New Fixed Gas Detection System launching soon

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EMT News

Ensure your gas insulated assets remain operational this winter

Mitigate the effects of cold temperatures on GIS and circuit breakers with EMT best practice testing, handling and repair technologies.

 

Cold temperatures can affect GIS on high and medium voltage substations causing:

 

  • Changes in insulating gas pressure
  • Insulating gas leaks
  • Inefficiency of gas cylinders
  • Ingress of moisture
  • Liquefaction of insulating gases

To avoid low pressure alarms, environmentally damaging leaks and equipment failure, utilities operating in cold climates can mitigate these issues through planned maintenance of gas filled switchgear and circuit breakers to ensure the efficiency of assets, safety of personnel, and protection of the environment.

Changes in insulating gas pressure

Leakage of insulating gases can result in low pressure alarms, which can shut down operations if these are below acceptable levels – monitoring with EMT Smartfill Eco+ multi-gas auto filling and topping up system ensures business continuity where assets must remain operational.

Insulating gas leaks

Gas filled equipment can be more vulnerable to leaks as winter approaches. EMT Leak Hunter portable leak detector quickly and accurately detects leaks for early intervention. Leaks are then repaired using a unique flange repair system installed by qualified EMT Site Services engineers.

Inefficiency of gas cylinders

Cooler temperatures can reduce the efficiency of gas cylinders by up to 25%. EMT cylinder heater blankets are the perfect accessory for more efficient filling and topping up of gas filled assets. The gas is evaporated to enable the full content to be used, increasing cylinder efficiency, which amounts to significant savings.

Ingress of Moisture

Lower temperatures can lead to ingress of moisture. Moisture levels in gas assets can lead to potential catastrophic failure and reduced asset life. EMT Moisture Pro portable dew meter provides fast, accurate, smart moisture determination in critical assets.

Liquefaction of insulating gases

In very cold temperatures, SF6 used in outdoor circuit breakers can liquefy, which can be prevented by using specific gas mixtures to lower the liquefaction point of the mixture. EMT SmartMix gas delivery and conditioning system provides the ideal technology to achieve stable and repeatable gas mixtures.

Performance of Gas Analysers

At this time of year, service and calibration of gas analysers is particularly important. EMT analysers operate without limitation in the most extreme weather conditions. Ensure your equipment is in optimum condition for peak performance this winter.

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Site Services

SF6 site survey, flange repair, leak management – job done with EMT Site Services

They say pictures speak a thousand words; here’s our latest Site Services project completed for a UK electric utility. Following a site survey, the team confirmed SF6 leaks on all phases of the asset, which required immediate repair and preventative maintenance. The project was for x6 flange repairs; x3 upper flange and x3 lower cover plate with sensor. All repairs were carried out under live conditions and full pressure. From surface preparations; to soft shell mounting and reinforcement; through to hard shell, resin application, final seal and post repair testing – our expert engineers followed proven and rigorous EMT protocols using trusted and reliable EMT technologies and solutions, to ensure compliance at every stage of the project.

 

Follow Energy Maintenance Technologies Ltd on LinkedIn for further project and product updates

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SF6 Leak Management

SF6 leak repair on vertical flange under live conditions and pressure/outage

Industry: Power T&D

Application: SF6 Leaking Vertical Flange x 3

Customer: UK Electric Utility Substation

Date: April 2022

Problem: To fix three identified leaking/potentially leaking flanges on SF6 substation site

Solution: Vertical REFLANGEKiT® SF6 leak sealing. Flanges repaired under live conditions and pressure/outage

Works:

  • Leak surveyed/identified using EMT SF6 leak detector
  • Environmental/climatic conditions surveyed and approved
  • Surface preparation works undertaken
  • Cleaning and degreasing of surfaces carried out
  • Phase one flange repair –  soft shell mounting completed; the purpose of the soft shell is to protect the functional parts of the flange i.e. bolts and seals, and to concentrate the leaked SF6 gas to a single point of the shell where the valve is located. This was followed by re-enforcement of the soft shell
  • Phase two flange repair –  hard shell and resin application completed; resin was injected into the hard shell and left to cure overnight
  • Sleeve removed, valve sealed, and leak test undertaken using EMT SF6 calibrated leak detector, concluded with final seal and post repair testing

For more information on our Site Services portfolio follow us on LinkedIn

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SF6 Leak Management

Online Repair for SF6 Leaking Flange

BEFORE
AFTER

SF6 Gas Leak Repair with EMT

Industry: Power T&D

Application: SF6 Leaking Flange

Customer: UK Electric Utility

Date: December 2021

 

Solution: REFLANGEKiT® SF6 leak sealing technique

 

Technology: The 3X ReflangeKit® concept is based on a composite double shell system that encapsulates the leaking flange. The first shell covers and protects the flange collecting SF6 leaks. The second shell contains specific resin. An exhaust valve allows the SF6 gas to escape during resin injection. After overnight curing of the resin, the valve is closed and sealed giving a 100% seal and leak free composite repair.

 

Benefits: The installation was non-invasive and did not require a power outage. Repair was completed online and under pressure. Disassembly was easy, the fix was efficient, and cost effective.

 

Deliverables: Shunts, bolt heads and flange seals are now protected. The completed repair was tested and successful – further repairs are scheduled. Another satisfied customer, and another testimonial for EMT Site Services.

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Project Portfolio SF6 Leak Management Site Services

Substation B SF6 Leaking Flange Repair

Problem

SF6 substation 3x leaking GIB/GIB flanges.

Repair

Composite encapsulated leak repair – large flange, GIB/GIB straight, large resin fill. Suitable for nuclear and power plant substation installations. Adaptable to various types of flanges. Temperatures ranging from -20°C to +65°C (-4°F to +149°F).

Technology

The 3X ReflangeKit® concept is based on a composite double shell system that encapsulates the leaking flange. The first shell covers and protects the flange collecting SF6 leaks. The second shell contains specific resin. An exhaust valve allows the SF6 gas to escape during resin injection. After overnight curing of resin, the valve is closed and sealed giving a 100% seal and leak free composite repair.

 

Benefits

  • Online & under pressure installation
  • Non invasive system (no risk of resin intrusion into the flange)
  • Bolt and screw protection
  • Easy disassembly
  • Cost effective installation (costly consignation avoided)

Result

SF6 leak remediation was a success, and the flange is in service today. Another satisfied customer and another environmental win.

Repairs Portfolio
  • Cover /inspection plates
  • Cover plates with small bore adapter and pipework
  • GIB/tank flange
  • Complex multi flange GIB
EMT Site Services
  • High level site services working standards
  • Fully trained site services personnel
  • All works completed within the designated timeframe or less
  • 100% leak remediation record
  • The most challenging of SF6 leaking flange/asset styles fixed
Other Site Services

EMT’s products and services deliver a total SF6 management solution to ensure you have everything you need to keep your SF6 operations running smoothly.