Page 60 - Impiantistica industriale
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componenTs
Experiences with drainage
systems for pipelines
and steam turbines
Ralph Stemme, Product Manager, Po- longside high availabili-
The requirements for the wer Generation Valves, GESTRA AG ty and low maintenan-
components incorporated The drainage requirements for turbines ce costs, modern power
plant technology demands
in the steam/water cycle and pipelines in modern power plants ever higher levels of effi-
are rising. The valves used must be A ciency. As the process pa-
have risen alongside durable and operate reliably, even rameters of the power plant blocks have
risen to over 280 bar and 600°C, the
when exposed to increased pressures
more exacting process and temperatures. Reliable drainage requirements for the components incor-
porated in the steam/water cycle have
is always a combination of the right
parameters pipeline design and the selection and risen too. Due to the highly fluctuating
sizing of suitable valves. The powerful feed of wind and solar energy, the plants
evaporation of hot condensate in the are being activated and deactivated
drainage valves calls for special design ever more frequently, leading to higher
measures in order to prevent erosion loads being placed on the components.
damage and subsequent loss of steam. Alongside these conditions, ever-higher
If the condenser is exposed to hot temperature gradients are leading to
steam via leaky drainage valves, it can shorter start-up times and therefore in-
lead to a reduction in overall efficiency creased quantities of condensate in the
and therefore higher costs. drainage systems.
58 Impiantistica Italiana - Maggio-Giugno 2019
