|
There is a potential for accidents to occur when the generator is working. Generally, major causes of accidents are equipment or machinery error and human error. To prevent accidents, Ratchaburi Power Plant has introduced the following preventive measures:
1. Equipment and machinery error prevention: Ratchaburi Power Plant has designed and implemented international-standard regulations on equipment and machinery as well as control systems to prevent equipment and machinery errors. This includes fire prevention systems for the power plant, which comprises fire prevention equipment that meet National Fire Protection Association standards as follows:
|
 |
1.1. Fire alarm system: The system locates the source of a fire by detecting smoke or heat. Fire detectors are installed in every building within the power plant and interoperate with the automatic fire extinguishing system. When the devices detect smoke and heat, they will immediately send a signal to the fire alarm and control equipment.Once there is a fire, the detectors will activate the automatic fire distinguishers in each area. Sprinklers or the automatic fire extinguishers around transformers will be activated when they receive a signal sent from the fire alarm system.
1.2. Fire hydrant: These are set in the buildings and every 100 meters along the roads surrounding the power plant.
1.3. Fire Hydrant Branch: The automatic fire extinguishing system is set near the transformers and oil tanks and interoperates with the fire alarm system in order to spray its hydrant branch on fire incident.
1.4. Gas fire extinguisher: This automatic system interoperates with the fire alarm system. There are three gas fire extinguisher units, which will be used depending on the locations and nature of accidents.
- Carbon dioxide is used when a fire occurs at the gas turbine.
- FM200 gas, an environmentally friendly gas, is used in the power system room [is this the ‘control room’ω].
- Clean or inert gas is used when fire breaks at the operation control unit.
1.5. Foam system: located near the oil tanks, this system will operate immediately after it receives a signal from the fire alarm system. Foam will be injected under the oil tanks to stop a fire from expanding to another oil tank. In addition, sprinklers around the oil tanks will also spray water to cool the tanks and prevent them from warping due to the heat.
1.6. Water pump and water sources: There are two units in different locations as follows:
Unit 1 A pumping station for water from a reservoir, which has 1.6 million cubic meters of water that will be used for fires at the Combined Cycle Power Plant.
Unit 2 A pumping station for water from two 8,800-cubic-meter water tanks that will be used when an there is a fire at the Thermal Power Plant. In case that either of water the pumping units fails, it can be replaced by the other unit.
In addition, Ratchaburi Power Plant has provided mobile fire extinguishers and fire alarm system in every low risk zones. When a fire occurs, the fire alarm alerts the safety control building to immediately investigate and control the incident.
In case accident prevention equipment fails to perform and the accident expands, the Ratchaburi Power Plant has already prepared a systematic emergency plan to limit and minimize possible losses. The plan also increases confidence in the safety level among employees and nearby communities. In its emergency plan, Ratchaburi Power Plant has prepared for situations in four areas – the Thermal Power Plant, Combined Cycled Power Plant, areas surrounding the production buildings and the warehouse. The Ratchaburi Power Plant has assigned one person to take care of each area in case of an emergency. Regular fire drills are held on an annual basis.
2. Human error prevention: Ratchaburi Power Plant employs a loss management system within the Power Plant. This includes rules for employees working in the Power Plant and practice guidelines for employess and contractors who will have to work in the Power Plant area. The Company regularly trains and communicates to its staff about the safety rules before they start work. These safety rules include general safety measures, safety measures for working in high-level [what does this meanω] places, safety measures for working in poorly ventilated areas, rules for working in high risk areas such as rules related to working with the electricity system, and the loading and unloading of the hydrogen and chlorine tanks. Employees who operate the power generator have been regularly trained to solve problems and have passed a capability test in a simulator.
Environmental Policy
Realizing the importance of environmental conservation, Ratchaburi Electricity Generating Co., Ltd. is committed to efficiently and safely producing electricity while generating the least impact to the environment possible. To achieve this, the Company has taken the following actions:
1. Emphasizing good relations with communities near the power plant through social and environmental awareness and good corporate citizenship
2. Promoting knowledge and understanding about the Company’s role and responsibility towards the environment in order that employees help reduce greenhouse gasses
3. Complying with relevant national environmental laws, rules and regulations as well as related local regulations
4. Encouraging employees and involved persons to strictly adhere to the established measures introduced to prevent pollution resulting from the production process or other activities, and to continuously improve performance
5. Maximizing resource utilization in parallel to energy and environmental conservation
The policy is published in the Company’s environmental management guide, which is communicated to employees, partners and contractors and distributed to the public.
Environmental management at Ratchaburi Power Plant
According to the National Environment Committee’s resolution on 2 February 1996, EGAT is required to comply with environmental problem prevention and resolution measures, as well as monitor possible impacts, prepare and submit a “environment quality monitoring report” to the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning every six months. The Company has strictly complied with this requirement since it has taken over the operation of the Ratchaburi Power Plant from EGAT in 2000.
