Annual Report 2006 - Plataforma Solar de Almería

PLATAFORMA SOLAR DE ALMERÍA
Figure 3.17 Ormat turbine at the 60-m level in the CESA-1 tower
It was originally planned to prepare the Ormat turbine for operation with
biofuel in 2006. As the machine had not been operated for two years, before
starting it up again, it was run with kerosene to make sure the turbine was in
good condition before modifying it. However, the task was harder than originally
thought. Some auxiliary components were added as a new monitoring
system first, and then continued with a general subsystem control, e.g., for
the turbine oil and gear systems, tower communications system – control
room, main electric box, fuel lines, fuel metering valve, and water-cooling
system with its associated pumps and piping. Finally, it was attempted to
start up the turbine. Since the cause of failures could not be determined with
the means available at the Plataforma Solar, specialists from Ormat came at
the beginning of November. But in spite of about three dozen attempts, they
were unable to start up the turbine either. The most likely reason for the
problem was that deposits may have formed in the metering valve capillary
tubes (Figure 3.18). The valve was sent back to the manufacturer in the U.S.
where it was thoroughly cleaned out, some pieces were replaced for its future
use with biofuel and it was recalibrated.
In 2007, the Ormat turbine will be restarted, 100% biofuel components will
be modified and 100% renewable solar tests performed, and finally the Turbec
turbine and the new multilayer tube receiver will be installed at the 45-m
level.
Figure 3.18 The Metering Valve (fuel lines disconnected)
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