'Tprrv Journal of H I Energy ¿J j Technology JET Volume 6 (2013), p.p. 31 - 48 Issue 2, May 2013 http://www.fe.um.si/en/jet.html USING STEAM AS AN ALTERNATIVE MOTIVE FLUID IN THE EXISTING TURBINE EJECTOR SYSTEM OF THE LJUBLJANA DISTRICT HEATING PLANT MOŽNOSTI NAPAJANJA OBSTOJEČEGA EJEKTORSKEGA SISTEMA TURBOAGREGATA V TOPLARNI LJUBLJANA Z ALTERNATIVNO POGONSKO PARO Dušan Strušnikw, Jurij Avsec Keywords: analysis, ejector, heat flow, oscillation, reconstruction, reliability of production, pump system, motive steam, turbine condenser Abstract In this paper, we will examine the possibility of using steam as an alternative motive fluid in the existing turbine ejector system of the Ljubljana district heating plant. As alternative motive fluid, steam is of lesser quality and has constant pressure. The ejector pump system will be adjusted to new circumstances. The purpose of the present work is to rationalise and increase the reliability of ejector system operation at the lowest possible investment costs. A computer model of an ejector model will be designed using the measurements and analyses of the existing system. On the basis of the results obtained, the changes required for the reliable operation of the system using steam as an alternative fluid will be defined and the appropriate solutions will be indicated. m Corresponding author: Dušan Strušnik, Termoelektrarna Toplarna Ljubljana, Toplarniška 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenija. E-mail address: dusan.strusnik@gmail.com. JET 31 Dušan Strušnik, Jurij Avsec JET Vol. 6 (2013) Issue 2 Povzetek V članku bomo preučili možnosti napajanja obstoječega ejektorskega sistema turboagregata v toplarni Ljubljana z alternativno pogonsko paro. Alternativna pogonska para je slabše kvalitete in konstantnega tlaka. Ejektorski črpalni sistem bomo prilagodili novim razmeram. Namen naloge je racionalizacija in povečanje zanesljivosti delovanja ejektorskega sistema s čim nižjimi investicijskim stroški. S pomočjo opravljenih meritev in matematične analize obstoječega sistema, bomo izdelali računalniški program modela ejektorja. S pomočjo pridobljenih rezultatov, bomo določili potrebne spremembe za zanesljivo delovanje alternativnega sistema z alternativno pogonsko paro in podali ustrezne rešitve. 1 INTRODUCTION In view of the strategic requirement for a rational use of fuels and more reliable operation of ejector systems, we are forced to seek alternative ideas. Some unexpected failures have occurred in the turbine operation as a consequence of the ejector system malfunctioning. The system was designed to remove any non-condensable gases from the turbine condenser (air). As a result of the pumping, a stable operating vacuum is maintained in the turbine condenser system. Due to pressure oscillation of the motive steam of the ejector pump system supplied via the reducing valves from a boiler, disruptions occur in maintaining proper condenser pressure. The primary cause of motive steam pressure oscillation is poor manual steam pressure control, which changes following the change in the boiler steam pressure. A more suitable source of ejector motive steam has been proven to be the steam generated from the third turbine extraction. The extraction is controlled, and pressure oscillation disruptions should not cause any substantial obstacles. In addition to the constant pressure of the motive steam, another advantage of the new system is that the motive steam expands in the turbine, thus producing useful work. The ejector motive steam of the existing system is generated by damping the high pressure boiler steam without any work being produced. 2 ANALYSIS OF EXISTING MOTIVE STEAM AND ADEQUACY ASSESSMENT OF ALTERNATIVE MOTIVE STEAM The existing ejector system is supplied with steam generated from a boiler (92 bar and 512°C), reduced to 14 bar by means of manual reducing valves prior to entering the ejector system (Fig. 3). As a result of pressure oscillation in the boiler and poor pressure control of the ejector motive steam, changes in the ejector motive steam occur, leading to fluctuations in the ejector system flow. The fluctuation of the flow rate of gases leads to a pressure rise in the turbine condenser, causing lower turbine efficiency. Fig. 1 illustrates the boiler steam pressure oscillation (for a period of five days). The variations of pressure range from 87 bar to 96 bar. The boiler steam pressure variation leads to the variation of ejector motive steam pressure from 9 bar to 20 bar. The flow rate of gases lowers at the ejector motive steam pressure of 9 bar, causing a pressure rise in the condenser in long-term operation and consequently turbine failure. At the ejector motive steam pressure of 20 bar, the steam consumption for the system operation unnecessarily increases, resulting in reduced pump system efficiency. 