Interesting improvements thanks to successful implementation of Oxygen Sensors at Eneco

Eneco is a prominent entity in the sustainable energy sector. This case study features Richard de Vries, Maintenance Technician E&I, and Paul Mann, Process Operator at Bio Golden Raand in Farmsum, who are committed to enhancing the efficiency of the biomass power plant with assistance from Yokogawa. This narrative takes us to Eneco located in the northern region of the Netherlands.

Richard (see photo) serves as an electrical installation manager and technical specialist within a dynamic team of 30 individuals. This facility is recognized as a 'training plant' due to its extensive scope of work and diverse range of tasks. Annually, there is a three-week shutdown period during which the team expands significantly. Each day presents unique challenges, fostering a sense of pride among the members.

Richard says: "The biomass plant annually converts about 300,000 tons of type B waste wood into 50 megawatts of energy and 140 megawatts of steam and heat. The efficiency of this plant is impressive, with above-average heat and steam delivery of 87%. We are also looking at alternatives such as an e-boiler, battery storage, CO2 capture, and thermal storage. All initiatives to anticipate the energy transition."

But of course, the current plant must also continue to deliver pure steam of good quality. By using high-quality feedwater, the correct conductivity, an oxygen content between 5-10 ppb, as well as a suitable phosphate mixture, we can prevent corrosion and contamination in the boilers and turbines, ensuring they continue to operate efficiently. And this is where Eneco faced a challenge: the existing systems for oxygen measurements did not meet expectations. This led to more manual work, higher maintenance costs, and unreliable data, complicating the optimization of the biomass plant. During a service visit for the pH and Zirconia sensors, Gerrie van Kessel, Service & Support Engineer at Yokogawa, advised switching to Yokogawa's Dissolved Oxygen DO71/72 sensors.

These sensors are designed to deliver highly accurate oxygen measurements, which are essential for optimizing power plants. They withstand the harsh conditions in biomass plants, ensuring long-term, reliable operation with fewer replacements and repairs needed.

The installation of the new DO sensors went smoothly, and within a year, the results were noticeable. Richard says: "For the Heat, Generation & Industrials department, we chose Yokogawa's DO sensors, and we should have done so much earlier because the measurement data is so reliable. We now have consistent data, which is crucial for optimizing operational processes and improving overall efficiency."

Paul Mann, Process Operator at Bio Golden Raand, adds: "In our sector, it is essential to maintain an accurate oxygen concentration in the boiler water. An excess of oxygen is undesirable, but a shortage is also detrimental. However, it requires great precision to regulate this concentration within a very narrow margin, with values between 5 and 10 ppb. For years, we tried to regulate this manually by gradually opening and closing valves, without ever achieving a stable situation; the values were always either too low or too high. The DO analyzers can regulate the valves better; this is reflected in the boiler value, the quality of the steam, and the turbines. Thanks to this new stable and reliable measurement method, we can now maintain the desired value with great precision without manual actions, leading to great satisfaction."

The implementation of the Dissolved Oxygen sensors at Eneco is a success story. Account Manager Process Control Instrumentation, Geert van der Veen, explains: "The implementation of the DO7dis1/72 sensors at Eneco was successful because they are easy to integrate into existing systems, making the transition to this advanced technology smooth and hassle-free. Moreover, this reference shows that advanced technologies make a significant contribution to improving operational efficiency and reliability in the sustainable energy industry."

This case study illustrates how technological innovations, such as Yokogawa's DO71/72 Dissolved Oxygen sensors, can have a significant impact on the processes of companies in the sustainable energy industry. Optimizing these processes and improving efficiency is not only beneficial for the company but also contributes to a more sustainable future.