SOLAR THERMAL FOR VILLAGE ELECTRIFICATION

Rural areas and remote Villages are often at a disadvantage in terms of access to electricity. The high cost of providing this service in low populated, remote places with difficult terrain and low consumption results in rural electricity schemes that are usually more costly to implement than urban schemes.

Solar power is the conversion of sunlight into electricity. Concentrated Solar Power (CSP), in which sunlight is focused on an area containing water which is converted into steam and is used to generate power, as in a thermal power plant. CSP produces concentrated solar beam irradiation to heat liquid, solid, or gas as in a regular TPS. The best sites for CSP are in equatorial belt cloud-free regions.

Solar thermal power plants use the sun’s rays to heat a fluid to high temperatures. The fluid is then circulated through pipes so that it can transfer its heat to water and produce steam. The steam is converted into mechanical energy in a Steam Turbine which is then converted into electricity by a conventional generator.

Thus providing power to remote villages which can be effectively used for Irrigation, improves the individual quality of life, facilitates community services such as health and education, and enables business entities to carry out professional activities for rural populations.

Turtle Turbines have supplied Steam Turbine to Solar Thermal Plant at Shive in Pune with Thermax. The project was funded by the Government of India.

SOLAR THERMAL FOR VILLAGE ELECTRIFICATION

Steam Turbine Control System

Better performance throughout the steam turbines’ operational life improves cost-efficiency. Today, better control is even more important than before, as older turbines operate beyond their original life expectancy.
The modern turbine control system (TCS) is designed to control the main steam flow to the steam turbine in all operational conditions by means of the turbine throttle, governor, admission, and or extraction control valves. Simplex electrical functions included within the TCS software and hardware are used to carry out the control functions. During all operating phases, such as unit start-up, shutdown, parallel operation, Island mode, and so on, the TCS system assures stable operation. Full load rejections caused by a sudden separation from the grid are regulated by the TCS in generation applications, preventing an over-speed condition and collateral damage.
The principal features of the TCS system are summarized as follows:-

  1. Speed Control
  2. Inlet/Admission Pressure Control-two channel selection that facilitates initial pressure and limits pressure functions
  3. Load Control-via either a load setpoint command from the Control System, or can be configured to receive MW input for utilization of the load control function developed within the system, or can be configured stand-alone as an MW or Speed Droop function.
  4. Turbine Stress Influence
  5. Frequency Influence
  6. Valve Lift Control

The brain of the steam turbine controller should be a high-speed digital processor. The TCS should provide automatic and manual shutdown. In automatic shutdown, the system must lower the load until the generator breaker opens on reverse current. On manual shutdown, the operator will open the generator breaker manually once the turbine is at minimum load.

Steam Turbine Control System

Application of Steam Turbines in Trigeneration -Heating, Cooling and Power

Steam Turbines play a very important role in distillery, sugar, Edible oil, Chemical plants, food processing industry, or in industries where the steam is a by-product.
Trigeneration is one of the most attractive options and is even more efficient and economically rewarding than cogeneration. Trigeneration refers to three energies and is defined as the simultaneous production of heat and power, just like cogeneration, except trigeneration, which takes cogeneration one step further by also producing chilled water for air conditioning or the process used with the addition of absorption or adsorption chillers.

Trigeneration is also called CHP (combined heating, cooling, and power). Building cooling, heating, and power and integrated energy systems, permits even greater operational flexibility in businesses with demand for energy in the form of heating and cooling. There is a number of benefits to trigeneration including onsite, high-efficiency production of electricity and heat. Reuse existing cogeneration to reduce electricity consumption, reduce emissions and reduce costs substantially. Trigeneration systems are found in commercial applications typically where there is a need for air conditioning or chilled water by the customer.

When a trigeneration power system is installed on-site, that is, where the electrical and thermal energy is needed by the customer so that the electrical energy does not have to be transported hundreds of miles away, and the thermal energy is fully utilized, system efficiencies can reach and surpass 90%.
Onsite trigeneration plants are much more efficient, economically sound, and environmentally friendly than typical central power plants. Because of this, customers’ energy expenses are significantly lower, and the associated pollution is also much less than if the customer had an energy system supplied with electricity from the grid, along with water heaters and boiler systems onsite.

Trigeneration, when compared to combined cycle cogeneration, can be up to 50% more efficient, further reducing operating costs, fuel expenses, and environmental pollutants. Trigeneration systems for commercial buildings are very profitable investments for building owners. Trigeneration systems help not only the building owner but also benefit society in a number of ways including, increased power reliability, reduce power requirements on the electric grid, and Reduced dependence on foreign oil.

