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(11) EP 2 348 196 A2
(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION
(43) Date of publication:
27.07.2011 Bulletin 2011/30
(21) Application number: 10173147.9
(22) Date of filing: 18.08.2010
(51) Int Cl.:
F01K 7/34
(2006.01)
F01K 13/02
(2006.01)
F22D 1/28
(2006.01)
F01D 21/14
(2006.01)
F01D 1/28
(2006.01)
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB
GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO
PL PT RO SE SI SK SM TR
Designated Extension States:
BA ME RS
(30) Priority: 18.08.2009 JP 2009189423
(71) Applicant: Hitachi Ltd.
Tokyo 100-8280 (JP)
(72) Inventors:
Hirakawa, Yosuke
Tokyo 100-8220 (JP)
Sudo, Mitsuru
Tokyo 100-8220 (JP)
Hiraga, Ichiro
Tokyo 100-8220 (JP)
Teranischi, Tsugutomo
Ibaraki (JP)
(74) Representative: MERH-IP
Matias Erny Reichl Hoffmann
Paul-Heyse-Strasse 29
80336 Mnchen (DE)
(54) Turbine protection device and method for controlling a steam turbine
(57) An object of the present invention is to provide
a turbine protection device which can interrupt steam
flowing backward from a deaerator (5) to a turbine (2)
completely even if a check valve (3a) provided between
the deaerator (5) and the turbine (2) can not interrupt the
steam flowing between the deaerator (5) and the turbine
(2) completely. In order to achieve the above object, a
control unit (11) sends commands to a shutdown valve
device (12) so as to close the shutdown valve device (12)
when a differential pressure resulted from subtracting a
pressure of a extraction steam from a pressure within the
deaerator (5) becomes equal to or greater than a first
predetermined value. As a result, the steam flowing back-
ward from the deaerator (5) to the turbine (2) is interrupt-
ed by a stop valve of the shutdown valve device (12).
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Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims benefit of the
filing date of Japanese Patent Application No.
2009-189423 filed on August 18, 2009 which is incorpo-
rated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a turbine pro-
tection device to protect a turbine of a steam turbine sys-
tem.
Description of Related Art
[0003] For example, a steam turbine system of an elec-
tric-power generating steam turbine plant is provided with
a deaerator to store a condensate which is prepared by
heating a condensate exhausted from a condenser using
a extraction steam from a turbine so as to deaerate gases
such as oxygen, etc.
Also, at the time of normal operation of the steam turbine
system, a pressure within the deaerator (a deaerator in-
ternal pressure) is decreased from a pressure of the ex-
traction steam (an extraction pressure) due to a pressure
loss of a path through which the extraction steam passes
from the turbine to the deaerator, thereby the deaerator
internal pressure is balanced at a lower pressure than
the extraction pressure.
[0004] However, when the extraction pressure is de-
creased quickly associated with a quick drop in a load of
the turbine at the time of an occurrence of a turbine trip,
or an interruption of a load, etc, a decompression speed
of the extraction pressure exceeds that of the deaerator
internal pressure, and a balance between the deaerator
internal pressure and the extraction pressure may break
down. That is, the deaerator internal pressure may be-
come equal to or greater than the extraction pressure.
[0005] Also, during normal operation of the steam tur-
bine system, when the load of the turbine drops, the ex-
traction pressure is decreased depending on the drop in
the load. At this moment, the higher a drop rate of the
load of the turbine, the higher the decompression speed
of the extraction pressure.
On the other hand, regarding the deaerator having large
capacity, the more condensate stored within the deaer-
ator, the larger a heat capacity of the deaerator. Also, it
becomes difficult to decrease a temperature within the
deaerator. As a result, it becomes difficult to decrease
the deaerator internal pressure.
[0006] Therefore, in the case where the capacity of the
deaerator is large, when the drop rate of the load of the
steam turbine system is high and the decompression
speed of the extraction pressure is high, the decompres-
sion speed of the extraction pressure deaerator internal
pressure may become lower than the decompression
speed, the balance between the deaerator internal pres-
sure and the extraction pressure may break down, and
the deaerator internal pressure may become equal to or
higher than the extraction pressure.
[0007] When the balance between the deaerator inter-
nal pressure and the extraction pressure breaks down
and the deaerator internal pressure becomes higher than
the extraction pressure, a low-temperature steam flows
from the deaerator to the turbine and a water induction
is generated.
Hereinafter, a flow of steam from the deaerator to the
turbine is defined as a backflow.
If the water induction is generated in the turbine, a casing
and a rotor of the turbine at high temperature are cooled
by the low-temperature steam suddenly, and then the
casing and the rotor are deformed. Also, a contact be-
tween a rotational body such as the rotor and a stationary
body such as the casing, or an abnormal vibration occurs,
resulting in damage of the turbine. That is, it is necessary
to suppress generation of the water induction. For this
reason, it is necessary to prevent steam from flowing
backward from the deaerator to the turbine.
