Field of invention
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of steam turbines. Particularly, the present
invention relates to a nozzle casing for a steam turbine, and to a steam turbine.
Summary of the Invention
[0002] Fig. 9 shows a design of a steam turbine 900 according to the prior art, comprising a nozzle
casing 921, 922 inside a turbine casing 911, 912. In Fig. 9 the nozzle casing 921,
922 is formed of an upper nozzle casing 921 and a lower nozzle casing 922. The upper
nozzle casing 921 forms a first chamber therein (at the right upper side in Fig. 9),
and the lower nozzle casing 922 forms a second chamber and a third chamber therein
(at the left and right lower sides). Each chamber has an outlet (nozzle) in a shape
of a circular ring segment. Downstream the outlets, a control wheel is arranged which
is rotatable to adjust an amount of steam which is allowed to pass the corresponding
outlet.
[0003] The upper nozzle casing 921 is surrounded by an upper turbine casing 911 and the
lower nozzle casing 922 is surrounded by a lower turbine casing 912. A first turbine
inlet 913 is connected to the upper turbine casing 911 at an upper right side of the
steam turbine 900 in Fig. 9. Additionally, a second turbine inlet 914 and a third
turbine inlet 915 are connected to the lower turbine casing 912 at a lower right side
(second turbine inlet 914) and at a lower left side (third turbine inlet 915) of the
steam turbine 900 in Fig. 9.
[0004] In the conventional solution, the control wheel is adjustable in such a way that
the amount of steam of the first inlet steam flow 933, the second inlet steam flow
934 and the third inlet steam flow 935 are individually controlled depending on the
load case.
[0005] There may be a need for a nozzle casing which enables a higher steam throughput and
has a compacter size. This need may be met by the subject matters according to the
independent claims. The present invention is further developed as set forth in the
dependent claims.
[0006] According to a first aspect of the invention, a nozzle casing for a steam turbine,
wherein the nozzle casing comprises a first section extending at least partly along
a circumferential direction of the steam turbine. The nozzle casing is configured
to be mounted around a turbine shaft of the steam turbine, wherein a lateral surface
of the turbine shaft or a rotational direction of the turbine shaft corresponds to
the circumferential direction of the steam turbine. The first section defines a first
chamber and a second chamber, which are not in a fluid-communication with each other
and extend along different sections along the circumferential direction of the steam
turbine. The first section further comprises a first inlet configured to introduce
a first steam flow from the outside into the first chamber, a second inlet configured
to introduce a second steam flow from the outside into the second chamber, a first
outlet being in a fluid communication with the first and second chambers, and a second
outlet being in a fluid communication with the first and second chambers such that
the first steam flow flowing from the first inlet into the first chamber is injectable
through the first and second outlets into flow paths of the steam turbine, and the
second steam flow flowing from the second inlet into the second chamber is injectable
through the first and second outlets into the flow paths of the steam turbine. The
first and second outlets preferably extend along an arc or ring segment in the circumferential
direction and are shaped as a slit or a perforated grid. Advantageously, the nozzle
casing which enables a higher steam throughput and has a compacter size.
[0007] In an embodiment, the first section further comprises a third inlet configured to
introduce a third steam flow from the outside into the first chamber and a fourth
inlet configured to introduce a fourth steam flow from the outside into the second
chamber, such that the third steam flow flowing from the third inlet into the first
chamber is injectable through the first and second outlets into the flow paths of
the steam turbine, and the fourth steam flow flowing from the fourth inlet into the
second chamber is injectable through the first and second outlets into the flow paths
of the steam turbine. Advantageously, the nozzle casing which enables even a higher
and uniform steam throughput.
[0008] In an embodiment, the nozzle casing further comprises a second section extending
at least partly along the circumferential direction of the steam turbine, wherein
the second section defines a third chamber and a fourth chamber, which are not in
a fluid-communication with each other and extend along different sections along the
circumferential direction of the steam turbine. The second section further comprises
a fifth inlet configured to introduce a fifth steam flow from the outside into the
third chamber, a sixth inlet configured to introduce a sixth steam flow from the outside
into the fourth chamber, a third outlet being in a fluid communication with the third
and fourth chambers, and a fourth outlet being in a fluid communication with the third
and fourth chambers, such that the fifth steam flow flowing from the fifth inlet into
the third chamber is injectable through the third and fourth outlets into the flow
paths of the steam turbine, and the sixth steam flow flowing from the sixth inlet
into the fourth chamber is injectable through the third and fourth outlets into the
flow paths of the steam turbine. Advantageously, the nozzle casing is easy to manufacture
and provides a higher and uniform steam throughput.
