System and method for improving startup time in a fossil-fueled power generation system

A system for preheating a steam driven power generation system, comprising:

• a boiler system including:
• a main boiler with a combustion system, the boiler system operative to generate steam when the combustion system is operative;
• a steam drum with an input fluidly coupled to the main boiler;
• a superheater having an input and an output, the input of the superheater fluidly coupled to an output of the steam drum, the superheater operable to superheat steam generated in the main boiler;
• a reheater having an input and an output, the reheater operable to reheat cooled expanded steam;
• a plurality of steam pipes, the plurality of steam pipes including a first steam pipe having a first end fluidly connected to the output of the superheater, a second steam pipe and a third steam pipe;
• a turbine having at least a high pressure section and an intermediate pressure section, the turbine operable to receive steam and convert the steam to rotational power, wherein an input to the high pressure section is fluidly connected to a second end of the first steam pipe and operable to carry superheated steam from the superheater of the boiler system to the high pressure section of the turbine, wherein an output of the high pressure section is fluidly connected to a first end of the second steam pipe, and a second end of the second steam pipe is connected to the input of the reheater and is operable to carry the cooled expanded steam to the reheater, the output of the reheater is connected to a first end of the third steam pipe, and a second end of the third steam pipe is connected to an input of the intermediate pressure section and is operable to carry reheated steam from the reheater to the intermediate pressure section of the turbine;
• an auxiliary heat source operative to provide steam;
• a first flow control valve operable to control a flow of steam from the auxiliary heat source to the first steam pipe;
• a second flow control valve operable to control a flow of steam from the auxiliary heat source to the third steam pipe;
• a first isolation valve disposed at the first end of the first steam pipe between the first steam pipe and the superheater, the first isolation valve operable to isolate flow associated with the boiler system in the first steam pipe;
• a second isolation valve disposed at the second end of the second steam pipe between the second steam pipe and the input to the reheater, the second isolation valve operable to isolate flow associated with the boiler system in the second steam pipe;
• a third isolation valve disposed at the first end of the third steam pipe between the third steam pipe and the output of the reheater, the third isolation valve operable to isolate flow associated with the boiler system in the third steam pipe;
• at least one electric heater operably configured to heat steam directed to the first steam pipe and the third steam pipe;
• a sensor, the sensor operable to monitor at least one operating characteristic in the boiler system;
• and
• a controller configured to receive information associated with the monitored operating characteristic and control at least one of the first flow control valve, the second flow control valve, the first isolation valve, the second isolation valve, the third isolation valve, the auxiliary heat source, and the at least one electric heater to control the amount of steam supplied to the plurality of steam pipes and the turbine under selected conditions, and when the boiler system is not generating steam.