Abstract: A system for a turbo machine is provided, including one or more channels that redirect steam that leaks through the root and/or the tip regions of a stage of the turbine to mix with the high efficiency main steam flow at the pitch region of the turbine where efficiency is the highest. This redirection of the steam results in a significant performance improvement that evens out the efficiency profile resulting in higher average efficiencies.

Abstract: A steam turbine flow adjustment system. In one embodiment, the system includes a steam turbine having a first inlet port and a second inlet port for receiving inlet steam; a first conduit and a second conduit operably connected to a first valve and a second valve, respectively, the first conduit and the second conduit for providing the inlet steam to the first inlet port and the second inlet port, respectively; and a control system operably connected to the first valve and the second valve for controlling an amount of inlet steam flow admitted and pressure to each of the first inlet port and the second inlet port based upon a load demand on the steam turbine and an admission pressure of the inlet steam.

Abstract: A method of operating a power plant is provided. The method includes channeling saturated steam at a first pressure to a pressure control device, superheating the steam by decreasing the pressure of the saturated steam from the first pressure to a second pressure using the pressure control valve, and channeling the superheated steam towards a steam turbine component to facilitate cooling the component.

Abstract: A power plant is provided and includes components for generating power from fluids at high and intermediate pressures, a pathway defined between the components along which a heated fluid flows to the one of the components for generating power from fluids at intermediate pressures and a circuit fluidly coupled to the pathway to cool a portion of the heated fluid prior to the portion of the heated fluid reaching the one of the components for generating power from fluids at intermediate pressures.

Abstract: A method and system for increasing the efficiency of a turbomachine having an extraction system is provided. The extraction system may have multiple extraction ports from which the working fluid of the turbomachine is extracted to meet extraction load requirements of an independent process. The method and system may enable a control system to optimally determine the which extraction ports to draw the working fluid from for meeting the extraction load requirement. The optimal location may be determined by utilizing the data on the load requirement, where the extraction load requirement may be operationally distinct from the turbomachine load.

Abstract: A system for reducing flow separation in a turbo machine is provided, the system including a stationary vane coupled to a stationary vane support; at least one circumferential extraction band through the stationary vane or the stationary vane support; the circumferential extraction band having a first side proximate to an operative fluid flow through the turbo machine; at least one opening in the first side of the circumferential extraction band; and a channel having a first end in fluid connection with the circumferential extraction band and a second end extending through the stationary vane support, such that the operative fluid flow through the turbo machine is redirected through the extraction opening into the circumferential extraction band and through the channel towards a rotating blade.

Abstract: A structure, system, and method for controlling a power output and flue gas temperature of a power plant by adjusting final feedwater temperature are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, a turbine having a plurality of valved steam extraction ports is provided. Each steam extraction port is fluidly connected with a feedwater heater. Each of the plurality of valves in the valved steam extraction ports may be opened and closed to the passage of steam therethrough, in order to vary a final feedwater temperature.

Abstract: A reverse flow tolerant brush seal arrangement for restricting the transfer of a pressurized fluid between a first and a second chamber along a moving shaft. Opposing backing plates are provided to stiffen brush bristle alignment on the moving shaft. Differential pressure between the chambers is aided by spring biasing to seat axial movement of a sliding brush seal against one of the opposing backing plates for stiffening to maintain a design clearance with a shaft being sealed.

Abstract: A steam seal system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the steam seal system includes: a low pressure steam turbine positioned on a shaft; a pair of end packings surrounding the shaft, each of the pair of end packings located proximate an axial end of the low pressure steam turbine along the shaft; and an pair of extraction conduits fluidly connected to the low pressure steam turbine and the shaft, the pair of extraction conduits connected to the shaft at a location axially outward of the pair of end packings and the low pressure steam turbine.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a packing seal has a plurality of lands that align with annular teeth. Each land has opposite axial sides relative to a rotational axis of a rotary component. Each land also has a recess in at least one of the opposite sides.

