Challenge

Xcel Energy is a leading provider of electricity and natural gas to customers in the Midwestern US.  As part of their expansion plans for the Comanche Station, a coal-fired electric generating station located in Pueblo, CO, Xcel Energy contacted Siemens Water Technologies to explore cost effective solutions for their water treatment needs.  

To maximize plant efficiency, the plant chose deep-bed ion exchange resin-based condensate polishers. This design typically requires a capital intensive resin regeneration station, chemical storage/handling, waste neutralization/disposal and plant labor.

Solution

Siemens provided Xcel Energy with a service-based option to regenerate their condensate polisher resin off-site at a regionally located Siemens' regeneration facility.  Off-site regeneration services provide Xcel Energy with several cost benefits when compared to on-site regeneration, including preservation of capital by eliminating the need for a regeneration/neutralization system, elimination of fluctuating costs associated with chemical and waste handling, and optimization of manpower by keeping staff focused on Xcel’s core business.

In 2009, the company initiated a 5-year service agreement with Siemens to provide turnkey resin removal/replacement, resin analysis and regeneration services.

Results

Xcel Energy preserved capital by implementing a service-based solution for handling their condensate polisher resin regeneration needs.  Use of off-site regeneration services improves manpower utilization as well as site and personnel safety by eliminating the need for chemical storage and waste handling.

Siemens local service technicians provide on-site supervision for the removal of spent resin and replacement with freshly regenerated resin in a safe and compliant manner. A spare charge of resin is maintained off site to reduce turn around time and to provide a safety net against emergency upsets.  Additionally, Siemens provides prompt resin analysis services that help determine the best regeneration processes to ensure that Xcel Energy receives consistent, reliable, and guaranteed resin performance.

Download the full case study