US20040228730A1 - Pipes for steam power-plant - Google Patents
Pipes for steam power-plant Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20040228730A1 US20040228730A1 US10/719,087 US71908703A US2004228730A1 US 20040228730 A1 US20040228730 A1 US 20040228730A1 US 71908703 A US71908703 A US 71908703A US 2004228730 A1 US2004228730 A1 US 2004228730A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- turbine
- pipework
- steam
- pipes
- dimensions
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01K—STEAM ENGINE PLANTS; STEAM ACCUMULATORS; ENGINE PLANTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; ENGINES USING SPECIAL WORKING FLUIDS OR CYCLES
- F01K13/00—General layout or general methods of operation of complete plants
- F01K13/006—Auxiliaries or details not otherwise provided for
Definitions
- This invention relates to turbines, and more particularly to turbines for use in the generation of electricity.
- Pipe fittings such as elbow bends normally cause head loss in the fluid flowing in the pipe.
- the head loss caused by fittings can be reduced by modification of the fittings; for example, the sweep of an elbow bend can be increased.
- elbow bends it may not be possible to use elbow bends with a large sweep in the confines of a power generation plant.
- any amount of head loss, however small can have a large effect on the total costs of generating electricity over the lifetime of a generation plant.
- a turbine for use in electricity generation including pipework for gas or vapor entering or leaving the turbine, wherein the pipework comprises at least one substantially rigid pipe, having at least one section with a centerline curving in three dimensions.
- the sole figure is a schematic perspective view of a boiler B, a turbine T and a condenser C.
- the near wall velocity profile around the tubular portion tends to be circumferentially more uniform with its non-planar geometry than it would be with planar geometry (in a normal elbow bend) Since the velocity profile of the flow is more uniform, there is a reduced tendency for separation to occur at the inner wall of the curve, and this leads to reduced energy losses caused by eddying turbulence, and reduced risk of cavitation.
- the turbine is a steam turbine
- the pipework is positioned between a boiler and the turbine. The reduction in pressure drop between the boiler and the turbine enables the steam to enter the turbine at a higher pressure, which can lead to higher efficiencies.
- the turbine is a steam turbine
- the pipework is positioned between the exit of the turbine and a condenser.
- the invention also extends to pipework for use with turbines as described above.
- Pipes having a centerline curving in three dimensions can, for example, be used in the pipework carrying the exit steam from a condensing steam turbine in an electricity generation process.
- the steam is reduced to below atmospheric pressure so that as much of the energy in the steam as possible is extracted torn electricity generation.
- Pipes having a centerline curving in three dimensions allow the pressure drop between the steam turbine exit and the condenser to be lowered, and this in turn allows the economic extraction of even more energy, thus improving the efficiency of the electrical generation process.
- Such pipes can also be employed in the pipework conveying low pressure steam or other gases to an exhaust steam or gas turbine to generate electricity and in the exit pipework from such a turbine
- the reduction in head loss achieved by using such pipes can be advantageously applied to other aspects of steam or gas turbines.
- the boiler B is connected to the turbine T by a pipe 10 , and the turbine is in turn connected to the condenser C by a pipe 20 .
- High-pressure steam flows from the boiler B to the inlet of the turbine T through the pipe 10 , and low-pressure steam is exhausted from the turbine T to the condenser C.
- the pipes 10 and 20 have centerlines which curve in three dimensions. This induces swirl flow in the pipes as described above, which serves to reduce pressure loss in the steam, thus improving the overall efficiency.
Abstract
A turbine for use in electricity generation is provided with pipework for gas or vapor entering or leaving the turbine. The pipework includes a rigid section the centerline of which curves in three dimensions.
Description
- This is a continuation of Attorney Docket No. 30675/39744 filed Nov. 17, 2003, which is the U.S. national phase of International Application No. PCT/GB02/02339.
- 1. Field of the Invention
- This invention relates to turbines, and more particularly to turbines for use in the generation of electricity.
- 2. Related Technology
- Most generators used to produce electricity are driven by steam turbines. The turbines themselves are driven by steam produced in boilers heated by fossil fuels or by a nuclear reactor. It will normally not be possible to have a straight pipe leading from the outlet of the boiler to the inlet of the turbine, and so the pipework will generally consist of a number of lengths of straight pipe connected by bends, such as elbow bends.
- Pipe fittings such as elbow bends normally cause head loss in the fluid flowing in the pipe. The head loss caused by fittings can be reduced by modification of the fittings; for example, the sweep of an elbow bend can be increased. However, it may not be possible to use elbow bends with a large sweep in the confines of a power generation plant. Further, there is still the problem that the mere presence of fittings of this type will contribute to head loss, and it will be appreciated that any amount of head loss, however small, can have a large effect on the total costs of generating electricity over the lifetime of a generation plant.
