Combined cycle electric power plant and a heat recovery steam generator having improved boiler feed pump flow control

Claim 2

A combined cycle electric power plant comprising: a. at least one gas turbine including an exit through which heated exhaust gases pass; b. means for generating steam at varying rates dependent upon the load placed upon said steam turbine, coupled to said gas turbine exit by transferring heat from the exhaust gases to a fluid passing through said steam generating means; c. a steam turbine coupled to said steam generating means and driven by the steam supplied thereby; d. means for generating electric power by the driving power of said turbines; e. condenser means for receiving and converting the spent steam from said steam turbine into condensate; f. means for controlling the operation of said turbines and said steam generating means; g. said steam generating means including first and second heat exchange tubes, each having an inlet and outlet, said outlet of said first heat exchange tube being coupled to said inlet of said second heat exchange tube, pump means for directing the condensate from said condenser serially through said first and second heat exchange tubes, the steam derived from said second heat exchange tubes being supplied to drive said steam turbine, a recirculation conduit coupled between the outlet of said first heat exchange tube and its inlet, and a recirculation control valve inserted within said recirculation conduit and selectively controlled to permit a variable recirculation flow to said inlet of said first heat exchange tube; and h. said controlling means comprising pump control means for actuating said pump to establish fluid flow through said first heat exchange tube at a substantially constant rate set for all loads imposed upon said steam turbine to achieve an optimum heat transfer between the exhaust gases and the fluid directed through said steam generating means to provide sufficient steam to said steam turbine at maximum load, and valve control means for controlling said valve to permit a variable, first flow through said recirculation conduit proportional to the difference between the constant flow established by said pump through said first heat exchange tube and a second flow to said second heat exchange tube, the second flow being set in accordance with the load imposed upon said steam turbine.

Claim 3

A combined cycle electric power plant as claimed in claim 1, wherein said steam generating means further includes reservoir means having an inlet coupled to the outlet of said first heat exchange tube and an outlet coupled to the inlet of said second heat exchange tube, and said controlling means includes further means for maintaining substantially constant the fluid level within said reservoir means, whereby the fluid to and from said reservoir means is determined by the amount of steam required by said steam turbine in accordance with the load demand placed upon said means for generating electric power associated therewith.

Claim 4

A combined cycle electric power plant as claimed in claim 2, wherein said constant level control means comprises means for measuring the fluid level within said reservoir means, an outlet valve for controlling the fluid flow into said reservoir means and circuit means responsive to the water level for variably opening and closing said reservoir inlet valve means to maintain substantially constant the water level within said reservoir means.

Claim 5

A combined cycle electric power plant as claimed in claim 1, wherein said steam generating means includes a preliminary heater means for supplying heat to the condensate flow derived from said condenser before being introduced into said first heat exchange tube, said recirculation conduit being coupled to said preliminary heater means to introduce heated fluid therein to thereby reduce the heat otherwise required for said preliminary heating means.

Claim 6

A combined cycle electric power plant as claimed in claim 4, wherein said preliminary heater means comprises a deaerator for additionally removing air present in the condensate derived from said condenser, and an extraction steam conduit coupled from said steam turbine to said deaerator, whereby supplemental heat may be provided by steam extracted from said steam turbine and supplied by said extraction steam conduit to said deaerator.

Claim 7

A combined cycle electric power plant as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pump control means comprises means responsive to the fluid flow between the point of intersection of said outlet of said first heat exchange tube and said recirculation conduit, and said inlet of said second heat exchange tube to provide a first signal indicative thereof, signal generator means for providing a second signal proportional to the constant fluid flow through said first heat exchange tube, and a subtraction circuit responsive to the aforementioned first and second signals to provide a difference signal to be applied to control the position of said recirculation conduit valve.

Claim 8

A combined cycle electric power plant as claimed in claim 6, wherein said valve control means further includes means responsive to the fluid flow through said recirculation conduit for providing a third signal indicative thereof, a second subtraction circuit responsive to the third signal and to the output of said first-mentioned subtraction circuit to provide a trim signal indicative of the difference therebetween, and a summing circuit responsive to the outputs of said first and second subtraction circuits for providing an output indicative of the sum thereof to be applied to control the flow through said recirculation pump means.

