Saudi Electricity Company is an electric energy company. It enjoys a near monopoly on the generation, transmission and distribution of electric power in Saudi Arabia through 45 power generation plants. In 2019, SEC was ranked by Forbes as the 5th largest company in the Kingdom and the 578th worldwide, with total annual sales of $17.1 billion.
At the power plant site, Mechartes conducted a root cause analysis to address vibration issues affecting equipment, including the mounting structures during fan and motor operation for the air-cooled steam condenser system and the structure of the diverter damper for the gas turbine. These vibrations were causing material failures in the components. Site measurements were conducted to assess vibration levels, which were then used in numerical analyses, including CFD, FEA, and model analysis, to identify the reasons and potential locations of failure.
Based on the analysis, recommendations were provided for reinforcements to mitigate vibrations, supported by detailed justification. The implemented recommendations have successfully resolved the vibration issues, ensuring operational stability at the site without further failures.