- According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a turbine for use in electricity generation, including pipework for gas or vapor entering or leaving the turbine, wherein the pipework comprises at least one substantially rigid pipe, having at least one section with a centerline curving in three dimensions.
- The sole figure is a schematic perspective view of a boiler B, a turbine T and a condenser C.
- In a normal elbow bend, in which the centerline of the pipe curves in two dimensions, the pressure at the inside of the curve is reduced in comparison to that at the outside of the curve. There is a resultant tendency for flow to separate from the inner wall of the curve, leading to energy losses caused by eddying turbulence. The flow separation may also result in cavitation at the inner wall, which can damage the pipe and reduce its useful working life.
- However, in a tubular portion the centerline of which curves in three dimensions, swirl flow tends to develop. Under these circumstances, the axial velocity profile of the flow across the tubular portion becomes more uniform or “blunter”, with the speed of flow at the outside of the curve being less than it would be in similar flow in a two-dimensional curved pipe, and the speed at the inside being greater. Thus, the near wall velocity profile around the tubular portion tends to be circumferentially more uniform with its non-planar geometry than it would be with planar geometry (in a normal elbow bend) Since the velocity profile of the flow is more uniform, there is a reduced tendency for separation to occur at the inner wall of the curve, and this leads to reduced energy losses caused by eddying turbulence, and reduced risk of cavitation.
- The reduction of the pressure drop which can be achieved using pipes having a centerline curving in three dimensions rather than elbow bends can be of significant economic importance with regard to turbines used for the generation of electricity.
- In a preferred form, the turbine is a steam turbine, and the pipework is positioned between a boiler and the turbine. The reduction in pressure drop between the boiler and the turbine enables the steam to enter the turbine at a higher pressure, which can lead to higher efficiencies.
- In a further preferred form, the turbine is a steam turbine, and the pipework is positioned between the exit of the turbine and a condenser.
- The invention also extends to pipework for use with turbines as described above.
- Pipes having a centerline curving in three dimensions can, for example, be used in the pipework carrying the exit steam from a condensing steam turbine in an electricity generation process. The steam is reduced to below atmospheric pressure so that as much of the energy in the steam as possible is extracted torn electricity generation. Pipes having a centerline curving in three dimensions allow the pressure drop between the steam turbine exit and the condenser to be lowered, and this in turn allows the economic extraction of even more energy, thus improving the efficiency of the electrical generation process.
- Such pipes can also be employed in the pipework conveying low pressure steam or other gases to an exhaust steam or gas turbine to generate electricity and in the exit pipework from such a turbine In addition, the reduction in head loss achieved by using such pipes can be advantageously applied to other aspects of steam or gas turbines.
- Referring to the drawings figure, the boiler B is connected to the turbine T by a
pipe 10, and the turbine is in turn connected to the condenser C by a pipe 20. High-pressure steam flows from the boiler B to the inlet of the turbine T through thepipe 10, and low-pressure steam is exhausted from the turbine T to the condenser C. - The
pipes 10 and 20 have centerlines which curve in three dimensions. This induces swirl flow in the pipes as described above, which serves to reduce pressure loss in the steam, thus improving the overall efficiency.
Claims (4)
1. A turbine for use in electricity generation, including pipework for gas or vapor entering or leaving the turbine, wherein the pipework comprises at least one substantially rigid pipe, having at least one section with a centerline curving in three dimensions.
2. A turbine as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said turbine is a steam turbine, and said pipework is positioned between a boiler and the turbine.
3. A turbine as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said turbine is a steam turbine, and said pipework is positioned between the exit of the turbine and a condenser.
