ASME-HAWAII SECTION 2005 OUTSTANDING PROJECT AWARD

In its tenth year, the Hawaii Section of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) 2005 Outstanding Project Award goes to the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative (KUIC) Kapaia Power Station. ASME-HI members visited the plant on September 25, 2004 and will attest that this project deserves recognition for its outstanding mechanical engineering contributions to Hawaii.

The Kapaia Power Station facility is a 27.5 MW Steam-injected Gas Turbine power plant located on the island of Kauai, beneath the majestic slopes of Mt. Waialeale. Its output makes it the largest single generating unit on the island.

The plant produces clean, efficient power for KIUC, and operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with limited shut downs for maintenance. At the heart of the plant is a General Electric LM 2500 STIG Gas Turbine Package burning naphtha fuel. Approximately 70,000 pounds per hour of steam is produced using the hot exhaust gas via a Once-Through Steam Generator (OTSG) manufactured by Innovative Steam Technologies of Canada. The OTSG is a drumless vertical steam generator, which allows for quick start-ups, dry running capability, no circulation pumps, less instrumentation and simpler controls. However, it requires more stringent feedwater quality and the initial purchase price can be higher because of the use of Inconel materials.

The station uses the best available control technology, providing Kauai with the cleanest emissions of any fossil-fueled generating plant on the island.

Low emissions are achieved by a combination of steam injected into the gas turbine fuel nozzles and ammonia injected into the exhaust via a catalyst similar to the one found in today’s cars. Higher efficiencies are achieved by injecting the remaining steam into the combustor of the gas turbine, providing a 25% increase in MW output without any additional fuel burned. The combination of these two important features propels Kauai into the 21^st century of electrical power generation.

Situated only a mile from residential areas, Kapaia Power Station was designed to have an aesthetically pleasing profile. By minimizing structure heights and using a strict color scheme, the plant attempts to blend into the natural surroundings. In addition, noise reduction technology has been used to minimize impact on neighbors.

On September 25, 2004 Brad W. Rockwell, Kapaia Power Station Manager and ASME member, gave ASME-HI a personalized tour of his impressive plant. That evening ASME-HI had a general membership meeting with the Kauai members, including Rockwell and Earl Smith.

ASME-HI Section presents this annual award to projects or designs relating to mechanical engineering within the Hawaii Section area. The Hawaii Section covers a large Pacific area, which includes Hawaii, Guam, and American Samoa. A panel of independent judges selects the annual awardees based on which project or design provides the greatest benefits to owner and customer in economics, social, and environmental aspects and shows outstanding use of mechanical engineering principles.

Deadline for nominations is April 30. The nomination process is made very simple so that the busy engineers and executives are not overburdened with additional tasks in their already overwhelming workloads. Everyone is welcome and is strongly encouraged to submit an entry. You do not have to be a mechanical engineer. The awardee receives an attractive plaque to proudly display on their office wall. Contact Ed Chang at 543-4227 for more information.