In 2017/18 ACTOM Energy performed a comprehensive power plant upgrade for one of the offshore diamond mining vessels of De Beers Marine.
The vessel, Grand Banks, is one of the offshore mining vessels that the Cape Town based company has been operating for over 30 years.
The contract, awarded in January 2017 and completed in July 2018, comprised a feasibility study and design for the upgrade and life extension of the vessel’s power system and DC propulsion system, as well as the manufacture, supply and installation of the new DC propulsion switchboard.
“The power plant was designed and made to suit the new more efficient diesel electric generators purchased by the client to replace the vessel’s original diesel electric generators,” explained Yushri Mentor, ACTOM Energy’s Power Automation Manager.
“The generating system provides power for the whole vessel and the DC system provides the propulsion. While the main part of the DC system is for power and control of the new propulsion system, it also controls the hydraulic and other motors, including the motors for the vessel’s new treatment plant,” he added.
The power and control system, consisting of six DC variable speed drives and redundant PLC system that controls the six 750VDC 920A propulsion motors, replaced the old power system, which had a DC generators system of speed control.
ACTOM Energy also designed, installed and commissioned a new main switchboard incorporating two 3MVA transformers to feed the new DC system.
“The switchboard comprises port and starboard dual redundant sections to ensure the continued provision of power to the DC system and vessel services should one of the two sections fail,” said Yushri.
