Evaluating & Improving Steam Turbine Performance
Next session: TBA

Seminar Outline

Chapter 1	Thermodynamics and Fluid Flow Review To review only the basic principles of these two subjects needed to discuss steam turbine performance. This chapter is not intended to be a complete discussion of thermodynamics and fluid flow.
Chapter 2	Introduction to Turbine Performance Establish an understanding of turbine performance so that: A better appreciation for optimum turbine designs can be developed The effect of power plant operation on turbine efficiency, throttle flow, and stage pressures can be quantified Turbine efficiency deterioration can be understood Test data can be properly interpreted Steam path component deterioration can be quantified during an overhaul since it is required for cost effective repair.
Chapter 3	Steam Turbine Stage Efficiency Establish the principal characteristics of the individual steam turbine stages Calculate the stage loss from losses in the stationary and rotating blade passages
Chapter 4	Turbine Section Efficiency Quantify the effect of volume flow, pressure ratio and moisture on section efficiency Calculate expected values for section efficiencies Determine the shape of turbine section efficiency curves over the load and exhaust pressure operating ranges.
Chapter 5	Control Valves Quantify the effect of control valves on HP turbine efficiency and heat rate over the load range.
Chapter 6	Abnormal Operating Conditions Quantify the effect of feedwater heater performance on heat rate and stage pressures Calculate change in throttle flow and hot reheat pressure when the highest pressure heater is taken out of service Calculate the change in throttle flow for a change in first stage pressure Understand changes throughout the cycle for changes in throttle pressure and temperature, hot reheat temperature, reheater pressure drop, and exhaust pressure.
Chapter 7	Acceptance Testing Guidance for conducting an accurate acceptance test to determine if the turbine manufacturer has met guarantee.
Chapter 8	Turbine Cycle Monitoring Provide sufficient information to enable proper interpretation of test data. This interpretation permits taking corrective action as soon as possible in order to maintain optimum power plant efficiency.
Chapter 9	Operating Cycle Maintenance to Improve Heat Rate Locate and evaluate the effect of cycle leakage's on heat rate.
Chapter 10	Turbine Characteristics To develop the basic theory of steam path performance characteristics.
Chapter 11	Interpreting Test Data Determine the cause of turbine section efficiency deterioration and decreases in kilowatt output; and, Identify special diagnostic tests to verify the analysis of test data.
Chapter 12	The Effect of Power Plant Operation on the Deterioration of Turbine Efficiency Quantify individual component deterioration during a steam path audit by evaluating the effect of surface finish on turbine efficiency, calculating the loss due to increases in radial spill strip and interstage packing clearances, and determining the effect of solid particle erosion on stage efficiency Verify root cause of deterioration Suggest corrective action to minimize future thermal deterioration.
Chapter 13	Cogeneration Testing techniques for cycles with process steam to reduce the uncertainty of the acceptance test results.
Chapter 14	Combined Cycles Testing techniques for gas turbine/steam turbine combined cycles to reduce the uncertainty of the acceptance test results.

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