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Vikas Prakash Gupta, Director - Technical, VVK Turbotech Pvt Ltd
VVK Turbotech Pvt Ltd is an emerging player in the field of
steam turbines catering to a diversity of industrial
applications.
Vikas Prakash Gupta, who founded the
company in 1998, speaks at length about the company's
growth and future plans. Gupta maintains that India has high
technical competency in design, engineering and
manufacturing of steam turbines. However, domestic
manufacturers will need to establish credibility and offer
equipment at reasonable costs, he feels. An interview by
Venugopal Pillai.
Tell us in brief about the various activities that VVK Turbotech is engaged in with respect
to steam turbines.
VVK Turbotech Pvt Ltd was formed in March 1998 to carry out business of design of
turbines, its components and systems. We are also engaged in the business of
designing of marine engineering components and supply of old turbines.
I joined VVK Turbotech as a Founder Director at its inception itself after having over
two years hands-on experience on maintenance and operation of steam turbines of
various makes.
Which industries do you cater to, and which of these would have the maximum business
potential in the medium term?
We cater to a large number of industries which require small to medium size captive
power plants. Some of the industries are sugar, chemicals, petrochemicals, carbon
black, rice mills, fertilizers, distillery and paper, apart from the thermal power sector. All
these industries have good potential in long term.
We understand that VVK Turbotech also offers services with respect to wind turbines.
Regarding wind mill sector, we are in the process of exploring possibilities and the
potential in this sector. We are also aware that this sector has totally different
technologies and hence we are taking a cautious approach. We might finalize our plan
shortly.
Please discuss the criticality of a good turbine design with a view to deriving maximum
efficiency. You have been of the view that efficiency of a turbine can be improved
through better design of blades. Please elaborate.
A steam turbine is a machine consisting of various components of which blades and nozzles are most critical. Their proper design and
manufacturing attribute to the efficiency of the machine. Other
factors that contribute to efficiency is the speed of the rotor and
its diameters. And the third factor is related to efficiency in
checking various leakages. Hence, it is important for a turbine
to have proper designs of seals and labyrinths.
What is your view of India's overall competency in design,
engineering and manufacture of steam turbines?
Technologically speaking, how has the industry been
shaping up over the recent years?
Indians are quite capable of carrying out design, engineering
and manufacturing of steam turbines. Even collaborators are
taking help of technical personnel in building turbines in India.
In the recent past our technocrats have absorbed lot of inputs
and used them in resolving practical issues in manufacturing,
commissioning, troubleshooting etc.
What is your opinion about Chinese main plant equipment for
power plants (boilers and turbine-generators) that now have a
significant presence in the Indian market?
We are all aware that pricing of Chinese equipment is very
competitive and this
has been the main
reason behind their
faster and significant
presence in the Indian
market. However, it will
be too early to firm up
an opinion about the
performance of these equipments. It would take more time
to establish the performance and track record of turbines
from China.
Tell us about the main challenges that the Indian steam turbine
industry today faces.
With ever-growing demand of power, many establishments
to deal with turbine-related issues, including manufacturing
of turbines, have cropped up. The customer is now in a fix
about where to go and whom to approach. While cost is
always on the customer's mind, it should not be the only
criterion when one is shopping for goods or services.
Therefore, to establish credibility and reasonable cost is the
biggest challenge facing turbine suppliers and service
providers. Another aspect of challenge is to educate
customers about the right choice of suppliers and service
provider.
Please summarize the expansion and growth plans that you
have for VVK Turbotech in the medium term.
VVK Turbotech is an emerging and forward-looking
organization. Our core competence is in steam turbines and
thermal power houses. Our focus in the past couple of years
has been to undertake forward and backward integration.
We have taken up significant capacity augmentation and
have been able to spread our presence geographically,
including overseas markets. We hope to continue this
progress in future as well.