32 JET Using steam as an alternative motive fluid in the existing turbine ejector system of the Ljubljana district heating plant It has been proved that the alternative motive steam can be used, specifically that of the third regulated steam extraction as a result of the constant pressure. Fig. 2 shows a variation in relative pressure ranging from 7.83 bar to 7.88 bar, which means oscillation of absolute pressure from 8.83 bar to 8.88 bar, to be used in the analysis. It was established that the steam of the third steam extraction has a enormous advantage over the existing motive steam, i.e. lower operating pressure oscillation, uninterrupted constant availability of steam even in the event of a boiler failure, no additional need for steam reduction and consequently no need for reducing valves. The steam from the third extraction expands in the turbine, thus producing useful work. A drawback of the alternative motive steam is its poorer quality requiring a detailed analysis of the pump system. Figure 1: Pressure oscillation of the steam generated in the boiler, TE-TOL [8] JET 33 Dušan Strušnik, Jurij Avsec JET Vol. 6 (2013) Issue 2 : IVi »rnt.MU II 3!H I I ff«»UBitn ) F.B . I I Zm KD J ¡013 H it M I J h . \ lljffiDiiniii '■v^Aimtvj hv.^hiI'^h^' 'iAmi IViirMinkx^taii ■In iWiadiniBittl ?m iw ¡nail ret Figure 2: Pressure oscillation of the third steam extraction, TE-TOL [8] 3 DESCRIPTION OF EJECTOR SYSTEM OPERATION Ejectors are devices designed to use the pressure energy of a working fluid for the transport of another working fluid, whereby no mechanical work is supplied or recovered. The working fluid may be liquid, vapour or gas. It is used as a vacuum compressor or a vacuum pump in order to produce vacuum in steam turbine systems, in refrigeration systems, for bulk material transport etc. The actual efficiency is low, ranging from 0.1 to 0.35. The process is non-reversible due to mixing of two flows. The suction pipe of an ejector pump system is connected to the coldest spot of the turbine condenser, where there is remarkably little steam due to sub-cooling, and therefore almost pure air is sucked out. A steam ejector is a two-stage flow-type compressor. Compression is achieved through fresh steam flow energy. In our case, the device comprises two stages. In the primary stage, i.e. the condensation stage, the sucked out air is compressed at a pressure of approximately 0.25 bar. A mixture of the sucked out gases and working steam from the primary ejector is led to the primary cooler. Most of the steam is condensed here and returned to the condenser through a special barometer loop. The mixture remaining in the primary cooler after the condensation is sucked out at the steam pressure of the secondary (atmospheric) stage and compressed to the pressure slightly higher than the atmospheric pressure, then led, together with the steam from the second stage, to the secondary cooler. The steam is also condensed in this cooler. The condensate passes through the condensate pot to the turbine condenser and the residual extracted air to the atmosphere. Fig. 3 illustrates the ejector system operating principle and the measurements of the existing system. 34 JET Using steam as an alternative motive fluid in the existing turbine ejector system of the Ljubljana district heating plant T=54cC, m=0,03l(g/& H75X m= CD- T0 Cppp sqrt(2*1.3/2.3*Rp*u (1 )) di2-iavai diameter 2.step ci iavai steam speed cl-laval steam speed u(1)*((2/2.3)A(1.3/0.3)) laval steam pressure % wjD ci iavai steam speed CD- di1-iavai diameter 1.step f(u) -, ¡Irl ((u(2)*100000/u(1))/Rp)*((u(3)/u(2))"(1/1.3)) -KD laval density iavai-steam preasure iavai-density O- m01 - steam mass fiow1 u(2)*u(1) -KD m01 steam mass flowl f(u) u(2)*u(1) X -KD m01 steam mass flow2 m01 - steam mass fiow2 sq rt((ni*2*(1.3/0.3)*Rp*u(1 )*(1 -(p41/u(2 ))A(0.3/1.3)))) -KD c1 nizzie outiet speed1 c1 - nizzie outiet speed1 > sqrt((ni*2*(1.3/0.3)*Rp*u(1 )*(1 -(p 42/u (2 ))A(0.3/1.3)))) KD c2 nizzie outiet speed2 c2 - nizzie outiet speed2 Figure 5: Ejector sub-model, Matlab [5] 40 JET Using steam as an alternative motive fluid in the existing turbine ejector