Phil Rhodes
Field Engineer/Technical Director Outage Services Division
Background
I have over 40 years of experience in inspecting, managing, and erecting steam turbine-generators with 20 of those years at MD&A. I also have experience in running and operational diagnostics, and failure analysis.
I received my Mechanical Engineering degree from Auburn University and have an active Professional Engineer’s License in the State of Alabama.
What do you do here at MD&A?
I supervise and run steam turbine-generator overhaul projects. During these projects, our team removes the casing and opens it up, inspects, and blast cleans all areas exposed to steam, and finally, closes the turbine-generator in question. Our team follows a detailed process of identifying and labeling all the components for reassembly. On occasion, we recommend the best steps for repairs and maintenance of damaged or missing pieces. We also supervise the rigging and lifts that happen during the project.
What has been your favorite project at MD&A?
The project I enjoyed most was helping to perform a forced outage on a HP rotor with a 20-mil bow. The rotor was sent to our St. Louis Turbine Repair facility, where our expert technicians heat-straightened the rotor and reduced it down to 3 mils TIR.
What is the most interesting challenge you have come across at a job site?
I very much enjoy the challenge of making old steam turbine-generator units run like new. Recently we received a generator-turbine with a low rotor and no shims under the stator. Our team then jacked up the turbine and condenser to align it to the generator. I found this to be a very interesting challenge and something we don’t see every day.
What is your range of experience?
I have a broad experience on different OEM’s including General Electric®, Westinghouse/Siemens®, Alstom®, Ingersoll Rand®, & Elliot®. As a Technical Director, I’m required to know all the “in’s and out’s” of each of these different machines to best direct my team.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
In my spare time, I like to ride bicycles & go bass fishing.
