Steam turbine technology is rapidly developing to support a sustainable energy transition in South African industry, says industrial electrical technologies solutions provider WEG.

The company notes that steam turbines provide an opportunity for industries to self-generate more of their own power requirements, often from alternative fuels produced as a by-product of their processes.

According WEG steam turbine manager energy systems Rudolf van Pype the technology offers benefits including energy cost reductions, more stable supply of power and a lower carbon footprint.

One of the company’s turbines will soon be assisting Sappi Saiccor to generate 45 MW of its own electricity, says Van Pype. Its mill at Umkomaas in KwaZulu-Natal is one of the world’s largest producers of dissolving pulp for viscose staple fibre, used mainly in the production of textiles but also in other household, industrial and pharmaceutical applications. Gas produced from this process represents a fuel source which generates steam for electricity production.

Steam turbine technology is also becoming increasingly versatile and is able to accommodate the specific requirements of facilities, he explains. At the Sappi Saiccor mill, for instance, there is the need to have 15 different load points served by the turbine, where in the past it was usual to have just two or three load points.

“It is now possible to provide many more load points – each one with its own inlet steam flow conditions,” he says. “The steam turbine design can cater for a steam flow range that varies considerably. For the new unit at Sappi Saiccor, this range will be from 75 t/h to 300 t/h.”

WEG notes that it has supplied a number of units of this turbine model to customers in Brazil, where its factory will also design and manufacture the new unit bound for South Africa. WEG will conduct the installation, commissioning and ongoing maintenance of the solution. The Sappi Saiccor mill will also use a 50 MVA 11 kV WEG alternator, which will be coupled to the steam turbine.

Van Pype highlights that there is significant interest in steam turbine technology among South African companies who produce steam as part of their industrial processes – especially those who have alternative fuel sources.