Steam Turbine Water Preseparator Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing water separators for steam turbine plants require significant pipe construction and incur high costs, especially for retrofits, due to the need for a transporting steam pipe to recycle steam, which is a costly and labor-intensive component.

Innovation Solution

A preseparator design that maintains high steam velocity by incorporating a feed pipe with a constriction and built-in fittings or a duct-like baffle to recycle transporting steam back into the steam transfer pipe, eliminating the need for a separate transporting steam pipe by utilizing a Venturi-nozzle effect and pressure drop to facilitate steam recycling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate transporting steam pipe is used to recycle steam, then steam recycling is achieved, but construction costs and device complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesteam recyclingVSAvoidpipe construction

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the transporting steam flow path with the water discharge path by routing the transporting steam through the annular gap between the feed pipe and steam transfer pipe, eliminating the need for a separate transporting steam pipe while achieving both steam recycling and water removal functions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The annular gap between the feed pipe and steam transfer pipe serves multiple functions: it acts as both the water discharge path and the transporting steam flow path, allowing the same structural space to fulfill multiple operational roles and reducing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a separate transporting steam pipe is used to recycle steam, then steam recycling is achieved, but installation costs and labor intensity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesteam recyclingVSAvoidinstallation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the transporting steam function from the separate pipe system and integrates it into the existing annular gap structure, removing the unnecessary component and reducing both material costs and installation complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If complex separator components are used to reduce steam velocity, then water separation is improved, but steam velocity is reduced causing erosion damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater separationVSAvoidsteam velocity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The separator divides the water separation function into two distinct stages: the preseparator handles bulk water removal using centrifugal force from the annular gap flow, while the high-velocity separator handles fine water droplet separation, allowing each stage to operate optimally without compromising steam velocity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses dynamic centrifugal separation in the preseparator where water is removed through the annular gap due to centrifugal force generated by high-velocity steam flow, enabling effective water separation while maintaining the high steam velocity needed to prevent erosion in the subsequent high-velocity separator

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 design reduces construction and operational costs by eliminating the need for a transporting steam pipe, simplifying the installation and retrofitting process while maintaining steam velocity and efficiency in water separation.

Implementation Method 1

incorporating a feed pipe with a constriction and built-in fittings or a duct-like baffle to recycle transporting steam back into the steam transfer pipe, eliminating the need for a separate transporting steam pipe by utilizing a Venturi-nozzle effect and pressure drop to facilitate steam recycling

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVenturi effect: Venturi Effect

Implementation Method 2

utilizing a Venturi-nozzle effect and pressure drop to facilitate steam recycling

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure drop: Pressure Drop

Data Source

PatentUS7931720B2Water separator for a steam turbine plant

Publication Date: 2011.04.26 ARABELLE SOLUTIONS FRANCE

AI summary

A water preseparator (1) for steam turbine plants for the separation of water from the operating steam (SW) from a high-pressure steam turbine has a feed pipe (2) which extends over the starting section of a steam transfer pipe (4), wherein the two pipes are separated from each other by a gap (11) through which water (12) together with transporting steam (St) flow into a housing. The water discharges from the preseparator (1) via a water discharge pipe (6). the preseparator has structure for recycling of the transporting steam into the operating steam of the steam turbine plant, wherein this recycling structure has built-in fittings or a baffle (9) of the transporting steam, and also structure (4) for achieving a pressure drop, wherein the pressure drop exists between the gap (11) and a point at which the transporting steam is reintroduced into the operating steam (SW).