System and method of cooling steam turbines
AssigneeBJ Services Company
InventorsSteven J. Barber, Paul K. Trygstad
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method of cooling a steam turbine having internal moving components to a predetermined temperature by controlling a flow of nitrogen through the turbine, thus decreasing the downtime associated with maintaining the turbine. This provides a more efficient and cost effective method of operating a power plant.
Claims15
A method of cooling a steam turbine having internal moving components to a predetermined temperature, wherein the steam turbine comprises injection points, the method which comprises the steps of:
- (a) stopping the flow of steam;
- (b) introducing a flow of nitrogen to the turbine until the turbine reaches the predetermined temperature while controlling the flow of nitrogen from at least one injection point to prevent damage to the moving components of the turbine by achieving uniform cooling of the internal moving components;
- and
- (c) stopping the flow of nitrogen.
A system for cooling a steam turbine to a predetermined temperature using a flow of nitrogen, the system comprising:
- a steam turbine;
- a main steam inlet piping connected to the turbine;
- a cold reheat line connected to the turbine;
- and
- a control station for controlling the flow of nitrogen to prevent damage to the moving components or the turbine;
- wherein the steam turbine, the main steam inlet piping, and the cold reheat line are adapted to accommodate the flow of nitrogen.
A method of cooling a steam turbine having internal moving components to a predetermined temperature, wherein the steam turbine comprises injection points, the method which comprises the steps of:
- (a) stopping the flow of steam
- (b) introducing a flow of nitrogen to the turbine until the turbine reaches the predetermined temperature while controlling the flow of nitrogen from at least one injection point to prevent damage to the moving components of the turbine by achieving uniform cooling of the internal moving components;
- and
- (c) stopping the flow of nitrogen,
- wherein the injection points comprise a main steam inlet piping connected to the turbine and a cold reheat line connected to the turbine such that a flow of steam first moves from the main steam inlet piping to the turbine and then the flow of steam moves from the turbine to the cold reheat line during operation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.