Solar Turbines

Mechanical Construction & Custom Fabrication Services

VALUE DELIVERED

Decreased industrial odor and increased environmental conservation.

CONSTRUCTION SCOPE OF WORK

Throughout the construction services project, UMEC coordinated its activities to ensure continuous client operation with minimal downtime.

FACILITY BACKGROUND

Solar Turbines is a world leader in designing, manufacturing, and servicing industrial gas turbine power system solutions. These solutions, many of which Solar develops and tests at its Kearny Mesa facility, play an important role in oil, natural gas, and power generation projects around the world.

CONSTRUCTION OBJECTIVES

To divert smoky exhaust emitted during liquid fuel turbine engine testing to two thermal oxidizers, where temperatures between 1,700 and 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit completely burn the fuel and hydrocarbon residue that produces noxious odors during the testing process.

MECHANICAL & FABRICATION SOLUTIONS

UMEC’s mechanical construction solution, which relied heavily upon the company's shop custom fabrication capabilities, required installing a complex system of ductwork, expansion joints, diverter valves, and controls at two locations in Solar's manufacturing facility. UMEC's shop crews rolled 11-gauge 304SS (stainless steel) material into 70-inch diameter spools. The company then welded custom-rolled 70-inch diameter 304SS flanges to each end of the spools, creating individual spool pieces that tie into Solar's existing equipment. UMEC also connected two 40,000-pound oxidizer stacks and burner skids to the fabricated ductwork.