Leakwise* Oil Detection in Collection Sumps and Turbine Pits In many hydroelectric power plants, water first flows into collection sumps/turbine pits prior to discharging into the river. Sumps/turbine pits catch leaking oil from turbine bearings and can be inundated with oil should a major equipment failure occur. For immediate notification, and to ensure no oil gets pumped out to the river, sumps/turbine pits should be continuously monitored for oil sheens.
Monitoring oil leakage is a parameter hydroelectric plants need to measure. GE’s Leakwise solutions are the ID-22X Series Floating Oil Detectors. When wet sumps have a water level of 12” or more, a Leakwise lD-221 Floating Oil Detector can monitor and alarm oil sheens and oil layers. In sumps with less than 12 inches of water, a Leakwise ID-223 Floating Oil Detector can be used.
GE’s Leakwise Floating Oil Detectors use high-frequency, electromagnetic, energy absorption technology, are capable of detecting the presence of a 300–micron (0.3mm) oil sheen and measuring its growth up to 25 mm.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYJ4HX8m3lc
Leakwise Floating Oil Detectors are not sensitive to dirt and oil coating. The detectors have low and high userselectable oil alarm set points in the range of 0.3–25 mm of oil on water. At low oil levels, typically 2 mm, the operator may be notified to investigate. At high oil levels, typically 10 mm, the sump pump can shut off. A continuous 4-20 mA current output or RS-485 Modbus communication can provide continuous measurement of the oil layer thickness. Optional, wireless GSM or Satellite text messages can be sent to plant managers and operators, a highly desirable condition for unmanned locations.
Leakwise Oil Detection in Oil/Water Separator
In some plants, water is pumped into oil/water separators. When oil/water separators are inundated with oil, due to a major spill or leak, the separator retention time is insufficient to contain the oil in the tank. A Leakwise Floating Oil Detector installed in the separator will alarm at a preset oil layer thickness from 0.3-25 mm oil. A Leakwise ID-225 Floating Oil Thickness Detector, installed in the dirty side of the separator, can continuously monitor the thickness of the oil layer in the range of 1–100 mm. The layer information is displayed via a 4–20 mA or RS-485 output signal in the control room. The operators use this information to decide when to skim the oil or automatically start and stop a skimming pump.
Oil Detection Transformer Substation
Oil and rainwater are collected from under the power plant’s transformers into an underground sump. A Leakwise lD-223 Detector installed in this sump detects leaks of transformer oil, and can be used for preventing discharge of oily water into a river or public drainage system.
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