Field Proven Results
Utilities are continually investing in Beck actuators and realizing the long term benefit. Below are a series of data charts that were generated by one such Beck actuator user. Click on each in succession to enlarge the graphs.
BEFORE
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Figure 1B
AFTER
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Figure 2B
Figure 2C
Increasing Environmental and Economic Pressures Necessitate Control Improvements
Today’s utility industry is characterized by ever increasing emission regulations, rising fuel costs, and a growing need to be competitive. Optimizing and maintaining control performance and minimizing downtime are critical to meeting these challenges. In response, power producers are continually investing in control systems and instrumentation to meet regulations, reduce costs, and avoid costly trips and outages. In addition, as new capacity is built, these plants will also require state-of-the-art control and high levels of reliability.
Over a Thousand Utility Boilers are Benefiting from Beck Drives … and the Number is Growing
Investments in advanced control instrumentation and logic are very necessary, as is the addition of new plant systems (e.g., Overfire Air and SOFA), which are required to better control combustion emissions. However, the investments are only as effective as the precision, reliability and responsiveness of the dampers and valves. Many utilities understand this, and replace pneumatic actuators and typical electric actuators with Beck Electronic Control Drives. In fact, Beck actuators are modulating the dampers and valves of over 1,000 electric utility boilers. In addition, Beck actuators are also installed in modulating applications on over 600 industrial boilers of all sizes and styles.
Damper and Valve Actuation is Key to Improved Boiler Control and Efficiency
In spite of the critical role of boiler control dampers and valves with respect to efficiency, safety and reliability, their performance is often ignored. In many cases, actuator problems tend to be addressed only after a serious or complete failure occurs. The rest of the time, poor performance goes undetected, or the impact it has on control is underestimated.
Poor damper and valve performance is a leading source of combustion control problems, often limiting ramp rate, contributing to boiler emission problems, or impacting heat rate. Pneumatic actuators are highly susceptible to stick / slip response, excessive dead time, inconsistent performance with changing conditions, and performance degradation over time. As a result, pneumatic actuation simply cannot provide the level of control performance provided by Beck actuators; nor can it provide the benefits of consistent and reliable performance over time and in harsh conditions. Similarly, typical electric actuators are poorly suited for active boiler control, since most are limited by motor duty cycles, provide less accurate positioning capabilities, and are less reliable–especially in the harsh operating conditions for which Beck actuators are designed.
Feedwater and Fuel Gas Valves
In addition to damper control, good boiler control also requires stable feedwater and fuel control. Figures 3A & 3B below show the results of installing a Beck actuator on a feedwater flow control valve. This particular boiler is subject to extremely large and sudden steam load swings, often in excess of 30% of the boiler rating in less than one minute. With the original pneumatic actuator installed on the feedwater valve, drum level control limited the boiler’s ability to meet the steam load requirements. The installation of a Beck actuator provided the feedwater valve performance necessary for responsive, stable drum level control–even during the most severe load changes.
Improving the ability to control the fuel gas flow more closely and with greater stability is an important advantage offered by the Beck actuator. Not only is boiler efficiency improved by the direct benefit of better gas flow control, but better overall boiler performance can be achieved by reducing the interactions with other control loops. (Figure 4)
Figure 3A
Figure 3B
Figure 4
Beck Drives Improve Control and Eliminate Typical Actuator Problems
Why do Beck actuators improve control and eliminate the inherent problems of pneumatic actuators and typical electric actuators?
- Beck actuators respond to a modulating controller demand signal instantaneously, regardless of changing loads and conditions. Therefore, Beck actuators will not stick or slip like pneumatic actuators, thus eliminating dead time and position overshoot.
- Beck actuators track the controller demand signal closely under closed-loop conditions, with resolution unmatched by pneumatic and typical electric actuators, ensuring responsive, tight, and stable process control.
- Beck actuators provide consistent control over time with virtually no maintenance requirements.
- Beck actuators eliminate the dependence on costly and unreliable air systems, thus eliminating problems like freezing and contamination.
- Weather, dust, dirt, and temperature (-40 to 185° F.) conditions do not affect performance.
- The extreme ruggedness and quality of Beck actuators simply means that they will outlast and outperform other actuators, thus minimizing unit trips and downtime.
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Motor
The Beck Motor: 100% Availability
Beck’s unique motor design makes the precise, reliable performance of the actuators possible. This no burnout motor ensures that the actuator is available 100% of the time. There are no duty cycle limitations typical of most electric actuators, so the actuator performs as the loop requires rather than the loop performing as the actuator permits.
The Beck Motor:
- Reaches full speed and torque in milliseconds and stops in milliseconds, eliminating dead time.
- Provides extremely accurate and repeatable positioning for modulating applications.
- Will not coast or overshoot the desired position.
- Draws low current (0.16 A to 3.0 A). The low power consumption permits easy use with uninterruptible power supplies.
