US3660980A - Indirect air condensation plant - Google Patents

Indirect air condensation plant Download PDF

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US3660980A
US3660980A US36849A US3660980DA US3660980A US 3660980 A US3660980 A US 3660980A US 36849 A US36849 A US 36849A US 3660980D A US3660980D A US 3660980DA US 3660980 A US3660980 A US 3660980A
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Prior art keywords
water
cooling elements
pressure
line
cooling
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US36849A
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English (en)
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Hermann Knirsch
Hans-H Von Cleve
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GEA Luftkuehler GmbH
GEA Luftkuehlergesellschaft Happel GmbH and Co KG
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GEA Luftkuehler GmbH
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    • 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
    • F01K9/00—Plants characterised by condensers arranged or modified to co-operate with the engines
    • F01K9/003—Plants characterised by condensers arranged or modified to co-operate with the engines condenser cooling circuits
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
    • F28B—STEAM OR VAPOUR CONDENSERS
    • F28B3/00—Condensers in which the steam or vapour comes into direct contact with the cooling medium
    • F28B3/04—Condensers in which the steam or vapour comes into direct contact with the cooling medium by injecting cooling liquid into the steam or vapour
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
    • F28B—STEAM OR VAPOUR CONDENSERS
    • F28B9/00—Auxiliary systems, arrangements, or devices
    • F28B9/04—Auxiliary systems, arrangements, or devices for feeding, collecting, and storing cooling water or other cooling liquid
    • F28B9/06—Auxiliary systems, arrangements, or devices for feeding, collecting, and storing cooling water or other cooling liquid with provision for re-cooling the cooling water or other cooling liquid
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S165/00—Heat exchange
    • Y10S165/90—Cooling towers

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT A condensation plant for'condensing superheated steam and the like, having a jet condenser for condensing the steam and a plurality of air-cooled cooling elements to feed cooling water to the condenser and to .cool the condensate.
  • Distribution means including pumps and valves, are provided between the condenser and cooling elements which allow for the selective flow of the condensate and drainage of any individual portion of the plant.
  • a vacuum line is included in the distribution means and is connected to the highest point of each cooling element. The pressure in the vacuum line is below atmospheric pressure and only slightly above the specific saturation pressure of the condensate corresponding to the water temperature in the upper part of the cooling elements.
  • the vacuum line along with providing a control function, also enables replacement of a single cooling element without shutting down the entire plant.
  • the cooling water or condensate discharge line of this plant there is at least one pump which feeds the cooling water and condensate to subsequent air-cooled cooling elements which areconnected on their input side-to distribution conduits and ontheir output side to collecting conduits, the main collecting or water-return conduit passing back via an interposecl throttlemember to the injection nozzles of the condenser.
  • a leveling vessel is arranged above the cooling elements and is connected through conduits to the highest points of each cooling element.
  • a specific water level must be maintained within the leveling vessel in order to make certain that all the cooling elements are completely full of water during operation. If the water level in the leveling vessel drops, then the pump in the cooling water or condensatedischarge line of the jetcondenser is adjusted to a larger delivery, while a rise in the water level in the leveling vessel to above the contemplated maximum water level results in a reduction in the delivery of the pump.
  • the pump in the cooling water or condensate-discharge conduit of the jet condenser is controlled as a function of the water level in the leveling vessel.
  • a corresponding throttle member is arranged in the main collecting conduit.
  • This throttle member in the known system is controlled as a function of the pressure in the jet condenser, the desired pressure in the condenser being adjusted either manually or as a function of the turbine output and possibly also of the rate of flow of the steam through the turbine.
  • This known air condensation plant has the substantial disadvantage that a pressure considerably greater than atmospheric pressure must be maintained at all places, as seen from the direction of flow, behind the pump contained in the cooling water or condensate-discharge line up to the throttle member arranged in the main collecting conduit. In this way it is attempted to prevent the penetration of air into the condensate or cooling water and into the inside of the cooling elements or pipelines.
  • the pump connected in the cooling water or condensate-discharge line must be fed not only with the drive power which it consumes in order to overcome the frictional and throttling losses as well as the geodetic head, but in addition it also requires a considerably greater power, namely about percent to percent greater, in order to overcome the pressure difference between the vacuum and the jet condenser and the pressure in the cooling circuit.
  • the operating expenses of the plant as well as the investment costs are therefore considerably higher.
  • Another disadvantage of the known air condensation plant is that it is not possible to maintain a constant delivery of the pump arranged in the cooling water or condensate-discharge line since, even in normal operation of the plant, the pressure in the jet condenser will change upon a change in the operating condition and particularly of the turbine output.
  • the pressure in the cooling elements or in the cooling circuit is, however, maintained below a given pressure in the known construction by the leveling vessel and in particular by the connecting of the cooling elements to the gas cylinders.
  • the pressure difference which the pump must overcome varies as a function of the pressure in the jet condenser, in the case of the known condensation plant, so that one cannot get along without a corresponding adjustment of the pump.