Claim 9

A combined cycle electric power plant as claimed in claim 6, wherein said valve control means further comprises bumpless transfer means including means for providing a signal indicative of a predetermined position to which said recirculation control valve is to be set, switch means selectively operative in a first mode wherein it applies the output of said subtraction circuit to control the position of said recirculation control valve and in a second mode wherein said switch means applies the predetermined position signal to control the opening of said recirculation control valve.

Claim 10

A combined cycle electric power plant as claimed in claim 8, wherein said valve control means further comprises bumpless transfer means comprising means responsive to the position of said recirculation control valve for providing a signal indicative of its position, a tracking amplifier responsive to the aforementioned signal and to the output signal of said subtraction circuit to provide at least one inhibit signal if the valve position indicating and subtraction circuit output signals are not substantially equal, and memory means responsive to the presence of a command operating signal to set said switch means to its second operating mode and to the absence of the command operating signal and the inhibit signal to set said switch means to its first mode of operation.

Claim 11

A combined cycle electric power plant as claimed in claim 9, wherein said tracking amplifier further provides an output indicative of the difference between the subtraction circuit output signal and the valve position indicating signal, and there is further included means responsive to the flow through said recirculation conduit to provide a signal indicative thereof and a second subtraction circuit responsive to the outputs of said first-mentioned subtraction circuit, said tracking amplifier and said recirculation flow indicator means to provide a corresponding output signal, and a summing amplifier responsive to the outputs of said first and second subtraction circuits to provide a control signal indicative of the sum thereof to be applied to said switch means.

Claim 12

A combined cycle electric power plant as claimed in claim 9, wherein there is further included an operator set means for providing a position signal indicative of the recirculation control valve opening, and second switch means operative in a first mode for applying the output of said subtraction circuit to control the position of said recirculation control valve and in a second operating mode for applying the operator position signal to said recirculation control valve.

Claim 13

A combined cycle electric power plant as claimed in claim 11, wherein said tracking amplifier is responsive to the operation of said second switch means in its second mode to enable said tracking amplifier to derive a difference signal indicative of the difference between the valve position as set by said operator set means and the output of said subtraction circuit.

Claim 14

A control system for a heat recovery steam generator for circulating varying rates of steam flow to and from a steam turbine dependent upon the varying loads placed upon the steam turbine associated with a condenser for converting the spent steam from said steam turbine to condensate, said steam generator including first and second heat exchange tubes for extracting heat from heated gases directed therepast, each having an inlet and outlet, said outlet of said first heat exchange tube being coupled to said inlet of said second heat exchange tube, the steam derived from said second heat exchange tube being supplied to drive the steam turbine, pump means for directing the condensate from said condenser serially to said first and second heat exchange tubes, a recirculation conduit coupled from the outlet of said first heat exchange tube and its inlet, and a recirculation control valve inserted within said recirculation conduit and selectively controlled to permit a variable recirculation flow to said inlet of said first heat exchange tube, said control system comprising: a. pump control means for actuating and controlling said pump means to establish a fluid flow through said first heat exchange tube at a substantially constant rate set for all loads imposed upon the steam turbine to achieve an optimum heat transfer between the heated gases and the condensate directed therethrough and to provide sufficient steam to the steam turbine at maximum load; and b. valve control means for controlling said valve to permit a first variable flow through said recirculation conduit proportional to the difference between the constant flow established by said pump through said first heat exchange tube and a second required flow to said second heat exchange tube, the second flow being set in accordance with the load imposed upon the steam turbine.

