Södra Cell

Södra Cell selected Elcoline’s Turbine and Generator Services (TGS) to rewind the generator rotors and stators of two radial steam turbines as part of a lifetime extension project at its power plant in the Mörrum pulp mill in Sweden.

Södra Cell, one of the world’s leading producers of market pulp, launched a programme to extend the operational lifetime of the Mörrum power plant by at least 15 years. After evaluating multiple alternatives, the company determined that investing in and upgrading the existing facility would deliver the best long-term value. As part of this initiative, the turbines and generators required refurbishment and technical upgrades.

The plant operates radial turbo-sets, where a single turbine is connected to two generators. These radial steam turbines are no longer manufactured, and due to their specialised design, replacing them with new turbine-generator units would have been complex. From both economic and sustainability perspectives, refurbishing the existing turbine and generator equipment is a highly beneficial solution. The equipment is known for its reliability and suitability in pulp and paper mill operations, where process steam extraction is essential.

Elcoline – TGS has extensive experience with this type of equipment and was selected to perform the rewinding of two generator rotors and stators.

“The fact that TGS had previously dealt with this equipment was important. They are local and have the required engineering competence to perform this type of maintenance work here in Sweden. Based on our experience from previous collaboration, we felt that Elcoline – TGS was the natural partner.”

Ulf Wilhelmsson, Södra Cell.

The generators were dismantled on site, and the rewinding work was carried out at Elcoline’s generator workshop in Västerås, Sweden. The project preparation phase included the design of new stator windings and procurement of required materials.

“The ability to do calculations on the generator’s electromagnetic side is the key here. When you work on an older machine, the calculations must be replicated because the exact same materials are no longer available. So, we must update the design and calculate the complete generator according to today’s material and requirements”

Senior Product Manager Gabor Csaba from Elcoline – TGS.

Following the rewinding process, the generators are expected to operate reliably for many additional years, supporting the extended lifetime of the power plant.

“Elcoline TGS has invested in the generator workshop and facility in Sweden because we think it is important that we can offer this type of competence locally in the Nordics. Checking and refurbishing or replacing parts is important, but the main thing is the rewind. When the rewind is done properly, the stators and rotors will be more or less like new.”

Senior Sales Manager Jonas Holmgren from Elcoline – TGS.