Case studies
The POWER SOLUTIONS unit boasts a long list of high flying achievements. With each new project, it never fails to rise to the challenge of meeting all the specifications, while taking into account environmental constraints and bending to the rules of local or international standards.
- SDMO at the centre of technological research
- Supplying a geothermal drilling system
- A power supply of 6 x 1,900 kVA for Youga gold mine (Burkina Fasa)
- Providing power for liquefied natural gas extraction in Qatar
- Modernising a power plant in the heart of Paris
SDMO at the centre of technological research
In late 2006, the Laser Megajoule experimental chamber - 140 -tonne aluminium sphere measuring 10 metres in diameter - was installed 25 metres deep, on the site of CESTA, in the centre of the experimental hall of the future CEA installation. This chamber will be home to experiments designed to respond to the needs of the international scientific community.
Once in operation, the Laser Megajoule, or LMJ, will be used to study the properties of matter taken to extremely high temperatures and densities on a microscopic scale in laboratory conditions, and to recreate the conditions needed for thermonuclear fusion of 2 light atoms from the hydrogen family. During fusion, the temperature reaches several tens of millions of degrees and the pressure several tens of millions of bars.
To guarantee system security, a plant powered by SDMO gensets ensures an energy supply for ventilation (with the gensets as the main source during fusion). The plant comprises two 1600 KVA generating sets fitted with Kerys synchronising panels.
| Equipment | 2 x X1600 |
| Engine | MTU 12V4000 G61 |
| Rate | 1500 T/mn |
| PRP power | 1,600 kVA |
| Alternator | Leroy Somer 512VL85 |
| Kerys synchronising panels | |
Supplying a geothermal drilling system
A leading German company specialised in drilling geothermal tunnels and wells has developed a completely new concept of deep drilling, involving a mobile drilling system used to test drill for different natural geothermal reservoirs on different sites. The system meets high environmental and safety standards.
Principle of operation
5 MVA is needed to reach a depth of up to 7300 m. The power, generally supplied by mains electricity, can be complemented by the power plant. (As the system is mobile, on certain sites the mains power supply is not always sufficient. The client then has the possibility of combining the mains source with the 3 SDMO generating sets. The 3 sets, coupled together and in parallel with the mains using Kerys control panels, provide a maximum power (PRP) of de 450 kVA, ensuring a sufficient power supply.)
Environmental protection
The equipment is often used near residential areas and must therefore comply with demanding environmental standards, in particular reduced noise levels. The 3 SDMO gensets are enclosed in EUR40 Super Silent containers (69 dB(A) at 7 metres), with specific exhaust and air circulation systems. Furthermore, the containers are fitted with a retention tank to protect against any accidental spills of liquids.
| Equipment | 3 x X1700K |
| Engine | MTU 12V4000 |
| Rate | 1500 T/mn |
| PRP power | 1,500 kVA |
| Alternator | Leroy Somer LSA50 1VL10 |
| Kerys control panel console | |
A power supply of 6 x 1,900 kVA for Ghana
The location of Youga, 4 kilometres from the border with Ghana and 180 kilometres south-west of the capital Ouagadougou, is home to a gold mine.
Construction of the mine is nearing completion and its exploitation is scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2007. Youga gold mine will process 3,000 tonnes of ore per day to produce 3 tonnes of gold (giving a total of over 19 tonnes by the end of mining).
Environmental protection
The equipment is often used near residential areas and must therefore comply with demanding environmental standards, in particular designed to reduce noise levels. The 3 SDMO gensets are enclosed in EUR40 Super Silent containers (69 dB(A) at 7 metres), with specific exhaust and air circulation systems. Furthermore, the containers are fitted with a retention tank to protect against any spills of liquids.
| Equipment | 3 x X1700K |
| Engine | MTU 12V4000 |
| Rate | 1500 T/mn |
| PRP power | 1,500 kVA |
| Alternator | Leroy Somer LSA50 1VL10 |
| Kerys control panel console | |
Providing power for liquefied gas extraction in Qatar
SDMO works in coordination with one of today's world leading firms in engineering and turnkey projects for the oil and petrochemical industries. This group offers its customers integrated solutions for the development of gas and oil fields throughout the world (gas and oil extraction, processing and exportation).
28 x 1,050 to 2,400 kVA generating sets
Since early 2006, this company has been responsible for conducting engineering work, supplying equipment for and constructing two liquefied natural gas (LNG) trains - two of the largest in the world - in the Middle East, north of Qatar. Each train is designed for an annual production of 7.8 million tonnes of LNG.
The projects are scheduled to last 4 years. The trains are equipped with 1,050 to 2,400 kVA SDMO generating sets placed in soundproof containers and running 24/7 to supply the electricity needed to power the site facilities.
Designed to stand up to harsh climate conditions
The generating sets and auxiliary control panels were placed in EUR 40 containers. Each container was fitted with insulation at air inlets and outlets, a silencer and a spark arrestor, and was designed to stand up to extreme climatic conditions.
Modernising a power plant in the heart of Paris
Founded in 1990, CLIMESPACE, an equally-owned subsidiary of COFATHEC and ELYO, has developed an innovative air conditioning system. A guarantee of comfort and safety, the solution devised by CLIMESPACE is admired for its versatility and constitutes a huge step forward in terms of environmental protection.
Aim of the rehabilitation project
As the plant was located in the heart of Paris, near residential areas, the main aim of the rehabilitation project was to reduce exhaust fumes, noise levels and vibrations generated by the plant. To fulfil these objectives, SDMO specially designed specific generating sets:
- a MTU 16V396 diesel engine combined with a water injection system, intended to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions and soot emissions to less than 80 mg/nm3
- installation of a particle filter in the exhaust system in order to improve the Bacharach index (black smoke < 3) especially during start-up
- a concrete slab on suspension springs to prevent vibrations
- a tunnel-type hood to reduce the noise level to around 80 dBa at a distance of 1 metre.
The oxygen, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide and soot levels are constantly monitored via data acquired by an exhaust measurement system and an opacity meter. The values are displayed in the form of a graph or a table on a specially developed page on the MICS Kerys Tactil control console.
An installation programme made to measure
In parallel, SDMO came up with a custom-made installation programme. Before the power plant was set up on site, the generator sets underwent a series of tests on the SDMO test platform, which was specially adapted for this configuration. The results in terms of pollution by exhaust emissions, noise levels and vibrations, as well as the overall performance of the power plant, were examined and approved by a consulting firm commissioned by the client.
The work carried out in late 2004 in the heart of Paris involved modernising a power plant installed around thirty years earlier, whose main purpose is to produce iced water, standby electricity and hot water for Paris' largest shopping mall the Forum des Halles, as well as providing the Louvre museum with a supply of iced water and standby electricity.
The refurbishment, conducted by CLIMESPACE, involved reducing the disturbance caused by the old installations: black smoke exhaust, non compliance with environmental standards in force, noise and other forms of pollution.
The project involved replacing the seven generating sets installed on site with five 2000 kVA SDMO generating sets.
| Equipment | 5 x XS2000K |
| Engine | MTU 16V396TB34 |
| Rate | 1500 T/mn |
| PRP power | 10.000 kVA |
| Alternator | LSA 512M60 |
| Permanent mains connection | |
| Mics KERYS Tactil control panel | |