US4283200A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for detecting corrosion in steam turbine installations
Assignee: BBC BROWN BOVERI and Co Ltd
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Filing: 1979-11-01
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Granted: 1981-08-11
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Expires: 1999-11-01
Abstract
Abstract A process and a device for detecting the occurrence of corrosion during the operation of steam turbines are disclosed, wherein working medium is taken from the steam turbine and partially condensed. The condensate is separated from the remaining steam and the quantities of both the remaining steam and the condensate are determined. The condensate is continuously examined for aggressive materials. The condensate is then subjected to chemical and physical analysis in a test apparatus. To detect corrosivity, a prestressed metal test piece and a metal bursting disc are arranged in a condensate vessel in contact with the condensate.
Inventors
- 👤 Maurice A. Bodmer
- 👤 Robert Svoboda
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 01:05
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N17/00; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T436/00; Y10T436/17; Y10T436/173845; Y10T436/175383; Y10T436/19; Y10T436/193333
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of detecting the occurrence of corrosion in a steam turbine during operation, comprising the steps of: continuously withdrawing a representative sample of working steam from the turbine; condensing a portion of the working steam sample to form a condensate; controlling the quantity of said working steam sample which is condensed such that a predetermined percentage of the sample is condensed; separating the condensate from the remaining steam; determining the quantity of the remaining steam; continuously testing the condensate for corrosivity; and returning the remaining steam to the turbine.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of detecting the occurrence of corrosion in a steam turbine during operation, comprising the steps of: continuously withdrawing a representative sample of working steam from the turbine; condensing a portion of the working steam sample to form a condensate; controlling the quantity of said working steam sample which is condensed such that a predetermined percentage of the sample is condensed; separating the condensate from the remaining steam; determining the quantity of the remaining steam; continuously testing the condensate for corrosivity; and returning the remaining steam to the turbine.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the quantity of the working steam sample which is condensed is controlled by taking a scattered light measurement of the working steam sample such that less than two percent of the working steam sample is condensed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of continuously testing includes exposing a metal test piece to the condensate to detect corrosivity.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: cooling the condensate; and subjecting the cooled condensate to chemical and physical analysis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 4, wherein a conductivity of the cooled condensate is measured.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method of claim 4, wherein an acid conductivity of the cooled condensate is selectively measured; a pH value of the cooled condensate is selectively measured; a content of Na, Cl, and NH 3 ions of the cooled condensate is selectively measured; and the step of continuously testing includes the step of continuously exposing a bursting disc to the condensate to detect corrosivity.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
127 words
An apparatus for detecting corrosion in a steam turbine during operation comprising: first line means for continuously withdrawing a representative sample of working steam from the steam turbine at a predetermined point in the steam turbine; condenser means for condensing a portion of the steam sample received through the first line means to form a condensate; separator means for separating the condensate from the remaining steam; testing means for continuously testing the condensate for corrosivity; second line means for returning the remaining steam to the turbine; a flow meter for determining the quantity of remaining steam arranged in the second line means; and control means for controlling the quantity of said working steam sample which is condensed such that a predetermined percentage of the sample is condensed.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
127 words
An apparatus for detecting corrosion in a steam turbine during operation comprising: first line means for continuously withdrawing a representative sample of working steam from the steam turbine at a predetermined point in the steam turbine; condenser means for condensing a portion of the steam sample received through the first line means to form a condensate; separator means for separating the condensate from the remaining steam; testing means for continuously testing the condensate for corrosivity; second line means for returning the remaining steam to the turbine; a flow meter for determining the quantity of remaining steam arranged in the second line means; and control means for controlling the quantity of said working steam sample which is condensed such that a predetermined percentage of the sample is condensed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the control means comprises a device for measuring scattered light after the working steam sample has been passed through the condenser means, said device controlling the opening cross-section of a control element disposed upstream from the condenser means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 7 or 8 wherein less than two percent of the working steam is condensed.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising: cooling means for cooling the condensate; and analysis means for analyzing the cooled condensate, the analysis means being arranged downstream from the cooling means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the analysis means includes a conductivity meter.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the analysis means includes: a plurality of instruments arranged in parallel, said instruments being selectively operable for measuring physical and chemical properties of the cooled condensate and including an acid conductivity meter, a pH meter, and Na, Cl, and NH 3 ion detectors.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a flow meter arranged downstream from the cooling means and upstream from the analysis means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the testing means comprises a metal test piece arranged in a condensate vessel in constant contact with the condensate.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the metal test piece is prestressed and is of the same material as turbine parts subject to corrosion.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the testing means further comprises a metal bursting disc provided in a wall of the condensate vessel, a side of the bursting disc being in continuous contact with the condensate.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising alarm means for indicating a bursting of the bursting disc.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2976123A
Cited
US3649167A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-08-10 | 1985-02-09 | 1985-08-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-08-10 | 1989-02-09 | 1989-08-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-08-10 | 1993-02-09 | 1993-08-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |