Abstract: A shaft sealing system and method are disclosed for a high or intermediate pressure turbine section having a rotating member including a shaft and a stationary member surrounding the rotating member and defining a steam flow path. The shaft sealing system comprises at least one seal disposed about each of a first end and a second end of the shaft; and a connection line for conducting steam from the first turbine section to a downstream portion of the turbine. The downstream portion of the turbine is one of a low pressure section and a condenser, and has a lower pressure than both of the first turbine section and ambient pressure conditions.

Abstract: A lube oil supply system of a turbine system and method of regulating lube oil temperatures. In one embodiment, the system includes a first valve positioned on a lube oil bypass conduit in fluid communication with a lube oil supply line to a heat exchanger. The first valve may be positioned in parallel with the heat exchanger. The system may also include a second valve positioned on a cooling fluid supply line in fluid communication with the heat exchanger, and a lube oil control system operably connected to the first valve and the second valve. The lube oil control system may be configured to modify a position of at least one of the first valve, or the second valve in response to determining a temperature of a lube oil of the lube oil supply line differs from a predetermined lube oil temperature threshold.

Abstract: A lube oil supply system of a turbine system and method of regulating lube oil temperatures. In one embodiment, the system includes a first valve positioned on a lube oil bypass conduit in fluid communication with a lube oil supply line to a heat exchanger. The first valve may be positioned in parallel with the heat exchanger. The system may also include a second valve positioned on a cooling fluid supply line in fluid communication with the heat exchanger, and a lube oil control system operably connected to the first valve and the second valve. The lube oil control system may be configured to modify a position of at least one of the first valve, or the second valve in response to determining a temperature of a lube oil of the lube oil supply line differs from a predetermined lube oil temperature threshold.

Abstract: A hydrogen cooled generator having a system for diagnosing problems associated with a seal oil system. Included is a shaft having a turbine end and a collector end; a first shaft seal located about the shaft at the turbine end; a second shaft seal located about the shaft at the collector end; a first set of sensors for measuring seal oil pressure differentials across both shaft seals; a second set of sensors for measuring seal oil temperature differentials across both shaft seals; a third sensor for measuring a hydrogen side seal oil flow rate; and a system for analyzing data collected from at least two sensors to diagnose the shaft seals.

Abstract: A steam seal dump re-entry system delivers steam dump flow to an LP steam turbine. The system includes a steam seal header receiving steam leaking from turbine end seal packings, and a desuperheater receiving and cooling the steam from the steam seal header. The desuperheater outputs cooled steam. A temperature sensor is disposed downstream of the desuperheater and detects a temperature of the cooled steam. A flow control circuit communicating with the temperature sensor selectively delivers the cooled steam to at least one of the condenser and to the LP steam turbine depending on the temperature of the cooled steam.

Abstract: A shaft sealing system and method are disclosed for a low pressure turbine section having a rotating member including a shaft and a stationary member surrounding the rotating member and defining a steam flow path. The shaft sealing system comprises at least one seal disposed about each of a first end and a second end of the shaft; and a connection line for conducting steam from the first turbine section to a downstream portion of the turbine. The downstream portion of the turbine has a lower pressure than both of the first turbine section and ambient pressure conditions.

Abstract: A shaft sealing system and method are disclosed for a high or intermediate pressure turbine section having a rotating member including a shaft and a stationary member surrounding the rotating member and defining a steam flow path. The shaft sealing system comprises at least one seal disposed about each of a first end and a second end of the shaft; and a connection line for conducting steam from the first turbine section to a downstream portion of the turbine. The downstream portion of the turbine is one of a low pressure section and a condenser, and has a lower pressure than both of the first turbine section and ambient pressure conditions.

Abstract: A filter system is provided for a hydrogen cooled dynamoelectric machine, and includes a float trap fluidly connected to a component of the dynamoelectric machine via a first conduit, a filter fluidly connected to the float trap via a second conduit, and a flow switch fluidly connected to the filter via a third conduit. The third conduit is fluidly connected to a hydrogen control assembly.