[0009] In an embodiment, the nozzle casing comprises at least one of the following: extensions
of the first chamber and the second chamber have an overlap in an axial direction
of the steam turbine, and extensions of the third chamber and the fourth chamber have
an overlap in an axial direction of the steam turbine. The axial direction can be
defined by an axis of the turbine shaft. Advantageously, the nozzle casing is very
compact.
[0010] In an embodiment, the first and second sections are similarly or identically shaped,
and the first and second sections are particularly cast parts. Thus, the first and
second sections can be manufactured in a large lot size under low costs.
[0011] In an embodiment, the second section further comprises a seventh inlet configured
to introduce a seventh steam flow from the outside into the third chamber and an eighth
inlet con-figured to introduce an eighth steam flow from the outside into the fourth
chamber, such that the seventh steam flow flowing from the seventh inlet into the
third chamber is injectable through the third and fourth outlets into the flow paths
of the steam turbine, and the eighth steam flow flowing from the eighth inlet into
the fourth chamber is injectable through the third and fourth outlets into the flow
paths of the steam turbine. As a result, the nozzle casing is equipped with eight
steam inlets.
[0012] In an embodiment, the nozzle casing further comprises a first control wheel arranged
downstream of the first outlet and a second control wheel arranged downstream of the
second outlet, the first control wheel being configured to adjust a steam flow from
the first outlet and the second control wheel being configured to adjust a steam flow
from the second outlet.
[0013] In an embodiment, the first control wheel is further configured to adjust a steam
flow from the third outlet and the second control wheel is further configured to adjust
a steam flow from the fourth outlet.
[0014] According to a second aspect of the invention, a steam turbine comprises the above-mentioned
nozzle casing, wherein a steam flow from the first outlet merges a steam flown from
the third outlet in a first axial direction of the steam turbine, and a steam flow
from the second outlet merges a steam flown from the fourth outlet in second first
axial direction of the steam turbine, wherein the second first axial direction of
the steam turbine is opposite to the first axial direction of the steam turbine. Such
a steam turbine has a high throughput and a compact size.
[0015] In an embodiment, the steam turbine further comprises at least one of the following:
a first piping having a first branch connected to the first inlet and a second branch
connected to the second inlet, wherein the first piping is particularly an elbow piping;
and a second piping having a first branch connected to the third inlet and a second
branch connected to the fourth inlet, wherein the second piping is particularly an
elbow piping. The pipings are easy to manufacture, robust and compact.
[0016] In an embodiment, the first and second control wheels are supported by the first
and second sections and by a turbine casing. A sealing can be arranged between the
control wheel and the nozzle casing body.
[0017] It has to be noted that embodiments of the invention have been described with reference
to different subject matters.
[0018] In particular, some embodiments have been described with reference to apparatus type
claims whereas other embodiments have been described with reference to method type
claims. However, a person skilled in the art will gather from the above and the following
description that, unless other notified, in addition to any combination of features
belonging to one type of subject matter also any combination between features relating
to different subject matters, in particular between features of the apparatus type
claims and features of the method type claims is considered as to be disclosed with
this application.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0019] The aspects defined above and further aspects of the present invention are apparent
from the examples of embodiment to be described hereinafter and are explained with
reference to the examples of embodiment. The invention will be described in more detail
hereinafter with reference to examples of embodiment but to which the invention is
not limited.
- Fig. 1
- shows a bottom view of a steam turbine according to an embodiment;
- Fig. 2
- shows a longitudinal section C-C of the steam turbine of Fig. 1;
- Fig. 3
- shows a cross section B-B of the steam turbine of Fig. 1;
- Fig. 4
- shows a bottom view of a nozzle casing;
- Fig. 5
- shows a cross section E-E of the nozzle casing of Fig. 4;
- Fig. 6
- shows a longitudinal section of the nozzle casing according to the embodiment;
- Fig. 7
- shows a cross section E1-E1 of the nozzle casing according to the embodiment;
- Fig. 8
- shows a cross section E2-E2 of the nozzle casing according to the embodiment;
- Fig. 9
- shows a design of a steam turbine according to the prior art.
