CASE STUDIES
Published on Jan. 24th 2024
How FreeScan Combo 3D Scanner Improves Hydro Turbine Inspection and Repair Efficiency
Since its construction, the Ecuadorian hydropower plant Central Coca Codo Sinclair has been looking for an efficient and cost-effective solution to streamline the inspection and repair of hydro turbine. Recently, they began experimenting with the SHINING 3D’s FreeScan Combo 3D scanner.
About Central Coca Codo Sinclair
Central Coca Codo Sinclair is Ecuador’s largest and most crucial hydropower plant, generating at least one-fifth of the country’s electricity each year. The plant has a total of eight turbines, which are activated differently depending on the water volume: when water is low, 1–2 turbines are started, and when water is high, 3–4 turbines are activated.
Central Coca Codo Sinclair
Challenges in Routine Repair
During day-to-day operation, turbine blades experience slight wear from sand and gravel within approximately one month. By the third month, repairs are necessary. Traditionally, Central Coca Codo Sinclair sends the turbines to the Center for Research and Recovery of Turbines and Industrial Parts (CIRT) in Chile or Ecuador at three-month intervals. However, transporting turbines back and forth is costly and time-consuming.
Wear and tear of hydro turbine
To address this, Central Coca Codo Sinclair explored advanced 3D scanning technologies to find a more efficient and cost-effective solution. They contacted BSTARTECHNOLOGY S.A, distributor of SHINING 3D, who introduced the FreeScan Combo 3D scanner. After a demonstration, the plant agreed that it was a cost-effective solution that improved the efficiency of turbine blade inspection and repair.
Discover the product you're looking for
- Full specifications
- Using scenarios
- Key features
- Even comes with a bundle!
Hydro Turbine Inspection with 3D Scanner
BSTAR provided scanning services for Central Coca Codo Sinclair. The FreeScan Combo is lightweight at just 630g, allowing technicians to easily transport it to the hydropower plant. Its compact size also enables scanning in narrow spaces between turbine blades, significantly reducing transportation costs.
3D scanning hydro turbine
.jpg?width=800&height=480&name=EinScan-feature-image-1%20(1).jpg)
3D scanning in narrow space
The inspection process begins with a precise 3D scan of the turbine blades using the FreeScan Combo. In laser scanning mode, it acquires 1.86 million points per second, faster than the previous scanner, which acquired 0.86 million points per second in multiple lines scan mode. In addition, the FreeScan Combo achieves frame rates of more than 120 frames per second, ensuring smooth scanning.
For large objects like turbines, the multiple lines scan mode quickly acquires global data. Parallel lines scan mode is used on areas with wear and tear to capture more detailed data, helping determine the extent of wear and enabling more accurate repairs.
3D data for hydro turbine inspection
Hydro Turbine Repair and Verification
SMI company now carries out turbine repairs for Central Coca Codo Sinclair. To verify repair effectiveness, turbine blades are scanned a second time, and the scanned data is compared to a brand-new blade. A tolerance of no more than 2 millimeters is required.
With BSTAR’s support and the FreeScan Combo, Central Coca Codo Sinclair now follows a complete and smooth inspection and repair process. This approach has resulted in significant efficiency gains and cost savings. The plant no longer needs to spend time and money transporting equipment off-site, and the high accuracy of the FreeScan Combo ensures data quality required for repair work.
Do you want to improve the efficiency of hydro turbine inspection and repair with the help of advanced 3D scanning technology? Our solutions can help you do that with a cost-effective advantage. Reach out to our application specialists for a free, non-binding consultation now!
Share on Social Media