“Turtle Turbines has supplied Steam Turbines for Trigeneration Application with Lithium Bromide Vacuum Absorption Machines VAM Chillers of Thermax Ltd.,”

Steam Turbines with Induction Generator

Normally, Steam Turbine speed is reduced to 1500 rpm to generate power by Alternator by using a Gear Box in between if the frequency is 50 Hz and 1800 rom if it is 60 Hz. For speed reduction purposes a gearbox system is followed by lubrication system which demands maintenance as well.

In case the power generation potential is up to or around 400 kW an Induction Generator instead of an Alternator can be used to generate power. For this the Turbines are designed to operate at 3025 or 3600 rpm based on the generation frequency required as 50 Hz or 60 Hz respectively. Such a Turbine is directly coupled to the Induction Generator without using the gearbox in between. This makes the system very simple in construction and operation as well.

An Induction Generator requires 2-3 times starting current for less than 3 seconds. Thus it is important to take this into consideration while deciding to use an Induction Generator.

Turtle Turbines has many successful installations in various industries with Induction Generator.

Steam Turbines with Induction Generator

Steam Turbine in Organic Chemical Industry

The organic Chemical industry focuses on processing basic materials (e.g., oil, natural gas, air, water, metals, and minerals) into consumer and industrial products. Organic chemicals are the basis of industries like plastics, dye., drugs, detergents, insecticides, etc.
Organic Chemical is the industry in which raw materials are chemically converted into final products during processing. Chemically, products in the chemical process sector differ from raw materials as a result of one or more chemical reactions occurring during the manufacturing process. Steam is widely utilized in the Organic Chemical process industries for a variety of purposes, including process heating, cleaning and sterilizing, humidification, and distillation. The pressure difference between the Boiler Pressure and the Process Pressure is efficiently used to generate electricity by Steam Turbines. Even with fluctuating stream flows, there are a number of steps in this process, and some of them require steam that is clean and pure. Steam turbines have low investment costs, and simple operation procedures, and can be integrated easily into the plant’s process. They operate within various power ratios and do not require extensive maintenance. Turtle Turbines has delivered many Turbines to Organic Chemical Industries.

Buying used Turbine for Process Industries

While setting up the process industry, buying capital equipment is a very important task. Most critical being the process equipment, boiler, turbine, civil work, etc. These are the major investments for setting up any process industry. To cut down the cost or when the budget is low often customer thinks of buying used steam turbines / secondhand steam turbines. The steam turbine is a very important piece of equipment for any process industry because it generates power at a very low cost when the steam is being utilized in the process and plays an important role when the local power is not available.

Used steam turbines are available in the market and are usually sold by the agencies engaged in servicing steam turbines. Usually, design data of such user second-hand steam turbines are not available to the service agency. In such situations, it is very easy to make the mistake of picking up the wrong turbine which ends up not delivering the desired outcomes. During such time, the Customer usually invests a huge amount of monies towards civil foundations, Steam, allied piping, and electrical accessories. When such turbines fail, without any fallback to the OEM supplier and with limitations on part of the turbine services agency, the entire investment is lost. Another problem arises when the steam turbine needs spares and service. As a Turbine OEM company not being involved in the purchase process or in servicing getting spares available is a very difficult task. The downtime may lead to huge losses. Also, the turbines are not being attended to by the OEM, the plant personnel has to put their special attention to running the turbine, hence it’s a tough and challenging task, that also adds to the operating cost.

Investing in a new Steam Turbine provides short-term and long terms benefits. It is wise to invest a little more money than spend huge sums of money as expenses towards operating and maintaining used second-hand steam turbines.

Buying used Turbine for Process Industries

How to effectively purchase Steam Turbines ??