[0008] Therefore, a check valve is conventionally pro-
vided between the turbine and the deaerator so as to
prevent the steam from flowing backward from the de-
aerator to the turbine.
Further, a shutdown valve device is provided so as to
interrupt the steam flowing between the turbine and the
deaerator.
[0009] For example, JP 11-148310 A discloses a tech-
nique for a water induction protection device which is
provided with a shutdown valve (a shutdown valve de-
vice) to interrupt steam flowing between a feedwater
heater and a turbine in a steam turbine system, and pre-
vents the water induction from being generated when a
water level of a feedwater heater is increased abnormal-
ly.
[0010] According to JP 11-148310 A, for example, if a
water level of a feedwater heater is increased by water
leakage from a tube within the feedwater heater, the shut-
down valve interrupts the steam flowing between the tur-
bine and the feedwater heater so as to prevent the water
induction from being generated.
[0011] For example, if the technique disclosed in JP
11-148310 A is applied to the deaerator, it is possible to
prevent the water induction caused by increase in the
water level within the deaerator from being generated.
[0012] In this way, by providing the check valve and
the shutdown valve device between the deaerator and
the turbine, it is possible to prevent the steam from flowing
backward from the deaerator to the turbine. Also, it is
possible to prevent the water induction caused by in-
crease in the water level within the deaerator from being
generated.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] However, because the check valve is instanta-
neously closed so as to prevent the steam from flowing
backward from the deaerator to the turbine when the de-
aerator internal pressure is equal to or greater than the
extraction pressure, for example, the check valve is in-
stantaneously closed when the extraction pressure drops
quickly (e.g., when the turbine trip occurs). Therefore, if
the check valve is opened and closed frequently, a com-
ponent such as a valve disc may be deformed by an
impact at the time of closing the check valve, and the
steam flowing backward from the deaerator to the turbine
may not be interrupted completely.
[0014] Therefore, an object of the present invention is
to provide a turbine protection device which can interrupt
the steam flowing backward from the deaerator to the
turbine completely even if the check valve provided be-
tween the deaerator and the turbine can not interrupt the
steam flowing between the deaerator and the turbine
completely.
[0015] In order to achieve the above object, the present
invention provides a turbine protection device compris-
ing: a shutdown valve device, in which the shutdown
valve device is operated so as to interrupt steam flowing
backward from a deaerator to a turbine when a deaerator
internal pressure is equal to or greater than an extraction
pressure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a
steam turbine system;
FIG. 2 is a graph showing a status in which an ex-
traction pressure and a deaerator internal pressure
are decreased;
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure by which
a control unit controls a shutdown valve device; and
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure by which
a control unit having an internal timer controls the
shutdown valve device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present inven-
tion will be explained in detail with reference to FIGS. 1-4.
As shown in FIG. 1, in a steam turbine system 1 according
to this embodiment, the steam generated in the boiler 13
rotates a high-pressure turbine 14, and is taken into a
reheater 13a of the boiler 13. The steam reheated by the
reheater 13a rotates a middle-pressure turbine 15 and a
low-pressure turbine 16, and is taken into a condenser
18 to be condensed into a condensate.
In addition, for example, a generator 17 is connected to
the low-pressure turbine 16 as a load.
[0018] The condensate generated by condensing the
steam in the condenser 18 is pressurized by a conden-
sate pump 19, is heated by a low-pressure heater 4 (e.g.,
using the extraction steam from the low-pressure turbine
16), is fed to the deaerator 5, is heated using the extrac-
tion steam from the middle-pressure turbine 15 (or the
low-pressure turbine 16) so as to deaerate gases, and
is stored in the deaerator 5.
Also, the condensate stored in the deaerator 5 is pres-
surized by a feed pump 6, is heated in a high-pressure
heater 7 (e.g., using the extraction steam from the high-
pressure turbine 14 or the middle-pressure turbine 15),
and is taken into the boiler 13.
Hereinafter, the high-pressure turbine 14, the middle-
pressure turbine 15, and the low-pressure turbine 16 are
referred to as a turbine 2 in a mass.
[0019] The turbine 2 is connected to the deaerator 5
via an extraction steam inlet tube 3 (inlet tube), and the
extraction steam from the turbine 2 passes through the
extraction steam inlet tube 3 so as to be taken into the
deaerator 5 as the extraction steam for heating and de-
aerating.
Two check valves 3a, for example, are connected to the
extraction steam inlet tube 3 in series, and a flow direction
of the steam in the extraction steam inlet tube 3 is limited
to a direction from the turbine 2 to the deaerator 5.
In addition, the extraction steam inlet tube 3 is connected
to any one or more of the high-pressure turbine 14, the
middle-pressure turbine 15, and the low-pressure turbine
16.
[0020] Because the extraction steam from the turbine
2 is taken into the deaerator 5 through the extraction
steam inlet tube 3, an extraction pressure of the extrac-
tion steam from the turbine 2 (hereinafter, denoted by
"P1") is decreased due to a pressure loss caused by
passing through the extraction steam inlet tube 3.
