Free The West Winford Incident by John Parker Page B

conditions at West Winford, could be avoided and he thought that Dave was the person to take on this essential part of their work, as he was the local man. They all agreed. Dorinda suggested that one important area of work would be to obtain a detailed analysis of the steam quality at Winford, especially checking for contamination. Dave was pleased to be able to accept this project as he knew that both Tony and particularly Sweety, would be happy to get their department involved in this high profile investigation. Three of the Winford turbines were still in service, though routine overspeed testing had been suspended.

7

    Dave was awaiting Tony Richards early the following morning when the sound of an aggressively driven car announced his Section Head’s arrival. Laden down as usual, Tony breezed into his office. He listened whilst Dave summarised the proceedings of the inaugural Corrosion Sub-Committee meeting. Tony was pleased to learn that they were to have a clearly identifiable role, rather than just providing labour for the Central Labs, and he agreed to clear things with Sweety.
    Back in his own office, Dave put in a call to ‘Bunsen’ Goss from the Chemistry Section, and also to Alan Smith from Engineering, to see if they could meet after coffee. They both agreed. Bunsen was an analytical chemist, working on a project developing improved sampling techniques for the measurement of impurities in steam down to very low concentrations, whilst Alan Smith was a chemical engineer, who took on the design of test rigs for the department.
    Dave outlined his ideas for obtaining an analysis of the LP steam at West Winford and asked Bunsen if it was feasible. His plan was to have continuous measurements made of the steam on its entry into the LP turbine. Bunsen almost glowed at the prospect. Indeed, he said, it would be possible and was something that he would willingly undertake. He explained that his lab research project on a novel steam sampling system was nearing completion and had performed well under laboratory conditions. His next logical step was to persuade some enterprising Station Superintendent to allow him to site-test his prototype sampler. This West Winford proposal, if approved, would avoid the need for him to go, cap-in-hand, around the stations looking for a patron.
    Alan Smith was asked if he could foresee any problems fitting the sampler into the power station’s LP steam system. He knew the layout and steam conditions at Winford and confirmed that it would be feasible. Dave, encouraged by the interest shown by the two men, broached another idea. Would it be possible to incorporate a test vessel into the sampling system, through which the sampled steam could be passed? Again Alan foresaw no problem. Finally, Dave explained that the job would need to be given top priority, as everything would have to be ready for the outage of Number 5 turbine in a little over six weeks.
    His phone rang. It was Tony confirming approval. There was an ample budget for the inquiry work, the costs were miniscule compared to the potential costs of more failures. He asked Dave about his first thoughts for tackling the work proposed. Dave explained what had been suggested at the sub-committee meeting, as well as his discussions with Bunsen and Alan. He stressed his wish, yet to be put to the sub-committee, to have a vessel included in the test circuit. His plan was to have specimens, manufactured from the failed Winford disc material, put into the test vessel in an attempt to reproduce the type of cracking found in the failed disc. Tony was enthusiastic and could foresee no problem in getting approval for this extra item. Dave was excited with the prospect of, at last, making a contribution to this important investigation. After months of covering for his colleagues, it was now his turn. He returned to his office and set about drawing up a detailed proposal.
    â€œCan we count on you tonight?” Geoff stuck his head