Hydro Tech was called to the Dolgeville Generating Station in January 2018 to review the history of seal failures that occurred from 1987 through 2017. The objective was to see if there was an engineering solution available to keep seals functioning for a reasonable time frame before needing to be replaced.
This paper outlines the process of improving a turbine shaft water seal to offer a solution that has eluded power plant owners for decades. Lignum Vitae proved to be a tough and reliable selection to solve marginal lubrication problems in horizontal Kaplan water turbines.