The Company has formulated systematic environment management measures for the Ratchaburi Power Plant in order to reduce possible environmental impact. Important measures taken are as follows:
Air quality measures
The Thermal Power Plant has a high efficiency Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) unit, eliminating up to 97.2% of sulfur dioxide. The FGD unit will be activated only when bunker oil is used in generating power
The Thermal Power Plant deploys a specially designed fuel burning system, using a low NOx Burner that minimizes the level of nitrogen oxide, as well as a Flue Gases Recirculation system
The Combined Cycled Power Plant incorporates a fuel burning system (Dry Low NOx Burner) with the ability to control nitrogen oxide levels when natural gas is used as a fuel. When diesel oil is used, demineralised water will be sprayed into the combustion unit to keep the temperature below the level where nitrogen oxide is produced.
The Ratchaburi Power Plant employs a Continuous Emission Monitoring System (CEMs) which draws air samples from the end of the smokestack to test for nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide and dust. The system will record the levels of these gases every 15 minutes every day.
The Ratchaburi Power Plant employs an Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Systems (AAQMs). Four air quality monitoring stations are installed in communities surrounding the power plant in Baan Chao Nua village in Baan Rai Sub-District, the St Antonio Church area [does area mean compoundω] in Pang Puay Sub-District, Bang Kado Temple area in Baan Singh Sub-District, and Po Ratburana Temple area in Pong Sawai Sub-District. These stations monitor the level of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, ozone, dust smaller than 10 microns and total dust. Statistics are collected 24 hours [does this mean every 24 hrs – or – continuouslyω].
The Ratchaburi Power Plant has to control the quality of air released from the smokestack to within the standard level required by the Ministry of Industry’s Announcement B.E. 2547 on Levels of Contamination in Air Released from Electricity Production and Distribution Plants, and the Announcement of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment (B.E. 2539). The quality of air in general must also be maintained at the level required by the National Environment Committee’s 10th Announcement (B.E. 2538), 21st Announcement (B.E. 2544) and 24th Announcement (B.E. 2547).
Water Quality Measures
Ratchaburi Power Plant has set measures for the management of waste water from the electricity generating process and from its office buildings. The measures vary according to the type of waste water as follows:
Waste water from chemical treatment and resin wash in the mineral-free water production process will be kept in a water retention well, to neutralize its pH and allow sedimentation. Treated water will later be released into the first and second water retention wells.
Water from the cooling tower will be released to the first water retention well when it becomes muddy to allow sedimentation and allow the temperature to drop to 28-30 degree Celsius. The water will be left for 24 hours before releasing to the second water retention well where the temperature will adjust to that of the local environment, which is set at 33 degree Celsius by the Department of Irrigation. The water will then be released into irrigation canals.
Water from yearly Air Heater cleaning will be treated trough the sedimentation and pH neutralization process before being released into the water retention wells.
Water for general use will be aerated and chlorinated to kill germs before it is released to a water reservoir. The water will be left there for the chlorine to evaporate. The treated water will be used for watering plants.
Ratchaburi Power Plant regularly monitors the quality of water released from the plant to ensure that the quality of the water released to the natural irrigation system meets the waste water quality standards specified in the Department of Irrigation Order No. 883/2532, the quality standard of waste water released from industrial plants and industrial estates specified in the Ministry of Industry Order, 2nd issue (B.E. 2539), the control standards on releasing waste water from industrial plants and industrial estates, and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment announcement No. 23 (B.E. 2539).
In addition, Ratchaburi Power Plant has established the Reduction of Waste Water Releasing to Bang Pa Canal project, which consists of 3 sub-projects as follows:
1. Reduction of Waste Water Released by Natural Practices with a 350 rai area
2. Extension of Automatic Plant Water System in Power Plant
3. Waste Water’s Quality Improvement by Reverse Osmosis Technology
1. Reduction of Waste Water Released by Natural Practices with a 350 rai area
Ratchaburi Electricity Generating Co., Ltd. has developed a 350 rai area on the western side of the Ratchaburi Power Plant beginning with a 450 cubic meter per hour water pump from the second water reservoir to the allocated area. This is managed in the following ways:
1.1. The project works with the Corps of Engineers, Royal Thai Army to prepare three biomass agriculture demonstration plots on a 40 rai area. This process needs water from the Ratchaburi Power Plant, which the Corps Engineers would use for a rice field. All crops will be harvested and kept for use by the military.
1.2. Wetlands: The wetland is developed as a preserve for aquatic animals and birds. Moreover, it would be used as an educational area for the study of the natural environment by youth.
