Electrical Power System Design Features of a Modern Large Polyethylene Plant

A modern large polyethylene plant requires a sophisticated electrical power supply to meet the requirements of a continuous process industry. The principal features of such an electrical power system are summarized. The power system was designed to achieve project objectives which stressed safety of operation, ease of maintenance, and high reliability. Some of the modern design features discussed are dual 230-kV power supply lines; low-profile 230-kV bus work; personnel safety grounding of main substation to reduce step and touch potential to safe levels; transfer trip signals to utilize the utility company´s switching equipment; extensive protective devices to detect and initiate switching equipment action for power equipment malfunctions or power system faults; vacuum switched under-load tap changers on main power transformers; vacuum breakers for 13.8-kV switching equipment; climate-controlled elevated substation buildings to permit bottom entrance and exit with all power and control cables; nonmetallic sheathed power and control cables in open cable tray; medium resistance ground derived by zig-zag grounding transformers in the 13.8-kV distribution system; high-resistance grounding at the secondary wye connection of all 4.