Abstract: A working fluid sensor system adapted to analyze operation of a power generation system is disclosed. In one embodiment, a working fluid sensor system includes: a set of sensors adapted to be disposed within a turbine, the set of sensors including probe portions which extend into a flowpath of the turbine for exposure to a working fluid, the probe portions adapted to react to a force exerted by the working fluid on the probe portions and indicate a moisture content of the working fluid.

Abstract: A turbomachine includes a turbine portion having a housing enclosing one or more turbine stages. Each of the one or more turbine stages includes a plurality of turbine buckets. The plurality of turbine buckets include an upstream portion and a downstream portion. A first sensor is mounted in the turbine portion at the upstream portion of plurality of turbine buckets and a second sensor is mounted in the turbine portion at the downstream portion of the plurality of turbine buckets. A controller is operatively coupled to the first and second sensors. The controller is configured and disposed to detect a change in flow between the upstream portion and the downstream portion and signal an alarm if the change in flow falls below a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention provide for a last stage blade of a steam turbine. In one embodiment, the last stage blade of a steam turbine includes: a blade leading edge for receiving a through flow, the blade leading edge including a plurality of indentations at a top portion of the steam turbine blade; and a blade trailing edge for exhausting the through flow.

Abstract: A working fluid sensor system adapted to analyze operation of a power generation system is disclosed. In one embodiment, a working fluid sensor system includes: a set of sensors adapted to be disposed within a turbine, the set of sensors including probe portions which extend into a flowpath of the turbine for exposure to a working fluid, the probe portions adapted to react to a force exerted by the working fluid on the probe portions and indicate a moisture content of the working fluid.

Abstract: A turbine bucket includes a bucket airfoil having a cross-section in an airfoil shape. The bucket is twisted from a root end to a tip end. A degree of twist defines an accumulated angular offset of the tip end in a range of 10-15° relative to a tangential direction, thereby reducing excess negative incidence by 15-20° relative to the tangential direction.

Abstract: A turbine blade including a root section at an end of the turbine blade, a first airfoil section adjacent to the root section, and a tip section adjacent to the airfoil section and including a material block that is incongruous with the airfoil section. A midspan section may also include a material block. Each material block can be selectively machined to customize the length of the turbine blade and the position of a tip shroud connection or midspan connection. The turbine blade can be sized for retrofitting last stage blades of older turbines. A radial position of the root mounts for the turbine blade may also be adjusted to provide further customization.

Abstract: A turbine blade including a root section at an end of the turbine blade, a first airfoil section adjacent to the root section, and a tip section adjacent to the airfoil section and including a material block that is incongruous with the airfoil section. A midspan section may also include a material block. Each material block can be selectively machined to customize the length of the turbine blade and the position of a tip shroud connection or midspan connection. The turbine blade can be sized for retrofitting last stage blades of older turbines. A radial position of the root mounts for the turbine blade may also be adjusted to provide further customization.

Abstract: A system and method for configuring a steam turbine in a power plant to supply steam from a low pressure section of the steam turbine to a flue-gas processing unit in the power plant.

Abstract: A turbine blade including a root section at an end of the turbine blade, a first airfoil section adjacent to the root section, and a tip section adjacent to the airfoil section and including a material block that is incongruous with the airfoil section. A midspan section may also include a material block. Each material block can be selectively machined to customize the length of the turbine blade and the position of a tip shroud connection or midspan connection. The turbine blade can be sized for retrofitting last stage blades of older turbines. A radial position of the root mounts for the turbine blade may also be adjusted to provide further customization.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring the trailing edge thickness of an airfoil in a turbine includes a plurality of tools; each tool having a main body portion and a forward end; an opening along a side edge and in proximity to a forward edge of the forward end, the opening including a slot of predetermined width adapted to engage the trailing edge of the airfoil; wherein each of the tools has a different predetermined slot width.

Abstract: An improved moisture removal pocket configuration is described that includes an axial extension of the moisture removal slot over the bucket cover. The pocket may omit the upstream gutter segment to achieve the desired slot extension. The modified moisture removal pocket configuration improves the moisture removal efficiency by providing access to the pocket for water that moves as a film along the nozzle outer side wall and is entrained in the leakage jet above the bucket cover.

Abstract: In a reverse design for partitions of a steam turbine having decreased throat dimension therebetween with increased radial height, the trailing edges are set back from approximately mid-span to a tip of the partition to increase the throat dimension with radial height relative to the prior reverse design configuration. Secondary vortices adjacent the radial inner and outer end walls are maintained separated from on another by the design, thereby minimizing or eliminating aerodynamic losses from interactive secondary flow effects while improving flow distribution at the bucket entrance and stage exit. In a further embodiment, a free vortex design having increasing throat dimension from the hub to the tip may be modified to further increase the throat dimension from the hub to approximately the mid-span by providing setbacks along the trailing edge of the partition between the hub and mid-span.