St. Louis (December 10th, 2002) - Capitalizing on their decades of experience in designing and manufacturing state-of-the-art heaters and control systems, Watlow has combined fuel oil preheating and a forwarding pump system into one integrated system. Watlow brings its core expertise and proven technology in manufacturing the key elements of the fuel forwarding skid-the electric fuel oil heater and the control systems.

Providing these components on a single package that is interconnected and tested prior to field shipment reduces installation and start-up time-a critical benefit in today's fast-moving power generation industry. Additionally, customers can work with one proven supplier throughout the design, construction and installation process.

The fuel oil forwarding skid heats fuel oil as it is pumped from a large, remote storage tank to the combustion turbine. Heating the fuel oil before pumping reduces the problems associated with pumping the thicker, cold fuel oil, along with reducing the pump size/power required to pump the fuel oil. Thus, pumping already-heated fuel oil becomes a more efficient process. Heated fuel oil also atomizes and burns more completely and efficiently.

Besides manufacturing the pre-heaters and control systems, Watlow also fabricates the ASME pressure vessels, skids, and process piping. The pumps and instrumentation are purchased from customer-approved suppliers.

"The development of a fuel oil forwarding skid was a natural evolution of our product offering," explains Joe Foreman, Watlow Process Systems General Manager. "Watlow for years has offered integrated pumping and heating systems for various process applications, including hot oil systems. These skids are of similar design, but for a different market and application."

Watlow's fuel forwarding skids are designed for many different customers in the power generation market, including gas turbine OEMs, engineering firms specializing in plant layout, procurement and construction, and power producers or utilities that directly purchase these systems.

All skids go through rigorous testing prior to shipment, including functional testing of the system and hydrotesting and leak testing of the piping. Additionally, Watlow offers special rust inhibitors and drying procedures, often requested to verify the system internals are free from water, rust and mechanical scale.

The fuel forwarding skids are part of a complete product offering for gas turbine power applications. Skids designed specifically for fuel systems include fuel gas conditioning skids, fuel oil preheater skids, and turbine wash skids.

About Watlow
Since the company's founding in 1922, Watlow has brought its thermal expertise to numerous applications, including power generation, semiconductor, plastics processing, foodservice equipment, life sciences, aerospace and others. Headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, Watlow is the largest custom designer and manufacturer of industrial heaters, sensors, controllers and software with offices and manufacturing facilities around the world.