Generator Cooling Circuit Segmentation for Power Plant Output
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power plants face limitations in converting mechanical power into electrical energy due to constraints in generator cooling, as the cold gas temperature is coupled with the cooling water temperature, limiting electrical power output.
Innovation Solution
A separate additional cooling water circuit for the generator, decoupled from the main cooling water system via a shut-off valve, utilizing a refrigerating machine with tetrafluoroethane as the cooling medium, allowing independent cooling power adaptation and flexibility, and ensuring emergency cooling through the main system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the generator is cooled by the main cooling water system, then the cooling water can be used for multiple heat exchangers (lubricant cooling, sealing oil cooling, pump cooling), but the generator cooling power is limited by the cooling water temperature which cannot be lowered as desired
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into a main cooling water system for general components (lubricant, sealing oil, pumps) and a separate additional cooling water circuit dedicated exclusively to generator cooling. This segmentation allows the generator cooling to be optimized independently without being constrained by the temperature requirements of other components cooled by the main system.
Solution Approach 2:
The generator cooling function is extracted from the main cooling water system by creating a separate additional cooling water circuit. This extraction allows the generator cooling to operate independently with its own refrigerating machine, enabling the cooling water temperature to be lowered as desired for maximum electrical power conversion without affecting other system components.
2Productivity
If a separate additional cooling water circuit is introduced for generator cooling, then independent cooling power adaptation is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The additional cooling water circuit is merged with the main cooling water system at strategic points through connection lines and shut-off valves. This merging allows the system to operate in different modes: the additional circuit can function independently for high power output, or it can be connected to the main system for emergency cooling or when high cooling power is not required, thus reducing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system is made dynamic through the introduction of shut-off valves that allow switching between different operational configurations. The additional cooling water circuit can be selectively connected or disconnected from the main system, enabling the system to adapt its complexity level based on operational requirements - simple mode when additional cooling is not needed, complex mode when maximum electrical power output is required.
3Power
If the additional cooling water circuit is completely separated from the main cooling water system, then maximum cooling power is achieved, but emergency cooling capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates emergency cooling capability by allowing the additional cooling water circuit to be connected to the main cooling water system through shut-off valves. This prior cushioning ensures that if the refrigerating machine fails or during startup/shutdown phases, the generator can still be cooled by the main system, preventing catastrophic failures and ensuring system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The additional cooling water circuit serves multiple functions: it provides high cooling power when independently operated for maximum electrical power output, and it provides emergency cooling when connected to the main cooling water system. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain reliability across different operational scenarios without sacrificing cooling power capability.
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
Enables flexible and powerful generator cooling, independent of the main cooling water system, allowing higher mechanical power conversion into electrical energy while preventing excessive temperature gradients and ensuring emergency cooling.
Implementation Method 1
a refrigerating machine (19) for cooling the cooling water (13) which flows through the additional cooling water circuit (17)
Implementation Method 2
the cooling gas which is cooled by a generator heat exchanger (14)
Data Source
AI summary
A power plant and a method for operating such a power plant having at least one generator, which is cooled by a cooling gas cooled by a generator heat exchanger, and a closed cooling water system, to which the generator heat exchanger and additional heat exchangers of the power plant are connected, wherein the generator heat exchanger is a component of an additional cooling water circuit, which serves solely to cool the generator, which is connected to the cooling water system and can be selectively disconnected therefrom by at least one shut-off valve, and which has a pump and at least one refrigerating machine for cooling the cooling water flowing through the additional cooling water circuit.