Moisture detector for steam line
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsMarkus A. Eggenberger, Edward H. Miller
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In a steam turbine, the presence of water slugs can have an adverse effect on certain turbine parts. One particular area of concern is the low-pressure end of the turbine wherein excess moisture is more likely to occur. Another source of moisture is an extraction line interconnecting a turbine stage with a feedwater heater. It is possible for wet steam and/or water slugs to travel from the feedwater heater to the turbine and vice-versa. The present invention provides a monitoring device for a steam conduit which detects the presence of water slugs or wet steam in a steam conduit and will further indicate a reverse direction of flow in the steam conduit.
Claims11
A monitoring device for detecting the presence of an increased moisture content in a steam conduit comprising:
- a first heated thermal sensing device disposed in the steam conduit;
- a second ambient thermal sensing device disposed in the steam conduit;
- a pressure-sensitive directional probe disposed in the steam conduit;
- and,
- logic means receiving the respective outputs of said first and second thermal sensing devices for determining the presence of increased moisture content in said steam conduit, said logic means also receiving the output of said directional probe for determining the flow direction in said steam conduit.
In combination with a steam turbine, a monitoring device for determining the presence of wet steam and water slugs in a steam extraction line, said monitoring device comprising:
- a first heated thermal sensing device disposed in said extraction line;
- a second ambient thermal sensing device disposed in said extraction line;
- a pressure-sensitive directional probe disposed in the extraction line;
- and,
- logic means receiving the respective outputs of said first and second thermal sensing devices for determining the presence of wet steam and water slugs in said extraction line, said logic means also receiving the output of said directional probe for determining the flow direction in said extraction line.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.