- Uses double-lipped, grease-sealed bearings for maintenance-free operation.
- And . . .Never overheats or burns-out; even under demanding modulating control or stalled conditions.
Electronics
Digital Electronics: Repeatable Control, Simple Operation, and Diagnostic Capabilities
Our field-proven electronics provide excellent position control in response to modulating control signals. This maximizes control loop performance by ensuring that the actuator responds exactly as the control loop requires.
The DCM-3 is equipped with a local interface panel for pushbutton calibration functions without the need for external devices or software. LED diagnostic lights display a number of status conditions.
The DCM-3 is also equipped with a HART® communications interface to provide bidirectional digital communications over the existing analog demand wiring—providing access to the added functions and information without interfering with control or requiring new wiring. Communications can be established either remotely or locally using any standard HART®-based communication tool and is compatible with common asset management systems. Optionally, the DCM can be equipped with Foundation Fieldbus® or Profibus PA® communication capability.
Beck’s Contactless Position Sensor (CPS) also resides within the actuator, and provides reliable internal position feedback to the DCM for position control. The DCM also uses the sensor signal to source a 4–20 mA external position signal for remote monitoring of actuator position. Unlike typical position sensors, the CPS does not wear due to its contactless design.
Limit Switches
Over-travel Limit Switches
Beck actuators include heavy-duty, single-pole, double-throw (SPDT) switch mechanisms for electrical over-travel protection. Switch cams will not slip because each is mounted to the shaft by an integral, tangential clamping means—with no set screws to mar the shaft.
Every actuator is equipped with two over-travel limit switches. Optionally, actuators can be equipped with up to four auxiliary switches that can be set to operate at any desired point of actuator travel, thus providing discrete inputs for control or indication.
Common throughout most Beck actuator models, the SPDT switches provide the following:
- A maximum rating of 6 A at 120 V ac (three times the maximum motor current for most models) to ensure long life.
- Auxiliary switches are field-adjustable with infinite positioning throughout the actuator’s travel range.
- May initiate secondary functions or provide remote indication of actuator position.
Drive Train
Drive Train: Power and Durability
Beck’s durable gear train maintains accurate, consistent positioning even under the demanding conditions of an active control loop.
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- Gear trains employ a unique, all spur gear construction using only heat-treated alloy steels and ductile iron.
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- Efficient, wide-faced spur gears ensure long life and eliminate wear-induced backlash and positioning inaccuracies common in worm gear and “Scotch-yoke” designs.
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- Integral self-locking mechanism ensures that actuators hold a minimum of 200% of rated torque with the motor de-energized.
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- Durable design provides up to 4 days of protection against intermittent or extended accidental stalls.
- Stall protection is provided by the DCM. If the motor tries to run in one direction for more than 300 seconds, the DCM-2 will shut off power to the motor and a status indication LED will activate indicating a stall.
Local Manual Control
Local Manual Control
All Beck actuators are built with local positioning capabilities. An electric Handswitch allows electrical local operation of the actuator, while a convenient Handwheel, or Handcrank on some high torque actuators, allows manual positioning of the actuator output shaft without electric power.
Handswitch
The electric Handswitch allows the actuator to be positioned locally and is very useful for the initial setup of the actuator and linkage. It also serves as a diagnostic tool or a backup control device in the event the loop controller or demand signal malfunctions.
Handwheel
Even in the absence of power, and with full load applied, the actuator output shaft can be manually positioned using the easy-to-turn, spoke-free Handwheel. No clutch mechanism is required and mechanical stops protect against manual overtravel.
Housing
Housing: Superior Protection and Convenient Access to Components
Beck actuators feature a cast aluminum body with individual compartments to protect components from moisture and dirt, and allow easy access for installation and calibration.
- Precision-machined aluminum alloy castings with corrosion-resistant polyurethane paint provide a rugged, dust-tight, weatherproof Type 4X enclosure.
- Individual compartments protect all major components: Motor, DCM-2, CPS, gear train and installation wiring terminal board.
- Gasketed covers provide extra protection for abusive indoor environments and harsh outdoor climates.
- Each compartment can be accessed without exposing other components to the environment.
- Output and Handwheel shafts are sealed with weatherproof, double-lip cartridge seals.
Linkage
Linkage: Beck Linkage Kits and Link-Assist™ Program Ensure the Best Connection
The unique design of the crank arm allows infinite position adjustment to simplify installation. Engineered linkage kits are available to complete the connection from the crank arm to the damper. Once the connection is made, the linkage length may be adjusted, simplifying the final mechanical calibration. Also, Beck rod ends incorporate a bearing to compensate for some lateral misalignment.
Beck’s Link-Assist™ program provides a printout showing the optimum actuator and linkage configuration for the application. The linkage arrangement can be characterized to match the torque profile of the application. Request this free service to save time, simplify installation and ensure the best performance at the lowest possible cost.