Case Study: Salt River Project improves boiler efficiency and cuts fuel costs with GSE Solutions' TSM Enterprise

Utility Improves Efficiency and Saves Money by Using Thermal System Monitoring Software

Salt River Project, operator of Coronado Station in Arizona, wanted to establish new thermal performance baselines for Unit 2 by conducting a heat rate test. GSE Solutions, working through GSE TrueNorth, used its Thermal System Monitor (TSM Enterprise) to analyze the test data and help identify a costly maintenance issue.

GSE Solutions’ TSM Enterprise found a 30°F differential in gas exit temperatures between Unit 2 air heaters A and B, which led to a physical inspection of the soot blowing equipment. The inspection uncovered an inactive blower that had not been flagged in the control room; after the equipment was activated and the air heater was heavily cleaned, gas exit temperature improved, increasing boiler efficiency, lowering unit heat rate, and reducing fuel consumption and fuel costs.

Salt River Project