Page 467 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (III)_Neat

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ELECTRICITY AND STATE ENGINEER'S DEPARTMENT

(Report from Group Captain H. P. G. Leigh, State Engineer.)
Electricity Department.—Continuity of electricity supply was maintained until 15th August,
*947 despite the fact that there was a negligible margin of safety during the hot weather months
between the average peak load and the total output of the generating plant. The increased demand
over the previous year was 21 kW.
On 15th August, 1947 whilst running on a comparatively light load the engine of No. 3—200
kW generating set suffered a major breakdown owing to breakage of the crank shaft. There was no
apparent reason for the breakdown and it is thought that it was the result of either an inherent fracture
or fatigue. This engine had been in service for approximately 10J years.
The consequent loss of 200 kW was partially met by the temporary supply of 100 kW from
the R.A.F. Station in Muharraq which was fed back to Manamah at 3,300 volts on the Government
High Tension Distribution Line which runs from Manamah to the R.A.F. Station and Muharraq.
Owing to the overloading of the R.A.F. supply which was often in excess of the 100 kW catered
for, it was necessary for the R.A.F. temporarily to shut down on several occasions for periods up to
four hours.
A new 300 kW Mirrlees-Metrovick set which had been on order since February, 1946 was
received on August 10th, 1947 at Manamah pier and was finally transported to the Power House on
August 14th.
The construction of the engine foundation bed and platform for water and fuel tanks had
previously been completed, and erection of the engine commenced on August 15th. This was finally
completed on 16th November and the engine was turned by Air on 17th November. Owing to the
delay in obtaining the generator panel and switchgear the set was run for a period of 5 hours and 25
minutes on the following five consecutive days on " NO LOAD ”, and on 6th January, 1948, it was
first run on '* LOAD ” for a period of 5 hours. After a further period of 22 hours 25 minutes running
on four consecutive days it was finally brought into full service on January nth and is now running
daily singly or in parallel with the other three generators.
The erection of the plant was carried out entirely by mechanics of the State Engineer’s Depart­
ment without any outside help and was supervised by the State Engineer.
A further set of 300 kW rated capacity is due to arrive early in March and preparations for its
installation are in hand. It is not certain whether this will be available for service during the hot
weather months owing to the reported delay in manufacture of the switchgear.
Insufficiency of generating capacity in the past has had a marked bearing on the low standard
of efficiency of the old generating plant. There has been no reserve capacity and in consequence
insufficient time has been allotted to maintenance which is of primary importance. This also has
caused newly installed plant to be run for excessive periods in order to maintain a constant supply
of power. For example, a new set of 206 kW rated capacity has run every day without exception
since it was brought into service on 17th April, 1946. In a period of 18 months its running hours
were 7,764. It is a high speed type of engine and therefore should not be subjected to unnecessary
fatigue which in turn produces excessive wear of moving parts. This engine now requires a complete
overhaul and the replacement of all pistons, liners, etc., to enable it to be fit for service during the hot
weather months of 1367 (1948). The necessary spare parts have been ordered but have not yet been
received from the manufacturers.
An additional “ STREAMLINE ** oil filter has been installed and is in service. The oil filtra­
tion plant is now capable of dealing with all lubricating oil which has been drained from the engines
after becoming too dirty to remain serviceable and of rendering it fit for further use. The total
quantity of oil filtered and returned to serviceable storage during the year was 14,110 gallons
representing a cash value saving of Rs. 49*3^5*