Claim 15

A control system for a heat recovery steam generator for circulating varying rates of steam flow to and from a steam turbine dependent upon the varying loads placed upon the steam turbine associated with a condenser for converting the spent steam from said steam turbine to condensate, said steam generator including first and second heat exchange tubes for extracting heat from heated gases directed therepast, each having an inlet and outlet, said outlet of said first heat exchange tube being coupled to said inlet of said second heat exchange tube, the steam derived from said second heat exchange tube being supplied to drive the steam turbine, pump means for directing the condensate from said condenser serially to said first and second heat exchange tubes, a recirculation conduit coupled from the outlet of said first heat exchange tube and its inlet, and a recirculation control valve inserted within said recirculation conduit and selectively controlled to permit a variable recirculation flow to said inlet of said first heat exchange tube, said control system comprising: a. pump control means for actuating and controlling said pump means to establish a fluid flow through said first heat exchange tube at a substantially constant rate set for all loads imposed upon the steam turbine to achieve an optimum heat transfer between the heated gases and the condensate directed therethrough and to provide sufficient steam to the steam turbine at maximum load; and b. valve control means for controlling said valve to permit a first variable flow through said recirculation conduit proportional to the difference between the constant flow established by said pump through said first heat exchange tube and a second required flow to said second heat exchange tube, the second flow being set in accordance with the load imposed upon the steam turbine.

Claim 16

A control system as claimed in claim 13, wherein said pump control means comprises means responsive to the fluid flow between the point of intersection of said outlet of said first heat exchange tube and said recirculation conduit, and said inlet of said second heat exchange tube to provide a first signal indicative thereof, signal generator means for providing a second signal proportional to the constant fluid flow through said first heat exchange tube, and a subtraction circuit responsive to the aforementioned first and second signals to provide a difference signal to be applied to control the position of said recirculation conduit valve.

Claim 17

A control system as claimed in claim 14, wherein said valve control means further includes means responsive to the fluid flow through said recirculation conduit for providing a third signal indicative thereof, a second subtraction circuit responsive to the third signal and to the output of said first-mentioned subtraction circuit to provide a trim signal indicative of the difference therebetween, and a summing circuit responsive to the outputs of said first and second subtraction circuits for providing an output indicative of the sum thereof to be applied to control the flow through said recirculation pump means.

Claim 18

A control system as claimed in claim 14, wherein said valve control means further comprises bumpless transfer means including means for providing a signal indicative of a predetermined position to which said recirculation control valve is to be set, switch means selectively operative in a first mode wherein it applies the output of said subtraction circuit to control the position of said recirculation control valve and in a second mode wherein said switch means applies the predetermined position signal to control the opening of said recirculation control valve.

Claim 19

A control system as claimed in claim 16, wherein said valve control means further comprises bumpless transfer means comprising means responsive to the position of said recirculation control valve for providing a signal indicative of its position, a tracking amplifier responsive to the aforementioned signal and to the output signal of said subtraction circuit to provide at least one inhibit signal if the valve position indicating and subtraction circuit output signals are not substantially equal, and memory means responsive to the presence of a command operating signal to set said switch means to its second operating mode and to the absence of the command operating signal and the inhibit signal to set said switch means to its first mode of operation.

Claim 20

A control system as claimed in claim 17, wherein said tracking amplifier further provides an output indicative of the difference between the subtraction circuit output signal and the valve position indicating signal and there is further included means responsive to the flow through said recirculation conduit to provide a signal indicative thereof and a second subtraction circuit responsive to the outputs of said first-mentioned subtraction cirucit, said tracking amplifier and said recirculation flow indicator means to provide a corresponding output signal, and a summing amplifier responsive to the outputs of said first and second subtraction circuits to provide a control signal indicative of the sum thereof to be applied to said switch means.

Claim 21

A control system as claimed in claim 17, wherein there is further included an operator set means for providing a position signal indicative of the recirculation control valve opening, and second switch means operative in a first mode for applying the output of said subtraction circuit to control the position of said recirculation control valve and in a second operating mode for applying the operator position signal to said recirculation control valve.

Claim 22

A control system as claimed in claim 19, wherein said tracking amplifier is responsive to the operation of said second switch means in its second mode to enable said tracking amplifier to derive a difference signal indicative of the difference between the valve position as set by said operator set means and the output of said subtraction circuit.

