Dual-channel transmitters cut conductivity costs for Eon28 April 2010

Energy giant Eon has reduced the number and cost of conductivity transmitters, thanks to installing dual channel transmitters from ABB.

Eon control and instrumentation engineer Simon Lark says the ability to monitor two conductivity cells using a single transmitter was key to the company's decision to replace all obsolete instrumentation at its Kingsnorth power station.

Although actual costs have not been disclosed, reducing the number of transmitters in this way can yield cost savings of around 30%, according to ABB.

Located on the Medway estuary in Kent, Kingsnorth is a 1,940MW, predominantly coal-fired power station, although each of its four generating units can also burn oil or up to 10% biomass. Conductivity meters are used to sample the station's high-purity boiler water and the turbine condenser water purity.

Although they are not critical to operations, the transmitters, which have been running trouble-free for about six months, detect build-up of impurities and provide early warning of contamination. "They're part of our advanced diagnostics system and give us a heads up about a range of potential problems," explains Lark.

He says the old conductivity equipment was becoming increasingly difficult to maintain, so the new ABB instruments have freed up considerable maintenance resources. "The new meters have the same basic functionality as before, but they provide improved reliability and accuracy," he asserts.

The contract included 23 AX400 Series dual input transmitters, 13 AC220 conductivity cells, 33 AC220 cells and 44 flow chambers.

Brian Tinham

Related Companies
ABB Ltd

This material is protected by MA Business copyright
See Terms and Conditions.
One-off usage is permitted but bulk copying is not.
For multiple copies contact the sales team.