CEMS UMBILICAL REPLACEMENT IN HRSG STACKS

Two 164’ steel HRSG stacks needed to have their CEMS umbilical lines replaced. Industrial Access mobilized to remove the existing umbilical cable systems and install new ones. Maintaining functional CEMS components is necessary to ensure uninterrupted performance of the stack emissions monitoring system in order to adhere to regulatory requirements.

A power generation facility in the Midwest operates two 164’-tall steel HRSG stacks that needed their umbilical lines replaced. Umbilical lines are part of the CEMS – a system that monitors emissions and pollutants emitted from a smokestack. Industrial facilities are required to perform emissions monitoring to ensure compliance with federal regulations that maintain air pollutant concentrations at safe levels. The umbilical cable is made of pneumatic tubes and electrical wires, and it is responsible for delivering gas samples from the stack to the CEMS building and its sample analyzers.

The technicians at Industrial Access (IA) are highly trained in rope access rigging to deliver services at maximized efficiency and safety. To perform this work, experienced technicians utilized rope access techniques to safely approach the full height of the stack exterior and its umbilical line to detach, remove and replace the cable. The crew used the existing personnel platforms to assist with cable removal and lifting the new line in place.

IA’s crew mobilized and rigged up to one of the stacks first to remove the steel covers of its umbilical lines. The umbilical system hardware was disconnected, the cables were cut into parts and removed, and the steel brackets housing the cables were cleaned. The crew strategically rigged the new umbilical line to be able to lift it up the stack in segments to prevent any potential damage to the cable. The cables were put and secured into place, and the covers were installed. The same service was performed to the second stack as well. The remaining cables were routed into the CEMS building to enable the facility to complete the CEMS system installation.

The work was completed successfully and on time, returning the facility’s CEMS system to operation. A properly functioning umbilical is crucial for effective and accurate performance of the CEM system. In order to effectively maintain a fully-functioning facility operation, it is important to perform regular inspections of smokestacks and their systems. Industrial Access offers the necessary qualifications and experience to safely and efficiently perform condition assessment, installation, demolition and repair services to any stack components.