Air Cooled Condenser Positive Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power generating apparatuses face issues with air entering the working medium gas flow path, leading to increased back pressure in turbines, reduced power generation efficiency, and the need for frequent medium replenishment due to direct water cooling methods and inadequate air removal in sealed systems.
Innovation Solution
An air-cooled condenser with a heat exchanger and fans, equipped with a pressure detector and controller to maintain positive pressure relative to atmospheric pressure, and a system for controlling fan speed and valve operation to regulate cooling capacity, preventing air mixing with the working medium and optimizing power generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If water is directly exposed to outside air for cooling, then cooling effect is achieved through vaporization, but air enters the working medium flow path and water quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a sealed circulation system with a heat exchanger as an intermediary between the working medium and outside air. The heat exchanger allows thermal energy transfer while preventing direct contact between the working medium and atmospheric air, thus eliminating air mixing and water quality deterioration while maintaining effective cooling through the sealed circulation loop.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an inert sealed environment for the working medium circulation system, isolating it from the external atmosphere. This sealed environment prevents harmful air from entering the working medium flow path while allowing the system to operate with controlled cooling through the heat exchanger.
2Temperature
If fan rotating speed is increased to enhance cooling capacity, then cooling effect improves, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of fan rotating speed based on real-time monitoring of working medium temperature and cooling requirements. The control unit adjusts fan speed dynamically rather than operating at constant high speed, optimizing the balance between cooling capacity and power consumption by matching fan output to actual thermal demands.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a feedback control system where temperature sensors monitor the working medium and circulation flow rate, and the control unit uses this feedback information to adjust fan rotating speed. This closed-loop control ensures optimal cooling performance while minimizing unnecessary energy consumption by reducing fan speed when full cooling capacity is not required.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively prevents air from entering the working medium gas flow path, maintaining positive pressure, reducing excessive cooling, and enhancing power generation efficiency by dynamically controlling fan speed and valve operation, thereby minimizing power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger for air-cooling a working medium indirectly through a wall, and a first fan for supplying cooling air to the heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
a pressure detector for detecting a pressure value of the working medium at an outlet of the heat exchanger
Implementation Method 3
controlling the cooling device such that the pressure value obtained by the pressure detector comes closer to a target value set to be equal to or larger than an atmospheric pressure
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are an air cooled condenser capable of preventing air from being mixed into a working medium flow path, and a power generating apparatus including the air cooled condenser. The air cooled condenser includes a heat exchanger for air-cooling a working medium indirectly through a wall, a fan, a sensor for measuring a pressure value of the working medium at an outlet of the heat exchanger, and a controller for controlling the rotating speed of the fan such that the pressure value obtained by the sensor comes closer to a target value set to be equal to or larger than an atmospheric pressure.