Digital x-ray technology to assess substation health
GE Renewable Energy’s Grid Solutions Services team used digital X-ray technology to complement the preventive maintenance in Petrobras’ gas-insulated substation (GIS).
Image source: GE
Brazil, São Paulo: GE Renewable Energy’s Grid Solutions Services team used digital X-ray technology to complement the preventive maintenance in Petrobras’ gas-insulated substation (GIS).
The GIS is located in the Abreu e Lima Refinery (RNEST), state of Pernambuco (Brazil).
Performed by GE in Latin America for the first time, the inspection strategy designed and implemented at RNEST included several complementary inspection methodologies that eliminate the necessity of opening the equipment to assess the condition of the high-voltage circuit breakers. The solution has enabled the reduction of equipment downtime for preventive maintenance by up to 75 %, minimizing the impact on the operations while optimizing risk management through assertive and efficient asset assessment.
This innovative inspection method measures possible state variations in the asset, such as detrition of the active part, internal damage, and incipient failures.
“We are very proud to offer Petrobras this non-intrusive inspection strategy, integrating the innovative digital X-ray solution. This ensures that energy is available for its operations, while, concurrently, the care and attention to the assets is applied, mitigating risks of a failure”, says Lívia Silva, Commercial Services Leader of GE’s Grid Solutions in Latin America.
The overall scope of the inspection was made through dynamic contact resistance measurement, vibration analysis, partial discharge measurement and digital X-ray inspection.
Source: GE
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