Document 3NvkBKj7gOzpanB7wyy8dVXME

Saudi Arabia's royal power plant operc I he so-called open-air design of power generating plant, often used in favorable climates, came in for un expected use in Saudi Arabia, accord ing to a story brought back by repre sentatives of Enterprise Engine & Machinery Co., and Michael Baker, Jr., Inc., consulting engineers. When Baker's construction of the Nasrieh power plant in Riyadh was unavoid ably slowed for nearly a year, two Enterprise diesels, equipped with Elliott turbochargers and generators, went to work on schedule, right out in the open. Here are some details ofa power plant that is somewhat differ ent from those of Stateside standards. The plant was built especially to provide power for Nasrieh Palace, occupied by Saud Ibn AM AI-Aziz. then crown prince and now king of Saudi Arabia. Two units were in volved, lx>th Enterprise DSQ-318\s rated 1560 blip at 360 rpm, equipped with Elliott turbochargers, and driv ing Elliott 1 375-kva alternating- current generators equipped with 20kw belt-driven exciters. They were scheduled to go into operation six months apart, December 1952 and June 1953. Meeting the engine in-service dates proved to be the easiest part of the job. Unit No. 1, for example, stood completely in the open for three months during assembly and connec tion of auxiliary equipment. And it operated in much that same situation for a full five months afterward, with only a roof provided. Total enclosure wasn't possible for another four months, making a whole year that the unit operated as Saudi Arabia's first open-air generating plant. The biggest hazard during this time was the characteristic wind storms, or`'shamals", ofArabia. With these winds, the fine desert sands in vaded every opening, corner, and pocket, requiring cunstant cleanup of all equipment. To the credit of everyone con cerned, the American-made di< generators and their auxiliary eq ment came through with flying col When inspected after 5500 hr ofo ation at 90 to 110 percent load, first unit showed negligible cylii liner wear, and about 0.002 in. v off the top piston ring. Despite hot Arabian weather, there was trouble in maintaining engine-o ating temperatures within requ limits. As finally completed, the Xas plant building structure has tl main sections--an engine roon three bays each 25 by 75 ft, (a tl generator set will eventually In stalled), switchgear bay measu 9 x 55 ft, and a storage shop. 75 : ft. The framing Is reinforced conci with a concrete roof. Walls are ti in with native stone cut on the Representing the Saudi Aral government, John Hungerbuhle Swiss, is chief engineer of the r< power station. Michael Baker. 16 POWER!AX. SUMMER