Therefore, at the time of normal operation of the steam
turbine system 1, the deaerator internal pressure (here-
inafter, denoted by "P2") becomes lower than the extrac-
tion pressure P1.
That is, at the time of normal operation of the steam tur-
bine system 1, the deaerator internal pressure P2 is bal-
anced at a pressure which is lower than the extraction
pressure P1 so as to prevent the steam from flowing
backward from the deaerator 5 to the turbine 2.
Although the two check valves 3a are opened so as to
allow the steam to flow from the turbine 2 to the deaerator
5 when the deaerator internal pressure P2 is less than
the extraction pressure P1, the two check valves 3a are
instantaneously closed so as to interrupt the steam flow-
ing backward from the deaerator 5 to the turbine 2 when
the deaerator internal pressure P2 is equal to or greater
than the extraction pressure P1 at the time of an occur-
rence of the turbine trip, etc.
[0021] Also, the extraction steam inlet tube 3 is provid-
ed with a shutdown valve device 12 between the two
check valves 3a and the deaerator 5. The shutdown valve
device 12 includes a stop valve 12a to interrupt the steam
flowing through the extraction steam inlet tube 3, and a
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valve driving unit 12b to open and close the stop valve
12a rapidly.
[0022] The valve driving unit 12b drives the stop valve
12a so as to close the extraction steam inlet tube 3, to
interrupt the steam flowing backward from the deaerator
5 to the turbine 2, and to prevent an occurrence of a water
induction, when a water level within the deaerator 5
measured by a water level gauge (not shown) becomes
greater than a predetermined value.
[0023] Also, the steam turbine system 1 according to
this embodiment includes a turbine extraction pressure
gauge 9 to measure the extraction pressure P1 of the
extraction steam from the turbine 2, a deaerator internal
pressure gauge 10 to measure the deaerator internal
pressure P2 of the deaerator 5, and a control unit 11 to
control the shutdown valve device 12 by sending com-
mands to the valve driving unit 12b.
For example, the turbine extraction pressure gauge 9 is
provided in proximity to a juncture between the turbine 2
and the extraction steam inlet tube 3, and measures the
extraction pressure P1 on condition that the pressure loss
caused by the extraction steam inlet tube 3 does not oc-
cur.
[0024] The control unit 11 calculates the extraction
pressure P1 based on a measured signal input from the
turbine extraction pressure gauge 9, and calculates the
deaerator internal pressure P2 based on a measured sig-
nal input from the deaerator internal pressure gauge 10.
[0025] Also, the control unit 11 send commands to the
valve driving unit 12b so as to drive the stop valve 12a
to close the extraction steam inlet tube 3, when the de-
aerator internal pressure P2 becomes equal to or greater
than the extraction pressure P1. That is, the shutdown
valve device 12 is closed.
Therefore, the stop valve 12a interrupts the steam flowing
backward from the deaerator 5 to the turbine 2.
[0026] After that, the deaerator internal pressure P2 is
decreased. When the deaerator internal pressure P2 be-
comes less than the extraction pressure P1, the control
unit 11 sends commands to the valve driving unit 12b so
as to drive the stop valve 12a to open the extraction steam
inlet tube 3. That is, the shutdown valve device 12 is
opened.
The extraction steam from the turbine 2 passes through
the extraction steam inlet tube 3 so as to be taken into
the deaerator 5.
[0027] Also, in this embodiment, a turbine protection
device 20 includes the turbine extraction pressure gauge
9, the deaerator internal pressure gauge 10, the control
unit 11, and the shutdown valve device 12.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 2, on condition that the ex-
traction pressure P1 is P1H and the deaerator internal
pressure P2 is P2H which is lower than P1H slightly, in
the case where the steam turbine system 1 (see FIG. 1)
is in normal operation, for example, when an amount of
electric-power generation required for the generator 17
(see FIG. 1) is decreased and the load of the turbine 2
drops, the extraction pressure P1 is decompressed to
P1L at the time t1 associated with a drop in the load.
Also, the deaerator internal pressure P2 is decreased to
P2L at the time t2 associated with depression in the ex-
traction pressure P1.
[0029] However, for example, in the case where the
capacity of the deaerator 5 (see FIG. 1) is large and the
drop rate of the load of the turbine 2 (see FIG. 1) is high,
when the decompression speed of the extraction pres-
sure P1 is higher than that of the deaerator internal pres-
sure P2, for example, the extraction pressure P1 is de-
creased to the deaerator internal pressure P2 at the time
t3. After that, the deaerator internal pressure P2 is kept
higher than the extraction pressure P1 until the time t4
at which the deaerator internal pressure P2 is decreased
to P1L.
[0030] As described above, when the deaerator inter-
nal pressure P2 becomes equal to or greater than the
extraction pressure P1 (deaerator internal pressure P2
extraction pressure PI), two check valves 3a (see FIG.
1) are closed so as to prevent the steam flowing backward
from the deaerator 5 (see FIG. 1) to the turbine 2 (see
FIG. 1).
