# US 2014/0150430 A1 · Warming arrangement for a power plant > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0150430 A1 - Document ID: US20140150430A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/095,424 - Filed: 2013-12-03 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-12-03 - Assignees: ALSTOM Technology Ltd - Applicants: ALSTOM Technology Ltd - Inventors: Klaus HELBIG; Christian KUEHNE; Wolfgang Franz Dietrich MOHR - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140150430A1 ## CPC - F01K 13/02: Controlling, e.g. stopping or starting - F01D 19/02: dependent on temperature of component parts, e.g. of turbine-casing - F01D 25/10: Heating, e.g. warming-up before starting - F01K 7/165: {Controlling means specially adapted therefor} - F05D 2270/301: Pressure - F01K: STEAM ENGINE PLANTS; STEAM ACCUMULATORS; ENGINE PLANTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; ENGINES USING SPECIAL WORKING FLUIDS OR CYCLES (gas-turbine or jet-propulsion plants F02; nuclear power plants, engine arrangements therein G21D) - F01D: NON-POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, e.g. STEAM TURBINES (machines or engines for liquids F03; non-positive displacement pumps F04D) - F05D: INDEXING SCHEME FOR ASPECTS RELATING TO NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, GAS-TURBINES OR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS ## Abstract The invention relates to a warming arrangement having a warming system for warming a steam turbine. The warming system has a makeup line and recycle line fluidly connected to the steam turbine. A gas moving device and a heater are located in either of these two lines. The warming system further includes a pressure measurement device that is configured and arranged to determine a gauge pressure in the steam turbine as well as a controller. The controller is configured to control a flow rate of the warming gas through the steam turbine, based on the pressure measurement device. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A warming arrangement, for a power plant, comprising: a first steam turbine, for expanding steam; and a first warming system, for warming the first steam turbine using a first warming gas, the first warming system includes: a first makeup line, fluidly connected to the first steam turbine, for directing the first warming gas into the first steam turbine; a first recycle line, fluidly connected to the first steam turbine, for conveying the first warming gas from the first steam turbine, a first gas moving device, in either the first makeup line or the recycle line, for moving the first warming gas through the first warming system; and a first heater, in either the first makeup line or recycle line so as to heat the first warming gas before it enters the steam turbine; wherein the first warming system further comprises: a first pressure measurement device configured and arranged to determine a gauge pressure in the steam turbine; and a controller, configured to control a flow rate of the first warming gas through the first steam turbine, based on the first pressure measurement device. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The arrangement of claim 1 wherein the controller is configured and arranged to control the flow rate by means of the first gas moving device. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The arrangement of claim 1 wherein the first steam turbine has a feed line and an exhaust line which in combination are arranged to direct a main steam through the steam turbine during operation, wherein the first makeup line and the first recycle line are distinct and separate lines from the feed line and the exhaust line. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The arrangement of claim 3 wherein the feed line includes a feed valve wherein the first recycle line is connected to the feed line so as to enable the first warming gas to flow through the feed line into the first steam turbine via the feed line. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The arrangement of claim 3 wherein the first makeup line and the first recycle line each include at least one block valve, for isolating the first warming system from the first steam turbine during operation of the first steam turbine. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The arrangement of claim 1 wherein the first warming system includes a first moisture measurement device located and arranged to estimate a moisture content of the first warming gas in the first steam turbine. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The arrangement of claim 6 wherein the moisture measurement device is located in the first steam turbine. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The arrangement of claim 1 further comprising a heat recuperator, spanning the first makeup line and the first recycle line, for exchanging thermal energy between first warming gas flowing through the first makeup line and the first recycle line respectively. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The arrangement of claim 8 wherein the first gas moving device is located in the first makeup line upstream of the heat recuperator. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The arrangement of claim 1 wherein an end of the first recycle line is connected the first makeup line so by creating a circular first warming gas flow path that includes the first steam turbine, the first gas moving device and the first heater. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The arrangement of claim 10 wherein the first recycle line is connected to the first makeup line by means of a control valve wherein the control valve includes a first warming gas flow path therethrough from: outside the circular flow path to inside and the circular flow path; and from the first recycle line to the first makeup line, so as to enable a flow ratio of warm gas entering the circular flow path and circulating around the circular flow path to be varied. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The arrangement of claim 1 further comprising a second steam turbine and a second warming system for warming the second turbine using a second warming gas. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The arrangement of claim 12 the second warming system further comprising a third steam turbine for further expanding steam from the second steam turbine; and a condenser connected to an outlet of the third steam turbine. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The arrangement of claim 1 wherein the or each steam turbine includes a plurality of makeup lines with an end point fluidly connected to and axially distributed along the steam turbine so as to enable a plurality of warming gas streams to be feed into the steam turbine. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The arrangement of claim 14 wherein the warming system 30a further includes a temperature measurement device that is connected to the controller wherein the temperature measurement device is configured and arranged to measure a temperature of the steam turbine.