Detailed Description
[0020] The illustrations in the drawings are schematically. It is noted that in different
figures, similar or identical elements are provided with the same reference signs.
[0021] Fig. 1 shows a bottom view of a steam turbine 1000 according to an embodiment,
Fig. 2 shows a longitudinal section C-C of the steam turbine 1000 of Fig. 1, and
Fig. 3 shows a cross section B-B of the steam turbine 1000 of Fig. 1.
[0022] A turbine shaft 100 is rotatably supported in a turbine casing 103 by means of a
radial and axial bearing 101, which is arranged in a bearing pedestal 102, and another
radial bearing (not shown). Between the turbine shaft 100 and the turbine casing 103,
a nozzle casing 1 is arranged, through which steam flows are injected to stator and
rotor bladings 108, 109 which are supported at the turbine shaft 100 via guide blade
carriers 105, 106. After having passed the stator and rotor bladings 108, 109, the
steam flow is discharged from the turbine case 103 at the right-hand side of Fig.
2 and through a bleed passage 104 at the left-hand side of Fig. 2. Reference sign
107 designates a balance piston gland.
[0023] As particularly shown in Figures 2 and 3, the nozzle casing 1 comprises a first section
2 extending at least partly along a circumferential direction of the steam turbine
1000. The nozzle casing 1 is configured to be mounted around the turbine shaft 100
of the steam turbine 1000, wherein a lateral surface of the turbine shaft 100 or a
direction of rotation of the turbine shaft 100 around a rotational axis X corresponds
to the circumferential direction of the steam turbine 1000. The first section 2 defines
a first chamber 3 and a second chamber 4, which are not in a fluid-communication with
each other and extend along different sections along the circumferential direction
of the steam turbine 1000.
[0024] The first section 2 further comprises a first inlet 5 configured to introduce a first
steam flow from the outside into the first chamber 3, a second inlet 6 configured
to introduce a second steam flow from the outside into the second chamber 4, a first
outlet 7 being in a fluid communication with the first and second chambers 3, 4, and
a second outlet 8 being in a fluid communication with the first and second chambers
3, 4. In the embodiment, each outlet 7, 8 extends along a circular ring segment or
arc segment in the circumferential direction and is shaped as a slit or a perforated
grid. The first inlet 5, the second inlet 6, the first outlet 7 and the second outlet
8 are configured such that the first steam flow flowing from the first inlet 5 into
the first chamber 3 is injectable through the first and second outlets 7, 8 into flow
paths of the steam turbine 1000 towards the stator and rotor bladings 108, 109, and
the second steam flow flowing from the second inlet 6 into the second chamber 4 is
injectable through the first and second outlets 7, 8 into the flow paths of the steam
turbine 1000 towards the stator and rotor bladings 108, 109.
[0025] Fig. 4 shows a bottom view of a nozzle casing 1,
Fig. 5 shows a cross section E-E of the nozzle casing 1 of Fig. 4,
Fig. 6 shows a longitudinal section of the nozzle casing according to the embodiment,
Fig. 7 shows a cross section E1-E1 of the nozzle casing according to the embodiment, and
Fig. 8 shows a cross section E2-E2 of the nozzle casing according to the embodiment. The
first section 2 further comprises a third inlet 9 configured to introduce a third
steam flow from the outside into the first chamber 3 and a fourth inlet 10 configured
to introduce a fourth steam flow from the outside into the second chamber 4. The third
inlet 9 and the fourth inlet 10 are configured such that the third steam flow flowing
from the third inlet 9 into the first chamber 3 is injectable through the first and
second outlets 7, 8 into the flow paths of the steam turbine 1000 towards the stator
and rotor bladings 108, 109, and the fourth steam flow flowing from the fourth inlet
10 into the second chamber 4 is injectable through the first and second outlets 7,
8 into the flow paths of the steam turbine 1000 towards the stator and rotor bladings
108, 109.