1.3. Community Forest: This is a means of forest conservation, which aims to increase green areas for the power plant and nearby communities. The community forest can be a source of oxygen, which reduces carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
1.4. The Utilization Building: It is used for activity spaces. [this reference is not clear]
The Reduction of Waste Water by Natural Practices with a 350 rai area project can minimize waste waster released to Bang Pa canal by 185 cubic meters per hour.
2. Extension of Automatic Plant Water System in Power Plant
Due to the large area of 2,000 rai used by the Ratchaburi Power Plant with many areas are not being used in the electricity generating process, Ratchaburi Electricity Generating Co., Ltd. has a policy in developing its free zones to be green fields, which can serve as carbon dioxide absorbers reducing green house effects and also improving the scenery around its power plant. This is done by using waste water from the second water reservoir treated to a standard level for watering plants around the power plant. This project can reduce waste water discharge into Bang Pa canal by 265 cubic meters per hour.
3. Waste Water Quality Improvement by Reverse Osmosis Technology
Ratchaburi Electricity Generating Co., Ltd. has committed to water utilization and conversation by allocating a budget of over 200 million baht for waste water quality improvement systems using Reverse Osmosis Technology. This is the method of treating waste water from the first water reservoir to a standard level in order for reprocessing in electricity generation. The waste water treated by reverse osmosis technology can reduce waste water released to the Bang Pa Canal by 139 cubic meters per hour.
Noise
Noise from electricity generation mainly comes from the steam boiler, gas turbine power generator and vehicles in the plant. Ratchaburi Power Plant therefore sets noise control measures as follows:
Stopping all activities that may create noise and could irritate nearby communities at night in order not to annoy people living near the power plant. The maximum noise level must not exceed 85 decibel within a one meter distance from the source of noise, according to the industrial plant noise standard.
Use noise control equipment within the power plant while electricity generation is taking place. To lower the noise volume and keep it within the required level, noise prevention equipment is installed around machinery and equipment that produces noise louder than 85 decibels. This includes:
- Installing silencers at the Soot Blower Blow Down tank, in the area where release valves are located, and at the Ban Tha Rab water pumping station.
- Using mobile silencers when cleaning pipes in the steam turbine to prepare for electricity generation
- Building a room to cover the combustion room of the generator to reduce noise leakage
- Building a noise barrier by growing trees around the power plant
Require those who work in the power plant to wear proper noise protection equipment, such as ear protectors, when working in areas where noise levels are higher than 90 decibels, and limit working hours to no more than 8 hours a day.
Regularly monitor noise levels by installing noise monitoring equipment in three areas including the power plant building, and at Baan Sam Ruan and Baan Chao Nua. Noise levels are checked three days in a row every three months.
The Ratchaburi Power Plant has to control noise within the levels that will not affect surrounding communities as specified by the announcement of the National Environment Board. The noise level must also be safe for people working in the power plant, according to the Ministry of Interior announcement.
Waste Management
Categorize garbage and waste by providing specific containers for different types of garbage and waste
- Green containers for food and biodegradable waste as well as recycled waste, which will be collected twice a week by the Baan Rai Sub-district Administration Office
- Red containers for biohazard waste, which will be collected and treated by the Ratchaburi Hospital
- Hazardous waste, oil cake and resin are kept in the hazardous and chemical waste building. They will be transported and destroyed properly in accordance with the methods specified in ISO 14001.
Sludge from the water treatment process will be mixed with soil for landscaping in the power plant area. Gypsum, which is generated from the sulfur dioxide elimination system when bunker oil is used in running the electricity generator, will be moved to the gypsum landfill well, which is laid with HDPE sheet as required by the Ministry of Industry regulations.
Heat
The Ratchaburi Power Plant’s measures to reduce impact from heat are as follows:
• Wrapping power plant equipment whose temperature are higher than 54 degree Celsius with two-layer insulators
• Building a 150-meter smokestack for the Thermal Power Plant and a 35-meter smokestack for the Combined Cycle Power Plant
When measuring temperature in the power plant with dry-bulb and wet-bulb thermometers, the average maximum temperature is 30.2 degree Celsius in the Combined Cycle Electricity Generating Plant Unit 1 while the temperature at the power plant fence is 27.6 degree Celsius on average.
The power plant has also assigned the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) to monitor surface temperature using satellite survallence. This system monitors temperatures reflected from the earth’s surface. The results are displayed in various colors at different temperature levels and are used for studying changes in temperature at the power plant and surrounding areas. Satellite photos are taken in three seasons – winter (taken on 5 December 2003), summer (taken on 11 April 2004) and rainy season (taken on 29 May 2004) by the LANSAT satellite (Band 6) of the GISTDA. The satellite photos show that the temperature at the power plant is slightly higher than the surrounding areas. The color shade displayed at the power plant is approximately 31-32 degree Celsius. The color shades in the surrounding areas, such as agricultural areas and rice fields showed the same level. There is no heat wave from the power plant. Thus, it appears that heat or temperature varies depending on type of land use.
|