Abstract: A steam-driven power plant includes a steam source providing steam at a desired pressure and a steam turbine operably connected to the steam source. The steam turbine includes a low pressure section and an intermediate pressure section. A low pressure admission conduit is configured to convey steam from the steam source to an entrance of the low pressure section and an intermediate pressure admission conduit is configured to convey steam from the steam source to a mid-steampath point of the intermediate pressure section. One or more valves are located between the steam source and the steam turbine to control a flow of steam from the steam source through the low pressure admission conduit and/or the intermediate pressure admission conduit.

Abstract: A packing ring assembly for use between a rotating and a stationary component in a turbomachine is disclosed, the assembly including an arcuate packing ring casing, an arcuate packing ring segment positioned at least partially within the packing ring casing, and a resistance component configured to allow movement of the packing ring segment in an axial direction, relative to the rotating component, between a first and second position in response to a pressure condition. In one embodiment, the resistance component allows movement when the pressure condition comprises approximately 30% of the turbomachine load. Also disclosed is an altered surface topography of the rotating component to accommodate variable length teeth extending from the packing ring segment, such that when the packing ring segment is in the first position, a clearance between the packing ring segment and the rotating component is larger than when the packing ring segment is in the second position.

Abstract: A steam turbine flow adjustment system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes a steam turbine having a first inlet port and a second inlet port for receiving inlet steam; a first conduit and a second conduit operably connected to a first valve and a second valve, respectively, the first conduit and the second conduit for providing the inlet steam to the first inlet port and the second inlet port, respectively; and a control system operably connected to the first valve and the second valve for controlling an amount of inlet steam flow admitted and pressure to each of the first inlet port and the second inlet port based upon a load demand on the steam turbine and an admission pressure of the inlet steam.

Abstract: The present application provides a variable steam seal system for use with a steam turbine. The variable steam seal system may include a seal steam header, a first pressure section, a first pressure seal positioned about the first pressure section, and a flow path through the first pressure seal and extending to the seal steam header. The first pressure seal may include a moveable seal packing ring for varying the flow path through the first pressure seal to the seal steam header.

Abstract: A double flow low-pressure (LP) steam turbine with an LP section that can be engaged and disengaged from a drive train is provided, as are methods for its use. In one embodiment, the invention provides a steam turbine comprising: a high pressure (HP) section; an intermediate pressure (IP) section adjacent the HP section; a first low pressure (LP) section; a second LP section; a crossover pipe connecting the IP section to the first LP section and the second LP section; a drive train extending through the HP section, the IP section, the first LP section, and the second LP section; a device for engaging and disengaging the second LP section from the drive train; a valve for alternately opening and closing a portion of the crossover pipe connecting the IP section to the second LP section; and at least one extraction port for extracting a quantity of steam from at least one of the following: the crossover pipe or an exhaust of the IP section.

Abstract: The present application provides a variable steam seal system for use with a steam turbine. The variable steam seal system may include a seal steam header, a first pressure section, a first pressure seal positioned about the first pressure section, and a flow path through the first pressure seal and extending to the seal steam header. The first pressure seal may include a moveable seal packing ring for varying the flow path through the first pressure seal to the seal steam header.

Abstract: A turbine system includes a valve coupled to a leak off line from a leak packing of a first turbine, the valve controlling a first steam flow used to maintain a constant self-sustaining sealing pressure to a second turbine across numerous loading conditions. A related method is also provided.

Abstract: A reverse flow tolerant brush seal arrangement for restricting the transfer of a pressurized fluid between a first and a second chamber along a moving shaft. Opposing backing plates are provided to stiffen brush bristle alignment on the moving shaft. Differential pressure between the chambers is aided by spring biasing to seat axial movement of a sliding brush seal against one of the opposing backing plates for stiffening to maintain a design clearance with a shaft being sealed.

Abstract: Solutions for clutching turbine wheels are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes: a turbine rotor shaft; a plurality of turbine wheels affixed to the turbine rotor shaft; an independent turbine wheel engagably attached to the turbine rotor shaft; and a clutch operably connected to the turbine rotor shaft, the clutch configured to couple and decouple the independent turbine wheel from the turbine rotor shaft.

Abstract: A method and system for regulating the pressure of steam in a Steam Seal Header (SSH) for a pressurized machine is provided. In the SSH, the pressure of steam may be regulated according to the operating status of the pressurized machine. The variable pressure SSH system may maintain a pressure packing of the pressurized machine within an optimized pressure range.