However, for example, in the case where the valve discs
of two check valves 3a, etc., are deformed and the steam
flowing through the extraction steam inlet tube 3 (see
FIG. 1) can not be interrupted completely, the turbine 2
may be damaged by the steam flowing backward from
the deaerator 5 to the turbine 2.
[0031] For this reason, the control unit 11 according to
this embodiment (see FIG. 1) controls the shutdown
valve device 12 so that the shutdown valve device 12
(see FIG. 1) is closed from the time t5 at which a differ-
ential pressure P, which is resulted from subtracting the
extraction pressure P1 from the deaerator internal pres-
sure P2 when the steam turbine system 1 (see FIG. 1)
is in normal operation, becomes equal to or greater than
a first predetermined value (Pf1) which is set in advance
till the time t6 at which the differential pressure P be-
comes less than a second predetermined value (Pf2)
which is set in advance.
Also, after the time t6 at which the differential pressure
P becomes equal to or less than the second predeter-
mined value Pf2, the control unit 11 controls the shut-
down valve device 12 to be closed.
[0032] When the differential pressure P becomes
equal to or greater than the first predetermined value
Pf1 which is resulted from subtracting the extraction
pressure P1 from the deaerator internal pressure P2, the
control unit 11 sends commands to the valve driving unit
12b (see FIG. 1) so that the stop valve 12a (see FIG. 1)
closes the extraction steam inlet tube 3 so as to close
the shutdown valve device 12 (see FIG. 1).
Also, when the differential pressure P becomes equal
to or less than the second predetermined value Pf2, the
control unit 11 sends commands to the valve driving unit
12b so that the stop valve 12a opens the extraction steam
inlet tube 3 so as to open the shutdown valve device 12.
In this way, the control unit 11 controls the shutdown
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valve device 12 by sending commands based on the dif-
ferential pressure P between the deaerator internal
pressure P2 and the extraction pressure P1.
[0033] For example, considering measurement errors
of the turbine extraction pressure gauge 9 and the de-
aerator internal pressure gauge 10, and changes (micro-
seisms) in the deaerator internal pressure P2 and the
extraction pressure P1, etc., the first predetermined value
Pf1 and the second predetermined value Pf2 are set
to values as small as possible. The first predetermined
value Pf1 may differ from or may be the same as the
second predetermined value Pf2.
Also, the first predetermined value Pf1 and the second
predetermined value Pf2 may be "0".
In the case where the first predetermined value Pf1 is
"0", the control unit 11 closes the shutdown valve device
12 (see FIG. 1) when the deaerator internal pressure P2
becomes equal to or greater than the extraction pressure
P1. In the case where the second predetermined value
Pf2 is "0", the control unit 11 opens the shutdown valve
device 12 (see FIG. 1) when the extraction pressure P1
becomes equal to or greater than the deaerator internal
pressure P2.
In addition, the first predetermined value Pf1 and the
second predetermined value Pf2 are set as differential
pressures resulted from subtracting the extraction pres-
sure P1 from the deaerator internal pressure P2. There-
fore, in the case the extraction pressure P1 is higher than
the deaerator internal pressure P2, the first predeter-
mined value Pf1 and the second predetermined value
Pf2 becomes negative values.
[0034] With reference to FIG. 3, a procedure by which
the control unit 11 controls the shutdown valve device 12
will be explained (see FIGS. 1 and 2).
For example, this procedure is incorporated in a program
which the control unit 11 runs as a subroutine, and may
be run by the control unit 11 at intervals of 100 ms, etc.
[0035] When the procedure to control the shutdown
valve device 12 starts, the control unit 11 calculates the
extraction pressure P1 (step S1), and further calculates
the deaerator internal pressure P2 (step S2).
As described above, the control unit 11 can calculate the
extraction pressure P1 based on the measured signal
input from the turbine extraction pressure gauge 9, and
can calculate the deaerator internal pressure P2 based
on the measured signal input from the deaerator internal
pressure gauge 10.
In this way, the control unit 11 calculates the extraction
pressure P1 and the deaerator internal pressure P2 at
every time the procedure to control the shutdown valve
device 12 is executed. Therefore, the control unit 11 mon-
itors the extraction pressure P1 and the deaerator inter-
nal pressure P2 at all times.
[0036] The control unit 11 calculates the differential
pressure P by subtracting the extraction pressure P1
from the deaerator internal pressure P2 (step S3).
Also, when the calculated differential pressure P is
equal to or greater than the first predetermined value
Pf1 (step S4 --> Yes), if the shutdown valve device 12
is opened (step S5 --> Yes), the control unit 11 sends
commands to the valve driving unit 12b so as to drive the
stop valve 12a to close the shutdown valve device 12
(step S6), and the procedure to control the shutdown
valve device 12 is completed (RETURN). If the shutdown
valve device 12 is not opened (step S5 --> No), i.e., if the
shutdown valve device 12 is closed, the procedure to
control the shutdown valve device 12 is completed (RE-
TURN).
