exhaust volume ow are two-fold: eciency, and choking. High-volume ow through a xed area translates into high velocity. The kinetic energy leaving the last-stage blades is lost to the condenser, reducing cycle eciency. (Note that the kinetic energy in the steam leaving any upstream stage can be recovered in the downstream stages. This lost kinetic energy is the major component of the combined exhaust losses that will be discussed later.) Steam, like any gas, has a sonic velocity (speed of sound). As the steam velocity reaches the sonic velocity, a shock wave forms in the blading. Once the shock wave is formed, steam ow cannot be increased by downstream conditions. This point is appropriately called the choke point, and it represents a maximum volume ow condition for a given LP turbine. If the volume ow and exhaust steam velocity are too low, turbulence and uneven ow result along the length of the last-stage blades. At extremely low ows, partial recirculation of steam may occur, typically along the rotor. These phenomena mechanically add
LP Turbine Exhaust Losses
Exhaust Losses
Increasing Losses due
to Increasing Velocity
Increasing Losses due to
Backflow and Turbulence
Choking Occurs
Minimum Exhaust Loss Exhaust Volume Flow
Figure 4-21 | Optimal cycle efficiency occurs where exhaust losses are minimized at the lowest point of the exhaust loss curve
energy back to the steamthat is,
energy lost to the condenser. These losses, combined with the kinetic energy losses discussed earlier, represent exhaust losses. LP Selection
Exhaust losses can be plotted versus
volume ow, as shown in Figure 4-21. The right side of the curve (high volume per ow) parabolically increases because of increasing kinetic energy losses. Typically, however, the left side (low volume per ow) is more vertical and less dened. Choking will occur at the extreme right end of the curve. Maximum eciency occurs where the exhaust losses are minimized. For a given steam ow, exhaust volume ow will increase with decreasing exhaust pressure. Because the LP exhaust pressure will vary seasonally with the condenser cooling medium (water or air), the size of the total LP annulus area must be selected to match that experienced throughout the year. Ideally, the LP exhaust area should be selected to operate at or near the minimum exhaust loss point. Because the left side of the curve is more vertical, the LP should be selected to avoid operation too far below the minimum exhaust loss. The LP annulus area can be increased by increasing the last-stage blade length or by increasing the number of ows. Increasing the LP annulus area eectively reduces the specic volume ow on the exhaust loss curve, moving to the left on the curve. Large, utility-size turbines typically use one, two, or three double-ow LP turbines in tandem to achieve the desired exhaust ow area. Using the longest blades available enables the designer to use fewer LP modules, reducing cost.