Steam Turbine Efficiency
Recently we have faced a problem in operation of our ethylene
refrigerant compressor. Although the compressor is working below full
capacity, turbine governor valve is fully opened but steam flow is 18
ton/hr compared to full load steam consumption of 30 ton/hr. we have
washed the blades and they are clean. Turbine after first stage pressure
is 2.2 kg/cm2G (pretty less than max. allowable). main steam pressure
is 15 kg/cm2G and it is surprising that steam pressure after throttling
valve is 7.5 kg/cm2G. I think that throttling valve parts are loosen or
damaged. some colleagues say that strainer in throttle valve may be
chocked. what do you think?
what is solution?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>gatevalve
are the hand valves open that manually load the turbine. Most govnor valve can only pass 20% to 50% of the maximum allowable load.
I would first ask if you are sure that the governor valve is open? Some
of these valves are open with the stem in and others are open with the
stem out. If the valve is truly open, I would ask if there was any
maintenance done to the turbine recently? Could the linkage be
assembled incorrectly? Are you sure that the safety travel was set
correctly?
If the valve is truly open and everything is
assembled and adjusted correctly, then you could have a restriction in
the strainer, governor valve, trip valve, or nozzles. I have never seen
this, but we have very good steam quality. Is the steam temperature
normal? Steam temperature can affect efficiency more than pressure for
superheated steam.
The plug could have broken loose from the
stem of the governor valve. This would allow the plug to be closed when
the stem shows it is open. Most of these plugs are retained against a
step when closing, but may only be retained by a roll pin when opening.
If the valve was ever forced open beyond the normal range, it could have
sheared the pin.
MORE NEWS