[0037] On the other hand, when the calculated differ-
ential pressure P is less than the first predetermined
value Pf1 (step S4 --> No), if the differential pressure
P is greater than the second predetermined value Pf2
(step S7 --> No), the control unit 11 completes the pro-
cedure to control the shutdown valve device 12 (RE-
TURN).
Also, when the differential pressure P is equal to or less
than the second predetermined value Pf2 (step S7 -->
Yes), if the shutdown valve device 12 is closed (step S8
--> Yes), the control unit 11 sends commands to the valve
driving unit 12b so as to drive the stop valve 12a to open
the shutdown valve device 12 (step S9), and completes
the procedure to control the shutdown valve device 12
(RETURN). If the shutdown valve device 12 is not closed
(step S8 --> No), i.e., if the shutdown valve device 12 is
opened, the procedure to control the shutdown valve de-
vice 12 is completed (RETURN).
[0038] The method by which the control unit 11 judges
whether the shutdown valve device 12 is opened or
closed is not limited.
For example, the control unit 11 may includes a flag OP
to indicate whether the shutdown valve device 12 is
opened or closed, and the control unit 11 sets the flag
OP to "0" in step S6 when the shutdown valve device 12
is closed and sets the flag OP to "1" in step S9 when the
shutdown valve device 12 is opened.
The control unit 11 judges that the shutdown valve device
12 is opened if the flag OP is "1", and judges that the
shutdown valve device 12 is closed if the flag OP is "0".
[0039] Also, the shutdown valve device 12 may be pro-
vided with a sensor (not shown) to detect whether the
stop valve 12a closes or opens the extraction steam inlet
tube 3. For example, if the sensor (not shown) sends a
detection signal to indicate whether the stop valve 12a
closes or opens the extraction steam inlet tube 3 to the
control unit 11, the control unit 11 can detect whether the
stop valve 12a closes or opens the extraction steam inlet
tube 3 based on the detection signal from the sensor (not
shown). Also, the control unit 11 can judge whether the
shutdown valve device 12 is opened or closed.
Modified Example
[0040] As described above, the control unit 11 of the
steam turbine system 1 according to this embodiment
shown in FIG. 1 monitors the extraction pressure P1 and
the deaerator internal pressure P2 at all times, closes
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the shutdown valve device 12 when the differential pres-
sure P resulted from subtracting the extraction pressure
P1 from the deaerator internal pressure P2 becomes
equal to or greater than the first predetermined value
Pf1, and opens the shutdown valve device 12 when the
differential pressure P becomes equal to or less than
the second predetermined value Pf2.
However, when the turbine extraction pressure gauge 9
measures the extraction pressure P1, the measured val-
ue can slightly change. Likewise, the measured value of
the deaerator internal pressure gauge 10 can slightly
change.
Therefore, the extraction pressure P1 and the deaerator
internal pressure P2 calculated by the control unit 11 can
also slightly change, and further the differential pressure
P resulted from subtracting the extraction pressure P1
from the deaerator internal pressure P2 can also slightly
change.
[0041] If the differential pressure P changes across
the first predetermined value Pf1 and the second pre-
determined value Pf2, the control unit 11 sends com-
mands to the valve driving unit 12b so as to close the
shutdown valve device 12 at every time the differential
pressure P becomes equal to or greater than the first
predetermined value Pf1, and sends commands to the
valve driving unit 12b so as to open the shutdown valve
device 12 at every time the differential pressure P be-
comes equal to or less than the second predetermined
value Pf2. Therefore, the control unit 11 frequently
sends commands to the valve driving unit 12b so as to
control the shutdown valve device 12, and the shutdown
valve device 12 is opened and closed frequently. As a
result, there arises a problem that the stop valve 12a and
the shutdown valve device 12 are degraded.
[0042] For this reason, in a modified example of the
present invention, for example, the control unit 11 may
be provided with an internal timer, and may close the
shutdown valve device 12 when a condition that the dif-
ferential pressure P resulted from subtracting the ex-
traction pressure P1 from the deaerator internal pressure
P2 is equal to or greater than the first predetermined val-
ue Pf1 continues for a predetermined time period.
Likewise, when a condition that the differential pressure
P resulted from subtracting the extraction pressure P1
from the deaerator internal pressure P2 is equal to or
less than the second predetermined value Pf2 contin-
ues for a predetermined time period, the control unit 11
may open the shutdown valve device 12.
[0043] With reference to FIG. 4, a procedure by which
the control unit 11 having the internal timer controls the
shutdown valve device 12 (see FIGS. 1 and 2).
Like the procedure shown in FIG. 3, this procedure is
incorporated in a program which the control unit 11 runs
as a subroutine, and may be run by the control unit 11
at intervals of 100 ms, etc.
In addition, the same reference numbers are used to de-
note the same steps as those in FIG. 3, and their repeated
explanations will be omitted.
