As part of preparations for the winter season, the branch will repair the heating network pipelines and test them for mechanical tightness and strength.
The maintenance campaign started with hydraulic testing of the heating network in Yaiva operated by the power plant under leasehold or title. Pressure tests are intended to identify the weak spots that emerged during the heating season and may fail during further operation.
The extra work scope established by hydraulic testing will be performed by power engineers along with the scheduled repairs of the heating network. This year, the specialists will replace the pipes in five underground sections of the heating network with a total length of 860 m (two-pipe) along with reinforced concrete trays and supports. Similar to past years, these activities will involve replacement of obsolete pipe and expansion joint insulation of glass wool with a more efficient polypropylene covering. Shut-off valves will also be upgraded: wedge gate valves and valves will be replaced with more reliable ball valves. This will reduce the loss of heat during transportation of the heat carrier in the heating and hot water supply systems.
Apart from the tests of the heating network in the village, the power engineers will test the heating network and cogeneration units on the power plant site to ensure timely rectification of all defects. In addition, the maintenance programme invariably provides for repairs of system water heaters and valves of the heat supply scheme.
The maintenance works are scheduled to be completed by the end of August, which will ensure fail-free operation of the equipment and improve the reliability of heat supply in the village during the 2022–2023 heating season.