Claim 23

A steam turbine power plant comprising: a. steam generator means responsive to heated gases directed therethrough for converting a fluid into steam and supplying the steam to a steam turbine at a varying rate dependent upon the load imposed upon said steam turbine; b. said steam turbine coupled to said steam generating means and driven by the steam supplied thereby; c. means for generating electric power by the driving power of said steam turbine; d. a condenser for receiving and converting the spent steam from said steam turbine into condensate; e. means for controlling the operation of said steam turbine and said steam generating means; f. said steam generating means including first and second heat exchange tubes, the steam derived from said second heat exchange tube being supplied to said steam turbine, each having an inlet and outlet, said outlet of said first heat exchange tube being coupled to said inlet of said second heat exchange tube, pump means for directing the condensate from said condenser serially through said first and second heat exchange tubes, a recirculation conduit coupled between the outlet of said first heat exchange tube and its inlet, and a recirculation control valve inserted within said recirculation conduit and selectively controlled to permit a first, variable recirculation flow to said inlet of said first heat exchange tube; and g. said controlling means comprising pump control means for actuating said pump to establish fluid flow through said first heat exchange tube at a substantially constant rate for all loads imposed upon said steam turbine to achieve an optimum heat transfer between the heated gases and the condensate directed through said first heat exchange tube and to provide sufficient steam to said steam turbine at its maximum load, and valve control means for controlling said valve to permit the first, variable flow through said recirculation conduit proportional to the difference between the constant flow established by said pump through said first heat exchange tube and a second flow to said second heat exchange tube, the second flow being set in accordance with the load imposed upon said steam turbine.

Claim 24

A steam turbine power plant comprising: a. steam generator means responsive to heated gases directed therethrough for converting a fluid into steam and supplying the steam to a steam turbine at a varying rate dependent upon the load imposed upon said steam turbine; b. said steam turbine coupled to said steam generating means and driven by the steam supplied thereby; c. means for generating electric power by the driving power of said steam turbine; d. a condenser for receiving and converting the spent steam from said steam turbine into condensate; e. means for controlling the operation of said steam turbine and said steam generating means; f. said steam generating means including first and second heat exchange tubes, the steam derived from said second heat exchange tube being supplied to said steam turbine, each having an inlet and outlet, said outlet of said first heat exchange tube being coupled to said inlet of said second heat exchange tube, pump means for directing the condensate from said condenser serially through said first and second heat exchange tubes, a recirculation conduit coupled between the outlet of said first heat exchange tube and its inlet, and a recirculation control valve inserted within said recirculation conduit and selectively controlled to permit a first, variable recirculation flow to said inlet of said first heat exchange tube; and g. said controlling means comprising pump control means for actuating said pump to establish fluid flow through said first heat exchange tube at a substantially constant rate for all loads imposed upon said steam turbine to achieve an optimum heat transfer between the heated gases and the condensate directed through said first heat exchange tube and to provide sufficient steam to said steam turbine at its maximum load, and valve control means for controlling said valve to permit the first, variable flow through said recirculation conduit proportional to the difference between the constant flow established by said pump through said first heat exchange tube and a second flow to said second heat exchange tube, the second flow being set in accordance with the load imposed upon said steam turbine.

Claim 25

A steam turbine electric power plant as claimed in claim 21, wherein said steam generating means further includes reservoir means having an inlet coupled to the outlet of said first heat exchange tube and an outlet coupled to the inlet of said second heat exchange tube, and said controlling means includes further means for maintaining substantially constant the fluid level within said reservoir means, whereby the fluid to and from said reservoir means is determined by the amount of steam required by said steam turbine in accordance with the load demand placed upon said means for generating electric power associated therewith.

Claim 26

A steam turbine electric power plant as claimed in claim 22, wherein said constant level control means comprises means for measuring the fluid level within said reservoir means, an outlet valve for controlling the fluid flow into said reservoir means and circuit means responsive to the water level for variably opening and closing said reservoir inlet valve means to maintain substantially constant the water level within said reservoir means.

