Peristaltic Metering Pump Solves Biological Buildup Challenge in Industrial Water Reuse Applications

Stanton Energy Center -- a natural-gas-fueled, combined-cycle, electric-generating unit operated by Southern Power in the city of Orlando, Fla. -- consists of two natural-gas-fired combustion turbines, two heat-recovery steam generators and a steam turbine, all with the capacity to generate 656 megawatts.

Biological build-up prevention is necessary in the plant's condenser element water tubes, as any accumulation would greatly decrease the efficiency to produce steam, consequently reducing mechanical power. This biological buildup is remedied with the injection of chlorine into the water reuse system.

Previously, Southern Power utilized chlorine gas for the prevention of biological growth; however, maintaining liquid gas onsite required full-time support of an emergency management team (EMT). By switching to the alternative of a 12.5-percent sodium hypochlorite liquid solution, Stanton Energy was able to eliminate the EMT, resulting in reduced operating expenses.

Blue-White's CHEM-FEED Dual Pump Engineered Skid System at Stanton Energy Center.

One challenge when using sodium hypochlorite injection, however, is its off-gassing nature. As such, Blue-White, a manufacturer of metering pumps, flowmeters and water treatment accessories, provided its robust and efficient CHEM-FEED® Dual Pump Engineered Skid Systems, equipped with the Flex-Pro® A3V Peristaltic Metering Pump.

Well-suited for industrial water treatment applications, the Flex-Pro allows excess gas accumulation to be pumped through the tubing, while also maintaining a smooth, highly accurate and constant flow rate without the potential for vapor lock. Together, Blue-White's CHEM-FEED and Flex-Pro technologies make a full chemical feed system that is cost-effective and easy to install.

A further attribute of the Flex-Pro design is the exclusive, patented Tube Failure Detection (TFD) system (U.S. Patents 7,001,153 and 7,284,964). The TFD alerts the operator if tube failure occurs and shuts down the pump until the problem is resolved and chemical removed. This feature helps ensure that facility chemical rooms and operators remain safe from leaks resulting from tube failure.

The Flex-Pro is capable of feed rates up to 33.3 GPH/ 126 LPH, with a 2,500:1 turndown ratio. Maximum pressure rating is 125 PSI/8.6 Bar. The system can be designed to function with one pump as the primary pump and a secondary pump set as an emergency backup, reducing potential downtime and giving operators the opportunity to perform routine pump maintenance without system shutdown. The TFD system can trigger this backup in the event of tube failure.

CHEM-FEED skids are constructed of lightweight, powder-coated, welded aluminum and can be wall or floor mounted. Stanton Energy Center elected a floor-mounted unit, installed in an outdoor housing for protection from the elements.

Features of the skid systems include: an exclusive flow indicator that visually indicates solution delivery; a self-filling calibration cylinder (flooded suction not required); a drip containment tray, removable for easy cleaning; proven Plast-O-Matic® ball valves and components, including a pressure-relief valve, which protects the system from over-pressurization; and a metal-free check valve, which protects operators from back-flow during maintenance.

Blue-White's CHEM-FEED dual skid system paired with its Flex-Pro metering pumps is able to resolve water treatment challenges, such as those found at the Southern Power Stanton Energy Plant, with solutions for problematic chemicals and their system implementation.

Blue-White Industries is a manufacturer of metering pumps (diaphragm, peristaltic), flowmeters (variable-area, paddlewheel, ultrasonic) and water treatment accessories. For more information on Blue-White and its CHEM-FEED and Flex-Pro products, visit www.blue-white.com.

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