Steam Valve Device Flow Path Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Steam turbine plants face increased manufacturing costs and efficiency losses due to the need for multiple steam valves when adopting the nozzle control system, particularly in partial load conditions, where throttle loss is significant and the number of valves must correspond to the circumferentially partitioned nozzle sections.
Innovation Solution
A steam valve device with a main steam stop valve and multiple steam regulating valves connected via an intermediate flow path that changes the steam flow direction from vertical to horizontal, allowing for efficient operation and reduced pressure loss, while maintaining maintenance workability and lowering manufacturing costs by integrating the valves and optimizing the flow path design to minimize fluid separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple steam valves are provided for each circumferentially partitioned nozzle section, then the nozzle control system can be implemented to improve partial load efficiency, but the manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple steam regulating valves (first, second, and third steam regulating valves) into a single integrated valve body structure. This merging approach allows the nozzle control system to control multiple nozzle sections while reducing the total number of separate valve components, thereby lowering manufacturing cost and device complexity while maintaining the ability to implement nozzle control for improved partial load efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated valve body serves multiple functions by incorporating multiple steam regulating valves within a single structure. This universal design enables the valve assembly to control steam flow to multiple circumferentially partitioned nozzle sections, allowing the system to achieve nozzle control functionality without requiring proportionally more separate valve components
2Productivity
If multiple steam valves are provided for each circumferentially partitioned nozzle section, then the nozzle control system can be implemented, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple steam regulating valves into a single integrated valve body, reducing the total number of separate manufactured components. This consolidation lowers manufacturing cost through reduced material usage, simplified production processes, and decreased assembly requirements, while still enabling the nozzle control system to improve partial load efficiency
3Loss of energy
If the intermediate flow path changes steam flow direction from vertical to horizontal, then pressure loss is reduced and maintenance workability is improved, but the flow path geometry becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate flow path employs curved geometries to smoothly transition steam flow from vertical to horizontal direction. These curved flow paths reduce flow separation and turbulence, thereby minimizing pressure loss and energy waste, while the streamlined design keeps the structural complexity manageable through efficient use of curved surfaces
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 reduces pressure loss and manufacturing costs by optimizing the steam valve device's design, enabling efficient operation across partial load conditions and facilitating easier maintenance through vertical valve configurations and optimized flow path geometries, thus enhancing the overall efficiency of steam turbine plants.
Implementation Method 1
the intermediate flow path portion (80) is configured to change the flow direction of main steam flowing out from the first outlet port (34) from vertical direction to horizontal direction
Implementation Method 2
a first valve element (32) configured to move up and down in the first casing (31) and to leave and contact the first valve seat (35), thereby to open and close the first flow path (61)
Implementation Method 3
a second valve element (42) configured to move up and down in the second casing (41) and to leave and contact the second valve seat (45), thereby to open and close the second flow path (71)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A steam turbine plant comprises a boiler (20), a steam turbine (10,11,12) and at least one steam valve device (90). The steam valve device (90) has, a steam regulating valve (21), and an intermediate flow path (80) connecting the main steam stop valve (1) and the steam regulating valve (21). The main steam stop valve (1) and the steam regulating valve (21) respectively have: casings (31,41) where flow paths (61,71) are formed between horizontal inlet ports (33,43) and outlet ports (34,44) opened downward and valve seats (35,45) are arranged in the flow paths (61,71); valve elements (32,42) movable up and down in the casings (31,41); and valve rods (37,47) for driving the valve elements (32,42). The valve rods (37,47) extend upward, and they are pulled off upward in a direction to outside of the casings (31,41) when opening the flow paths. The intermediate flow path (80) changes the flow direction of main steam flowing out of the outlet port (34) of the main steam stop valve (1) from downward direction to horizontal direction to guide the main steam toward the outlet ports (44) of the steam regulating valves (21,22).