Claim 27

A steam turbine electric power plant as claimed in claim 21, wherein said steam generating means includes a preliminary heater means for supplying heat to the condensate flow derived from said condenser before being introduced into said first heat exchange tube, said recirculation conduit being coupled to said preliminary heater means to introduce heated fluid therein to thereby reduce the heat otherwise required for said preliminary heating means.

Claim 28

A steam generating electric power plant as claimed in claim 24, wherein said preliminary heater means comprises a deaerator for additionally removing air present in the condensate derived from said condenser, and an extraction steam conduit coupled from said steam turbine to said deaerator, whereby supplemental heat may be provided by steam extracted from said steam turbine and supplied by said extraction steam conduit to said deaerator.

Claim 29

A combined cycle electric power plant comprising: a. at least one gas turbine including an exit through which heated exhaust gases pass; b. means for generating steam at varying rates dependent upon the load placed upon said steam turbine, coupled to said gas turbine exit by transferring heat from the exhaust gases to a fluid passing through said steam generating means; c. a steam turbine coupled to said steam generating means and driven by the steam supplied thereby; d. means for generating electric power by the driving power of said turbines; e. condenser means for receiving and converting the spent steam from said steam turbine into condensate; f. means for controlling the operation of said turbines and said steam generating means; g. said steam generating means including first and second heat exchange tubes, each having an inlet and outlet, said outlet of said first heat exchange tube being coupled to said inlet of said second heat exchange tube, pump means for directing the condensate from said condenser serially through said first and second heat exchange tubes, the steam derived from said second heat exchange tube being supplied to drive said steam turbine, a recirculation conduit coupled between the outlet of said first heat exchange tube and its inlet, and a recirculation control valve inserted within said recirculation conduit and selectively controlled to permit a variable recirculation flow to said inlet of said first heat exchange tube; h. said controlling means comprising pump control means for actuating said pump to establish a fluid flow at a substantially constant rate set for all loads imposed upon said steam turbine to achieve an optimum heat transfer between the exhaust gases and the fluid directed through said steam generating means and to provide sufficient steam to said steam turbine at maximum load, and valve control means for controlling said valve to permit a variable, first flow through said recirculation conduit proportional to the difference between the constant flow established by said pump through said first heat exchange tube and a second flow to said second heat exchange tube, the second flow being set in accordance with the load imposed upon said steam turbine; and i. condensate storage means coupled to said recirculation conduit to receive the recirculated flow and to receive the condensate from said condenser means, for preheating the condensate with heat stored in the recirculated flow before directing the preheated condensate to said inlet of said first heat exchange tube.

Claim 30

A combined cycle electric power plant comprising: a. at least one gas turbine including an exit through which heated exhaust gases pass; b. means for generating steam at varying rates dependent upon the load placed upon said steam turbine, coupled to said gas turbine exit by transferring heat from the exhaust gases to a fluid passing through said steam generating means; c. a steam turbine coupled to said steam generating means and driven by the steam supplied thereby; d. means for generating electric power by the driving power of said turbines; e. condenser means for receiving and converting the spent steam from said steam turbine into condensate; f. means for controlling the operation of said turbines and said steam generating means; g. said steam generating means including first and second heat exchange tubes, each having an inlet and outlet, said outlet of said first heat exchange tube being coupled to said inlet of said second heat exchange tube, pump means for directing the condensate from said condenser serially through said first and second heat exchange tubes, the steam derived from said second heat exchange tube being supplied to drive said steam turbine, a recirculation conduit coupled between the outlet of said first heat exchange tube and its inlet, and a recirculation control valve inserted within said recirculation conduit and selectively controlled to permit a variable recirculation flow to said inlet of said first heat exchange tube; h. said controlling means comprising pump control means for actuating said pump to establish a fluid flow at a substantially constant rate set for all loads imposed upon said steam turbine to achieve an optimum heat transfer between the exhaust gases and the fluid directed through said steam generating means and to provide sufficient steam to said steam turbine at maximum load, and valve control means for controlling said valve to permit a variable, first flow through said recirculation conduit proportional to the difference between the constant flow established by said pump through said first heat exchange tube and a second flow to said second heat exchange tube, the second flow being set in accordance with the load imposed upon said steam turbine; and i. condensate storage means coupled to said recirculation conduit to receive the recirculated flow and to receive the condensate from said condenser means, for preheating the condensate with heat stored in the recirculated flow before directing the preheated condensate to said inlet of said first heat exchange tube.

