HomeMy WebLinkAboutA001 - Council Action Form dated April 8, 2025ITEM #:27
DATE:04-08-25
DEPT:ELEC
SUBJECT:UNIT 7 CONDENSER TUBE CLEANING AND EDDY CURRENT TESTING AT
THE POWER PLANT
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
BACKGROUND:
Each of the Power Plant's two boilers heat water into high pressure steam, which then passes through a
turbine. The turbine spins a generator to produce electricity. A steam condenser is a mechanical device
which is used to condense the steam which has passed through the turbine back into water. It does so
with the help of circulation water from the cooling tower, flowing through condenser tubes. The Unit 7
condenser consists of 4,310 admiralty brass tubes and 469 stainless steel tubes. When steam inside the
condenser passes over these tubes, the circulating water within the tubes cools the steam back into
condensate and then the boiler water is recirculated in the boiler system.
Condenser tubes must be cleaned periodically with high pressure water jets to ensure maximum
heat transfer across the tube walls. Unit 7 has experienced condenser tube failures that have
caused forced shutdowns and water system contamination. A number of condenser tubes have
been plugged because of failure.
After mechanically cleaning the condenser tubes, eddy current testing will be performed to
determine the thickness of each tube. If any thin tubes or problem areas are identified, individual
tubes will be taken out of service to prevent future forced shutdowns. After the testing is completed, a
report will be provided to determine life expectancy of the condenser tubes. City staff will use this
information to determine if tube replacement is necessary.
City staff received 3 competitive quotes for the cleaning and eddy current testing on Unit 7 condenser
tubes.
Contractor Total
Conco Services LLC $51,285.76
The Merrick Group $54,500.00
American Efficiency Services $61,965.00
This project was budgeted to be performed this fiscal year. $50,000 is available in the Unit 7 Steam
Turbine and Generator Maintenance account for the work.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Award service to Conco Services LLC, of Vernova, PA, for Unit 7 condenser tube cleaning and
eddy current testing at the Power Plant, in an amount not to exceed $51,285.76.
2. Award contract to one of the other firms.
3. Reject all proposals and direct staff to rebid
CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
1
CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Performing cleaning and testing on Unit 7 condenser tubes will determine the current condition
of these tubes. This information will be used to determine the tube life expectancy and what
future maintenance activities need to be performed in the future. Therefore, it is the
recommendation of the City Manager that the City Council adopt Alternative #1 as stated above.
2