Superbolt® Application:
Boiler Feed Pump (5” studs)
Old Method:
The old method utilized a very large wrench in conjunction with heating rods. It
used to require 1-2 shifts (sometimes three) with three workers for installation or
removal of the large diameter acorn nuts. Occasionally, a nut would
seize
requiring destructive removal. The old style acorn nuts were very heavy,
requiring two workers to handle. Manipulation of the very heavy tool required three
workers: two to manipulate the tool and one to operate the overhead crane. During a
turbine outage, valuable crane time is taken from the turbine work. In the
past, turbine work has delayed boiler feed pump work and visa versa. Excessive
bolting time during an unscheduled pump repair can cost the utility hundreds of
thousands of dollars in lost generation for these units.
Superbolt® Solution:
SuperboltŇ
Tensioners are much lighter than the original acorn nut and can easily be handled by
one worker. ˝” impacts
are utilized for
initial tightening, and calibrated torque wrenches for final torquing step. Two workers (180° apart resulting in even gasket crush) were utilized
for installation requiring about 15 minutes to spin the tensioners into position and
only
1 hour 21 minutes to tighten! SuperboltŇ
Tensioners save time and money up front, and acts as an "insurance" against
excessive bolting time during an unscheduled pump repair.