Number of steam turbines to be installed

[21121956]

Hello everybody:

For a particular project of cogeneration, the conclusion is that the installed capacity should be 18 MW, delivered by steam turbines.

One company is offering to install one steam turbine of that capacity and, another one propose to supply for that capacity, small steam turbines (to operate in twin and/or in tandem) in order to achieve a better operation when for any reason the plant is running short of steam and the turbines have to work at part load.

I would like to hear your comments about this subject and, if possible, I would like to be adviced about the must acceptable criterio for operation of steam turbines at part load.

Thanks in advances.

 

[rmw]

Those of us who have some understanding about these things and might be able to offer some suggestions would need to know a lot more about your application to be able to make any sense of your question.

rmw

 

[byrdj]

Having multiple turbine/generators seems to imply you will then have multiple anchercary systems (lube oil, controls, excitation, etc). If they share, then I don't see any increase in realibilty. (efficeancy maybe)

I think the hearsay when Edison GE the cross compounds was to reduce the "lenght" of the turbine hall, but the square footage increased as well as the installation's cost.

Is it possible you are referaning to having multiple turbine casings (driving one generator)

 

[danberry]

RMW is absolutely correct but one big machine generally wins over multiple small ones. 18 MW is already a small system. There is a lot one can do with steam turbine systems to work around part-load issues.