Starting with the initial synchronization, the 460 MW power block in Lagisza Power Plant has been in operation for 2,600 hours. First operation experiences fully confirm the achievement of design parameters including high efficiency exceeding 45%.

Sox and NOx emissions more than meet The European Union standards i.e. they are well below 200 mg/Nm3. up to the present day, there have been no problems with the fluidized bed or the combustion process in the boiler chamber although it is the first unit of this type in the world – the circulating fluidized-bed boiler with supercritical parameters. There are no problem with maintaining the temperatures and pressures as well as the efficiency of the units. The power block is fully regulated, meets the requirements of primary, secondary and tertiary regulation. The block reaches the nominal capacity and the minimum capacity without the use of the ignition oil with great ease.

The power unit enjoys great popularity both in Poland and abroad. Numerous visits of experts from around the world confirm this fact. As in case of the majority of newly-constructed power units as far as their initial operation period is concerned also Lagisza power unit experienced small engineering difficulties. The unit shutdown which started in the second half of August was used, among others, to remove the existing problems related to leakage on the HP turbine part and in the area of valves shutting off MP turbine parts. There was a team set up to analyze the reasons of the failures. Based on the operation experiences, small yet necessary modifications are introduced as in case of additional installation built to blow off the coal overhangs in the containers. The boiler pipeline suspension systems are additionally regulated. The team is also analyzing the causes of small leakages in the turbine part. Depending on the analysis outcome, appropriate decisions will be made regarding the scope of necessary works and inspections to be carried out.

Waldemar Ostrowski