[0026] In Fig. 3, reference sign P designates a horizontal split plane, wherein the first
section 2 is arranged directly above the horizontal split plane P. The nozzle casing
1 further comprises a second section 20 extending at least partly along the circumferential
direction of the steam turbine 1000, i.e. directly below the horizontal split plane
P. In other words, the nozzle casing 1 is divided at the horizontal split plane P
in the upper first section 2 and the lower second section 20. The first section 2
and the lower section 20 can be connected to each other by bolts, or they can also
be welded at the horizontal split plane P.
[0027] The second section 20 defines a third chamber 30 and a fourth chamber 40, which are
not in a fluid-communication with each other and extend along different sections along
the circumferential direction of the steam turbine 1000. The second section 20 further
comprises a fifth inlet 50 configured to introduce a fifth steam flow from the outside
into the third chamber 30, a sixth inlet 60 configured to introduce a sixth steam
flow from the outside into the fourth chamber 40, a third outlet 70 being in a fluid
communication with the third and fourth chambers 30, 40, and a fourth outlet 80 being
in a fluid communication with the third and fourth chambers 30, 40. In the embodiment,
each outlet 70, 80 extends along a circular ring or arc segment of the circumferential
direction and is shaped as a slit or a perforated grid. The fifth inlet 50, the sixth
inlet 60, the third outlet 70, and the fourth outlet 80 are configured such that the
fifth steam flow flowing from the fifth inlet 50 into the third chamber 30 is injectable
through the third and fourth outlets 70, 80 into the flow paths of the steam turbine
1000 towards the stator and rotor bladings 108, 109, and the sixth steam flow flowing
from the sixth inlet 60 into the fourth chamber 40 is injectable through the third
and fourth outlets 70, 80 into the flow paths of the steam turbine 1000 towards the
stator and rotor bladings 108, 109.
[0028] As shown in Fig. 3, the first section 2 comprises a partition wall 17, by which the
firsts chamber 3 is separated from the second chamber 4. Extensions of the first chamber
3 and the second chamber 4 have an overlap in an axial direction of the steam turbine
1000, wherein the axial direction is similar to the rotational axis X of the turbine
shaft 100. In the same manner, the second section 20 comprises a partition wall 170,
by which the first chamber 330 is separated from the second chamber 40. Extensions
of the third chamber 30 and the fourth chamber 40 have an overlap in an axial direction
of the steam turbine 1000.
[0029] The first and second sections 2, 20 are similarly or identically shaped, and the
first and second sections 2, 20 are particularly cast parts so that the first and
second sections 2, 20 can be manufactured in a large lot size under low costs.
[0030] As shown in Figures 6 to 8, the second section 20 further comprises a seventh inlet
90 configured to introduce a seventh steam flow from the outside into the third chamber
30 and an eighth inlet 110 configured to introduce an eighth steam flow from the outside
into the fourth chamber 40. The seventh inlet 90 and the eighth inlet 110 are configured
such that the seventh steam flow flowing from the seventh inlet 90 into the third
chamber 30 is injectable through the third and fourth outlets 70, 80 into the flow
paths of the steam turbine 1000 towards the stator and rotor bladings 108, 109, and
the eighth steam flow flowing from the eighth inlet 110 into the fourth chamber 40
is injectable through the third and fourth outlets 70, 80 into the flow paths of the
steam turbine 1000 towards the stator and rotor bladings 108, 109.
[0031] Sealing rings (not shown) are placed at every steam inlet 5, 6, 9, 10, 50, 60, 90,
110. In particular, the sealing rings can be placed between the first section 2 and
the turbine casing 103 and between the second section 20 and the turbine casing 103
(cf. Fig. 3).
[0032] As shown in Fig. 2, a first control wheel 11 is arranged downstream of the first
outlet 7, and a second control wheel 12 is arranged downstream of the second outlet
8. The first control wheel 11 is configured to adjust a steam flow from the first
outlet 7, and the second control wheel 12 is configured to adjust a steam flow from
the second outlet 8. The first control wheel 11 is further configured to adjust a
steam flow from the third outlet 70, and the second control wheel 12 is further configured
to adjust a steam flow from the fourth outlet 80.