[0044] When the procedure to control the shutdown
valve device 12 starts, the control unit 11 calculates the
extraction pressure P1 (step S1), calculates the deaer-
ator internal pressure P2 (step S2), and further calculates
the differential pressure P by subtracting the extraction
pressure P1 from the deaerator internal pressure P2
(step S3).
Also, when the calculated differential pressure P is
equal to or greater than the first predetermined value
Pf1 (step S4 --> Yes), the control unit 11 stops a meas-
uring of an opening valve waiting time (step S10), and if
the shutdown valve device 12 is opened (step S5 -->
Yes), the control unit 11 judges whether a closing valve
waiting time is being measured or not (step S11).
[0045] The opening valve waiting time means a waiting
time during which the differential pressure P resulted
from subtracting the extraction pressure P1 from the de-
aerator internal pressure P2 becomes equal to or less
than the second predetermined value Pf2 and the con-
trol unit 11 opens the shutdown valve device 12.
Also, the closing valve waiting time means a waiting time
during which the differential pressure P resulted from
subtracting the extraction pressure P1 from the deaerator
internal pressure P2 becomes equal to or greater than
the first predetermined value Pf1 and the control unit
11 closes the shutdown valve device 12.
[0046] Also, if the closing valve waiting time is not being
measured (step S11 --> No), the control unit 11 starts
measuring of the closing valve waiting time by the internal
timer (step S12), and the procedure to control the shut-
down valve device 12 is completed (RETURN).
Also, if the closing valve waiting time is being measured
(step S11 --> Yes), in the case where a predetermined
time Tm1 (a first predetermined time) has elapsed since
measuring of the closing valve waiting time started (step
S13 --> Yes), the control unit 11 closes the shutdown
valve device 12 (step S6) and completes the procedure
to control the shutdown valve device 12 (RETURN), and
in the case where the predetermined time Tm1 has not
elapsed (step S13 --> No), the control unit 11 completes
the procedure to control the shutdown valve device 12
(RETURN) without closing the shutdown valve device 12.
[0047] Returning to step S5, if the shutdown valve de-
vice 12 is not opened (step S5 --> No), i.e., if the shutdown
valve device 12 is closed, the control unit 11 completes
the procedure to control the shutdown valve device 12
(RETURN).
[0048] In step S13, for example, the predetermined
time Tm1 to determine whether the shutdown valve de-
vice 12 should be closed or not may be determined as a
time during which the control unit 11 can close the shut-
down valve device 12 with the proper timing based on
an experiment, etc.
[0049] Returning to step S4, when the calculated dif-
ferential pressure P is less than the first predetermined
value Pf1 (step S4 --> No), the control unit 11 compares
the differential pressure P and the second predeter-
mined value Pf2 (step S7). Also, when the differential
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pressure P is greater than the second predetermined
value Pf2 (step S7 --> No), the control unit 11 completes
the procedure to control the shutdown valve device 12
(RETURN).
Also, when the differential pressure P is equal to or less
than the second predetermined value Pf2 (step S7 -->
Yes), the control unit 11 stops the measuring of the clos-
ing valve waiting time (step S14). If the shutdown valve
device 12 is closed (step S8 --> Yes), the control unit 11
judges whether the opening valve waiting time is being
measured or not (step S15).
In addition, when the shutdown valve device 12 is not
closed (step S8 --> No), i.e., when the shutdown valve
device 12 is opened, the control unit 11 completes the
procedure to control the shutdown valve device 12 (RE-
TURN).
[0050] Also, if the opening valve waiting time is not
being measured (step S15 --> No), the control unit 11
starts measuring of the opening valve waiting time by the
internal timer (step S16), and completes the procedure
to control the shutdown valve device 12 (RETURN). Also,
if the opening valve waiting time is being measured (step
S15 --> Yes), in the case where the predetermined time
Tm2 (a second predetermined time) has elapsed since
measuring of the opening valve waiting time started (step
S17 --> Yes), the control unit 11 closes the shutdown
valve device 12 (step S9) and completes the procedure
to control the shutdown valve device 12 (RETURN), and
in the case where the predetermined time Tm2 has not
elapsed (step S17 --> No), the control unit 11 completes
the procedure to control the shutdown valve device 12
(RETURN) without opening the shutdown valve device
12.
[0051] In step S17, for example, the predetermined
time Tm2 to determine whether the shutdown valve de-
vice 12 should be opened or not may be determined as
a time during which the control unit 11 can open the shut-
down valve device 12 with the proper timing based on
an experiment, etc., and may be the same as or differ
from the predetermined time Tm1 in step S13.
