it is generally understood that 1 mbar loss
in the condenser vacuum results in a 0.1% loss of a power plants
electrical output.

Among the existing tube cleaning methods some require regular
shutdowns (mechanical cleaning) or water purification (chemical cleaning).
On the other hand the TECHNOS CTCS solution provides continuous and
environmentally friendly cleaning. Adding a debris filter close to the inlet
of the exchanger will also prevent tube clogging thus avoiding costly
shutdowns.

Regular cleaning of the exchanger tubes and cooling water filtration will
serve your plant by ensuring permanent optimum exchanger performance.

Retrofit

2009-10-08 16:54:23

Retrofit

Is your plant or cleaning system ready for a retrofit ?

TECHNOS’ technical team is ready to visit your current installation to
perform a technical analysis and to propose an optimum solution to
meet your needs.

TECHNOS can provide improved equipment to adjust to new operating
conditions or new Customer expectations. This includes changes in:
cooling water flow, pressure and temperature, controls of technology,
etc. TECHNOS’ Retrofit service also includes providing additional
material, such as the TECHNOS Ball Monitor (Ball Counter + Ball Sorter)
where this device was not originally installed.

A successful example of a TECHNOS retrofit concerned the strainer grids’
balls retrieval zone. This system had a poor recirculation of balls in this
zone.

This new system from TECHNOS is using the TECHNOS Vortex
Chamber which prevents balls blocking and ensures efficient balls
circulation.

This work is possible on TECHNOS equipment as well as on our
competitors’ equipment

Commissioning / Training

2009-10-08 16:48:08

Commissioning / Training

TECHNOS offers a number of engineering, manufacturing and
expert analysis services including site installation supervision,
site commissionning and operator training.

§Site supervision

TECHNOS’ skilled field service personnel can directly assist your
team during the erection process at your site. Our experience in this
field ensures reassuring support and advice which is often
appreciated during the critical erection or shutdown periods.

§Site commissioning

Why not take advantage of TECHNOS’ technical experts to assist
you in putting into operation your equipment. Outsourcing this
service to TECHNOS’ highly accomplished staff will save you time
and ensure process reliability. Our precise system configuration will
lead to maximum efficiency.

§Operator training

Our technical staff are available to travel to your facility to lead your
site staff through the key aspects of configuring, maintaining and
troubleshooting of your equipment. Feedback from our customers
illustrates that TECHNOS’ practical approach during our training
sessions is greatly valued. Whatever your site staff profile, TECHNOS’
technical training can be tailored to meet your specific needs.

Services

2009-10-08 16:43:46

Consulting / Site Assessment

2009-10-08 16:39:07

Consulting / Site Assessment

With more than 30 years of experience in Condenser cleaning,
TECHNOS’ highly qualified team is able to propose consulting
services to improve the efficiency of your condenser and reduce
the operation and manufacturing costs.

Our expertise in this field has led us to develop a diversity of
services which apply to the condenser/ heat exchanger
environment. Site system assessments performed by
skilled experts presenting you with a complete range
of opportunities to improve your installation and an
evaluation of potential energy savings TECHNOS can
propose the solutions for :

-   Installing new CTCS
   -   Installing Debris Filters
   -   Refurbishing existing systems
   -   Upgrading existing systems with installation of

Ball monitors, modular grids,…

Applications

2009-10-08 16:29:12

Others industries

2009-10-08 15:52:35

Others Industries

In the industrial and petrochemical sectors a high availability of the
heat exchanger is essential and costly shutdowns must be avoided.
The solution offered by TECHNOS consists of continuously filtering
and cleaning the water entering into the plant in order to maintain
permanent high efficiency and heat exchange rate.

TECHNOS offers engineering services and solutions to your condenser
or heat exchanger problems. TECHNOS’ high quality products include
Condenser Tube Cleaning Systems, Debris Filters and Environmental
friendly Sponge Cleaning Balls.

Antivibration laths are another TECHNOS key product which extend
the life of the condenser by protecting and preserving the tubes from
vibrations.

The TECHNOS continuous cleaning system decreases maintenance
costs and increases plant availability. This results into considerable
energy and cost savings for a higher profitability.

Desalination Applications

2009-10-08 12:05:35

Desalination Applications

TECHNOS, a member of the ALSTOM group and a worldwide key
supplier of Tube Cleaning Systems offers customised solutions to
condenser problems in the desalination sector. Thanks to TECHNOS’
own research and development, TECHNOS supplies complete and
high quality tube cleaning systems optimizing the efficiency of thermal
exchange rate.

The desalination sector is often faced with the problem of a very
corrosive water entering into the circuit and operation at high
temperatures. The solution offered by TECHNOS consists of adapted
material resisting brine and therefore minimizing the corrosion effects.
Also, the environmental friendly TECHNOS sponge rubber balls used
in desalination plants are specially adapted to work in higher
temperatures.

TECHNOS’ condenser tube cleaning system contributes to a high
availability of the desalination plant and enables cost savings due
to minimised maintenance costs. Efficient tube cleaning also extends
the tube bundles’ life time.

Energy Applications

2009-10-08 11:48:41

Energy Applications

With more than 30 years of worldwide experience and being part
of the ALSTOM group, TECHNOS has become a key supplier of
Condenser Tube Cleaning Systems in several industrial sectors and
in particular in the energy sector.

In the energy sector, the water entering into the condenser needs to
be continuously filtered and cleaned in order to maintain a permanent
high efficiency heat exchange rate which optimises the functioning of
the power plant and its electrical output. Without proper condenser tube
cleaning system the tubes get fouled resulting in less efficient electricity
production and higher utilisation costs. The continuous cleaning system
also decreases the maintenance costs.

Due to TECHNOS’ performing tube cleaning system the condensers and
heat exchangers are always at maximum efficiency allowing maximum
electricity production. The high availability of the condenser system of the
power plant makes considerable energy savings and guarantees a higher
profitability.

TECHNOS offers engineering services and tailor-made solutions to your
condenser problems. TECHNOS’ high quality products include Condenser
Tube Cleaning Systems, Debris Filters and Environmental friendly Sponge
Cleaning Balls, the latter being the result of TECHNOS’ own research and
development. Another key product developed by TECHNOS are its flexible
laths which extend the life of the condenser by protecting and preserving
the tubes from vibrations. All these above key products which are installed
in the power station environment ensure optimal condenser efficiency.

About us

2009-10-08 11:41:49

TECHNOS : Who Are We?

Established in the 70’s, TECHNOS began it’s activities exclusively
devoted to condenser tube cleaning systems under the incentive of
the French national utility EDF at the time when the extensive nuclear
power plant investment program was launched. The high quality
standards required for these types of generating units, as well as the
high thermal efficiency necessary for their condensers, led TECHNOS to
develop the CTCS renowned today as a highly reliable and efficient
equipment.

TECHNOS’ factory based in the outskirts of Paris is specialized in the
production of TECHNOS’ sponge balls and anti-vibratory laths.