  • the pressure difference on both sides of the throttle member also varies, since here also the pressure in front of the throttle member, as seen in the direction of flow, and therefore between it and the cooling elements, remains substantially constant due to the action of the gas cylinders. Behind the throttle member, as seen in the direction of flow, and therefore between the latter and the jet condenser, the pressure difference can vary considerably, depending on the condition of operation of the condenser. Accordingly, in the known condensation plant, the throttle member must also be regulated automatically and continuously as a function of the pressure in the condenser or the output of the machine arranged in front of it, such as a steam turbine. Thus also in this case expensive control apparatus are necessary and additional maintenance and repair expenses are incurred upon the operation of the plant.
  • the known air condensation plant has the disadvantage that there is a continuous consumption of inert gas, since this inert gas is introduced under pressure into the cooling elements and into the leveling vessel and is in part absorbed by the condensate or cooling water. The inert gas passes together with the cooling water back into the jet condenser where it is drawn off with the air suction and blown into the atmosphere. Thus, there takes place a continuous, and not inconsiderable, loss of inert gas which in the known plant must be counteracted by replacement of the gas cylinders, which naturally increases operating expenses. Furthermore, the leveling vessel and its connecting conduits to the cooling elements, must be well insulated and provided with a heating device in order to avoid freezing in winter.
  • the object of the present invention is to create an indirect air condensation plant which does not have the above-mentioned disadvantages but results in lower operating costs and is of simpler construction.
  • This objective is achieved in accordance with the invention in the manner that the cooling elements are connected in the vicinity of their highest points to a vacuum line.
  • the pressure in this line at the connecting oints with the cooling elements is above, but preferably only slightly above, the instantaneous saturation pressure of the cooling water or condensate corresponding to the water temperature in the upper part of the cooling elements. In this way the result is first of all achieved that within the cooling elements, as well as practically in the entire cooling water or condensate circuit, there prevails a pressure which lies below atmospheric pressure.
  • This pressure is in this connection kept as low as possible so that even, as seen in the direction of flow, shortly in front of the throttle member which is connected in the main collecting or water-return line, it is only relatively slightly above the condenser pressure.
  • the delivery of the pump is considerably reduced which is equivalent to a considerable saving of drive power and thus leads in its turn to a reduction of the auxiliary energy requirement of the entire plant.
  • the condensation plant of the invention not only are costs for energy and thus for operation saved, but because of the vacuum or the lower delivery as compared with the known construction, one can get along with a substantially weaker and therefore cheaper pump, which is also true in the same manner with respect to the pump drive.
  • the pressure difference, in the direction of flow, in front of and behind the throttle member, is far lower than in the known condensation plant, so that even if a simple throttle member is provided, only a small amount of energy is lost.
  • the energy losses occurring with the use of a simple throttle member are so small as a result of the slight pressure difference in front of and behind the throttle member in the plant of the invention that a large part thereof is counteracted alone by the fact that the high maintenance expenses for the recovery turbine and the purchase price thereof are done away with and by the advantages which result from the simpler operation and more dependable construction of the plant ofthe invention than the known construction.
  • Another substantial advantage of the air condensation plant of the present invention is that it is possible with it to keep the delivery head of the pump constant even upon variation of the pressure in the jet condenser. This is possible in particular because the pressure difference between the jet condenser and, for instance, the highest point of the cooling elements, is maintained approximately constant during operation. With the normally constant delivery quantity and the constant geodetic delivery head there thus also results a substantially constant delivery output of the pump.
  • the pressure difference between jet condenser and cooling elements can be kept constant in the air condensation plant of the invention in a particularly simple manner.
  • the cooling elements ofthe inventive plant have therein a pressure which lies below the atmospheric pressure and which is furthermore not fundamentally kept constant, in contradistinction to the known construction.
  • the constant delivery head and, for the same quantity of delivery, the constant delivery output of the pump advantageously make unnecessary control thereof, so that the need for both an expensive construction of the pump itself and expensive control units for the pump can be dispensed with.
  • the operating cost for the pump is kept small, however, not only by the lower output required and the simpler maintenance and lesser susceptibility to disturbance, but also by the fact that the pump can be adjusted to a very specific delivery head and delivery output, so that it is operated with optimum efficiency, which naturally leads to a reduction of the operating expenses.
  • Another advantage of the air condensation plant of the present invention is the slight pressure difference, as seen in the direction of flow, in front of and behind the throttle member, which difference furthen-nore remains substantially constant for the reasons indicated above. Therefore, in the same manner as in the case of the pump, one can dispense with control and thus with corresponding control members and control apparatus for the throttle member.
  • the pump or the throttle member it is sufficient for the pump or the throttle member to have simple, manually actuated controls which are actuated only for the starting up of the plant and for exceptional operating conditions, while normal control either of the pump or of the throttle member is not necessary.