[0052] As shown in FIG. 4, in the modified example,
when the differential pressure P resulted from subtract-
ing the extraction pressure P1 from the deaerator internal
pressure P2 is equal to or greater than the first predeter-
mined value Pf1, the control unit 11 (see FIG. 1) starts
measuring of the closing valve waiting time by the internal
timer (step S12), and when the predetermined time Tm1
has elapsed on condition that the differential pressure
P is equal to or greater than the first predetermined
value Pf1, the control unit 11 closes the shutdown valve
device 12 (see FIG. 1)(step S13). In this way, after the
differential pressure P resulted from subtracting the ex-
traction pressure P1 from the deaerator internal pressure
P2 becomes equal to or greater than the first predeter-
mined value Pf1, when the predetermined time Tm1
(the first predetermined time) has elapsed on condition
that the differential pressure P is equal to or greater
than the first predetermined value Pf1, the control unit
11 closes the shutdown valve device 12.
[0053] Also, when the differential pressure P resulted
from subtracting the extraction pressure P1 from the de-
aerator internal pressure P2 is equal to or less than the
second predetermined value Pf2, the control unit 11
(see FIG. 1) starts measuring of the opening valve waiting
time by the internal timer (step S16), and when the pre-
determined time Tm2 has elapsed on condition that the
differential pressure P is equal to or less than the second
predetermined value Pf2, the control unit 11 opens the
shutdown valve device 12 (see FIG. 1)(step S17). In this
way, after the differential pressure P resulted from sub-
tracting the extraction pressure P1 from the deaerator
internal pressure P2 becomes equal to or less than the
second predetermined value Pf2, when the predeter-
mined time Tm2 (the second predetermined time) has
elapsed on condition that the differential pressure P is
equal to or less than the second predetermined value
Pf2, the control unit 11 closes the shutdown valve de-
vice 12.
[0054] Also, associated with changes in measured val-
ues of the turbine extraction pressure gauge 9 and the
deaerator internal pressure gauge 10, in the case where
the differential pressure P calculated by the control unit
11 changes across the first predetermined value Pf1 at
intervals shorter than the predetermined time Tm1, even
if the differential pressure P is equal to or greater than
the first predetermined value Pf1, the control unit 11
does not close the shutdown valve device 12.
o
Likewise, in the case where the differential pressure P
calculated by the control unit 11 changes across the sec-
ond predetermined value Pf2 at intervals shorter than
the predetermined time Tm2, even if differential pressure
P is equal to or less than the second predetermined
value Pf2, the control unit 11 does not open the shut-
down valve device 12.
Therefore, the shutdown valve device 12 is prevented
form being operated frequently so as to suppress the
problem that the shutdown valve device 12 is degraded.
[0055] As described above, in the turbine protection
device 20 of the steam turbine system 1 according to this
embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 11 monitors
the extraction pressure P1 and the deaerator internal
pressure P2 at all times. When the differential pressure
P resulted from subtracting the extraction pressure P1
from the deaerator internal pressure P2 is equal to or
greater than the first predetermined value Pf1, the con-
trol unit 11 closes the shutdown valve device 12 so as to
interrupt the steam flowing backward from the deaerator
5 to the turbine 2 by the stop valve 12a.
[0056] When the deaerator internal pressure P2 be-
comes equal to or greater than the extraction pressure
P1, two check valves 3a are closed so as to interrupt the
steam flowing backward from the deaerator 5 to the tur-
bine 2.
However, if the valve disc of two check valves 3a, etc.
are deformed and two check valves 3a can not interrupt
the steam flowing through the extraction steam inlet tube
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3 completely, the turbine 2 may be damaged by the steam
flowing backward from the deaerator 5 to the turbine 2.
[0057] Even if two check valves 3a can not interrupt
the steam flowing through the extraction steam inlet tube
3 completely, the steam turbine system 1 according to
this embodiment can interrupt the steam flowing through
the extraction steam inlet tube 3 by the stop valve 12a
of the shutdown valve device 12, and can interrupt the
steam flowing backward from the deaerator 5 to the tur-
bine 2 effectively.
[0058] Also, after the differential pressure P resulted
from subtracting the extraction pressure P1 from the de-
aerator internal pressure P2 becomes equal to or greater
than the first predetermined value Pf1, when the pre-
determined time Tm1 has elapsed, the control unit 11
closes the shutdown valve device 12. After the differential
pressure P becomes equal to or less than the second
predetermined value Pf2, when the predetermined time
Tm2 has elapsed, the control unit 11 opens the shutdown
valve device 12.
In this way, the shutdown valve device 12 is prevented
from being operated frequently so as to suppress the
problem that the shutdown valve device 12 is degraded.
[0059] In addition, not only at the time of normal oper-
ation of the steam turbine system 1 but also at the time
of an occurrence of a turbine trip, or an interruption of a
load, etc, even if the deaerator internal pressure P2 be-
comes equal to or greater than the extraction pressure
P1 associated with a quick drop in a load of the steam
turbine system 1, the control unit 11 can close the shut-
down valve device 12. Therefore, even if two check
valves 3 a can not interrupt the steam flowing through
the extraction steam inlet tube 3 completely, the steam
flowing backward from the deaerator 5 to the turbine 2
can be interrupted completely, and the turbine 2 can be
prevented from being damaged.
