I have it on reliable authority that there was an internal hydrogen explosion within the 800 MW generator of #Eskom #Medupi Unit 4, the ends of the generator have been blow off, the generator is destroyed, and it will have to be replaced. This is a massive setback.
The incident occurred during the activity to displace hydrogen with carbon dioxide and air respectively, for the purposes of finding an external leak.
The preliminary investigation indicates that while performing this activity air was introduced into the generator at a point where hydrogen was still present in the generator at sufficient quantities to create an explosive mixture, which ignited and resulted in the explosion.
It appears there was a deviation from the procedure for carrying out this activity. As such Eskom has undertaken to place those employees who were responsible to manage and execute this work under precautionary suspension pending the conclusion of the Major Event Investigation.
This is a great, easy-to-read and understand article which explains why typically all large generators around the world above about 50 MW are cooled using hydrogen gas. The generators at #Eskom #Medupi are 800 MW each.
bit.ly/3fMlGNS
bit.ly/3fMlGNS
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