Generator De-Gassing & Purging: Best Practices for Safe Plant Operation

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Gus Graham
Environment One Corporation

Worldwide, it is estimated that nearly 70% of all electric power generators over 60MW use hydrogen as the cooling medium. Hydrogen poses significant challenges to owners, operators, and maintenance personnel from the standpoint of safety, risk mitigation, and demands for increasing efficiency. Recent catastrophic events have reinforced the critical importance of safety and risk mitigation strategies in power plants worldwide. This presentation discusses the challenges that today’s power plant operators are faced with, including the reduction of well-trained plant personnel and planning for emergencies. Best practices in generator purging and leak detection will be covered, as well as a review of the critical auxiliary equipment associated with the generator purging process and important considerations for automating the purge process.

POSITION
Director of Products & Markets – Africa and Asia

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering  — Stevens Institute of Technology

BACKGROUND
Gus joined Environment One Corporation in 2008. 
His  previous  business  experience  includes  Director  of Engineering  for  the company’s  Utility  Systems  Business where  he  led  product  support  and  new product development.  In his current role Gus works extensively with clients across Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. 
 
EXPERIENCE

  • 22+ years’ experience in the power industry
  • Directed system engineering, product verification, and engineering field support for emerging fuel cell system manufacturer
  • Holds 3 patents on controls optimization of reformer based hydrogen fuel cell systems
  • Conducted market, system and compliance analysis in support of first commercial fuel cell installation in South Africa
  • Managed the design and project activity on 120+ custom generator condition monitoring skids and panels
  • Extensive certification experience leading to products that received 11 notified body certificates in support of ATEX, cETLus, IECEx, GOST-R, Metrology, PED, CRN and KC Mark
  •  Authored and presented several webinars, technical papers and presentations for E/One’s Utility Systems Business
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