Abstract: A steam cycle power plant (10) is provided that may include a steam source generating steam (40), a steam turbine (24) receiving the generated steam and discharging an exhaust steam, a condenser (44) receiving the exhaust steam and an atomizer (60) for injecting water into the exhaust steam downstream of the steam turbine (24) and upstream of a cooling surface of the condenser (44) effective to reduce a backpressure on the steam turbine (24) and improve a heat rate of the steam turbine (24). The atomizer (60) may include a plurality of symmetrical spaced fluid connections (70) and a plurality of atomizing nozzles (62) affixed proximate at least one exhaust end of the steam turbine (24). The power plant (10) may be a combined cycle power plant including a heat recovery steam generator (40) and a gas turbine engine (12).

Abstract: The present invention involves a system for controlling the electric charge within the exhaust hood and condenser of a steam turbine by using shaft current as an indirect measurement of exhaust charge, and then adjusting the pH accordingly. The present invention uses the turbine-generator shaft 12 instead of a probe, and therefore measures the potential of the current in the shaft to the ground. This measurement 32 is then fed into a control unit 40 which adjusts the chemical feed 42 to the feedwater supply 44 of the steam turbine system.

Abstract: A method of evaluating a power plant having a design life based on operating the plant within an allowable chemical exposure range includes accumulating a history of a chemical exposure of a steam generating portion of the power plant (e.g., 10). The method also includes determining a remaining life of the plant based on the history of the chemical exposure and assuming continued operation of the plant within the allowable chemical exposure range (e.g., 20). The method may also include evaluating an economic value of operating the plant based on the remaining life of the plant (e.g., 30).

Abstract: The present invention comprises an apparatus and method for efficiently venting impurities from a heat recovery steam generator system by concentrating the impurities in a condensing deaerating vent line 40 and then venting a proportionately small amount of steam with a proportionately high concentration of impurities. The condensing deaerating vent line 40 is attached to a low pressure drum 10, and feed water 54 may be added to the upper portion of the condensing deaerating vent line 40 to improve condensation and conserve thermal energy.

Abstract: A combustion turbine power plant (10) incorporating a desiccating scrubber (140) for simultaneously removing water and sulfur from a flue gas (20) of the power plant (10). The desiccating scrubber (140) may include an inlet nozzle (145) for spraying an aqueous solution (142) containing a desiccant and a base into flue gas (20) so the aqueous solution (142) makes direct contact with flue gas (20). A filter (162) may be provided to collect sulfur compounds downstream of the desiccating scrubber (140) and a regenerator (164) may be provided for recovering water. A controller (148) may control a base supply (170) and a desiccant supply (172) to regulate the respective amounts of each introduced into the aqueous solution (142). Controller (148) may be responsive to sensors (142) measuring the water and sulfur content of flue gas (20) exhausted to atmosphere (144). The desiccating scrubber (140) may include a demister (160) to entrain carryover droplets from a sprayed aqueous solution (142).

Abstract: A combustion turbine power plant (10) incorporating a desiccating scrubber (140) for simultaneously removing water and sulfur from a flue gas (20) of the power plant (10). The desiccating scrubber (140) may include an inlet nozzle (145) for spraying an aqueous solution (142) containing a desiccant and a base into flue gas (20) so the aqueous solution (142) makes direct contact with flue gas (20). A filter (162) may be provided to collect sulfur compounds downstream of the desiccating scrubber (140) and a regenerator (164) may be provided for recovering water. A controller (148) may control a base supply (170) and a desiccant supply (172) to regulate the respective amounts of each introduced into the aqueous solution (142). Controller (148) may be responsive to sensors (142) measuring the water and sulfur content of flue gas (20) exhausted to atmosphere (144). The desiccating scrubber (140) may include a demister (160) to entrain carryover droplets from a sprayed aqueous solution (142).