Energy Industry

Performance Engineering Solutions

GP's Performance Engineering Group is dedicated to helping our power clients improve the availability, capacity, and efficiency of their equipment and facilities. We provide engineering services, performance software, performance training programs, and an on-line monitoring system to both utility and independent power producers. In operation since 1983, Performance Engineering Services is staffed with multidisciplinary professionals with extensive experience in the areas of thermal performance, process improvement, professional training, systems integration, and software design. Most of our staff members have advanced degrees and/or professional registrations.

Products and Services include:

• EtaPRO™
• GPCALCS™
• Equipment Troubleshooting
• Performance Testing
• Performance Improvement Seminars
• Expert Witness Services
• Thermal Audits

Equipment Troubleshooting

GP provides on-site performance engineering services to diagnose the root causes of equipment problems. Typical projects include evaluation and resolution of boiler combustion problems, ESP collection efficiency problems, turbine capacity deratings, condenser performance, boiler feed pump capacity limitations, and feedwater heater performance problems. GP also conducts thermal performance audits to assess equipment deficiencies within the plant cycle to help our clients optimize the distribution of the limited maintenance and capital budget dollars.

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Performance Testing

GP provides performance testing and analysis services for new and existing plants. From routine testing to full-scale ASME acceptance tests, General Physics can help you assess the performance of all types of equipment, as well as that of your overall plant. Just getting started with a test program? GP's experienced performance engineers can design a program for you that brings reliable results quickly and cost effectively. Looking for confirmation of your investment? General Physics can provide independent third party test services for equipment and overall plant acceptance testing.

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Performance Improvement Seminars

GP places the highest priority on satisfying specific customer needs with the most professional, cost-effective programs available. All of our courses are available for on-site instruction, and GP provides you with a top teaching team able to tailor training to your needs.

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Expert Witness Services

GP provides expert witnesses in the areas of plant operation and maintenance, equipment performance shortfalls, machinery/equipment failures, contract interpretations, and plant commissioning. GP's subject matter experts bring unique perspectives to seemingly intractable problems. Our insight and experience often results in avoiding protracted disagreements and costly litigation between parties.

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Thermal Audits

The objective of a thermal audit is to cost-effectively determine, with reasonable accuracy, the current condition of major components in a power plant, and to quantify lost generating capacity due to degradation in equipment performance.

The thermal audit is meant to be a cost-effective way to evaluate the condition of a generating unit using existing plant instrumentation. A properly conducted thermal audit will provide most of the information usually obtained by performing a traditional unit heat rate test, but at a fraction of the cost. As applicable, each of the following components is investigated:

• Boiler (Efficiency)
• Air Heaters (Efficiency and X-Ratio)
• Turbine (HP and IP Efficiency)
• Condenser (Performance and Cleanliness)
• Feedwater Heaters (TTD, Rise, DCA)
• Deaerator (TTD)
• Boiler Feed Pumps (Capacity vs Total Head)

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