Steam turbine vacuum keeps worsening
Steam turbine vacuum keeps worsening
(OP)
Hi all,
We run a 110 MW steam turbine which has undergone major overhaul.After this overhaul,the vacuum has been very good(below 90mmHg) with only one pump in service.But presently,the vacuum has worsened to 120mm Hg with two pumps in service.The vacuum pump is 2*100 skid.
We have performed several leaks scans to detect any point of leak which might cause the vacuum to worsen but could not detect any leak point..
I really need your inputs to resolve this problem.
Wait on your inputs.
Thank you
We run a 110 MW steam turbine which has undergone major overhaul.After this overhaul,the vacuum has been very good(below 90mmHg) with only one pump in service.But presently,the vacuum has worsened to 120mm Hg with two pumps in service.The vacuum pump is 2*100 skid.
We have performed several leaks scans to detect any point of leak which might cause the vacuum to worsen but could not detect any leak point..
I really need your inputs to resolve this problem.
Wait on your inputs.
Thank you





RE: Steam turbine vacuum keeps worsening
Do the instruments on the surface consenser indicate normal conditions for CW flow and inlet / outlet temperatures, hotwell level, and so on? Have you set up trends on your plant historian?
Just because you can't find a leak doesn't mean there isn't one.
RE: Steam turbine vacuum keeps worsening
What type of vacuum pumps are you using? All of ours use eductors/ejectors. I have never seen a system with liquid ring vacuum pumps.
Are your condensers water cooled or air cooled? If water cooled, test the condensate for hardness to see if you are leaking cooling water into the system. If you use air coolers, check the plugs for leaks using shaving cream.
Johnny Pellin
RE: Steam turbine vacuum keeps worsening
You assume it's a leak, but it could be a clog or something impeding heat transfer.
RE: Steam turbine vacuum keeps worsening
RE: Steam turbine vacuum keeps worsening