Gland sealing system

KWU 210MW turbine generator

Turbine and auxiliaries

Aron Ghosh
Roll no. 03515303711
5th semester (electrical)

Gland sealing system

Glands are used on turbine to minimise the leakage of steam (or air) between the rotating
and stationary parts components which have a pressure difference across them.
LOCATION: particularly where turbine shaft passes through the cylinder.
In both the cases :
1. PRESSURE cylinder > PRESSURE atmosphere
(general steam leakage outwards)
2. PRESSURE cylinder < PRESSURE atmosphere
(general steam leakage outwards)
-sealing system is employed to prevent air from entering into cylinder and condenser.

Steam turbine losses (effusion of steam) in 210 MW KWU turbine:

Causes:

Change in internal condition of turbine:

Mechanical damages
Flow area decreases
Flow area bypass
Flow area increases
Change in inlet conditions

Symptoms:

Sudden change in section efficiency

Sudden change in section pressure ratio
Increased downstream extraction temperature

Benefits of employing gland sealing system in 210 MW KWU turbine:

Eliminate steam vapors in the vicinity of the machine which are usually toxic due to additives
found in the machine
Reduce humidity in the vicinity of the machine resulting in safer and more reliable operation of all
electric devices installed in the area
Eliminate lube oil contamination from the migration of water condensate into the seal oil thereby
extending the period between oil changes

TURBINE GLAND SEALING IN 210MW KWU TURBINE :

Turbine shaft glands are sealed with auxiliary steam supplied by an electro-hydraulically controlled
seal steam pressure control valve.
A pressure of 0.01 Kg/cm2 (g) is maintained in the seals. Above a load of 80 MW the turbine become self-sealing.
The leak off steam from HPT/IPT glands is used for sealing LPT glands.
The steampressure in the header is then maintained constant by means of a leak-off control valve, which is
also controlled by the same electro-hydraulic controller, controlling sealsteam pressure control valve.
The last stage leak-off of all shaft seals is sent to thegland steam cooler for regenerative feed heating.
Refer the Figure.

Steam Turbine running without Gland Condenser :

The steam escaping from seals can migrate and condense in the bearing lube oil system causing
degradation of the lube oil properties.
Pollution from the release of toxic vapors containing additives from the machine is also evident.

Steam Turbine running with Gland Seal System :

In the configuration which employs gland sealing system (use of

a steam ejector or an electric motor fane), the water
migration to the lube oil system is eliminated and contamination of the lube
oil by steam leakage is avoided.