BRINE TANK LOAD TEST

CIRCULATING CURRENTS (cont) - TM-55-1930-209-14P-9-4_165

TM-55-1930-209-14P-9-4 Water Purification Barges (NSN 1930-01-234-2165) Electric Power System Manual
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BRINE TANK LOAD TEST TESTING AND ADJUSTING SUBJECT: Brine Tank Load Test BUSINESS: Building Services, Material Handling PRODUCT: Generator Sets BRINE TANK LOAD TEST The most popular and inexpensive method used to check generator set power output is the brine tank load test. This simple test uses a salt water solution for a resistive load between the terminals of a generator. The equipment required is relatively easy to acquire and assemble. EQUIPMENT REQUIRED Tank -- Preferable circular because electrodes should be equidistant from each other and the walls of the tank. It should be 3 to 5 feet (O.9- 1.5m) deep with at least 2.5 gallons (9.4L) per kW capacity. A galvanized steel stock tank works well. Electrodes -- 1/8" to 1/4" (3 to 6mm) thick sheet steel with surface area of 1.5 square inches (10cm2) per kW. The electrodes should be fitted into slotted wooden or steel frames that will hold them stationary in turbulent water. Insulation is required between each of the electrodes and between the electrodes and the frames to prevent an electrical short. The electrodes must be positioned equidistant from each other and the tank walls so that each generator phase has the same line current. Salt -- About 0.1 pounds (45g) of very fine salt per gallon. Electrical Meters -- Portable tong ammeter and voltmeter to check current and voltage in each phase. (Use generator control panel if possible). Miscellaneous -- Lumber or steel for overhead framework and electrode frames. Sufficient cord or cable and pulleys to control electrodes. Rubber or plastic hose to run make-up water to tank and to direct overflow away from tank. OPERATING PROCEDURES Set up apparatus similar to example pictures. Raise the electrodes out of the water. Start the generator set and run it at high idle until it is warm. Close the circuit breaker. Slowly lower the electrodes into the water making sure each causes the same line current on each phase. Operate the unit at one-half load for thirty minutes. This will warm up the unit and permit current flow to aid in dissolving the salt. If the line current does not approach 0.8 of rated full load current when all electrodes are fully submerged, add salt to lessen the resistance of the water. The salt should be added slowly to allow time for complete dissolving. Watch the ammeter to ensure readings do not pass maximum allowable. (If the water is cool when the salt is added, the salt may dissolve suddenly when the water begins to boil. This will cause a rapid increase of line current). Additional water should be added to replace evaporation loss. Brine tank load will remain reasonably constant if the water level is maintained, and the water does not boil. If the liquid is boiling or flashing into steam around the electrodes, the load will not be stable. Severe steam flashing around the electrodes can cause governor reactions that may appear to be governor "hunting." The best results are always obtained with minimum liquid conductivity (lowest 126

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