Startanlagen

Startanlagen, or starting systems, are the hardware, software, and procedures used to bring industrial plants and equipment from a non-operating state into regular operation. They encompass mechanical drives, electrical power and control circuits, ignition and fuel-supply devices, pre-heating and purging systems, lubrication and cooling circuits, and the sequencing logic that coordinates pre-commissioning steps with protection interlocks. Startanlagen are designed to ensure a controlled, safe, and reliable transition from standby to normal running.

Typical components of startanlagen include starter motors or air-start systems for rotating equipment, starting valves, control panels, programmable logic controllers or local controllers, sensors for temperature, pressure, and rotational speed, and safety interlocks. Auxiliary equipment such as compressed air supplies, steam for purging or warming, fuel supplies, and lubrication circuits are often integrated to support pre-heating, purging, and lubrication prior to stable operation.

The start-up sequence follows a defined procedure that may involve pre-start checks, purging of flammable or undesirable residues, gradual energization of systems, pre-heating or warm-up, lubrication, and ramping to operating speed or load. Synchronization with the grid or other units may be required in complex plants. Continuous monitoring and automatic protection ensure safe shutdown if abnormal conditions arise.

Applications of startanlagen are common across energy production, chemical processing, oil and gas, and heavy manufacturing. In power plants, they enable the orderly start of boilers, steam turbines, and gas turbines; in chemical plants, they prepare reactors and furnaces for production. The design emphasizes reliability, clear operating procedures, and robust safety interlocks to minimize risk during start-up.