Steam Connection Line for Combined Cycle Plant Boiler Failure
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In combined cycle plants, the failure of a waste heat recovery boiler can lead to a shutdown of the compressor connected to the steam turbine, disrupting production processes, as the plant relies on multiple compressors operating in series, making it difficult to maintain operation without functional waste heat recovery boilers.
Innovation Solution
A combined cycle plant configuration that includes a connection line between steam supply lines, allowing steam from operational waste heat recovery boilers to be redirected to failed units, along with a detection unit and control device to manage fuel supply and prevent further failures, ensuring continuous operation of compressors and production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple waste heat recovery boilers are used to drive steam turbines for compressors, then the plant can maintain continuous operation of compressors, but the system becomes vulnerable to complete shutdown when one boiler fails
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the steam supply network into independent segments, allowing each waste heat recovery boiler to serve its own steam turbine-compressor unit independently. This segmentation prevents failure propagation between units, as demonstrated by the separate steam supply lines connecting each boiler-turbine-compressor chain without interdependence.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates redundant steam supply capabilities where each steam turbine has alternative steam sources available before failure occurs. When one waste heat recovery boiler fails, the corresponding steam turbine can switch to receiving steam from another boiler, providing a cushion against complete shutdown and maintaining compressor operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the plant operates with multiple turbine devices, then compressor operation can be maintained during boiler failure, but the system requires complex steam supply line configurations
Solution Approach 1:
Each waste heat recovery boiler is designed to potentially supply steam to multiple steam turbines, and each steam turbine can receive steam from multiple boilers. This multi-functionality allows the system to adapt to various failure scenarios while maintaining a relatively simple and symmetrical steam supply line configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The steam supply lines from multiple waste heat recovery boilers are merged into a common distribution network that serves all steam turbines. This merging allows flexible steam redistribution during failures while avoiding the need for completely separate independent supply lines for each turbine, reducing overall system complexity.
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 the continuous operation of compressors and prevents production stops by redirecting steam from operational boilers to failed units, maintaining plant functionality even when one or more waste heat recovery boilers fail, ensuring safety and allowing for timely repairs.
Implementation Method 1
a waste heat recovery boiler which converts water into steam using a high-temperature exhaust gas discharged from the gas turbine
Implementation Method 2
a steam turbine unit which includes a steam turbine to which the steam is supplied, and a second compressor which is driven by power obtained from the steam turbine
Data Source
AI summary
A combined cycle plant includes: a plurality of turbine devices; and a connection line, in which each of the plurality of turbine devices includes a gas turbine unit which includes a gas turbine, a first compressor, and a waste heat recovery boiler, a steam turbine unit which includes a steam turbine, and a second compressor which is driven by power obtained from the steam turbine and contributes to compression of a process gas in a plant, and steam supply lines which supplies steam lead out from the waste heat recovery boiler to the steam turbine, and the connection line is disposed between the steam supply lines configuring the plurality of turbine devices and connect the plurality of steam supply lines to each other.