Our CACW coolers for the FPSO Barroso generators
The Australian energy pioneer Santos has awarded BW Offshore a new contract for the Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Installation (EPCI) of an FPSO for the Barossa gas field. The FPSO is built in Singapore and South Korea but will be permanently taken to the Barossa field located 300 kilometres offshore Darwin in Australia. There, water depth ranges from 220m to 280m, where it will process natural gas before its transport via pipeline to the Darwin LNG. The FPSO will be designed for a 25-year life on a station of uninterrupted operation without drydocking.
Large generators provide power to support an FPSOs operations, these need cooling to optimise performance. The coolers specifications for these are of a high standard. Because of Sterling TT’s expertise and experience in delivering this kind of equipment, one of the largest motor and generator manufacturers asked us to closely work with them to find the best heat exchange solution.
Also, because of the nature of the project, our client asked us to provide the following.
- A PMI (Positive Material Identification) testing. PMI is an on-site examination of security-relevant components regarding the used material (especially in the field of metal structures). It’s on spot, non-destructive and verifies the compliance of the chemical composition of the materials used. Instead of relying on certificates of composition, regulations force many plant operators to check all the materials used.
- DNV, the world’s leading classification society and a recognized maritime industry advisor, to review our mechanical design.
- ASME U Stamp; it certifies we are working following the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC) part VIII. It means that a third party will check our production at various stages.
Our winning proposal was for the design, manufacture and supply of five sets comprising of four CACW cooler elements. “These are double-wall tube, which allow operations to continue for a short period if the inner tube fails. The outer tube is grooved and in case of inner tube failure, the leaking water is directed to a leak detection system outside the cooler enclosure,” said Muhammad Siddiqui, the Applications Engineer who worked on the solution.
Ahmed Alainiah, the Sterling TT’s OEM Sales Manager who also worked on the project, added, “our client placed trust in our skills, quality systems, design capabilities and production facilities. It enabled us to successfully put our heads together to provide the ideal solution for cooling the generators. Such an outstanding achievement demonstrates the strength of our relationship with our partners.”
Sterling TT has a long experience in delivering generator coolers for FPSOs. Another solution is our advanced air-to-air cooler combined with heat pipe technology called Avantair, we delivered this solution for the FPSO Almirante Barroso MV32.