MechChem Africa September-October 2024

Steam turbine self-generation WEG steam turbines support a sustainable energy transition in South African industry. As an example, one of the company’s turbines will soon be assisting Sappi Saiccor to generate 45 MW of its own electricity. Rudolf van Pype, Steam Turbine Manager for Energy Systems at WEG explains.

past it was usual to have just two or three load points. “It is now possible to provide many more load points – each one with its own inlet steam flow conditions,” he says. “The steam turbine design can cater for a steam flow range that varies considerably. For the new unit at Sappi Saiccor, this range will be from 75 t/h to 300 t/h.” As the leading manufacturer of steam turbines in Brazil, WEG has supplied a number of units of this turbine model to customers in the market there, he says. The company’s factory in Brazil will design and manufacture the new unit bound for South Africa, and WEG will conduct the installation, commissioning and ongoing maintenance next year. To generate elec tricity, the Sappi Saiccor mill will also use a 50 MVA, 11 kV WEG alternator, which will be coupled to the steam turbine. Van Pype highlights that there is also significant interest in steam turbine tech nology among South African companies who produce steam as part of their indus trial processes – especially those who have alternative fuel sources. He notes that loadshedding has limited the productivity of many firms, which are now looking for longer term solutions. “We receive regular enquiries from com panies who operate boilers for their opera tions, looking for opportunities to reduce their operating costs while raising their

There is growing potential for steam turbines to contribute towards a more sustainable energy future for South African industry.

S team turbines provide a valuable opportunity for many industries in South Africa to self-generate more of their own power requirements – and often from alternative fuels produced as a by-product of their processes. According to Rudolf van Pype, Steam Turbine Manager for Energy Systems

ity at its MgO 3 plant,” says van Pype. “The power generated will be used for internal consumption.” Steam turbine technology is also becoming increasingly versatile, to accommodate the specific requirements of the facilities they serve, he explains. At the Sappi Saiccor mill, for instance, there is the need to have 15 different load points served by the tur bine – where in the

at WEG, this technology offers benefits includ ing energy cost reduc tions, more stable sup ply of power and a lower carbon footprint. firm taking advantage of these opportunities is Sappi Saiccor. Its mill at Umkomaas largest producers of dissolving pulp for viscose staple fibre – used mainly in the production of textiles but also in other household, in dustrial and pharma ceutical applications. Gas produced from this in KwaZulu Natal is one of the world’s

A leading South African

production levels through a more reliable supply of electricity,” he says. “We are able to conduct an assessment of their steam flows and pressures, to advise on the

most suitable turbine size and the amount of energy they could

generate internally.” He adds that WEG also

has a depth of local expertise and supporting infrastructure to service steam turbines of various makes, and can provide maintenance contracts to give customers peace of mind. In addition to this, WEG offers its customers access to a com plete set of spare parts, all of which promote high equipment availability levels. www.weg.net

process represents a fuel source which generates steam for electricity production. “A 45 MW extraction backpressure steam turbine from WEG will be adding to Sappi Saiccor’s energy generating capac

Steam turbines provide a valuable opportunity for many industries in South Africa to self-generate more of their power requirements.

28 ¦ MechChem Africa • September-October 2024