The Challenge: Supply Chain Constraints & Tightening Outage Windows
In today’s energy landscape, regional capacity shortfalls are creating more restrictive outage durations. At the same time, supply chain constraints continue to challenge the availability of critical components. Lastly, manufacturing and repair shop capacity is nearing full utilization due to high demand. For power generators, this means that every minute of downtime matters and every part must be ready when needed.
That’s why MD&A is helping customers take a proactive approach to parts inventory planning.
The Solution: Increase Inventory Ahead of Planned Outages
By building up inventory of critical spares before outages begin, this enables faster turnaround, reduced risk, and keeping your outage on track.
Here’s a breakdown of the key components we’re helping customers stock in advance:
'Drop-in' valve assemblies
Our Drop-in Valve Solution combines the valve wear parts into a pre-assembled set and allows you to replace them more quickly. This moves the detailed shop inspection and repair work for individual valve parts off the outage critical path. The Drop-in set that is removed is inspected/repaired/replaced at the shop and prepared for the next outage.
D-11 Upgraded valve components
D-11 Upgraded valve components, such as our MD&A developed MSV Nickel Cladded Stem and Hardened Seat Upgrade can reduce erosion rates & prevent steam leakage. With proven results reducing stem erosion by 80%, these components offer direct interchangeability with existing parts and enable extended maintenance intervals.
Stellite-lined Bushing Upgrades
Stellite-lined Bushing upgrades can help reduce oxide formation/ stem binding, minimize wear while maintaining stem-to-bushing clearances, and support extended maintenance intervals.
Patented Triplet Type MSV upgrade
Patented Triplet Type MSV upgrade provides an effective counter-measure to solid particle erosion experienced on conventional valve designs. One advantage of the Triplet Type Bypass Main Stop Valve includes significantly reduced erosion on the valve stem and skirt. Consequently, valve maintenance is reduced. This design can be applied in both sub and super-critical applications.
Long Blades
Our Continuous Cover Blades (CCB) are constructed using a mono-block blade structure that leaves fewer locations for corrosive deposits and is less susceptible to stress corrosion cracking. Also ask about our 34.5” LSB direct replacement option.
Packing and Spill Strips
Packing and Spill Strips can be manufactured in advance of your outage to reduce the critical path. We stock a large variety of raw materials, and sizes, to serve our customer base. Our extensive technical library provides us with the ability to manufacture to OEM specifications and tolerances or make experience driven recommendations.
Stator Rewind and Punching Kits
7A6 & 7FH2 generator stator rewind and punching kits, along with generator exchange fields – both new & refurbished fields. These in-stock components ready to go will shorten your outage duration and keep your equipment running.
Turning Gear Components
Turning gear components often have long lead times, so it’s best to order them well in advance to ensure they’re on hand and ready when needed, rather than waiting during your outage.
Flow Parts
Also stock all your Flow Parts: Valve components, Shell & casing hardware (including Inco/Refractalloy components), Snout rings and bell seals, and new bearings and oil deflectors.
The Impact: Shorter Durations, Longer Intervals, Less Risk
Strategic inventory planning isn’t just about having parts on hand. It’s about reducing schedule risks, extending outage intervals, and addressing known reliability issues before they become problems.
MD&A’s approach ensures that your team is prepared, your equipment is supported, and your outage strategy is optimized.
Ready to Plan Smarter?
Let’s talk about how MD&A can help you build a smarter inventory strategy for your next outage. Contact us today or explore our full range of outage support services. Call us at 518-885-3199.
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