Claim 31

A steam turbine power plant comprising: a. steam generator means responsive to heated gases directed therethrough for converting a fluid into steam and supplying the steam to a steam turbine at a varying rate dependent upon the load imposed upon said steam turbine; b. said steam turbine coupled to said steam generating means and driven by the steam supplied thereby; c. means for generating electric power by the driving power of said steam turbine; d. a condenser for receiving and converting the spent steam from said steam turbine into condensate; e. means for controlling the operation of said steam turbine and said steam generating means; f. said steam generating means including first and second heat exchange tubes, the steam derived from said second heat exchange tube being supplied to said steam turbine, each having an inlet and outlet, said outlet of said first heat exchange tube being coupled to said inlet of said second heat exchange tube, pump means for directing the condensate from said condenser serially through said first and second heat exchange tubes, a recirculation conduit coupled between the outlet of said first heat exchange tube and its inlet, and a recirculation control valve inserted within said recirculation conduit and selectively controlled to permit a first, variable recirculation flow to said inlet of said first heat exchange tube; g. said controlling means comprising pump control means for actuating said pump to establish fluid flow through said first heat exchange tube at a substantially constant rate for all loads imposed upon said steam turbine to achieve an optimum heat transfer between the heated gases and the condensate directed through said first heat exchange tube and to provide sufficient steam to said steam turbine at its maximum load, and valve control means for controlling said valve to permit the first, variable flow through said recirculation conduit proportional to the difference between the constant flow established by said pump through said first heat exchange tube and a second flow to said second heat exchange tube, the second flow being set in accordance with the load imposed upon said steam turbine; and h. storage means coupled to said recirculation conduit to receive the recirculated flow and to receive the condensate from said condenser for preheating the condensate by the heat stored in the recirculated flow before directing the preheated condensate to said first heat exchange tube.

Claim 32

A steam turbine power plant comprising: a. steam generator means responsive to heated gases directed therethrough for converting a fluid into steam and supplying the steam to a steam turbine at a varying rate dependent upon the load imposed upon said steam turbine; b. said steam turbine coupled to said steam generating means and driven by the steam supplied thereby; c. means for generating electric power by the driving power of said steam turbine; d. a condenser for receiving and converting the spent steam from said steam turbine into condensate; e. means for controlling the operation of said steam turbine and said steam generating means; f. said steam generating means including first and second heat exchange tubes, the steam derived from said second heat exchange tube being supplied to said steam turbine, each having an inlet and outlet, said outlet of said first heat exchange tube being coupled to said inlet of said second heat exchange tube, pump means for directing the condensate from said condenser serially through said first and second heat exchange tubes, a recirculation conduit coupled between the outlet of said first heat exchange tube and its inlet, and a recirculation control valve inserted within said recirculation conduit and selectively controlled to permit a first, variable recirculation flow to said inlet of said first heat exchange tube; g. said controlling means comprising pump control means for actuating said pump to establish fluid flow through said first heat exchange tube at a substantially constant rate for all loads imposed upon said steam turbine to achieve an optimum heat transfer between the heated gases and the condensate directed through said first heat exchange tube and to provide sufficient steam to said steam turbine at its maximum load, and valve control means for controlling said valve to permit the first, variable flow through said recirculation conduit proportional to the difference between the constant flow established by said pump through said first heat exchange tube and a second flow to said second heat exchange tube, the second flow being set in accordance with the load imposed upon said steam turbine; and h. storage means coupled to said recirculation conduit to receive the recirculated flow and to receive the condensate from said condenser for preheating the condensate by the heat stored in the recirculated flow before directing the preheated condensate to said first heat exchange tube.