electrical inspections Damage evaluation employing latest defect assessment tools and techniques Modern metallurgical testing and analysis facilities State-of-the-art computational simulation methods In-house lifng and industry standard lifng techniques Real-life conditions can often differ considerably from original design parameters with signifcant consequences on deterioration mechanisms which affect equipment reliability and safe operational life. Owners and operators of critical assets therefore need to rely on expert engineering assessments when making decisions to continue operation, alter operating parameters, repair or replace plant equipment. ERA Technologys engineers have a proven international reputation for the planning, performing, supporting and auditing of inspection and assessment programmes for a variety of industries and equipment. The spectrum of mechanical and electrical engineering knowledge and experience enables us to offer a broad range of technical services from on-site feld support to complex numerical simulations to support any ftness for service programme. As a long-standing independent consultancy, our knowledge and expertise able us to provide the impartial advice valued both by our clients and across industry. EVALUATING SAFETY AND RELIABILITY OF IN-SERVICE EQUIPMENT Improving Asset Safety and Reliability FI TNESS FOR SERVI CE CONSULTANCY Helping customers to resolve damage issues ERAs involvement in ftness for service assessments extends over the past 30 years which has enabled us to develop a deep understanding of industry-specifc issues and life-limiting damage mechanisms. As a result we have a successful track-record of helping our clients identify safety-critical items in need of immediate remediation as well as support for long-term strategic asset planning for inspection, repair and replacement programmes. Experienced-based assessment It has been often found that risk-based inspections (RBI) will highlight likely damage mechanisms for a component as a whole, but will not provide inspection teams with specifc information concerning critical areas where examinations should focus. ERA are able suppor t its clients with developing appropriate inspection plans to identify susceptible life-limiting locations as well as provide on-site feld operatives to undertake the inspection and carry out on-site assessments to provide immediate engineering recommendations. Following on-site examinations, ERA can offer a comprehensive list of ser vices including detailed defect assessments (including API Level 3) and fnite element simulations in order to evaluate any damage identifed during inspections. Ensuring safety in a changing electricity market The current electricity market means that power generation companies need to respond rapidly to changes in consumer demand in order to remain competitive. Commercial pressures subsequently influence engineering and operational decisions which often requires outside technical support. ERA was commissioned by a UK power generation company to evaluate its proposed operational changes to one of its combined cycle power stations. In particular, we were asked to study the fatigue lives of key components within the Heat Recovery Steam Generation (HRSG) as a result of changes to standard 2 Shifting starts to so-called Fast starts. Based on our previous experience with this equipment, we were able identify key locations on which to focus damage assessments on. Consequently as part of this study, computational simulations of equipment, including the high pressure steam drum and outlet headers, were generated to determine changes in transient thermal stresses at key locations during the two start-up conditions. Following this, fatigue assessments in-line with industry codes were conducted which supported the changes to the proposed operational conditions. To reinforce this decision, fur ther fracture mechanics studies were conducted to determine the tolerability to defects of HRSG components. The end result of this work enabled our client to provide technical justifcations to operate with new rapid starts. FITNESS FOR SERVICE CONSULTANCY CONTACT US info@era.co.uk www.era.co.uk ASSET EXPERIENCE: Rotating equipment: gas and steam turbines Combined cycle power generation equipment Conventional boilers Heat exchangers Columns and reactors Pipework Fired heaters Offshore structures Storage tanks Electrical generation, distribution and switchgear