Variable-Speed Drives for Combined Cycle Power Plants

Variable-Speed Drives for Combined Cycle Power Plants

Voith Turbo s proven technology in Combined Cycle Power Plants Speed variation produces significant energy savings and efficiency improvement in Combined Cycle Power Plants, in cogeneration plants as well as in repowering projects. Fuel Air H.Pr. l.pr. L.Pr. 160 140 120 2 x 50% Pump 1 x 50% Pump Test Point Gas Turbine Fuel Air Gas Turbine GT Generator GT Generator M H.Pr. l.pr. L.Pr. Stack Steam Turbine Generator Cooling Water Condensate Stack Pump HP/IP BFP variable speed coupling M Pressure [bar] 100 80 60 40 20 0 100% MCR Boiler Characteristic 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 Flow [%] BFP Simplified flow schematic of a multi shaft, triple pressure Combined Cycle Power Plant. Boiler and pump characteristic curves. Voith variable-speed and geared vari able-speed turbo couplings enable the reliable and economic speed control of HP/IP boiler feed pumps. In addition, Voith torque converters are very reli ably and efficiently used as gas turbine starting devices in advanced Combined Cycle Power Plants. Boiler feed pump drive with Voith variable-speed coupling. Gas turbine Start-up Device with Voith torque converter. 2

Energy reduction and performance improvement of boiler feed pumps In Combined Cycle Power Plants, experience shows that every boiler including heat recovery boilers has to fulfill a so called test point, thus ensuring the safety of the equip ment at overload conditions. A more economical way to control the pump flow is to change its speed, resulting in different pump characteristic curves, that match the system s unthrottled resistance curve. When using speed regulation, additional cost savings can be achieved by selection of a less ex - pensive re circulation control flow valve and a 100% control valve (small differen tial pressure). The operating point of a pump re sults from the intersection of pump characteristic curve with the system s resistance curve. Other operating points may be obtained by increasing the system s head loss by throttling. In addition to the head loss, the pump efficiency de - creases significantly when operating at lower flow rates. The use of a variable-speed coupling allows reducing the speed of the boiler feed pump for overload, as well as for the speed of base load conditions and also for partial load. This results in significant savings of auxiliary energy. The pump can be operated close to its optimum efficiency over the whole speed range. Service life of a power plant is about 30 years. Nobody can predict fuel and gas prices as well as load patterns over this period of time. Flexibility is a key issue for today s advanced power station techno l- ogy. The operation of boiler feed pumps should be flexible, too. This can only be achieved by variablespeed operation of pumps. Motor power [%] 120 100 80 60 40 20 Throttle control Power Savings Flow [%] Variable-speed turbo coupling 0 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 Cost comparison of throttle control versus variable-speed turbo coupling 3 x 50% Boiler Feed Pumps Throttle Control Turbo Couplings Operating points 425 MW Test Block 425 MW Test Block Operating hours [h/yr] 7,990 10 7,990 10 Flow [kg/s] 62.70 78.38 62.70 78.38 Head [bar] 131.99 115.21 93.50 115.21 Feed water density [kg/m 3 ] 925.87 925.87 925.87 925.87 Pump efficiency [%] 78.96 80.00 80.00 80.00 Pump speed [rpm] 2,980 2,980 2,487 2,872 Absorbed power [kw] 1,132 1,219 791 1,219 Slip losses [kw] 157 46 Mechanical losses [kw] 12 12 Total power [kw] 2 x 1,132 2 x 1,219 2 x 960 2 x 1,277 Energy per year [kwh] 18,089,360 24,380 15,340,800 25,540 Total energy per year [kwh] 18,113,740 15,366,340 Energy cost 1 kwh: 0.0407 $ [$] 737,229 625,410 Savings: 111,819 $ per year Example of power comparison between throttle control and variablespeed coupling. Example: Cost return studies have shown that amortization time by speed variation is usually between 6 and 20 months. 3

4...20 ma Variable-speed and geared variable-speed turbo couplings Variable-speed turbo couplings for HP/IP boiler feed pumps Variable-speed turbo couplings are fluid couplings, connecting the motor with the boiler feed pump. They enable stepless speed control of the pump. Hydrodynamic couplings provide wear-free power transmission and vibration damping between input and output. Other benefits include exceptional reli - ability and availability, smooth ac - celeration of pump and long service life. All these features result in a more efficient and reliable operation of the pump. Variable-speed turbo coupling type SVTL, self-supported, with antifriction bearings. PI PS PS PDS Geared variable-speed couplings for HP/IP boiler feed pumps with high power and speed For higher power ranges, geared variable-speed turbo couplings are used. Input powers of more than 10,000 kw and speeds exceeding 6,000 rpm are possible. Geared variable-speed turbo coupling type R..K..M. Combination of high-performance speed increasing gearbox and variable-speed coupling. Based on their robust design, a reliability of 99.8% can be achieved in combination with a squirrel cage motor. Low operating and maintenance costs, high control accuracy and low energy consumption are additional benefits for operators. 4

Torque converters for starting and turning of gas turbines Due to its torque/speed characteristic, the Voith torque converter is an excellent device for starting gas turbines. A high breakaway and acceleration torque is available for start-up of the gas turbine into the self-sustaining speed range. Complete Start-up Device with electric motor, Voith torque converter and turning gear. Simplified sectional view of a Voith torque converter with integrated turning gear. Turning gear M For slow roll requirements of the turbines, a turning gear can be attached to the torque converter Starter System Generator Gas Turbine output, achieving a space saving economical unit. Schematic view of a gas turbine train. Starting package with motor, torque converter and turning gear. Complete Start-up Devices Hydrodynamic torque converters adapt themselves easily and precisely to the gas turbine torque and speed. Optimal start-up is guaranteed by adjustable guide vanes and customized hydraulic circuits. High start-up reliability is secured with Voith. The system reliability is over 99.9%. The torque converter is drainable, eliminating the need of a clutch for disconnection of the starter from the turbine. Torsional vibration is no subject in hydrodynamic power transmissions. Torque converter, motor, oil supply and base frame are assembled into a complete drive unit and therefore offer the advantages of a complete package from one single source. This means a reduced number of interfaces, minimized space requirements and project responsibility in one hand. 5

Voith Turbo GmbH & Co. KG Variable-speed Drives Voithstr. 1 74564 Crailsheim, Germany Tel. +49 7951 32-261 Fax +49 7951 32-650 vs.drives@voith.com www.voithturbo.com/variable-speed cr303en, aik / WA, 01.2009, 2 000. Dimensions and illustrations without obligation. Subject to modifications.