Abstract: A steam seal dump re-entry system delivers steam dump flow to an LP steam turbine. The system includes a steam seal header receiving steam leaking from turbine end seal packings, and a desuperheater receiving and cooling the steam from the steam seal header. The desuperheater outputs cooled steam. A temperature sensor is disposed downstream of the desuperheater and detects a temperature of the cooled steam. A flow control circuit communicating with the temperature sensor selectively delivers the cooled steam to at least one of the condenser and to the LP steam turbine depending on the temperature of the cooled steam.

Abstract: Systems for controlling hydrogen purity in a power plant system are disclosed. In one embodiment, a hydrogen control system for a generator housing includes: a mass flow control system fluidly connected to the generator housing, the mass flow control system being configured to measure a flow rate of a gas mixture extracted from the generator housing and modify the flow rate of the gas mixture across a range of flow rates; and a vent conduit fluidly connected to the mass flow control system, the vent conduit for receiving a portion of the gas mixture from the mass flow control system and feeding the portion of the gas mixture to an outlet.

Abstract: A hydrogen cooled generator includes a lubricant drain system. The lubricant drain system includes a hydrogen detraining tank having a hollow interior portion. A sensor is operatively mounted in the hydrogen detraining tank. The sensor is configured and disposed to detect an interface zone between an amount of lubricant and an amount of hydrogen gas in the hollow interior portion. A drain line is fluidly coupled to the hydrogen detraining tank. The drain line includes a first end portion that is exposed in the hollow interior portion and a second end portion. A valve is mounted in the drain line. A controller is operatively connected to the sensor and the valve. The controller is configured to selectively open the valve allowing a portion of the amount of lubricant to flow from the hollow interior portion when the interface zone is above the first end portion of the drain line.

Abstract: A hydrogen cooled generator having a system for diagnosing problems associated with a seal oil system. Included is a shaft having a turbine end and a collector end; a first shaft seal located about the shaft at the turbine end; a second shaft seal located about the shaft at the collector end; a first set of sensors for measuring seal oil pressure differentials across both shaft seals; a second set of sensors for measuring seal oil temperature differentials across both shaft seals; a third sensor for measuring a hydrogen side seal oil flow rate; and a system for analyzing data collected from at least two sensors to diagnose the shaft seals.

Abstract: A filter system is provided for a hydrogen cooled dynamoelectric machine, and includes a float trap fluidly connected to a component of the dynamoelectric machine via a first conduit, a filter fluidly connected to the float trap via a second conduit, and a flow switch fluidly connected to the filter via a third conduit. The third conduit is fluidly connected to a hydrogen control assembly.

Abstract: Systems for controlling hydrogen purity in a power plant system are disclosed. In one embodiment, a hydrogen control system for a generator housing includes: a mass flow control system fluidly connected to the generator housing, the mass flow control system being configured to measure a flow rate of a gas mixture extracted from the generator housing and modify the flow rate of the gas mixture across a range of flow rates; and a vent conduit fluidly connected to the mass flow control system, the vent conduit for receiving a portion of the gas mixture from the mass flow control system and feeding the portion of the gas mixture to an outlet.

Abstract: A hydrogen cooled generator includes a lubricant drain system. The lubricant drain system includes a hydrogen detraining tank having a hollow interior portion. A sensor is operatively mounted in the hydrogen detraining tank. The sensor is configured and disposed to detect an interface zone between an amount of lubricant and an amount of hydrogen gas in the hollow interior portion. A drain line is fluidly coupled to the hydrogen detraining tank. The drain line includes a first end portion that is exposed in the hollow interior portion and a second end portion. A valve is mounted in the drain line. A controller is operatively connected to the sensor and the valve. The controller is configured to selectively open the valve allowing a portion of the amount of lubricant to flow from the hollow interior portion when the interface zone is above the first end portion of the drain line.