Method and system for operating a steam generation facility

Abstract

A method for operating a steam generation facility includes inducing a motive force on water by channeling steam into at least one eductor to form a steam-driven cooling fluid stream. The method also includes channeling the steam-driven cooling fluid stream to at least one attemperator. The method further includes channeling steam from at least one steam source to the at least one attemperator. The method also includes injecting the steam-driven cooling fluid stream into the steam channeled through the at least one attemperator to facilitate cooling the steam channeled from the at least one steam source.

1 . A method for operating a steam generation facility, said method comprising:
 inducing a motive force on water by channeling steam into at least one eductor to form a steam-driven cooling fluid stream;   channeling the steam-driven cooling fluid stream to at least one attemperator;   channeling steam from at least one steam source to the at least one attemperator; and   injecting the steam-driven cooling fluid stream into the steam channeled through the at least one attemperator to facilitate cooling the steam channeled from the at least one steam source.   
     
     
         2 . A method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein inducing a motive force on water by channeling steam comprises channeling a first portion of superheated steam from at least one high-pressure superheater. 
     
     
         3 . A method in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein injecting the steam-driven cooling fluid stream into the steam channeled through the at least one attemperator comprises channeling a second portion of superheated steam from the at least one high-pressure superheater. 
     
     
         4 . A method in accordance with  claim 3 , wherein injecting the steam-driven cooling fluid stream into the steam channeled through the at least one attemperator comprises channeling quenched steam to at least one intermediate-pressure superheater. 
     
     
         5 . A method in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein channeling quenched steam to at least one intermediate-pressure superheater comprises channeling quenched steam to a steam condensing unit. 
     
     
         6 . A method in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising inducing a motive force on water by channeling water from at least one condensate pump to the at least one eductor. 
     
     
         7 . A method in accordance with  claim 6 , wherein channeling water from at least one condensate pump comprises channeling water from at least one steam condensing unit. 
     
     
         8 . An attemperation system comprising:
 at least one eductor coupled in flow communication with at least one water source and at least one steam source, said at least one eductor configured to channel steam from the at least one steam source to induce motive forces on water channeled from the at least one water source; and   at least one attemperator coupled in flow communication with said at least one eductor, said at least one attemperator configured to receive water channeled from said at least one eductor and steam channeled from the at least one steam source.   
     
     
         9 . An attemperation system in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein said at least one eductor is coupled in flow communication with at least one high-pressure superheater. 
     
     
         10 . An attemperation system in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein said at least one attemperator is coupled in flow communication with at least one high-pressure superheater. 
     
     
         11 . An attemperation system in accordance with  claim 8  further comprising at least one of:
 at least one first valve coupled in flow communication between the at least one water source and said at least one eductor;   at least one second valve coupled in flow communication between the at least one steam source and said at least one eductor; and   at least one third valve coupled in flow communication between the at least one steam source and said at least one attemperator.   
     
     
         12 . An attemperation system in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein each of said first valve, said second valve, and said third valve are automatically-operable and are operably synchronized with each other. 
     
     
         13 . An attemperation system in accordance with  claim 8  further comprising at least one of:
 a high-pressure portion of said attemperation system;   an intermediate-pressure portion of said attemperation system; and   a low-pressure portion of said attemperation system.   
     
     
         14 . A steam generation facility comprising:
 at least one water source;   at least one steam source;   at least one eductor coupled in flow communication with said at least one water source and said at least one steam source, said at least one eductor configured to channel steam from said at least one steam source to induce motive forces on water channeled from said at least one water source; and   at least one attemperator coupled in flow communication with said at least one eductor, said at least one attemperator configured to receive water channeled from said at least one eductor and steam channeled from said at least one steam source.   
     
     
         15 . A steam generation facility in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein said at least one water source comprises at least one of at least one condensate extraction pump and a steam condensing unit. 
     
     
         16 . A steam generation facility in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein said at least one steam source comprises a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG). 
     
     
         17 . A steam generation facility in accordance with  claim 16 , wherein said HRSG comprises at least one of:
 at least one high-pressure superheater;   at least one intermediate-pressure superheater; and   at least one low-pressure superheater.   
     
     
         18 . A steam generation facility in accordance with  claim 14  further comprising at least one of:
 at least one first valve coupled in flow communication between said at least one water source and said at least one eductor;   at least one second valve coupled in flow communication between said at least one steam source and said at least one eductor; and   at least one third valve coupled in flow communication between said at least one steam source and said at least one attemperator.   
     
     
         19 . A steam generation facility in accordance with  claim 18 , wherein each of said first valve, said second valve, and said third valve are automatically-operable and are operably synchronized with each other. 
     
     
         20 . A steam generation facility in accordance with  claim 14  further comprising at least one of:
 a high-pressure portion of said attemperation system;   an intermediate-pressure portion of said attemperation system; and   a low-pressure portion of said attemperation system.