[0033] As can be taken from Fig. 2, a steam flow from the first outlet 7 merges a steam
flown from the third outlet 70 in a first axial direction of the steam turbine 1000
(to the right in Fig. 2), and a steam flow from the second outlet 8 merges a steam
flown from the fourth outlet 80 in second first axial direction of the steam turbine
1000 (to the left in Fig. 2), wherein the second first axial direction of the steam
turbine 1000 is opposite to the first axial direction of the steam turbine 1000.
[0034] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the steam turbine 1000 further comprises at the first
section 2 a first piping 13 having a first branch 14 connected to the first inlet
5 and a second branch 15 connected to the second inlet 6, wherein the first piping
13 is embodied as an elbow piping. At the first section 2, second piping 16 is provided,
which has a first branch connected to the third inlet 9 and a second branch (not shown)
connected to the fourth inlet 10, wherein the second piping 16 is also embodied as
an elbow piping.
[0035] The steam turbine 1000 further comprises at the second section 20 a first piping
130 having a first branch 140 connected to the first inlet 50 and a second branch
150 connected to the second inlet 60, wherein the first piping 130 is also embodied
as an elbow piping. At the second section 20, second piping 160 is provided, which
has a first branch connected to the third inlet 9 and a second branch connected to
the fourth inlet 10, wherein the second piping 160 is also embodied as an elbow piping.
Preferably, the first and second pipings 13, 16, 130, 160 are similarly or identically
shaped.
[0036] As shown in Fig. 2, the first and second control wheels 11, 12 are supported by the
first and second sections 2, 20 and by the turbine casing 103, wherein a sealing can
be arranged between the first and second control wheels 11, 12 and the first and second
sections 2, 20.
[0037] It should be noted that the term "comprising" does not exclude other elements or
steps and "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. Also, elements described in association
with different embodiments may be combined. It should also be noted that reference
signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.
List of reference signs:
[0038]
- 1
- nozzle casing
- 2
- first section
- 3
- first chamber
- 4
- second chamber
- 5
- first inlet
- 6
- second inlet
- 7
- first outlet
- 8
- second outlet
- 9
- third inlet
- 10
- fourth inlet
- 11
- first control wheel
- 12
- second control wheel
- 13
- first piping
- 14
- first branch
- 15
- second branch
- 16
- second piping
- 17
- partition wall
- 20
- second section
- 30
- first chamber
- 40
- second chamber
- 50
- first inlet
- 60
- second inlet
- 70
- first outlet
- 80
- second outlet
- 90
- third inlet
- 100
- turbine shaft
- 101
- radial and axial bearing
- 102
- bearing pedestal
- 103
- turbine casing
- 104
- bleed passage
- 105
- guide blade carrier
- 106
- guide blade carrier
- 107
- balance piston gland
- 108
- stator and rotor blading
- 109
- stator and rotor blading
- 110
- eighth inlet
- 130
- first piping
- 140
- first branch
- 150
- second branch
- 170
- partition wall
- 1000
- steam turbine
- X
- rotational axis
- P
- horizontal split plane
1. A nozzle casing (1) for a steam turbine (1000), comprising:
a first section (2) extending at least partly along a circumferential direction of
the steam turbine (1000), wherein the first section (2) defines a first chamber (3)
and a second chamber (4), which are not in a fluid-communication with each other and
extend along different sections along the circumferential direction of the steam turbine
(1000), wherein the first section (2) further comprises:
a first inlet (5) configured to introduce a first steam flow from the outside into
the first chamber (3), a second inlet (6) configured to introduce a second steam flow
from the outside into the second chamber (4), a first outlet (7) being in a fluid
communication with the first and second chambers (3, 4), and a second outlet (8) being
in a fluid communication with the first and second chambers (3, 4), such that:
the first steam flow flowing from the first inlet (5) into the first chamber (3) is
injectable through the first and second outlets (7, 8) into flow paths of the steam
turbine (1000), and
the second steam flow flowing from the second inlet (6) into the second chamber (4)
is injectable through the first and second outlets (7, 8) into the flow paths of the
steam turbine (1000).
