MechChem Africa March 2017

⎪ Sustainable energy and energy management ⎪

generator plant is highly conductive and must not be allowed to enter the power generationunits,” Gerrard says. “For this reason, a filter system was designed that could accommodate the high volumes of moving air required to cool the engines, while also requiring as little mainte- nance as possible.”

Once again, a local solution was designed, in the form of a custom-engineered, self- cleaning cartridge type ventilation and pres- surisation fan unit, comprising four WEG 7.5 kW fan motors. To feed diesel to the generators, Zest Energywill install a30000 ℓ intermediate fuel tank to draw from the customer’s bulk fuel storage system with a duplex fuel filtration and circulation system as well as all inter- connecting piping, valves, pumps and fittings within the power plant area. A local fuel connection point within the plant area will also be installed as a contin- gency, shouldbulk fuel supplynot beavailable. To comply with environmental regulations, a bunded fuel and oil area will be constructed, with an oil-water separation system. “There are also various systems we will provide for plant auxiliary power require- tection system, earthing, site work (with full commissioning and testing) and site training. The project began in February 2016, and the unitwas commissioned andhandedover to the mine developer in October 2016, in line with a challenging delivery deadline of nine months. “Our strong network within the WEG Group, of which ZestWEGGroup is part, al- lowedustoworkwithWEGTransmissionand Distribution inBrazil on transformer design, manufacturing and factory testing,” Gerrard says. “We also involved WEG Transformers Africa – also a Zest WEG Group company – when it came to site assembly and testing of the mobile transformer.” The commissioningprocess includedfinal assemblyof the transformer, oil filtrationand purification, and conducting a full spectrum oftransformertests,aswellason-sitetesting of all supporting substation equipment. To ensure strict compliance, all commissioning and testing was done in conjunction with SNEL to meet contractual and performance requirements. Skills transfer was facilitated by opera- tor training conducted by Zest Energy to all selected mine personnel, ensuring that the substation was left in safe hands, with a strong after-sales service to respond to any further customer requirements. q

The complete 35 t packaged diesel generator set being lifted for loading onto transport vehicle.

ments and for plant earthing and lightning protection, as well as cabling, terminations, racking and supports to all plant electrical equipment,” Gerrard says. “Through our member companies in the Zest WEG Group,

we are able to give our customers a single point of contact for the range of services we are providing, while project managing and quality controlling every aspect of the power plant.” q

Preparations underway to start with the scope of work on site, showing the arrival of supporting ancillary components to be installed, followed by cold and hot commissioning in the presence of specialists from the DRC Utility, SNEL.

All supporting ancillary components fitted to the mobile substation. Final preparations underway, ready to commence with connection to the SNEL electrical network.

March 2017 • MechChem Africa ¦ 29