Linear and Rotary Electric Actuators for Power Plants in North America

With proven experience, RACO has the actuator solutions

For over 60 years, RACO Electric Actuators, both linear and rotary, have been used in power plants worldwide for a wide range of applications. These include controlling the flow of steam, water, and flue gas, controlling a facility’s bulk material handling, as well as for adjusting equipment like solar panels and wind turbine blades. They are critical for optimizing plant efficiency, managing emissions in conjunction with dampers, valves, and scrubbers, and ensuring safety in both traditional and renewable power generation. Key applications include controlling valves for steam and water, adjusting turbine exhaust, Heat Recovery Steam Generator systems (HRGS), managing emissions, and supporting renewable energy sources. 

RACO Actuators in Traditional power plants (Fossil fuel types – Coal/Oil/Gas)

 

 

Renewable Energy Applications for Electric Actuators

Steam and water flow: Electric actuators control valves that regulate the flow of steam for turbines in addition to water for cooling and feed water systems.

Emissions control: With any fossil fuel power plant, actuators are needed in pollution control systems, such as those for flue gas cleaning, to manage emissions and optimize performance. Scrubber Systems only work as good as the damper and valve actuators feeding them.

Turbine systems: Actuators play a role in controlling primary and secondary dampers and valves in turbine exhaust and Heat Recovery Steam Generator Systems, which are vital for the efficiency and safety of gas-fired power plants.

Combined Heat and Power (CHP): Actuators help to control processes from the fuel supply and steam systems to the district heating connection. Again, dampers and valves require precise control from actuators.

RACO in Nuclear Energy Power Plants:

In a category of their own, Nuclear Power Plants are costly to build and put on-line. There can be hundreds of actuators on valves and dampers in a single Nuclear Plant. Electric Actuator applications vary from moving large blast doors to large coolant valve control, to damper control and redundant safety systems. Actuators must be able to operate in a radioactive environment, in temperatures up to 500 degrees F, and handle the operational stress under these conditions while having an operational life expectancy of 40 years. RACO has been supplying actuators into these facilities for many years.

RACO Electric Actuators: Application Features and Solid Solutions:

Flow control: Electric actuators precisely adjust valves to regulate the flow of water and gases within the scrubber to maintain optimal performance and meet emissions targets.

Valve operation: They are used to operate and control various valves, including isolation and modulating control valves, throughout the scrubber system.

Damper control: Actuators control dampers to manage gas flow, which is critical for balancing pressure and ensuring proper operation of the entire system.

Emergency shutdown: They can be integrated with safety systems to quickly move into a safe position during an emergency, ensuring rapid response. 

Key advantages of RACO electric actuators

They provide accurate, repeatable positioning and can be controlled remotely, offering advantages for modulating control applications.  Unlike hydraulic or pneumatic systems, electric actuators eliminate the risk of leaks, preventing fluid contamination and associated cleanup. RACO Actuators generally require less maintenance than other types of actuators, as there are no fluids to replace, no piping or hoses. Many are designed for long-term, permanent lubrication.  RACO actuators are energy efficient, only using electricity when operating. Some designs, like those using servomotors, are highly efficient, providing high torque and speed without high power requirements. RACO Actuators are able to operate reliably in nasty ambient environments. Many are built with heavy-duty enclosures for the motors and suitable rod covers for the environment, along with heavy duty seals to protect against harsh conditions like dust, moisture, and driving rain. 

In summary, RACO Electric Actuators have been in use on most of these power plant applications for decades. The robust construction and the quality of RACO Actuators continually shows up in their operational success and overall reliability.