  • the vacuum line is connected to the air exhaust of the jet condenser.
  • the vacuum in the vacuum line is obtained in this embodiment of the invention by the air exhaust which is in any event present on the jet condenser.
  • This furthermore has the substantial advantage that the vacuum in the vacuum line and thus the vacuum at the highest points of the cooling elements establishes itself completely automatically as a function of the vacuum in the jet condenser.
  • the vacuum line is connected to the inside of the jet condenser.
  • This embodiment is particularly recommended when assurance must be had that no cooling water or condensate will enter into the air exhaust of the jet condenser and when, due to local circumstances, it is to be feared that the cooling water or condensate will be removed from the cooling elements via the vacuum line. If this is the case, the cooling water of condensate is fed again to the jet condenser and thus to the circuit and is not lost.
  • the pressure difference between the jet condenser and the cooling elements is maintained substantially constant also in this embodiment in the same way as in the preceding embodiment, name ly, without special control devices having to be provided. In principle, however, it is also possible for the vacuum line to be connected to a separate evacuation device.
  • a water-level detector to be arranged in several cooling elements of the plant andat least in one cooling element each of each group of cooling elements.
  • a detector should be placed in several cooling elements-of'each group of cooling elements. In this way assurance is had that each cooling element is sufficiently filled with water and areductionof the output of the plant by merely partially filled cooling elements is avoided.
  • a water trap can be arranged in-the vacuum line.
  • the condensate or coolant which may be present in the vacuum'line can be removed from the vacuum line. This is important in'particular when the vacuum line is connected to the air exhaustof the jet condenser or to a separate evacuation device.
  • the water trap on the water side with a collecting or water-return line since in this way it is possible to savethe relatively long line between the water trap arranged in the vicinity of the cooling elements and the condenser which lies further away. Furthermore, in this embodiment it is advisable to arrange a shut-off element,'rwhich is adjustable as a function of the water level in the water trap, in the water-side connecting line between the water trap and the jet condenser or the collecting or water-"return line.
  • a shutoff element is'arranged in the vacuum line directly at each cooling element but preferably only at the end of the vacuum lineof each group of cooling elements. lf, in accordance with the aforementioned preferred embodiment, a shut-off element is arranged only in each case at the end of the vacuum line of eachgroup of cooling elements, then in this advantageous fashion it is possible to save a large number of shut-off elements; Nevertheless, it is possible in the air condensation plant of the invention to empty only a single cooling element of a group of cooling elements without it being necessary for the other cooling elements of the same group of cooling elements to be emptied also. This is of particular advantage especially when a single damaged cooling element must be replaced or repaired.
  • the vacuum line of at least each group of cooling elements can be connected separately to a known gas equalization line between the cooling elements and a water tank associated with them.
  • the gas equalization line and the water tank are filled in the known manner with an inert gas, such as'nitrogen.
  • an inert gas such as'nitrogen.
  • a gas equalization line between the water tank and the cooling elements and the filling "of the equalization line and the water tank, which is substantially empty when the cooling elements are filled with an inert "gas such as nitrogen, is in itself already known in air condensationplants.
  • the vacuum line of atleast each group ofcooling elements can be connected separately to a separate inert gas supply device. If the plant has a separate evacuation device, it is advisable to connect the pressure side of the evacuationdevice temporarily to a gas equalization line or to the inert gas supply device. ln'this way it question is again filled with water. The inert gas is thus not lost and can be used again.
  • the throttle member in the main collecting or waterretum line is adjustable as a function of the pressure in the vacuumline in the vicinity of the cooling elements and of the temperature in the vicinity of the highest points of the cooling elements.
  • the fact is taken into consideration that the saturation pressure in the cooling elements is dependent on the instantaneous temperature and thusmust be of a different value depending on the cooling action of the cooling elements and the temperature of the incoming condensate or cooling water.
  • each group of cooling elements with at least one separate pressure detector as well as possibly at least one separate temperature detector.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a plant in accordance with the invention having a vacuum line connected to the air exhaust of the jet condenser;
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an alternate embodiment with a gas equalization line connected to the vacuum line;
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of another alternate embodiment having a vacuum line connected to the jet condenser
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a further alternate embodiment with separate evaporation device.
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a final embodiment having a water trap in the vacuum line.
  • steam turbine 1 receives steam from a steam boiler system (not shown) via a line 2 and drives a machine, for instance, a generator 3.
  • the turbine 1 can, of course, also consist of a plurality of individual turbines connected in series.
  • a steam engine instead of the steam turbine or that exhaust vapor which is to be condensed is obtained by some other means.
  • This vapor furthermore need not necessarily be water vapor or steam, but can be any other vapors which are to be condensed.
  • the exhaust vapor or steam from turbine 1 is fed via an exhaust steam line 4 to a jet condenser 5.
  • a jet condenser 5 there are jet nozzles 5a from which water is sprayed into the steam which condenses and precipitates together with the injected cooling water thus forming a water bath 5b in the jet condenser 5.
