Russian plant upgrades power capacity with GE gas engine

The Verhnebakanskiy cement plant in Novorossiysk, Russia, has installed a 12^th Jenbacher J624 gas engine from GE to boost its onsite natural gas power plant. The plant was upgraded to 2.3 million tpa in 2011, at which point the plant installed eleven 4 MW Jenbacher J624 units. The latest capacity upgrade will further aid the company’s efforts to minimise energy costs.

As with the first 11 qualified J624 units, one of GE’s authorised Jenbacher engine distributors in Russia – Max Motors LLC of Sochi – will supply the latest J624 unit for the power plant, which Max Motors designed, built and maintains. The on-site power station uses natural gas provided by a local pipeline.

“When the original on-site power plant began operating in 2011, the project was an important industrial milestone for GE’s J624 gas engine technology,” said Karl Wetzlmayer, general manager—gas engines for GE Power & Water. “By selecting a 12^th J624 unit to help boost production capacity, this expansion represents an important showcase for the long-term reliability and flexibility of our gas engine technology for industrial customers throughout the Russian Federation and around the world.”

GE’s J624 Jenbacher gas engine was introduced in June 2007 as the world’s first 24-cylinder unit. Customer benefits include high power density, low installation and operating costs, low specific fuel consumption and high heat recovery rate. A single J624 unit has the potential to meet the power needs of about 9000 European households.

Adapted from press release by Katherine Gu