Emerson Process Management has been chosen to provide new control, measurement and automation technology for Unit 10 of the Lugansk coal-fired power plant in north eastern Ukraine. Emerson’s PlantWeb digital plant architecture will play a key role in the Vostokenergo generating company’s project to modernise the Lugansk thermal power plant. “Reconstructing Unit 10 will help us increase its generating capacity from 175 to 210 MW while reducing fuel consumption,” said Alexander Nagorsky, operations director for Vostokenergo LLC. “Commissioning of the unit is scheduled for the beginning of this autumn, and within five years we expect to replace obsolete equipment in five more units with reliable, high-quality technology that will also help improve the plant’s technical and economic performance.” As part of the PlantWeb architecture for Unit 10, Emerson will provide its Ovation expert control system, Fisher control valves, and Rosemount instruments for measuring flow, level and pressure of steam and water. Plant personnel will use Emerson’s AMS Suite predictive maintenance software to detect and diagnose problems before they disrupt power-generating operations. “With the combined capabilities of these integrated technologies, Vostokenergo can look forward to gaining the full benefits of the PlantWeb architecture,” said Alexey Etkin of Emerson Process Management. The project is the first in the Ukrainian power industry to use Emerson’s Annubar averaging pitot tube technology rather than traditional diaphragm-based sensors to measure the flow of process water and steam. The Annubar sensors’ insertion technology helps reduce installation and maintenance costs as well as ongoing energy costs.Emerson also provided automation design, installation and commissioning services for the modernisation project. Lugansk is one of three plants operated by Vostokenergo LLC, which is part of the vertically integrated DTEK energy company. Emerson previously modernised the control systems of Units 5 and 7 at Vostokenergo’s Kurakhovskaya plant and control of Unit 2’s turbo feed pump at the Zuyevskaya thermal power plant.
