Heat Storage Steam Generation for Power Plant Load Response
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional steam power generation facilities face challenges in rapidly responding to load increase requests due to minimum load constraints and the inefficiency in utilizing surplus steam, leading to prolonged times in reaching required load levels.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a heat storage and steam generation device that stores surplus energy as heat using chemical reactions, allowing for rapid steam generation and supply to the system during peak demand, thereby enhancing load responsiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the boiler operates at minimum load constraint, then equipment constraints are satisfied, but the load increase rate is limited and responsiveness to load increase requests deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by generating and storing steam in the steam storage tank before load increase requests occur. During daytime when renewable energy is abundant, the boiler operates at minimum load while excess steam is stored. When evening load increase requests occur, the stored steam is immediately supplied to the steam turbine, eliminating the delay associated with traditional boiler ramp-up procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The steam storage tank serves as an intermediary between the boiler and the steam turbine. It decouples the boiler operation from the steam turbine demand, allowing the boiler to operate at stable minimum load while the steam tank buffers and releases steam during peak demand periods, thus improving load responsiveness without violating equipment constraints.
2Reliability
If surplus steam is dumped into the condenser, then minimum load constraint is maintained, but heat energy is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the previously harmful action of dumping surplus steam into a beneficial storage opportunity. Excess steam that would have been wasted is now captured and stored in the steam storage tank during daytime, then utilized during evening peak demand, transforming energy waste into a valuable resource for improving load responsiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of permanently discarding surplus steam through the condenser, the system recovers and stores it in the steam storage tank. The stored steam is then recovered and utilized during periods of high demand, creating a circular energy utilization system that eliminates waste and improves overall efficiency.
3Productivity
If steam generation amount is increased in conventional facilities, then load demand can be met, but predetermined time is required for steam to reach required temperature and pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary steam generation and storage during daytime when renewable energy is abundant and load demand is low. The steam is generated, stored in the steam storage tank, and held ready at the required temperature and pressure. When evening load increase requests occur, the pre-prepared steam is immediately supplied to the turbine, eliminating the time delay associated with traditional rapid steam generation procedures.
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 enables steam power generation facilities to quickly respond to load increase requests, reducing the time to reach required load levels and improving responsiveness by utilizing stored heat to generate steam efficiently.
Implementation Method 1
a heat storage and steam generation device 60 having a heat storage function that uses surplus energy generated in an own system to store heat
Data Source
AI summary
A power generation facility in an embodiment includes: a boiler; a high-pressure turbine to which steam generated in the boiler is introduced; a low-pressure turbine provided downstream of the high-pressure turbine; and a condenser that condenses steam discharged from the low-pressure turbine. The power generation facility further includes: a feed pipe that leads feedwater in the condenser to the boiler; a heat storage and steam generation device that has a heat storage function that uses surplus energy generated in an own system to store heat, and a steam generation function that has part of feedwater led by the feed pipe introduced thereinto and turns the feedwater into steam by the stored heat; and a steam supply pipe that supplies steam generated in the heat storage and steam generation device to an own system.