Summary
This case study details the successful design, supply, testing, installation, and commissioning of six main feedwater pump trains by Sulzer for a nuclear power plant in China. The project involved extensive testing to meet stringent specifications, particularly focusing on vibration levels, which were set at 3.5 mm/s for the preferred operating range and 4.5 mm/s for the allowable operating range. Sulzer achieved a remarkable vibration level below 4.5 mm/s at 30% of the best efficiency point flow for its 8 MW main feedwater pump. The engineering procurement and construction company oversaw the manufacturing process, which included rigorous testing routines to validate performance. The case study emphasizes the importance of precision engineering and the need for compliance with strict industry requirements, particularly for nuclear installations. It also highlights the investment made by Sulzer to ensure a service life of sixty years for the pumps, achieving efficiency figures above the typical minimum of 85%.