  • the cooling water or condensate of the jet condenser 5 flows through a cooling water or condensatedischarge line 6 out ofthe jet condenser 5.
  • cooling water or condensate-discharge line 6 there are provided two pumps 7 and 8.
  • a shut-off valve 9 which is operated either manually or automatically.
  • the pump 8 in the cooling water or condensate discharge line 6 serves as circulating pump and pumps the cooling water or condensate into a distributor line 10 from which the cooling water or condensate flows, via shut-off elements 11, to a plurality of groups of cooling elements each group of which consists of a plurality of individual cooling elements.
  • a distributor line 10 from which the cooling water or condensate flows, via shut-off elements 11, to a plurality of groups of cooling elements each group of which consists of a plurality of individual cooling elements.
  • shut-off elements 11 a plurality of groups of cooling elements each group of which consists of a plurality of individual cooling elements.
  • the cooling water or condensate flows from the distributor line 10, via the shut-off element 11a, into a group distributor line 13 and from there through the cooling elements 12 into a group collecting line 14.
  • Each cooling element generally consists of finned-tube elements and have been only schematically indicated in the drawing.
  • the cooled water in the group collecting line 14 is fed, via the shut-off element 11b, to a collecting line 15 and passes from there into a main-collecting or water-retum line 16 which goes back to the jet condenser 5.
  • a throttle member 17 which again throttles the pressure behind the pump 8, as seen in the direction of flow.
  • the pressure in the entire circuit described above is higher than the pressure in the jet condenser 5.
  • the vacuum in the jet condenser 5 is kept as low as possible since it is connected to the turbine 1.
  • an expansion turbine can also be provided as recovery turbine which recovers the greater part of the output fed to the pump 8. After the cooled water has passed through the throttle member 17, it passes, via the spray nozzles 50, back into the jet condenser 5 and serves as the cooling water.
  • shut-off element 19 is opened so that the cooling water driven by the pump 8 flows, not through the cooling elements 12, but directly, via the opened shut-off element 19 and crossover connection 18 to the main-collecting or waterretum line 16 and is fed from there, via the throttle member 17, to the jet condenser 5. Overcooling of the water is thus avoided.
  • drain lines 20, 21 and 22 have been provided connected via shut-off elements 23, 24, 25 and 26, to the lines 6, 13 and 14.
  • the drain lines 20 and 22 lead to two water tanks 27 and 28 which are adapted to receive the cooling water.
  • the cooling elements 12 and their group distribution lines or group collecting lines 13 and 14, respectively to be drained separately without also draining the cooling-water or condensate-discharge line 6, the distributor line 10, the collecting line 15 and the main collecting or water-retum line 16.
  • shut-off elements 11a and 11b are closed while opening the shut-off elements 25 and 26 as well as the shut-ofi' element 29 leading to the water tank 27.
  • the water then flows into the water tank 27 which is of correspondingly large size.
  • the shut-off element 29 is closed and a shut-off element 30 in the drain line 20 is opened.
  • the water tank 27 is connected with a pump 31 which, via the drain line 22 and the shut-off elements 25 and 26, will feed the water to the cooling elements 12 as well as the group distributor line 13 and the group collecting line 14.
  • the shut-off elements 25 and 26 are closed again while the shut-off elements 11a and 11b are opened, as a result of which the cooling elements 12 are again connected to the circuit.
  • shut-ofi element 24 For the draining of the cooling-water or condensatedischarge line 6 behind the pump 8, as seen in the direction of flow, as well as for draining the distributor line 10, the shut-ofi element 24 is opened. The water then flows into the water tank 27via the drain lines 21 and 20 or, if the latter is already full, by opening the shut-off members 30 and 32 into the second water tank 28 which as a rule is somewhat larger than tank 27.
  • This water tank 28, however, is only used if the cooling elements 12 and the pipelines of the circuit are to be drained and therefore the water amount to be removed is greater than the capacity of the smaller water tank 27.
  • the water tank 28 is able, by the opening of another shut-off member 33, to receive, via the drain line 22, water from the cooling elements 12 and the distributing or collecting lines 13 and 14. If the jet condenser is also to be drained, this can also be done by opening the shut-off element 23, in which case then the section of the cooling-water or condensate-discharge line 6 between the two pumps 7 and 8 is also drained. Draining of the main-collecting or water-return line 16 and of the collecting line'l5 is effected by opening the shut-off elements 19 and 24, via the drain lines 21 and 20. Thus the entire circuit as well as individual section thereof can be drained separately.
  • the filling of the lines is effected by closing the shut-off elements 29 and 33 and by opening the shut-0E elements 30 and 32 in which case the water then is passed by means of the pump 31 from the tanks 27 and 28, via the drain line 22 and the shut-off elements 25 and 26, back into the cooling circuit.
