Several new sections of ductwork had to be installed to complete the gas path.  Careful planning and execution of the numerous heavy lifts allowed for the work to be completed safely and efficiently. The final tie-in of the DFGD system was completed in October as part of the
Fall Outage for Unit 1.   The tripartite approach with input and interaction between the owner, contractor and union labor was essential in the overall success of this project.

Construction continues on the DFGD system for Unit 2 at the complex.

The Belleville, Illinois Labor and Industry Museum had a unique problem. Their Harrison Machine Works twelve horsepower steam engine tractor that was originally built in 1895 and nicknamed “Jumbo” was out of commission due to needed repairs to the firebox section of the boiler. They had pursued other avenues to get the repairs made, but these organizations were either unwilling to assist or too costly. Then “Jumbo’s Keepers” got in touch with Local 363 Business Manager, Rick Eller. Rick was able to pull together a team, at no cost to the museum, to make the repairs a reality. The work consisted of cutting out an exterior section of deteriorated firebox plate where a damaged staybolt had been located and installing a new section of plate and a new staybolt. With members of “Jumbo’s Keepers” looking on and providing insight, the repairs were made by employing both modern cutting and welding techniques and historical hammer peening methods, making the work educational as well. Local 363 provided the shop area, tools and labor. PMC performed the quality control functions, provided the materials and arranged for ARISE to provide the inspection services that were required by the state in order for “Jumbo” to be operated in public. So if you are ever at a parade or festival in Southern Illinois, you may be able to see a real piece of American history in operation due to the efforts of Boilermakers Local 363, PMC and ARISE.

Pictured from Left to Right are: Darryl Peetz with ARISE; Jack Richards & Jeremy McKinney with PMC; Jason McKinley, Cory Blair & Dustin Wyatt with Local 363.

The DFGD system, which is part of Dynegy’s Consent Decree program with the federal government to install and operate pollution control equipment, takes the flue gas stream that had previously been sent to the chimney and diverts the stream through a scrubber and baghouse system to remove sulfur dioxide (SO2), the primary component in the formation of acid rain. 

The back-end of the unit’s precipitator had to be rebuilt and several new sections of ductwork installed to complete the gas path.  Careful planning and execution of the numerous heavy lifts allowed for the work to be completed safely and efficiently.  The final tie-in of the DFGD system was completed in late May as part of the Spring Outage for Unit 3. The tripartite approach with input and interaction between the owner, contractor and union labor was essential in the overall success of this project. 

Construction continues on the DFGD systems for Units 1 and 2 at the complex.