In this article, I will share some of the factors one should observe when choosing a steam turbine to use in a power plant.
Before you choose to select a certain type of steam turbine, be it an axial or condensing steam turbine, you need to put these factors in mind.
It’s just like choosing any machine component to install in a plant; you will have to consider the things that will contribute to its operating efficiency in the power plant.
These factors to consider are also going to help you come up with the best purchase criteria to ensure that you actually buy a steam turbine that is going to match up to your expectations.
Without wasting time, let me share what you should consider before choosing a type of steam turbine to use in a power plant.
These are the factors to consider when choosing a steam turbine;
1. The capacity of the power plant.
This is the first thing one should consider before choosing a steam turbine to install in a power plant.
The capacity of the power plant, the type of load that will be needed from the power plant, the demand for electrical energy and the overall efficiency of the power plant; are all connected to the choice of the steam turbine that will be selected for use in the power plant.
The capacity of the power plant is mainly all about the amount of electrical energy that can be produced and transmitted to the consumers with the help of the steam turbine.
So, before one chooses a steam turbine, one should consider if it’s going to meet up the needed capacity of the power plant.
As you should know, steam turbines are of different capacities and different speed ranges.
The small steam turbine coupled with their generators can range from 500 to 700KW.
While the bigger steam turbines have a range of about 10 to 90MW. Without forgetting the largest units have a capacity generating electrical energy of about 500MW.
So, from what I have shared with you it tells you that the steam turbines are of different capacities.
When choosing them can be tricky and confusing, but the best way to go about this is by checking the needed capacity of the power plant.
If the capacity of the power plant is higher, it will make sense to select a steam turbine that is going to deliver the capacity you are hoping to achieve from the power plant.
2. The plant load factor.
The plant load factor is another factor that one should consider before choosing a steam turbine.
If you know about the plant load factor; it’s all about the ability of the power plant to utilize its resources to the maximum.
In most cases, the power plant should be run at the highest load factor possible to enable maximum use of the input thus contributing to a greater output.
Before one chooses a steam turbine, the plant load factor should be measured to know which steam turbine can run on that load factor.
Some of the steam turbines won’t manage to be used in a power plant that runs with the highest load factor because of their capacity and speed ranges.
So, if the power plant runs under the highest load factor, a steam turbine that can match up to the load factor that the plant runs under should be selected.
And this is what will ensure that one selects a steam turbine that will be efficient under this load factor.
If the power plant runs under the highest load factor while the steam turbine can’t handle that, it will only overload the steam turbine and the efficiency of the power plant will decrease because of that.
The steam turbine won’t be able to deliver the amount of energy needed by the power plant at its highest load factor.
So, it’s very important for the load factor of the plant to be identified before choosing a steam turbine to use in it.
3. The thermal efficiency of the steam turbine.
The thermal efficiency of the steam turbine is another factor that should be keenly considered before choosing one.
Steam of higher temperature and pressure is utilized in the steam turbine to perform the work needed to generate electrical energy.
One should note that the efficiency of the steam turbine depends on the thermal energy of the steam provided and the utilization of the steam energy to the maximum.
The steam should not escape the steam turbine before it’s fully utilized. And that is why the bled steam is used to reduce the amount of heat energy rejected by the condenser.
Different types of steam turbines have different thermal efficiency considering their overall designs and capacities.
One should choose a steam turbine that has a good thermal efficiency to prevent loss of heat energy and increase the overall efficiency of the power plant.
There are some factors one should consider if a steam turbine with the highest thermal efficiency is needed.
Here are some of the factors that affect the thermal efficiency of a steam turbine;
- The pressure and temperature at which the steam can be delivered into the steam turbine by the throttle valve has a great effect on the thermal efficiency of the steam turbine.
- The exhaust steam pressure and temperature; the pressure should be below the atmospheric one and its temperature should be lower for higher thermal efficiency of the steam turbine.
- The number of steam bleedings available on the steam turbine; the bled steam can be reused in the steam turbine to prevent energy losses.
So, when it comes to choosing a steam turbine, one should ensure that the thermal efficiency of the steam turbine is considered because it’s one of the essential factors that contribute to the overall efficiency of the power plant.
4. Reliability of the steam turbine.
When choosing a steam turbine to be used in a power plant, one should ensure that it’s reliable.
Before one selects a certain type of steam turbine, one should think first if it can deliver what is expected in the power plant.
I don’t know how I can explain this to you, but let me share some questions that will enable you to figure out what I mean when I talk about the reliability of the steam turbine.
Can the steam turbine deliver the capacity required by the power plant?
Is the steam turbine capable of operating throughout the allocated time of the power plant?
Is it easier to operate the steam turbine?
Is it easier and cheap to maintain the design of the steam turbine selected?
Is the steam turbine of the required size?
The steam turbine selected should allow a smooth operation in the power plant without any issues.
It should remain functional throughout the operations of the power plant and be able to deliver the expected capacity to the power plant.
The steam turbine should be a unit that can solve all the problems that it’s expected to solve when it comes to power generation.
This is what will make the steam turbine reliable in the power plant.
5. The location of the power plant.
The location of the power plant is another factor that should be considered before choosing a steam turbine.
I know you may be wondering what the location of the power plant has to do with the type of steam turbine that will be selected.
You should know that water is needed in the condenser to cool the exhausted steam.
You might like this: Steam Condensers: Components, Types & Working Principle
Also, the water that will be needed for steam generation in the boiler or steam generator plays a big role here.
When we talk about the availability of water, steam turbines have different rates of steam consumption.
We have steam turbines that will consume less amount of steam and those that will do the opposite.
So, when you are selecting a specific type of steam turbine, you should ensure that the amount of water available at the location of the power plant can satisfy that.
Anyway, this factor is usually considered even before the erection of the power plant happens.
It’s not a big deal but just to remind you that it’s one of the factors that should be considered when choosing a steam turbine.
You might like this: Factors To Be Considered While Installing A New Power Plant
Lastly…
Before one chooses a steam turbine to be used in a power plant or any application, one should first consider if it can be able to deliver the capacity of work expected.
That is the most important thing one should consider before selecting any type of steam turbine.
If the steam turbine can’t deliver the amount of work needed by the steam generator, all the rest of the points in this article won’t make any sense.
Also, without forgetting, the installation measures of the steam turbine should also be put into mind.
The shape, design and weight of the steam turbine should be considered before purchasing one.
This is to ensure that there is a smooth operation when it comes to building the foundation and its installation.
Thanks for reading, if you have any additional points just reach out to me, and leave a comment. The nerd will see you in the next article.
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