  • the cooling water or condensate-discharge line 6, the distributing line 10, the collecting line and the main collecting line 16 are also filled via the drain line 22 when the shut-off elements 11a and 11b open.
  • the water level in the jet condenser 5 is maintained between a maximumvalue and a minimum value by a control device 34.
  • the control device 34 duly actuates the shut-off elements 23 and 24.
  • the shutoff element 24 is opened a certain amount.
  • the opening of the shut-off'element 24 takes place as a result of the corresponding controlpulse over the controlline 24a by which the shutoff element 24 is connected with the control device 34 at the jet condenser 5.
  • shut-off element 23 When the shut-off element 23 is opened, water flows out of the tank 27, via the line 20, into the cooling-water or condensate-discharge line 6 inasmuch as, in the region just in front of the pump 8 in the cooling-water or condensatedischarge line 6, a very low pressure prevails which causes the water to be drawn out of the water tank 27 and into the cooling circuit. On the other hand, if the water level within the jet condenser is normal, the shut-off elements 23 and 24 are both closed.
  • a vacuum line 35 which is connected to the highest points of each element and leads, via shut-off elements 36, to a main vacuum line 35a.
  • the vacuum line 35a is connected to the air exhaust 37 of the jet condenser 5.
  • the same vacuum as in the jet condenser itself which is, for instance, about 0.1 to 0.2 atmospheres.
  • This pressure is higher than the pressure prevailing in the jet condenser 5, which pressure lies above the saturation pressure even at the higher temperature present in the jet condenser 5.
  • the shut-off elements lla and 11b of the corresponding group distribution line 13 and group collecting line 14 are first of all closed. Furthermore, the shut-oft element 36 of the corresponding vacuum line 35 is closed. Thereupon the upper flange connection 38 of the damaged cooling element is loosened. After the loosening of the flange connection '38, air penetrates into the damaged cooling element 12a so that by opening the shut-off elements 25, 26 and 29, the water contained in the damaged cooling element 12a flows into the water tank 27. The amount of water which discharged is so determined that the damaged cooling clement 12a is just emptied. The other cooling elements 12 of the same group, which are connected to the same vacuum line 35, however, remain filled with water, in contradistinction to the known plant, if a suitable vacuum is maintained at their highest points.
  • the other cooling elements 12 of the same group which are connected to the same vacuum line 35, however, remain filled with water, in contradistinction to the known plant, if a suitable vacuum is maintained at their highest points.
  • the draining of the entire group of cooling elements or of the associated groupdistributing or group-collecting lines 13 and 14 is not necessary in this case which constitutes an advantage. It means a substantial shortening of the lost time of the other cooling elements 12 of the same group.
  • the filling of the newly inserted cooling element 12 can be effected as already described by feeding water by means of the pump 31. However, as a rule this isonly done when the pump 8 stops for some reason.
  • FIG. 2 corresponds substantially to the embodiment of FIG. 1, except that between the water tank 27 and the vacuum line 35 there is a gas equalization line 40 which, via shut-off elements 41, can be connected directly with the vacuum line 35.
  • the water tank '27 is empty and is filled merely with an inert gas, for instance nitrogen, in order to avoid corrosion.
  • the inert gas is supplied from gas cylinders 43 which are connected to the tank 27 via shut'off and control valve 42.
  • the inert gas which is displaced from the water tank 27 is introduced into the cooling elements 12 and into the group distributing and group collecting lines 13 and 14, respectively, so that no air can penetrate into them. It is advisable in such case, however, to close theshut-ofi" element 36 of the vacuum line 35 in order to prevent the inert gas from being drawn in.
  • FIG. 3 also corresponds substantially to the embodiment of FIG. 1 except that the main vacuum line 35a is not connected to the air exhaust 37 but is directly connected to the inside of the jet condenser 5.
  • substantially the same conditions prevail as in the case of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with the further advantage that when water is withdrawn via the vacuum lines 35 and 35a from the cooling elements 12, this water is fed back to the cooling circuit via the jet condenser 5. Withdrawal of water via the air exhaust 37 of the jet condenser 5 into the atmosphere and a corresponding loss of cooling water is thereby avoided in an advantageous fashion.
  • the main vacuum line 35a is, however, connected in FIG. 4 to a separate evacuation device 44.
  • the evacuation device 44 operates as a function of the water level present in the cooling elements 12.
  • at least two cooling elements 12b are each provided with water level detectors 44a.
  • the latter can each individually regulate the action of the evacuating device 44 over lines 44b. This can be done for instance in the manner that the evacuation device 44 is only placed in operation when the level within the cooling elements 12b has dropped below a minimum mark.
  • the evacuation device 44 after the opening of the shut-off elements 36, is connected until the air which has penetrated or the inert gases which have been given off have been removed and the water level has thereby again returned to normal. Thereupon the shut-off elements 36 are advisedly closed again and the evacuation device 44 is disconnected. It is furthermore also possible to keep the evacuation device 44 connected at all times and merely to open or close the shut-off elements 36 as a function of the water level detectors 44a.
