Electric utilities must regulate power production in response to changing demand. The ability to do this rapidly and efficiently is a valuable asset that requires precise, efficient boiler combustion control; however, obtaining the requisite control can be a challenge, even at steady state. Fuel and combustion air flow are controlled by modulating a variety of fans and dampers, and without actuators capable of positioning the dampers precisely, it is impossible to achieve the precise combustion control required for automatic load dispatch.

A JEA power station, which operates two of the largest Circulating Fluidized Bed (CFB) combustors in use, recently completed a plant upgrade to improve efficiency and reduce maintenance costs. A large part of this project focused on improving steam temperature control. Beck high torque 22-409 actuators were installed on the critical Reheat damper applications to provide the precision and reliability required.

PPG Industries is a specialty chemical company that serves the aerospace, architectural and packaging industries, to name a few. In 2006, PPG’s West Virginia facility had an initiative to reduce fuel and maintenance costs associated with its boilers. As part of this initiative, PPG planned to replace their pneumatic actuators over the next few years.

The Carmeuse lime plant in Maysville, KY has had Beck actuators installed on most of their important control applications for over 30 years. These include primary air, coal mill air, preheater vents, and kiln ID fans. Many of the units installed during original plant construction in the mid-1970’s are still in service. The plant experienced a torque related problem with a 34 year old actuator on a critical ID fan damper actuator. A new motor was installed, without having to remove the actuator from service, returning the damper to operation quickly.

The ethanol blending process is a critical part of petrol terminal operation and has a significant impact on product quality, meeting environmental regulations and profitability. Optimising the process is very important, but does present some control challenges. For example, thermal expansion of petrol and ethanol do not occur at the same rate, and the blended mixture has to be isolated from water due to ethanol’s miscibility in water.

One of the largest wastewater treatment plants in the world recently finished a project for upgrading its sludge valve actuators. In a wastewater treatment process, these valves drain activated sludge from a reservoir and send it to a digester where it is processed. Normal operation of these valves is carried out using a manual handwheel; however, the operation is also commonly accomplished by means of electric, hydraulic or pneumatic actuators.

Moline (IL) Water Filtration Treatment Plant purifies water from the Mississippi River and supplies drinking water to city residents. Plant personnel are constantly working to improve processes in an effort to exceed stringent state and federal regulations. The plant removes particulate matter from the river water using eight mixed media rapid gravity filters.

The City of Stuart Advanced Water Reclamation Facility is a wastewater treatment plant that produces near-potable, reclaimed water for irrigation uses in South FL. The plant was built in 1955 and most recently upgraded in 2011. The treatment process includes a Dissolved Oxygen System with (3) Aeration Basins. Installing Beck electric actuators on the aeration blower control valves has improved process stability and plant operations.

Common bitumen extraction techniques used throughout the Alberta oil sand region include the Steam-Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) and the High Pressure Cyclic Steam Stimulation (HPCSS). As the names imply, both processes require the controlled injection of high pressure steam into wells below the ground surface.