What have you been doing so long papa? That was the question that was asked. How do you explain to a grandchild that you maintain a power plant?

Well I thought I would show you some of what I do.
This is some pictures of a overhaul that we are doing on the unit 1 gas turbine and steam turbine. Combined cycle.
This is the compressor that compresses the air and makes it denser. And then it goes into the gas turbine where it is added to the natural gas and is started on fire. The turbine starts turning and the generator shaft and the steam turbine shaft turns also. Once the air get through the gas turbine he hot air flows through a boiler and makes steam.

Then the steam is fed into the steam turbine that helps turn the generator rotor. The generator turns and creates electricity.
Pretty simple huh?
When we align the all these components they have to be within .003 thousands of an inch. From end to end. That is the thickness of your hair. The components spin at 3600 rpm. If they are out of balance or not in line, they will come apart. Aaaah, Blow up. Its a lot of work to make electricity.
All the parts are really heavy. The compressor weighs about 10 tons. The generator rotor is about 45 tons and the steam turbine weighs about 41 tons.

Love Papa

Happy Birthday!!

Happy Birthday!

It was great having everyone over last night. I think that seeing all your kids is the best birthday present any one can get.

Shelly and Nash came over first. Nash just loved having the door open and was able to come and go as he pleased. He had fun in the backyard. She brought a chocolate cake and it was good.

Eric, Christine and the kids came over next and had pizza with us. Deanna, Merrek and Emma came later, and brought me a HUGE cookie. Thanks Merrek

Shelly wasn’t feeling very well and Deanna drove her home.

It was a great Birthday!!

Dad

New Years Day

Well, New Years was fun. We had some of our grandkids to stay over with us. Nash, Guhner and Addison. Oh and Bryan and Michelle stayed with us also.;) Emma and Merrek stayed with Deanna and Donny. They went to the Insight Bowl. In Tempe. Marcus first went to Tyler’s and then Jared and Marcus went to Eric and Christine’s to spend the night playing Rock Band.

New Years day was fun. I got up and made breakfast and had Addison and Nash help me. We had breakfast and then I call Oasis Golf Course for a Tee time. Had Eric, Bryan, Jared, Marcus and Donny go. We all got a lesson in humility as the wind was blowing and we found out that our Golf Balls are magnets. Every time we hit them they were attracted to a house or a car! Just kidding!!!! We had a great time. All the Girls stayed at the house and did girl stuff. Grandma was in heaven having all her kids at home. Its fun to have all of them home and we enjoy every minute of it.

Late in the afternoon Deanna and Donny took Emma and Merrek to the movies and the rest of us went to E&C house to play Rock Band. Had a great dinner and talked and enjoyed each others company. I was humbled that Eric downloaded a song from Creedance and I realized even though I know the song, I don’t know the song!!!!

“I believe at least trying is far better than living vicariously thru your kids experiences”. I tried Rock-Band and know now that it is better to live vicariously. I REALLY stunk. I can’t even play the radio and my kids wanted me to play rock band!?!?! Mom did great. It was fun to have an occasion to be together.

Dad

Gratuitous Picture of Eric's Elk!!