  • the pressure in the cooling circuit and thus also in the vacuum line 35 is regulated in this embodiment substantially by a controller 45 which is arranged on the throttle member 17 in the main collecting or water-return line 16.
  • the controller 45 can operate on the one hand solely as a function of the pressure in the vacuum line 35, for which purpose a pressure detector 46 is connected to the vacuum line 35.
  • a pressure detector 46 is connected to the vacuum line 35.
  • the controller 45 operates not only as a function of the pressure in the vacuum line 35, but also as a function of the temperature in the vicinity of the highest points of the cooling elements 12 since this temperature determines the saturation pressure at these points and can vary. Accordingly, in the embodiment of FIG.
  • each group of cooling elements has at least one temperature detector 47 which transmits its measured value over measurement line 47a in the same way as the pressure detector 46 via measurement line 46a to the controller 45. Since at the highest points of the cooling elements 12, a lower temperature always prevails than the temperature present in the jet condenser 5, it is sufiicient for the pressure in the vacuum line 35 to be equal to or somewhat greater than the pressure in the jet condenser 5 in order to make certain that the pressure in the vacuum line 35 does not lie below the saturation pressure at the highest points of the cooling elements 12.
  • the controller 45 compares the pressure of the pressure detector 46 and of the pressure detector 48 with each other and by proper adjustment of the throttle member 17 secs to it that the pressure in the vacuum line 35 is at most equal to the pressure in the jet condenser 5 and preferably somewhat above same. In the last mentioned embodiment, the temperature detector 47 and its measurement line to the controller 45 are unnecessary.
  • the condensation plant of FIG. 4 has a separate inert-gas supply device 49 which consists of an inert-gas storage 50 and of gas cylinders 43 and of a shut-off and control device 42.
  • the separate inert-gas supply device 49 can be connected via a connecting line 51 and shut-off elements 41 directly to the vacuum line 35 over which, upon the draining of the cooling elements 12 and the other lines of the cooling circuit, they are filled with inert gas.
  • the pressure side of the evacuation device 44 is connected, via a gas return line 52 and the connecting line 51, with the inert-gas supply device, a shut-off element 53 being arranged in the gas return line 52.
  • shut-off element 53 is closed while another shut-off element 54 is opened to the pressure-side blow-off line 55 of the evacuation device 44.
  • the gas return line 52 and the last mentioned shut-off elements serve to return the inert gas in the cooling elements 12 as well as in the lines of the cooling circuit into the inert-gas storage 50 when the cooling elements 12 or the lines of the cooling circuit are again filled with water.
  • the shut-ofi" element 54 is closed while the shut-off members 36 and 53 are opened.
  • FIG. 5 corresponds substantially to the embodiment of FIG. 2 with the difference that a water trap 56 is arranged in the main vacuum line 35a.
  • the object of the water trap 56 is to remove any water possibly contained in the main vacuum line 35a.
  • the water trap 56 has the result that a continuous flow to the water trap 56 is present within the vacuum line 35 or 350 whereby air bubbles are removed from the vacuum line 35 and the formation of air pockets is avoided.
  • the continuous flow of water in the vacuum line 35 and 35a prevents their freezing in case of low outside temperatures, which is similarly true also for the water in the water trap 56.
  • the latter is connected on the air side, via a connecting line 57, to the air exhaust 37 of the jet condenser 5.
  • the water trap 56 prevents the connecting line 57, which in practice has a relatively large length, from freezing in the manner that the water trap 56 secs to it that no water penetrates into the connecting line 57.
  • the water trap 56 is connected via a second connecting line 58 with the jet condenser 5 so that the water which has been removed is returned to the cooling circuit.
  • an adjustable shut-off element 59 is provided in the connecting line 58, it being opened to a greater or lesser extent as a function of the level of the water in the water trap.
  • a condensation plant for condensing exhausts such as steam and the like comprising a jet condenser having at least one jet nozzle therein and operatively connected to receive exhausts to be condensed, a plurality of air-cooled cooling elements having inputs and outputs and arranged in groups, a distribution system connecting said condenser to said cooling elements and comprising a condensate-discharge line connected to receive condensate from said jet condenser and feed it to the inputs of said cooling elements, at least one pump means in said discharge line, a water-return line connected to the outputs of said cooling elements and to the jet nozzle of said condenser, a throttle member in said water-return line, and a vacuum line means operatively connected to the highest point of each of said cooling elements, said vacuum line means for maintaining a pressure at said highest points of said cooling elements which is below atmospheric pressure and above the saturation pressure of the condensate at the temperature of the condensate in the upper parts of the cooling elements.
  • a condensation plant according to claim 1, further comprising an air exhaust on said jet condenser, said vacuum line being also connected to said air exhaust.
  • a condensation plant according to claim 1 further comprising a separate evacuation device, said vacuum line being connected to said separate evacuation device.
