Steam Power Plant Steam Storage Integration for Load Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Steam power plants face challenges in efficiently utilizing existing steam storage systems to manage electricity price fluctuations and maximize revenue opportunities.
Innovation Solution
Integrating a steam storage system within the power plant, utilizing steam extractions from high pressure, intermediate pressure, and low pressure turbines to store and discharge steam during operational periods, with options for superheating using steam from these turbines or hot reheat steam, to enhance power output and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If steam is stored in existing steam storage during weak-load times, then energy can be utilized during peak-load times to increase power output, but the existing steam storage is not optimized for this specific purpose and may require additional integration components
Solution Approach 1:
The existing steam storage is integrated into the water-steam cycle to serve dual purposes: its original function and the new function of storing steam during weak-load times and releasing it during peak-load times. This multi-functionality approach allows the steam storage to be utilized for additional power generation without requiring completely separate dedicated storage infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The steam storage integration is implemented by dividing the steam flow path into separate controllable segments. Steam extractions from different turbine stages (HP, IP, LP) are independently controlled and directed to the steam storage or to heaters as needed. This segmentation allows flexible control of steam flow to optimize power output during different operational conditions
2Adaptability or versatility
If steam extractions from multiple turbine stages are used to supply heaters and steam storage, then operational flexibility is improved, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The steam extraction system employs dynamic control where the allocation of steam from different turbine stages to heaters versus steam storage is continuously adjustable based on operational conditions. During weak-load times, steam is directed to storage; during peak-load times, stored steam is released. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to respond flexibly to changing electricity prices and load conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The control system utilizes feedback from operational conditions (load demands, electricity prices, steam storage level) to automatically adjust steam extraction rates and distribution. The system monitors the state of the water-steam cycle and steam storage, and modifies extraction valve positions and flow distributions accordingly to optimize power generation while maintaining safe operational parameters
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
This approach allows for increased power output and improved load management by effectively utilizing existing steam storage, enabling the power plant to capitalize on electricity price fluctuations and enhance operational flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
storing during a first operation period of the steam power plant steam in a steam storage means and discharging during a second operation period of the steam power plant steam stored in the steam storage means into the main water-steam cycle
Implementation Method 2
a main water-steam-cycle with a high pressure (HP) steam turbine, an intermediate pressure (IP) steam turbine and a low pressure (LP) steam turbine... wherein low pressure heaters are arranged between said condenser and said feed water tank and wherein a plurality of high pressure heaters are arranged downstream of said feed water tank, whereby said low pressure heaters, said feed water tank and said plurality of high pressure heaters are supplied with steam from a plurality of extractions at said steam turbines
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A steam power plant (10a) and method for operation the steam power plant (10a) that comprises: a main water-steam-cycle with a high pressure (HP) steam turbine (11), an intermediate pressure (IP) steam turbine (12) and a low pressure (LP) steam turbine (13), a condenser (15), and a feed water tank (19), wherein low pressure heaters (18) are arranged between said condenser (15) and said feed water tank (19) and whereina plurality of high pressure heaters (21 a, 21 b) are arranged downstream of said feed water tank (19), whereby said low pressure heaters (18), said feed water tank (19) and said plurality of high pressure heaters (21 a, 21 b) are supplied with steam from a plurality of extractions (E1-E7) at said steam turbines (11, 12, 13).