MoP censures BHEL for turbine failures: Design problems?

The Ministry of Power (MoP) has expressed its concern over the frequent failures in the turbines supplied by BHEL for various lignite fired power plants, and has asked that the equipment major take corrective action immediately. Pertinently, Neyveli Lignite Corporation`s (NLC) first unit of the 250 MW Barsingsar lignite-fired thermal power project, in the Bikaner district of Rajasthan, is running on partial load due to choking of the turbine provided by BHEL. The 125 MW unit has been unable to achieve full load, despite being synchronized in October 2009. Similar problems have also been encountered in the yet-to-be commissioned lignite fired power plants at Kutch and Giral, which have also failed to operate on full load. Fearing that these malfunctions might point towards inherent deficiencies in the design of the turbines supplied by BHEL, a worried power ministry has also notified the Department of Heavy Industries of this issue

It may be recalled that rectification and modification are being conducted by BHEL for the first unit of the Barasingsar project, which is slated for commissioning by the end of July. Additionally, the second unit, which was scheduled for commissioning in September, is running behind schedule by over 15 months.