[an error occurred while processing this directive]
Posted by D. Bearden on April 27, 2002 at 22:37:53:
In Reply to: Number of required boiler operators posted by Joe T on April 21, 2002 at 05:57:37:
I'd listen to Mr. Stanton. I've worked in a couple of plants where they have decided to do this. I would consider co-generation. I would make sure that there were qualified operators who knew about layup procedures if you're going to be putting boilers out of service, and knew how to set up turbines with machines to keep them rolling until the company finally realizes that producing their own power is the way to go. The area I work in is full of plants who wish they had looked at the long haul, instead of the short-time savings. Unfortunately, they have gone with their decisions to decrease their maintenance and operation costs and found themselves coming up short. I work in a plant now that sold their entire power producing department to the local utility. Years later, when they realized they had made a mistake, they bought it back. The utility dismantled their turbines and left them with 2 out of 4 boilers still in fair operating condition. It's my opinion, from what I've seen, and this is not the only story I could tell, that shutting down your power facility is not a good idea, but if you're going to do it. Make sure all your bases are covered. The last company I worked also shut down their power plant. It's now back in operation. And the old operators? We laughed ourselves silly when they tried to get a couple of us back to start it up again, because we told them not to do it, and we figured if they wee stupid enough to do it once, they probably be stupid enough to do it again. The local ADM has never even considered shutting down their power facilities. They have two operators/shift for 4 or 5 boilers and I'm not sure how many turbines. Thats not really enough. Mr. Stanton number seems more reasonable.
Good Luck
Dan