Sunnyvale, California, 2006 - Aptech Engineering Services, Inc. Develops Cost of Cycling Methodology
Aptech Engineering Services, Inc. has examined, over the last 14 years, the estimated Cost of Cycling for almost 300 power plant units worldwide, helping clients save millions of dollars by reduced cycling damage. Our damage models take into account:
- All types of cycling, including those due to forced outages, cold, warm and hot shutdowns, load changes, and AGC
- Fuel costs
- Costs of operation above or below MCR on the unit
Cycling damage mechanisms leading to increased forced outages, unit derates, capital, and maintenance costs are complex and usually ignored in plant planning, system dispatch, and trading. This technology is very effective in quantifying and implementing the effects of the Cost of Cycling into the operation of power plant units.
Sunnyvale, California, 2006 - Aptech Engineering Services, Inc. Develops an Equipment Life Optimization Program (ELOP)
Aptech Engineering Services, Inc.’s Equipment Life Optimization Program (ELOP) has expanded to 19 generation units located in California, Illinois, Colorado, and Texas. The program includes a database that provides:
A history of critical components of the unit, including failure data, examination data, and typical failure mechanisms
- Recommendations for future examinations
- Inspection plans that minimize the risk of unanticipated future outages at reasonable cost
- Focused low cost initial inspections, with plans for more detailed follow-up if problems are discovered
The technology is very effective in allocating needs based on expected life and utilization of assets.
Sunnyvale, California, 2005 – Aptech Engineering Services, Inc. Relocates to New Corporate Headquarters
Aptech Engineering Services, Inc. is pleased to announce the relocation of our corporate headquarters in Sunnyvale, California on November 28, 2005. Our new street address is
601 West California Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA
94086-4831.
Our mailing address will stay the same (PO Box 3440, Sunnyvale, CA 94088-3440) as well as our main phone number (408/745 7000) and main fax number (408/734-0445).
The new 30,000 square foot facility is double the size of the old corporate headquarters, allowing for both current space needs and future expansion.
Please feel free to check out our new facility if you're in the area. (See Photos of the new Aptech facility)
Sunnyvale, California, 2005 - Aptech Engineering Services, Inc. Receives Patent for Prevention of Slagging and Fouling and SOx Emission Reduction
Aptech Engineering Services, Inc. has received a patent that is intended to accomplish the following:
- Allow more low Sulfur PRB coal to be used reducing emissions nationwide
- Lower SO2 emissions by up to 75% and SO3 emissions by up to 100%, thus minimizing/eliminating the need for scrubbers
- Prevent or greatly reduce slagging and fouling for coal fired boilers
- Reduce capital, operating, and maintenance costs for generating power
- Increase the reliability and efficiency of operating units
- Reduce cost burden to consumers by avoiding much more expensive alternatives
The technology can be used on existing units or designed into new units. Aptech will be seeking a host utility and a suitable partner. (GET PDF)
Please contact Terry Rettig at 408/745-7000 if you are interested in this technology.
Sunnyvale, California, 2004 - Aptech Engineering Services, Inc. Develops a New Type of Electric Power System Dispatch Program (Cycling Advisor)
Aptech Engineering Services, Inc. has developed a new type of dispatch program (Cycling Advisor) that seeks to find the true lowest cost system hourly dispatch by taking into account all major cost factors, including:
- Equipment damage and wear-and-tear rates
- Fuel costs based on variable load heat rates
- NOX and SOX emission costs
- Operational constraints
The technology provides guidance to dispatchers and corporate executives on how to minimize overall production costs accounting for equipment damage costs.
Sunnyvale, California, 2004 – Aptech Engineering Services, Inc. Featured on The History Channel
Aptech Engineering Services, Inc. is featured on The History Channel television show “Modern Marvels – Engineering Disasters.” The show features APTECH and its role in the investigation of the May 4, 1988, blast which destroyed the Pepcon ammonium perchlorate plant located outside of Henderson, Nevada. Two people were killed and several dozen more were injured in the blast. Property losses were estimated to exceed $100 million. This program includes a spectacular video of the explosion as it happened, and how the video was used to reconstruct the events that led up to the blast.
Sunnyvale, California, 2004 – Aptech Engineering Services, Inc. Again Featured on Court TV
Aptech Engineering Services, Inc. is again featured on the Court TV television show “Extreme Evidence”. The segment, entitled “Mystery Blast”, features APTECH and its role in the investigation of the November 21, 1996 blast which destroyed the Humberto Vidal Building in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Thirty-three people were killed and one hundred more were injured in the blast. Property losses were estimated to be $20 million. The program describes how the investigation found that propane had leaked from a gas company pipeline, accumulated in the building’s basement, and eventually exploded.
| Sunnyvale, California, 2003 – Aptech Engineering Services, Inc. Featured on Court TV |
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Aptech Engineering Services, Inc., is featured on the Court TV television show “Extreme Evidence.” The segment, entitled “Desert Disaster,” features APTECH and its role in the investigation of the May 4, 1988, blast which destroyed the Pepcon ammonium perchlorate plant located outside of Henderson, Nevada. Two people were killed and several dozen more were injured in the blast. Property losses were estimated to exceed $100 million. This program includes a spectacular video of the explosion as it happened, and how the video was used to reconstruct the events that led up to the blast.
Sunnyvale, California, 1999 - Aptech Engineering Services, Inc. Develops Cost of Cycling Software for Real Time Monitoring of Operation Costs (COSTCOM)
Aptech Engineering Services, Inc. has developed software incorporating Cost of Cycling information into a plant Digital Control System (DCS) that allows operators to:
- Know the total cost of operation in real time
- Optimize startup, ramp rates, load changes, etc.
- Minimize damage and costs during various types of operation
The technology is designed to be connected to the current plant DCS.
Sunnyvale, California, 1991 - Aptech Engineering Services, Inc. Receives Patent for Extending the Remaining Useful Life of Boiler Tubes (TubeMod)
Aptech Engineering Services, Inc. has received a patent that is intended to accomplish the following:
- Increase the overall life of a superheater or reheater by means of steam flow redistribution through the tubes
- Lower the temperature of the hottest tubes in a superheater or reheater while maintaining the bulk steam temperature
- Prevent forced outages due to tube failures
- Extend the time to, or the need for, replacement of the superheater or reheater
- Increase the reliability and efficiency of operating units
- Reduce cost burden to consumers by avoiding much more expensive alternatives
The technology can be used on existing units or designed into new units. TubeMod is currently installed at 19 power plants.
Please contact Kevin Hara at 408/745-7000 if you are interested in this technology.