Vertical Turbogenerator Layout Reduces Steam Pipe Length
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing steam parameters and reheating times in turbogenerator sets lead to significant increases in investment costs due to longer high-temperature and high-pressure steam pipes, which also result in asymmetric torsion thrusts that can be detrimental to steam turbine equipment.
Innovation Solution
A turbogenerator set design that positions the steam turbine unit adjacent to the boiler's header connection region, with a vertical longitudinal axis, significantly shortening the lengths of main steam pipes and reheating steam pipes, and eliminating asymmetric torsion thrusts by optimizing pipe layouts and arrangements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If secondary reheating technology is applied to improve cycle efficiency, then steam parameters and reheating times are improved, but investment in steam pipes increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spatial arrangement from conventional horizontal/linear layout to a compact three-dimensional configuration. The steam turbine unit is positioned with its longitudinal axis vertically pointing to the boiler body, creating a compact vertical arrangement that dramatically reduces pipe lengths in all dimensions, thereby reducing material quantity while maintaining the secondary reheating function for improved cycle efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The steam turbine unit is pre-positioned adjacent to the boiler's header connection region during design and installation. This preliminary optimal positioning minimizes the lengths of main steam pipes and reheating steam pipes from the outset, eliminating the need for excessively long pipes that would otherwise be required in conventional layouts while still enabling secondary reheating for improved efficiency
2Ease of operation
If steam turbine unit is positioned away from boiler header connection region, then conventional layout is maintained, but asymmetric torsion thrusts are generated on steam turbine equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent intentionally creates a symmetric arrangement by positioning the steam turbine unit's longitudinal axis to vertically point to the boiler body, with the steam turbine unit located adjacent to the header connection region. This symmetric positioning ensures that steam pipes connect evenly to both sides of the steam turbine, balancing the forces and eliminating asymmetric torsion thrusts that would otherwise occur in conventional asymmetric layouts
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional steam pipe arrangement is used, then installation is simplified, but pressure and heat losses increase due to longer pipes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from extended horizontal pipe arrangements to a compact vertical three-dimensional configuration. By positioning the steam turbine unit vertically adjacent to the boiler's header connection region, the pipe system achieves maximum compactness in all spatial dimensions, dramatically reducing pipe lengths and consequently minimizing pressure drops and heat losses while maintaining installation feasibility through standardized connection interfaces
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a turbogenerator set including a boiler, a steam turbine unit, a generator unit, a superheater, and a reheater in a body of the boiler, a header connection region corresponding to a steam inlet header and a steam outlet header for the superheater and the reheater on the body of the boiler, and pipes connecting the boiler to a high-pressure cylinder and to a medium-pressure cylinder, and transmitting a high-temperature and high-pressure steam. The steam turbine unit is disposed at an outer side of the boiler body adjacent to the header connection region, and an axis of the steam turbine unit vertically point to the boiler body, vertically arranged on a high level; that is, the steam turbine unit is vertically arranged on a high level.