Steam Turbines are essential to any Industry where there is the usage of Steam to reduce the energy cost of that industry. Steam Turbines are used in Oil and Gas, Chemical plants, Distillery, Food processing Industry, or industries where steam is a by-product.
In order to reduce the energy cost, the Steam Turbines are used extensively in process industries. It is important to ensure that the Steam Turbines that we plan to purchase are dependable and are configured in such a way that operating the Steam Turbine will not be a burden on the Plant owner or Business Owner. The Steam Turbine needs to integrate seamlessly with the utility as well the process side of the plant while catering power.
Steam Turbines can be broadly classified as Backpressure Steam Turbines and Condensing Steam Turbines besides other extraction combinations with each of these. Backpressure Steam Turbines are used in the process industry or in an industry where steam is utilized in the process. The condensing type Steam Turbines are used where the steam has no use in any process or duty to perform after exiting the Turbine.
Before purchasing the Steam Turbine, process steam requirement, future expansion plan, electrical load, availability of electricity from the grid, cost of grid power are considered to arrive at the Steam Turbine capacity and type of Steam Turbine. Once these details are finalized, based upon the process steam load, the total power requirement and the potential to generate power through Steam Turbine are studied and the suitable type and capacity of Steam Turbine are decided.
On the commercial side of the decision, it’s very important to consider the Total Ownership Cost of the Turbine. This involves the initial investment, installation costs, operating costs, and maintenance costs. A wise buyer will target reducing the TCO instead of only looking at the initial investment as the deciding factor.

Turtle Turbines Pvt Ltd is a pioneer in the field of Steam Turbines that has been serving this industry for the last 20 years and has provided successful solutions to many happy customers. They specialize in providing the best solutions to their customers by understanding the process requirement and power requirements.

Use of Genuine Spares in Steam Turbines

team Turbines plays a very important role in the process industry, Distillery, Paper Mills, Oil Industry, Sugar Industry, Food Industry, and many others. To generate the required power with required steam pressure, steam turbines are installed in many industries. Hence proper care needs to be taken while using a steam turbine. Due to the continuous operation of the steam turbine, some spare parts run out. Maintaining proper operation of the steam turbines in the industry is the highest priority. Steam Turbines OEM replacement parts are manufactured to the high standard as the originally delivered equipment, incorporating the latest technological developments. Steam Turbine OEM is the producer of genuine spares parts for the full range capacity of steam turbines. Steam Turbine supplier uses advanced engineering techniques and high-quality materials to manufacture spare parts that help to get more out of assets. Every part is thoroughly tested and backed by a warranty, leading to improved output, increased efficiency, and extended maintenance intervals. When drawings and data aren’t available, OEM of Steam Turbine does a re-engineering process. In addition to providing manufacturing data, the CAD model provides the basis for engineering analysis. This allows offering technology improvements, including advanced materials and standard steam turbine part replacement.
Turtle Turbines are as an OEM, it draws upon its experience to provide substitutes of original components, like stationary or rotating blades as well as many other required steam turbine parts. Additionally, we can enhance the configuration and material for replaced parts upon request. We can provide strategic and logistics spares.

Strategic spares – Bladed/Unbladed rotors, Casing, gland housing, Blades, diaphragms, gland segments, Bearings, Valves, Control systems spares.
Logistics Spares – Fasteners, Gaskets and Seals, Filters, Consumables, etc. Turtle Turbines supplies all required spares within India and also abroad.

Steam Turbines in Food processing Industry

Steam turbines play a very important role in the food processing industry. Electricity, Cooling, and Heating are the critical elements of any food processing process. Maintaining costs, product flexibility and quality are extremely important. The quality of steam is very important in food processing. Steam is the most energy-efficient, reliable, and flexible means of heat transfer for activities related to food and beverage processing. Turtle Turbines offers steam turbines that help reduce energy costs, provide a reliable source of energy and manage energy needs for various processes. Turtle Turbines has provided solutions to various customers in the food processing industry by delivering robust and reliable steam generators that generate a consistent quality of power and steam.

Steam Turbines in Food processing

Vibrations in Steam Turbine

Normal vibrations are acceptable in any component that is under the action of any continuous impact. But when these vibrations start to grow and reach an undesirable level, they cause permanent failure and, consequently, significant damage to the system.

A steam turbine’s functionality is affected highly due to the presence of vibrations in it. Structurally a steam turbine is a complex assembly compounding many delicate components. Any sort of uncontrolled vibration due to a component can cause system failure and, consequently, a significant disaster. Thus, the analysis of vibrations’ cause and intensity is essential to ensure proper operations and safety.

The possible reasons for vibrations are the unbalanced rotor and rotor parts, faulty or no stress analysis of steam piping, deposition on steam turbine blades, damage of journal bearings, actuator and governor fluctuations, improper lubrication, uneven cooling and warming of steam turbine, improper axial and radial clearance, etc.

The effects of high vibrations in the Steam Turbine machine are not only degrading the machine’s operation by increasing the risk for normal operation and shortening the machine’s life but also for operational and maintenance personnel.

Timely maintenance of steam turbines with preventive and predictive maintenance schedules, standard installation and commissioning practices, and replacement of damaged parts can avoid vibrations in steam turbines.