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US5140818A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Internal moisture separation cycle

Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
•
Filing: 1991-05-09
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Granted: 1992-08-25
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Expires: 2011-05-09
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Abstract

Abstract A steam turbine system including a low pressure (LP) turbine has a plurality of moisture extraction points at which a steam-water mixture is extracted and passed through a respective one of a corresponding plurality of heat exchangers. Each exchanger passes the steam-water mixture in heat exchange relationship with feedwater in a feedwater conduit. A low pressure and low temperature final stage extraction point on the steam turbine is coupled to a condenser, and water collected at the condenser is directed into the feedwater conduit. The system separates at least some of the steam in the steam-water mixture from the final stage extraction point and passes this steam in heat exchange relationship with water in the feedwater conduit.

Inventors

  • 👤 George J. Silvestri, Jr.
  • 👤 Paul W. Viscovich

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-01 02:01
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01K; F01K7/00; F01K7/34; F01K7/40

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim 93 words
A method for improving efficiency in a steam turbine system having a low pressure (LP) turbine in which a mixture of moisture and motive steam from a final stage moisture removal zone are coupled to a turbine exhaust condenser, water collected at the condenser being coupled through a feedwater conduit to a steam generator, the method including the step of passing part of the removed moisture and motive steam in heat exchange relationship with water in the feedwater conduit to thereby recover at least some of the heat energy in the steam-moisture mixture.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 93 words
A method for improving efficiency in a steam turbine system having a low pressure (LP) turbine in which a mixture of moisture and motive steam from a final stage moisture removal zone are coupled to a turbine exhaust condenser, water collected at the condenser being coupled through a feedwater conduit to a steam generator, the method including the step of passing part of the removed moisture and motive steam in heat exchange relationship with water in the feedwater conduit to thereby recover at least some of the heat energy in the steam-moisture mixture.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 70 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the system includes a heat exchanger in the feedwater conduit for receiving the steam-moisture mixture and a bypass loop for bypassing feedwater around the heat exchanger, further including the step of selectively bypassing at least some of the feedwater around the heat exchanger for regulating the volume of steam-moisture mixture removed at the final stage moisture removal zone in response to selected system variables.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 112 words
A steam turbine system including a low pressure (LP) turbine having a plurality of moisture extraction points at which a steam-water mixture is extracted and passed through a respective one of a corresponding plurality of heat exchangers, each exchanger passing the steam-water mixture in heat exchange relationship with feedwater in a feedwater conduit, a low pressure and low temperature final stage moisture removal zone on the steam turbine being coupled to a condenser, water collected at the condenser being directed into the feedwater conduit, the system including means for passing part of the steam-water mixture from the final stage moisture removal zone in heat exchange relationship with water in the feedwater conduit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 112 words
A steam turbine system including a low pressure (LP) turbine having a plurality of moisture extraction points at which a steam-water mixture is extracted and passed through a respective one of a corresponding plurality of heat exchangers, each exchanger passing the steam-water mixture in heat exchange relationship with feedwater in a feedwater conduit, a low pressure and low temperature final stage moisture removal zone on the steam turbine being coupled to a condenser, water collected at the condenser being directed into the feedwater conduit, the system including means for passing part of the steam-water mixture from the final stage moisture removal zone in heat exchange relationship with water in the feedwater conduit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 57 words
The system of claim 3 wherein the means for passing the steam-water mixture from the final stage moisture removal zone in heat exchange relationship comprises a heat exchanger, the system further including a bypass loop for selectively bypassing feedwater about the heat exchanger to thereby control the volume of steam-water mixture at the final stage removal zone.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3289408A Cited
US4069674A Cited
US4825657A Cited
US4955200A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1995-08-25 1996-02-24 1996-08-25 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1999-08-25 2000-02-24 2000-08-25 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2003-08-25 2004-02-24 2004-08-25 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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