  • a condensation plant according to claim 1, further comprising means for adjusting the pressure in the vacuum line as a function of the water level present in the cooling elements.
  • each water-level detector means can adjust the pressure in the vacuum line independently of the other water-level detector means.
  • a condensation plant according to claim 9 further comprising a shut-off member connected to the water side of said water trap, means to control said shut-off member as a function of the water level in the water trap.
  • a condensation plant according to claim 1 further comprising a shut-off element in the vacuum line at least at the end of each group of cooling elements.
  • a condensation plant further comprising a gas equalization line, a water tank, means to connect the vacuum line of at least each group oi cooling elements connected separately to said gas equalization line between the cooling elements and said water tank, means to till the gas equalization line and the water tank with an inert gas.
  • a condensation plant according to claim 13 further comprising an inert gas supply device and means to connect the vacuum line of at least each group of cooling elements separately to said inert gas supply device.
  • a condensation plant according to claim 1 further comprising means to adjust the throttle member in the waterretum line as a function of the pressure in the cooling elements at their highest points.
  • a condensation plant according to claim 1 further comprising means to adjust the throttle member in the waterretum line as a function of the pressure in the vacuum line within the region of the cooling elements and the temperature in the region of the highest points of the cooling elements.
  • a condensation plant further comprising means to adjust the throttle member in the waterretum line as a function of the pressure difference between the pressure in the vacuum line in the region of the cooling elements and the pressure in the jet condenser.
  • each group of cooling elements is provided with at least one separate pressure detector and with at least one separate temperature detector.
  • a condensation plant according to claim 1 further comprising an expansion turbine mounted in the return line and serving as a throttle member.
  • said vacuum line means comprises means for maintaining a pressure at said highest points of said cooling elements which is below atmospheric pressure and only slightly above the saturation pressure of the condensate at the temperature of the condensate in the upper parts of the cooling elements.
  • a condensation plant according to claim 5 comprising an evacuation device connected to the vacuum line. said evacuation device for regulating the pressure in said vacuum line as a function of the water level in the cooling elements.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Structure Of Emergency Protection For Nuclear Reactors (AREA)
  • Jet Pumps And Other Pumps (AREA)
  • Separation By Low-Temperature Treatments (AREA)
  • Heat Treatment Of Water, Waste Water Or Sewage (AREA)
  • Engine Equipment That Uses Special Cycles (AREA)
US36849A 1969-05-17 1970-05-13 Indirect air condensation plant Expired - Lifetime US3660980A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE19691925234 DE1925234B2 (de) 1969-05-17 1969-05-17 Einspritzkondensationsanlage mit rueckkuehlung des einspritzwassers ueber luftgekuehlte kuehlelemente

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Publication Number Publication Date
US3660980A true US3660980A (en) 1972-05-09

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US36849A Expired - Lifetime US3660980A (en) 1969-05-17 1970-05-13 Indirect air condensation plant

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Country Link
US (1) US3660980A (de)
CH (1) CH538656A (de)
DE (1) DE1925234B2 (de)
ES (1) ES376795A1 (de)
FR (1) FR2042709A1 (de)
GB (1) GB1307996A (de)

Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3731488A (en) * 1970-06-30 1973-05-08 Sasakura Eng Co Ltd Method of condensing turbine exhaust at the power plant
US3760871A (en) * 1971-10-12 1973-09-25 Hudson Products Corp Apparatus for condensing exhaust steam from a steam turbine power plant
US4296802A (en) * 1975-06-16 1981-10-27 Hudson Products Corporation Steam condensing apparatus
US4518035A (en) * 1983-02-14 1985-05-21 Hudson Products Corporation Air-cooled, vacuum steam condenser
US4958679A (en) * 1987-05-04 1990-09-25 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Condenser for the water-steam loop of a power plant, in particular a nuclear power plant
US5426941A (en) * 1994-04-18 1995-06-27 Lewis; Stan Vapor condensation and liquid recovery system
US5548958A (en) * 1995-04-13 1996-08-27 Lewis; W. Stan Waste heat recovery system
US5971063A (en) * 1996-05-30 1999-10-26 The Mart Corporation Vapor condenser
