NETL's AVESTAR® Combined Cycle Simulator Training Delivered to Brazil's Petrobras

NETL’s AVESTAR Center partners, Fossil Consulting Services (FCS) and Invensys Operations Management (IOM), provided comprehensive combined cycle training to ten experienced operators from the Brazilian integrated multinational energy company, Petrobras.  FCS and IOM used AVESTAR’s high-fidelity combined cycle dynamic simulator to deliver the eight-day inaugural course at IOM’s offices in Sao Paulo, Brazil. 

Experiential learning scenarios covered the fundamentals and operation of all major combined cycle systems, including gas and steam turbines; condensate, feed water, and circulating water systems; heat recovery steam generator; and sulfur recovery unit.  Base-load plant operations were emphasized along with startup from cold metal to full load.  After the startup, trainees were given time to practice areas of operation that had presented difficulty individually or as a group.  The trainees also performed a normal plant shutdown to hot boiler condition in preparation for a subsequent startup.  

After the shutdown operation training, the class participated in a full day of plant malfunction training consisting of plant upsets, control problems, equipment failures, and other problems typically experienced while operating a power plant both at full load and upon startup and load maneuvering. Each operator also worked individually with the instructors to address areas where they had additional questions on the control and operation of the combined cycle plant. 

Additional information on NETL’s AVESTAR Center and its combined cycle dynamic simulator can be found at www.netl.doe.gov/avestar. 

NETL News Release: DOE Simulator Training to Brazil's Petrobas Advances Goal of Deploying Clean Coal Technology at Home and Abroad Project (September 25, 2012)