At the Skeldon Sugar Modernization Project (SSMP) the boilers and the turbo-alternators, the key components in the co-generation aspect of the project, have now been synchronized with the diesel generators.
However, tests on the steam and power plants at higher loads and for extended periods under automatic control still remain to be carried out, a press release from GuySuCo stated.
Meantime, the steam and power plant commissioning is making progress as tests conducted on the boilers and turbo alternators under load conditions have been successfully completed.
And the bagasse conveying system between the boilers and the short-term bagasse storage area was also tested using bagasse from the existing Skeldon factory.
But the sugar processing plant could not be tested as an operating unit until the actual processing begins, the release said, although most of the electric motor drives have been test run and the steam and water circuits are in the process of being tested.
The Distributed Control System (DCS) has not been fully installed and much of the ongoing work during the coming weeks will be to complete the set-up and then check all of the control system functions.
This will be followed by a series of rigorous Site Acceptance Tests (SATs) to demonstrate the functionality of the system.
Meanwhile, all major plant and equipment have now been installed and internal roads are being constructed. The site is undergoing a general cleanup and landscaping activities are underway in preparation for the commissioning activities.
Operational familiarization and training continues with the staff who have been assigned to the new factory.
It is expected that the old factory will finish crushing first crop canes towards the end of May and the new factory will start commissioning with the second crop canes from August 2, the release concluded.