US6588499B1 (en) * 1998-11-13 2003-07-08 Pacificorp Air ejector vacuum control valve
US20070169485A1 (en) * 2006-01-25 2007-07-26 Siemens Power Generation, Inc. System and method for improving the heat rate of a turbine
US20100199672A1 (en) * 2009-02-06 2010-08-12 Siemens Energy, Inc. Condenser System
US20100205962A1 (en) * 2008-10-27 2010-08-19 Kalex, Llc Systems, methods and apparatuses for converting thermal energy into mechanical and electrical power
US8474263B2 (en) 2010-04-21 2013-07-02 Kalex, Llc Heat conversion system simultaneously utilizing two separate heat source stream and method for making and using same
US20140251589A1 (en) * 2013-03-07 2014-09-11 Spx Cooling Technologies, Inc Air cooled condenser apparatus and method
EP3473821A1 (de) * 2017-10-04 2019-04-24 Peter Thiessen Kraft-wärme-kopplungsanlage und verfahren zur regelung einer kraft-wärme-kopplungsanlage
CN110542325A (zh) * 2019-09-26 2019-12-06 岭澳核电有限公司 核电站凝汽器真空系统

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FR2412048A1 (fr) * 1977-12-16 1979-07-13 Chausson Usines Sa Procede de regulation pour tours seches de refroidissement a tirage naturel et dispositif pour sa mise en oeuvre
US7685821B2 (en) * 2006-04-05 2010-03-30 Kalina Alexander I System and process for base load power generation
DE102006028758A1 (de) * 2006-06-20 2007-12-27 Stefan Finger Digi-Therm-Prozess-Maschine
US8087248B2 (en) 2008-10-06 2012-01-03 Kalex, Llc Method and apparatus for the utilization of waste heat from gaseous heat sources carrying substantial quantities of dust
US8176738B2 (en) 2008-11-20 2012-05-15 Kalex Llc Method and system for converting waste heat from cement plant into a usable form of energy
JP6254968B2 (ja) * 2015-03-06 2017-12-27 ヤンマー株式会社 動力発生装置
CN112129119B (zh) * 2020-10-20 2025-04-08 西安热工研究院有限公司 一种引风机凝汽器水侧增压泵系统及多变量下的控制方法
CN112344757A (zh) * 2020-11-28 2021-02-09 桂林市深能环保有限公司 一种电厂凝汽器抽真空的防积水装置

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB978067A (en) * 1962-03-31 1964-12-16 Happel Ges Mit Beschraenkter H Air-cooled condenser

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB978067A (en) * 1962-03-31 1964-12-16 Happel Ges Mit Beschraenkter H Air-cooled condenser

Cited By (20)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3731488A (en) * 1970-06-30 1973-05-08 Sasakura Eng Co Ltd Method of condensing turbine exhaust at the power plant
US3760871A (en) * 1971-10-12 1973-09-25 Hudson Products Corp Apparatus for condensing exhaust steam from a steam turbine power plant
US4296802A (en) * 1975-06-16 1981-10-27 Hudson Products Corporation Steam condensing apparatus
US4518035A (en) * 1983-02-14 1985-05-21 Hudson Products Corporation Air-cooled, vacuum steam condenser
US4958679A (en) * 1987-05-04 1990-09-25 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Condenser for the water-steam loop of a power plant, in particular a nuclear power plant
US5426941A (en) * 1994-04-18 1995-06-27 Lewis; Stan Vapor condensation and liquid recovery system
US5548958A (en) * 1995-04-13 1996-08-27 Lewis; W. Stan Waste heat recovery system
US5971063A (en) * 1996-05-30 1999-10-26 The Mart Corporation Vapor condenser
US6588499B1 (en) * 1998-11-13 2003-07-08 Pacificorp Air ejector vacuum control valve
US7640724B2 (en) * 2006-01-25 2010-01-05 Siemens Energy, Inc. System and method for improving the heat rate of a turbine
US20070169485A1 (en) * 2006-01-25 2007-07-26 Siemens Power Generation, Inc. System and method for improving the heat rate of a turbine
US20100205962A1 (en) * 2008-10-27 2010-08-19 Kalex, Llc Systems, methods and apparatuses for converting thermal energy into mechanical and electrical power
US8695344B2 (en) 2008-10-27 2014-04-15 Kalex, Llc Systems, methods and apparatuses for converting thermal energy into mechanical and electrical power
US20100199672A1 (en) * 2009-02-06 2010-08-12 Siemens Energy, Inc. Condenser System
US8146363B2 (en) * 2009-02-06 2012-04-03 Siemens Energy, Inc. Condenser system
US8474263B2 (en) 2010-04-21 2013-07-02 Kalex, Llc Heat conversion system simultaneously utilizing two separate heat source stream and method for making and using same
US20140251589A1 (en) * 2013-03-07 2014-09-11 Spx Cooling Technologies, Inc Air cooled condenser apparatus and method
US9354002B2 (en) * 2013-03-07 2016-05-31 Spx Cooling Technologies, Inc. Air cooled condenser apparatus and method
EP3473821A1 (de) * 2017-10-04 2019-04-24 Peter Thiessen Kraft-wärme-kopplungsanlage und verfahren zur regelung einer kraft-wärme-kopplungsanlage
CN110542325A (zh) * 2019-09-26 2019-12-06 岭澳核电有限公司 核电站凝汽器真空系统

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE1925234A1 (de) 1970-12-17
ES376795A1 (es) 1972-05-01
GB1307996A (en) 1973-02-21
FR2042709A1 (de) 1971-02-12
CH538656A (de) 1973-06-30
DE1925234B2 (de) 1973-08-16

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