Multi-Stage Torispherical Condenser Dump Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Air cooled condensers in power plants face significant noise attenuation challenges due to high noise levels from steam discharge, which can lead to vibration, increased condenser pressure, and operational constraints, as traditional noise treatment methods are impractical or insufficient for compact combined cycle power stations.
Innovation Solution
A multi-stage condenser dump device with a torispherical design that mounts on the surface of the condenser duct, featuring a large surface area with strategically arranged drilled holes to minimize noise and vibration, and a low-profile shape to reduce blockage and flow disturbance, utilizing an expansion joint to absorb reaction loads and limit velocity to subsonic conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional single-stage control valves and dump elements are used to discharge steam into the ACC duct, then the device structure is simple, but noise levels exceed 130 dBA at 1m from the duct surface and 75 dBA up to a kilometer from the plant
Solution Approach 1:
The dump device is divided into multiple stages (first stage and second stage) with multiple drilled holes distributed across each stage. This segmentation disperses the concentrated sound power and steam flow into multiple smaller jets, reducing noise levels and vibration while maintaining the required discharge capacity without requiring a Bell housing structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-stage planar dump element to a multi-stage three-dimensional structure with drilled holes distributed across multiple surfaces. This dimensional expansion allows steam to be discharged through multiple directions and surfaces, effectively reducing noise propagation and vibration in any single direction while maintaining compact size.
2Productivity
If large dump tubes are used to meet required capacity, then the discharge capacity is sufficient, but they block a considerable portion of the condenser duct cross-section, increasing condenser pressure and decreasing plant efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The dump device uses multiple smaller drilled holes distributed across the first and second stages instead of a single large dump tube. This segmentation provides sufficient total discharge area and capacity while maintaining a compact overall structure that does not block a considerable portion of the condenser duct cross-section, thereby avoiding increased condenser pressure and maintaining plant efficiency.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If dump devices with large projection into the duct are used, then noise dispersion is improved, but flow resistance increases and plant efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-stage dump device utilizes three-dimensional drilled holes distributed across multiple stages and surfaces, expanding the noise dispersion capability into multiple spatial dimensions without requiring large projection into the duct. This allows effective noise reduction while maintaining minimal flow resistance and preserving plant efficiency.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If compact multi-stage drilled-hole dump device is used, then noise and vibration are minimized with large surface area, but the device must maintain low-profile shape to minimize projection into the duct
Solution Approach 1:
The dump device employs a torispherical (curved) geometry with drilled holes distributed across the curved surfaces of multiple stages. This curved surface configuration provides a large effective surface area for noise and vibration minimization while maintaining a compact, low-profile shape that minimizes projection into the duct and reduces flow disturbance.
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 device effectively reduces noise levels, minimizes vibration, and prevents flow blockage, enhancing plant efficiency and compliance with noise regulations by diffusing steam jets and reducing reaction forces, while maintaining a compact and lightweight design.
Implementation Method 1
The flange provides an expansion joint which absorbs reaction loads from discharge
Implementation Method 2
The dump device has a large surface area which minimizes noise and vibration... by diffusing steam jets
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-stage, torispherical drilled-hole dump device which mounts on the surface of an air cooled condenser (ACC) duct, and provides a compact and lightweight method for discharging steam into the duct by presenting a large surface area which minimizes noise and vibration, while also having a low-profile shape which minimizes projection into the duct and flow disturbance in the duct.