[0060] Although the turbine protection device 20 is pro-
vided between the deaerator 5 and the turbine 2 in this
embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, for example, the turbine
protection device 20 according to this embodiment may
be provided between the feedwater heater (not shown)
and the turbine 2.
In this case, even if the pressure within the feedwater
heater becomes higher than the extraction pressure P1,
the steam flowing backward from the feedwater heater
to the turbine 2 can be interrupted by the stop valve 12a,
and the turbine 2 can be prevented from being damaged.
Claims
1. A turbine protection device provided in a steam tur-
bine system, the steam turbine system comprising:
a turbine (2) driven by steam generated in a boil-
er (13);
a condenser (18) to condense the steam ex-
hausted from the turbine (2) into a condensate;
a deaerator (5) to store the condensate which
is prepared by being heated and deaerated;
an inlet tube (3) to take the extraction steam for
heating and deaerating into the deaerator (5);
and
a check valve (3a) provided in the inlet tube (3),
comprising:
a pressure gauge (10) to measure a pres-
sure of the extraction steam and a pressure
within the deaerator (5);
a shutdown valve device (12) provided in
the inlet tube (3); and
control unit (11) to control the shutdown
valve device (12) using commands based
on the pressure of the extraction steam and
the pressure within the deaerator (5),
wherein the shutdown valve device (12) is
opened and closed by the commands from
the control unit (11), and when the shutdown
valve device (12) is closed, the shutdown
valve device (12) interrupts the steam flow-
ing from the deaerator (5) to the turbine (2).
2. The turbine protection device according to claim 1,
wherein the control unit (11)
sends commands to the shutdown valve device (12)
so as to close the shutdown valve device (12) when
a differential pressure resulted from subtracting the
pressure of the extraction steam from the pressure
within the deaerator (5) becomes equal to or greater
than a first predetermined value which is set in ad-
vance, and
sends commands to the shutdown valve device (12)
so as to open the shutdown valve device (12) when
the differential pressure becomes equal to or greater
than a second predetermined value which is set in
advance.
3. The turbine protection device according to claim 1
or 2, wherein the control unit (11)
sends commands to the shutdown valve device (12)
so as to close the shutdown valve device (12) when
a first predetermined time has elapsed on condition
that a differential pressure resulted from subtracting
the pressure of the extraction steam from the pres-
sure within the deaerator (5) is equal to or greater
than a first predetermined value which is set in ad-
vance after the differential pressure becomes equal
to or greater than the first predetermined value, and
sends commands to the shutdown valve device (12)
so as to open the shutdown valve device (12) when
a second predetermined time has elapsed on con-
dition that the differential pressure is equal to or less
than a second predetermined value which is set in
advance after the differential pressure becomes
equal to or less than the second predetermined val-
ue.
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4. A method for controlling a steam turbine system, the
steam turbine system comprising:
a turbine (2) driven by steam generated in a boil-
er (13);
a condenser (18) to condense the steam ex-
hausted from the turbine (2) into a condensate;
a deaerator (5) to store the condensate which
is prepared by being heated and deaerated;
an inlet tube (3) to take the extraction steam for
heating and deaerating into the deaerator (5);
and
a check valve (3 a) provided in the inlet tube (3),
comprising the steps of:
measuring a pressure of the extraction
steam and a pressure within the deaerator
(5);
opening and closing a shutdown valve de-
vice (12) provided in the inlet tube (3) based
on a differential pressure between a pres-
sure of the extraction steam and a pressure
within the deaerator (5); and
interrupting the steam flowing from the de-
aerator (5) to the turbine (2) by closing the
shutdown valve device (12).
5. The method according to claim 4, wherein further
comprising the steps of:
sending commands to the shutdown valve de-
vice (12) so as to close the shutdown valve de-
vice (12) when a differential pressure resulted
from subtracting the pressure of the extraction
steam from the pressure within the deaerator (5)
becomes equal to or greater than a first prede-
termined value which is set in advance, and
sending commands to the shutdown valve de-
vice (12) so as to open the shutdown valve de-
vice (12) when the differential pressure be-
comes equal to or greater than a second prede-
termined value which is set in advance.
6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein further
comprising the steps of:
sending commands to the shutdown valve de-
vice (12) so as to close the shutdown valve de-
vice (12) when a first predetermined time has
elapsed on condition that a differential pressure
resulted from subtracting the pressure of the ex-
traction steam from the pressure within the de-
aerator (5) is equal to or greater than a first pre-
determined value which is set in advance after
the differential pressure becomes equal to or
greater than the first predetermined value, and
sending commands to the shutdown valve de-
vice (12) so as to open the shutdown valve de-
vice (12) when a second predetermined time has
elapsed on condition that the differential pres-
sure is equal to or less than a second predeter-
mined value which is set in advance after the
differential pressure becomes equal to or less
than the second predetermined value.
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REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION
This list of references cited by the applicant is for the readers convenience only. It does not form part of the European
patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be
excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.
Patent documents cited in the description
JP 2009189423 A [0001] JP 11148310 A [0009] [0010] [0011]