2. The nozzle casing (1) according to the preceding claim,
wherein the first section (2) further comprises a third inlet (9) configured to introduce
a third steam flow from the outside into the first chamber (3) and a fourth inlet
(10) configured to introduce a fourth steam flow from the outside into the second
chamber (4), such that:
the third steam flow flowing from the third inlet (9) into the first chamber (3) is
injectable through the first and second outlets (7, 8) into the flow paths of the
steam turbine (1000), and
the fourth steam flow flowing from the fourth inlet (10) into the second chamber (4)
is injectable through the first and second outlets (7, 8) into the flow paths of the
steam turbine (1000).
3. The nozzle casing (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising:
a second section (20) extending at least partly along the circumferential direction
of the steam turbine (1000), wherein the second section (20) defines a third chamber
(30) and a fourth chamber (40), which are not in a fluid-communication with each other
and extend along different sections along the circumferential direction of the steam
turbine (1000), wherein the second section (20) further comprises:
a fifth inlet (50) configured to introduce a fifth steam flow from the outside into
the third chamber (30), a sixth inlet (60) configured to introduce a sixth steam flow
from the outside into the fourth chamber (40), a third outlet (70) being in a fluid
communication with the third and fourth chambers (30, 40), and a fourth outlet (80)
being in a fluid communication with the third and fourth chambers (30, 40), such that:
the fifth steam flow flowing from the fifth inlet (50) into the third chamber (30)
is injectable through the third and fourth outlets (70, 80) into the flow paths of
the steam turbine (1000), and
the sixth steam flow flowing from the sixth inlet (60) into the fourth chamber (40)
is injectable through the third and fourth outlets (70, 80) into the flow paths of
the steam turbine (1000).
4. The nozzle casing (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at
least one of the following:
extensions of the first chamber (3) and the second chamber (4) have an overlap in
an axial direction of the steam turbine (1000), and
extensions of the third chamber (30) and the fourth chamber (40) have an overlap in
an axial direction of the steam turbine (1000).
5. The nozzle casing (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 3 and 4, wherein
the first and second sections (2, 20) are similarly or identically shaped, and the
first and second sections (2, 20) are particularly cast parts.
6. The nozzle casing (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 3 to 5, wherein
the second section (20) further comprises a seventh inlet (90) configured to introduce
a seventh steam flow from the outside into the third chamber (30) and an eighth inlet
(110) configured to introduce an eighth steam flow from the outside into the fourth
chamber (40), such that:
the seventh steam flow flowing from the seventh inlet (90) into the third chamber
(30) is injectable through the third and fourth outlets (70, 80) into the flow paths
of the steam turbine (1000), and
the eighth steam flow flowing from the eighth inlet (110) into the fourth chamber
(40) is injectable through the third and fourth outlets (70, 80) into the flow paths
of the steam turbine (1000).
7. The nozzle casing (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising:
a first control wheel (11) arranged downstream of the first outlet (7) and a second
control wheel (12) arranged downstream of the second outlet (8), the first control
wheel (11) being configured to adjust a steam flow from the first outlet (7) and the
second control wheel (12) being configured to adjust a steam flow from the second
outlet (8).
8. The nozzle casing (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein
the first control wheel (11) is further configured to adjust a steam flow from the
third outlet (70) and the second control wheel (12) is further configured to adjust
a steam flow from the fourth outlet (80).
9. A steam turbine (1000) comprising the nozzle casing (1) according to any one of the
preceding claims, wherein
a steam flow from the first outlet (7) merges a steam flown from the third outlet
(70) in a first axial direction of the steam turbine (1000), and a steam flow from
the second outlet (8) merges a steam flown from the fourth outlet (80) in second first
axial direction of the steam turbine (1000), the second first axial direction of the
steam turbine (1000) being opposite to the first axial direction of the steam turbine
(1000).
10. The steam turbine (1000) according to the preceding claim, further comprising at least
one of the following:
a first piping (13) having a first branch (14) connected to the first inlet (5) and
a second branch (15) connected to the second inlet (6), wherein the first piping (13)
is particularly an elbow piping; and
a second piping (16) having a first branch connected to the third inlet (9) and a
second branch connected to the fourth inlet (10), wherein the second piping (16) is
particularly an elbow piping.
11. The steam turbine (1000) according to any one of the preceding claims 9 and 10 comprising
the nozzle casing (1) according to claim 3 and one of claims 7 or 8, wherein
the first and second control wheels (11, 12) are supported by the first and second
sections (2, 20) and by a turbine casing.