The US Bureau of Reclamation has awarded a US$1.4M contract to Hydro Power Services of Tennessee to work on six turbines at Grand Coulee dam in eastern Washington State.
Work on the six units in the third power plant at Grand Coulee will take place over the next three years. The contract is for all labour, equipment and resources necessary to repair pitting and wear damage caused by cavitation on the turbine runners or water wheels.
The six turbines were placed in service in 1975, and each has undergone several major overhauls. They are constructed of carbon steel, but a significant amount of stainless steel has been added during previous repair work.
The power facilities at Grand Coulee dam include 33 generators in three power plants and a pumping plant, and three switchyards.