The Eskom Research‚ Testing and Development (RT& D) team‚ in collaboration with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) National Laser Centre‚ has developed a mobile laser beam welding system for repairing leaks and cracks in stainless steel water reservoirs.

The power utility said a laser beam welding research facility has been established at the CSIR’s centre to support Eskom’s maintenance programme for dealing with various maintenance challenges on high value equipment such as precision weld repairs on turbine blades. Of particular interest is rebuilding blades with erosion as well as mechanical damage.

Eskom explained: “A large number of turbine blades are scrapped during turbine maintenance and repair projects since the tenons of blades need to be ground down to remove the blades from the turbine rotor. Removed blades cannot be used again as the remaining tenon stub is too short to be riveted a second time. Rebuilding the tenons by welding is a viable and cost economic option to repair the blades for further use and should result in substantial cost savings.”