Optimised maintenance plan delivers 750,000 SEK in annual savings and empowers operators in process optimisation

Söderenergi is a Swedish energy company that produces and supplies district heating and electricity to the Stockholm region. Owned by local municipalities, the company’s mission is to provide residents and businesses with reliable, cost-effective, and sustainably produced energy. As responsibility is an integral part of the company’s strategy, Söderenergi chose IndMeas as its partner to identify concrete development opportunities within its production processes.

At the start of the collaboration at the Igelsta CHP plant (IKV) in Södertälje, several challenges and areas for development were mapped out. One primary challenge was that the steam soot blowing of heat transfer surfaces (superheaters, economisers, air preheaters, and empty passes) was performed at fixed intervals, regardless of the actual degree of fouling. This led to both “over-sooting”, causing unnecessary steam consumption and wear on the economiser and superheaters, and “under-sooting,” which resulted in degraded heat transfer efficiency.

Through HeatHummingbird’s DSA user interface, operators can now select the optimal timing and intervals for soot blowing each individual heat transfer surface. The system accounts for separately calculated heat transfer capacities as well as current electricity prices. This needs-based soot blowing generates annual savings of approximately 750,000 SEK through reduced steam consumption and lower maintenance costs. Furthermore, the increased knowledge and insight have empowered operators to optimise processes independently as part of their daily routines.