4. Pipework for use with a turbine as claimed in claim 1.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB0112064.1 | 2001-05-17 | ||
GBGB0112064.1A GB0112064D0 (en) | 2001-05-17 | 2001-05-17 | Turbines |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20040228730A1 true US20040228730A1 (en) | 2004-11-18 |
Family
ID=9914813
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/478,030 Abandoned US20050074329A1 (en) | 2001-05-17 | 2002-05-17 | Pipes for steam power-plant |
US10/719,087 Abandoned US20040228730A1 (en) | 2001-05-17 | 2003-11-21 | Pipes for steam power-plant |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/478,030 Abandoned US20050074329A1 (en) | 2001-05-17 | 2002-05-17 | Pipes for steam power-plant |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US20050074329A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1387979A1 (en) |
GB (1) | GB0112064D0 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2002093064A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7749462B2 (en) | 2004-09-21 | 2010-07-06 | Technip France S.A.S. | Piping |
GB0420971D0 (en) | 2004-09-21 | 2004-10-20 | Imp College Innovations Ltd | Piping |
US8029749B2 (en) | 2004-09-21 | 2011-10-04 | Technip France S.A.S. | Cracking furnace |
GB0817219D0 (en) | 2008-09-19 | 2008-10-29 | Heliswirl Petrochemicals Ltd | Cracking furnace |
Citations (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US836320A (en) * | 1906-05-02 | 1906-11-20 | Patrick J Hanlon | Pneumatic bobbin-conveyer for mills. |
US917395A (en) * | 1908-06-03 | 1909-04-06 | James B Wise | Combined waste and overflow. |
US1989608A (en) * | 1932-03-22 | 1935-01-29 | Victor L Reed | Flow head |
US2286565A (en) * | 1940-11-09 | 1942-06-16 | Norton Mcmurray Mfg Company | Universal pipe joint fitting |
US3724499A (en) * | 1971-06-03 | 1973-04-03 | Fmc Corp | Anti-cavitation system for fluid loading arms |
US5054819A (en) * | 1990-02-16 | 1991-10-08 | Victaulic Company Of America | Plumbing elbows or bends |
US5255507A (en) * | 1992-05-04 | 1993-10-26 | Ahlstrom Pyropower Corporation | Combined cycle power plant incorporating atmospheric circulating fluidized bed boiler and gasifier |
US6179342B1 (en) * | 1999-06-11 | 2001-01-30 | Hsin-Der Shen | Bend conduit having low pressure loss coefficient |
Family Cites Families (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4286141A (en) * | 1978-06-22 | 1981-08-25 | Calmac Manufacturing Corporation | Thermal storage method and system utilizing an anhydrous sodium sulfate pebble bed providing high-temperature capability |
US4270350A (en) * | 1978-10-25 | 1981-06-02 | Chevalier Donald M | Apparatus and method for converting solar energy |
JPS5815702A (en) * | 1981-07-21 | 1983-01-29 | Mitsui Eng & Shipbuild Co Ltd | Hot water storage electricity generation equipment |
JPS60173375A (en) * | 1984-02-17 | 1985-09-06 | Noriaki Wakao | Liquid conveying temperature differential pump making control valve on-off operation into nonelectrification |
EP0493302B1 (en) * | 1990-12-24 | 1995-04-12 | United Technologies Corporation | Mechanism to reduce pressure losses in angled conduits |
US5249551A (en) * | 1991-04-09 | 1993-10-05 | Kirkpatrick William J | Steam generation system mass and feedwater control system |
DE19733941A1 (en) * | 1997-08-06 | 1999-02-11 | Klein Schanzlin & Becker Ag | Guide device for pipe elbow for pumps, etc. |
JPH11141309A (en) * | 1997-10-31 | 1999-05-25 | Toshiba Corp | Multishaft compound generation plant |
JP4146033B2 (en) * | 1999-06-15 | 2008-09-03 | 三菱重工業株式会社 | Steam inlet / outlet pressure loss reduction structure of steam turbine |
-
2001
- 2001-05-17 GB GBGB0112064.1A patent/GB0112064D0/en not_active Ceased
-
2002
- 2002-05-17 WO PCT/GB2002/002339 patent/WO2002093064A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2002-05-17 EP EP02735576A patent/EP1387979A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2002-05-17 US US10/478,030 patent/US20050074329A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2003
- 2003-11-21 US US10/719,087 patent/US20040228730A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US836320A (en) * | 1906-05-02 | 1906-11-20 | Patrick J Hanlon | Pneumatic bobbin-conveyer for mills. |
US917395A (en) * | 1908-06-03 | 1909-04-06 | James B Wise | Combined waste and overflow. |
US1989608A (en) * | 1932-03-22 | 1935-01-29 | Victor L Reed | Flow head |
US2286565A (en) * | 1940-11-09 | 1942-06-16 | Norton Mcmurray Mfg Company | Universal pipe joint fitting |
US3724499A (en) * | 1971-06-03 | 1973-04-03 | Fmc Corp | Anti-cavitation system for fluid loading arms |
US5054819A (en) * | 1990-02-16 | 1991-10-08 | Victaulic Company Of America | Plumbing elbows or bends |
US5255507A (en) * | 1992-05-04 | 1993-10-26 | Ahlstrom Pyropower Corporation | Combined cycle power plant incorporating atmospheric circulating fluidized bed boiler and gasifier |
US6179342B1 (en) * | 1999-06-11 | 2001-01-30 | Hsin-Der Shen | Bend conduit having low pressure loss coefficient |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2002093064A1 (en) | 2002-11-21 |
EP1387979A1 (en) | 2004-02-11 |
GB0112064D0 (en) | 2001-07-11 |
US20050074329A1 (en) | 2005-04-07 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: IMPERIAL COLLEGE INNOVATIONS LIMITED, GREAT BRITAI Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:CARO, COLIN G.;PIESOLD, DAVID D.A.;TALLIS, WILLIAM;REEL/FRAME:015564/0979 Effective date: 20040506 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |