Method of indicating sealing steam temperature and related apparatus

Abstract

A method of obtaining sealing steam temperature readings in a steam turbine where steam is used to seal turbine shaft ends includes (a) supplying pressurized sealing steam through a supply pipe to a steam seal header that, in turn, distributes the sealing steam to the shaft ends, respectively; (b) measuring temperature of the pressurized sealing steam at a location immediately adjacent at least one shaft end, downstream of the supply pipe; and (c) using temperature measurements from step (b) to insure that the pressurized sealing steam is within a predetermined acceptable range.

1 . A method of obtaining sealing steam temperature readings in a steam turbine where steam is used to seal turbine shaft ends comprising: 
 (a) supplying pressurized sealing steam through a supply pipe to a steam seal header that, in turn, distributes the sealing steam to said shaft ends, respectively;    (b) measuring temperature of the pressurized sealing steam at a location immediately adjacent at least one said shaft ends, downstream of said supply pipe; and    (c) using temperature measurements from step (b) to insure that said pressurized sealing steam is within a predetermined acceptable range.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said predetermined acceptable range is between 300 and 700° F.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said header also supplies sealing steam to the other of said shaft ends.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said shaft ends are enclosed in low and high pressure exhaust packing boxes, respectively.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein said steam turbine includes low and high pressure sections and wherein said steam seal header supplies seal steam to low and high pressure inlet packing boxes located axially between said low and high pressure sections.  
   
   
       6 . A method of obtaining sealing steam temperature readings in a steam turbine where steam is used to seal at least one turbine shaft end comprising: 
 (a) supplying pressurized sealing steam through a supply pipe to a steam seal header that, in turn, distributes the sealing steam to said shaft ends, respectively;    (b) measuring temperature of the pressurized sealing steam at a location immediately adjacent at least one of said shaft ends, downstream of said supply pipe; and    (c) using temperature measurements from step (b) to insure that said pressurized sealing steam is within a predetermined acceptable range;    wherein said predetermined acceptable range is between 300 and 700° F.; and    wherein said at least one shaft end is enclosed in a low pressure exhaust packing box.    
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein said header also supplies sealing steam to the other of said shaft ends.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said other of said shaft ends is enclosed in a high pressure exhaust packing box.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 6  wherein said steam turbine includes low and high pressure sections and wherein said steam seal header also supplies seal steam to low and high pressure inlet packing boxes located axially between said low and high pressure sections.  
   
   
       10 . A steam seal system for sealing opposite ends of a steam turbine shaft, comprising a seal steam supply pipe; a seal steam header that receives seal steam from said seal steam supply pipe; a plurality of additional supply pipes for supplying seal steam from said header to a plurality of packing boxes enclosing portions of said shaft; and a seal steam temperature sensor located, in one of said plurality of distribution pipes, downstream of said seal steam supply pipe.  
   
   
       11 . The steam seal system of  claim 10  wherein said one of said plurality of distribution pipes supplies sealing steam to a low pressure exhaust packing box enclosing one end of said steam turbine shaft.  
   
   
       12 . The steam seal system of  claim 11  wherein another of said plurality of distribution pipes supplies sealing steam to a high pressure exhaust packing box enclosing an opposite end of said steam turbine shaft.  
   
   
       13 . The steam seal system of  claim 11  wherein said seal steam temperature sensor is located in said one of said plurality of distribution pipes, adjacent said low pressure exhaust packing box.