Method for operating a turbomachine during a loading process

Abstract

A method for increasing the operational flexibility of a turbomachine is provided. The turbomachine may include a first section, a second section, and a rotor disposed within the first section and the second section. The method may determine an allowable range of a physical parameter associated with the first section and/or the second section. The method may modulate a first valve and/or a second valve to allow steam flow into the first section and the second section respectively, wherein the modulation is based on the allowable range of the physical parameter. In addition, the physical parameter allows the method to independently apportion steam flow between the first section and the second section of the turbomachine, during the loading process.

1 . A method of unbalancing steam flow entering a turbomachine during a loading process, the method comprising:
 a. providing a turbomachine comprising at least a first section and a second section, and a rotor partially disposed within the first section and the second section;   b. providing a first valve configured for controlling steam flow into the first section; and a second valve configured for controlling steam flow into the second section;   c. determining whether the turbomachine is operating in a loading phase;   d. determining an allowable turbine operating space (ATOS) which approximates operational boundaries for each section of the turbomachine, wherein ATOS incorporates data on at least one of the following: steam flow through each section, a thrust limit of each section, and an exhaust windage limit;   e. determining an allowable range within ATOS of a physical parameter associated with at least one of the first section or the second section;   f. modulating the first valve to control steam flow into the first section, wherein the modulation is partially limited, by the allowable range of the physical parameter;   g. modulating the second valve to allow steam flow into the second section, wherein the modulation is partially limited by the allowable range of the physical parameter; and   h. wherein ATOS, in real time, expands operational boundaries of the first section and the second section, and allows unbalanced steam flow between the first section and the second section of the turbomachine during the loading phase.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of selecting a minimum value between a speed/load command and the physical parameter; wherein the minimum value determines desired strokes of the first valve and the second valve. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the turbomachine comprises a steam turbine, and wherein the steam turbine comprises multiple sections with each section integrated with at least one valve. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the physical parameter comprises at least one of: rotor thrust, rotor stress, steam temperature, steam pressure, or an exhaust windage limit. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein a value of the physical parameter is determined by a transfer function algorithm, which is configured for independently controlling steam flow into at least one of the first section or the second section. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the transfer function algorithm limits the steam flow based on ATOS. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the first section comprises a HP section; and wherein the second section comprises an IP section. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the transfer function algorithm determines an operational space of the steam turbine during the loading process, and wherein the operational space determines current operational ranges of the HP section and the IP section. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising adjusting the desired strokes of the first valve and the second valves, based on the current operational ranges of the HP section and the IP sections. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the loading process comprises multiple stages, and wherein each stage is partially determined by the current operational ranges. 
     
     
         11 . A method of independently apportioning steam flow between sections of a steam turbine during a loading process, the method comprising:
 a. providing a power plant comprising a steam turbine, wherein the steam turbine comprises a HP section, an IP section, and a rotor partially disposed within the HP and IP sections;   b. providing a first valve configured for controlling steam flow entering the HP section; and a second valve configured for controlling steam flow entering the IP section;   c. determining whether the steam turbine is operating in a loading phase;   d. determining an allowable turbine operating space (ATOS), wherein ATOS incorporates data on at least one of the following: steam flow through each section, a thrust limit of each section, and an exhaust windage limit to approximate operational boundaries for each section of the turbomachine;   e. determining an allowable range within ATOS of a physical parameter associated with at least one of the first section or the second section;   f. generating a range of valve strokes for the first and second valves based on the allowable range of the physical parameter;   g. modulating the first valve to allow steam flow into the HP section, wherein the modulation limits the range of valve strokes for the first valve; and   h. modulating the second valve to allow steam flow into the IP section, wherein the modulation limits the range of valve strokes for the second valve; and   i. wherein the physical parameter allows apportioning steam flow into the HP and the IP sections, independent of a received speed/load command, during the loading phase of the steam turbine.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the physical parameter comprises at least one of: a thrust, a rotor stress, a steam temperature, a steam pressure, or an exhaust windage limit. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein a value of the physical parameter is determined by a transfer function algorithm, which is configured for independently controlling steam flow entering at least one of: the HP section or the IP section. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the transfer function algorithm determines current operational ranges of the HP section and the IP section within ATOS. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising adjusting the desired strokes of the first valve and the second valve, based on the current operational ranges of the HP section and the IP section. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein a loading process of the steam turbine comprises multiple stages, wherein parameters of each stage are determined by the current operational ranges. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the multiples stages comprises at least one of:
 a. Stage A to stage B—wherein steam flow to the HP section is maintained at a nearly constant rate; and steam flow to the IP section is increased to the current operational range of the IP section;   b. Stage B to stage C—wherein steam flow to the HP section is increased to the current operational range of the HP section; and steam flow to the IP section is increased to the current operational range of the IP section;   c. Stage C to stage D—wherein steam flow to the HP section is increased to the current operational range of the HP section; and steam flow to the IP section is increased to nearly full flow; and   d. Stage D to baseload—wherein steam flow to the HP section is increased to nearly full flow; and steam flow to the IP section is maintained at nearly full flow.