system of the Ljubljana district heating plant [Ü> mperature EhJ dl1-laval diameter' dl2-l aval o diameter; m01 steam mass flowl c1 nizzle outlet speedl m01 steam mass flow2 c2 nizZe outlet speed2 dl1 -lav al diameter l.step cl laval steam speed laval-steam preasure laval-density dl2-laval diameter 2.step Temperature 0 1,end 2. ejectors steps M 1. step pumping mass flow 4 mO1 moc mO2 power calculation 2. step pumping mass flow m' air in 2. step m2 steam in 2.step e calculation in 2 step temp ED-» -2£J A rlrM j m Figure 6: Ejector model, Matlab [5] 6 ANALYSIS OF THE EXISTING EJECTOR SYSTEM AND DETERMINATION OF GEOMETRICAL DATA OF THE ALTERNATIVE EJECTOR SYSTEM In order to ensure a good turbine condenser vacuum, the amount of gases pumped using the existing ejector system is important. The alternative ejector system must ensure an equivalent flow rate to the existing system. In view of the fact that the alternative system motive steam is of poorer quality, an appropriate nozzle diameter must be defined. To this end, an ejector model is to be used. The measured data of the existing system (Fig. 3) and geometrical data (Table 1) were put into the ejector model. Table 1: Existing ejector system data Designation Meaning Primary ejector Secondary ejector dL Narrowest Laval nozzle diameter 7.4 mm 9.0 mm d1 Laval nozzle outlet diameter 35.6 mm 23.6 mm d2 Diffuser inlet diameter 49.6 mm 32.3 mm d3 Final diameter of a diffuser 102.5 mm 87.2 mm S Diffuser expansion angle 10° 10° Vs Nozzle efficiency 0.97 0.97 O.OO74 O.OOS JET 41 Dušan Strušnik, Jurij Avsec JET Vol. 6 (2013) Issue 2 Vd Diffuser efficiency 0.75 0.75 p0 Motive steam pressure 14 bar 14 bar T Motive steam temperature 470°C 470°C Tc Temperature of gases in a condenser 42°C 42°C On the basis of the results obtained of the flow rate of the existing ejector system (primary ejector pumps 0.04483 kg/s of gases and secondary ejector 0.05734 kg/s), an alternative ejector system was conceived. It was established that the alternative ejector system provides sufficient flow rate when the narrowest primary Laval nozzle diameter measures 9.5 mm and the secondary one measures 12 mm. The alternative primary ejector system with the above-indicated Laval nozzle dimension pumps 0.04509 kg/s and the secondary one 0.05777 kg/s of gases. The alternative ejector system pumps a sufficient amount of gases to maintain a proper pressure condition in the condenser, as it pumps an amount higher than the amount pumped by the existing system. The data of the alternative ejector system is indicated in Table 2. Table 2: Alternative ejector system data Designation Meaning Primary ejector Secondary ejector dL Narrowest Laval nozzle diameter 9.5 mm 12.0 mm d1 Laval nozzle outlet diameter 35.6 mm 23.6 mm d2 Diffuser inlet diameter 49.6 mm 32.3 mm d3 Final diameter of a diffuser 102.5 mm 87.2 mm S Diffuser expansion angle 10° 10° Vs Nozzle efficiency 0.97 0.97 Vd Diffuser efficiency 0.75 0.75 p0 Motive steam pressure 8.8 bar 8.8 bar T Motive steam temperature 290°C 290°C Tc Temperature of gases in a condenser 42°C 42°C The ejector model graphic results are presented below with each figure containing two graphs. The upper set of graphs shows the results of the existing ejector system model along with the data indicated in Table 1, whereas the lower set of graphs illustrates the alternative ejector model results along with the data in Table 2. To provide a more explicit presentation of the results, a simulation of the sinusoidal oscillation of the ejector motive steam was made as shown in Fig. 7. The amplitude of temperature fluctuation, marked in yellow, is 10°C. The amplitude of the sinusoidal pressure fluctuation, marked in red, is 0.5 bar. 42 JET Using steam as an alternative motive fluid in the existing turbine ejector system of the Ljubljana district heating plant 480 r P 470- existent steam steam temperature 14.5 r 20 30 40 60 / \ existent steam steam pressure 13.5 i P 290 - alternative steam steam temperature 20 30 40 alternative steam steam pressure 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 minute Figure 7: Sinusoidal oscillation of ejector motive steam, Matlab [5] Fig. 8 shows the conditions of Laval nozzle in Laval cross-section. The yellow curve shows the pressure and the pink curve the ejector motive steam density. A 2.8 bar decrease in pressure in the Laval cross-section and a slight decrease in density are observed in the operation of the ejector with alternative motive steam. steam 14 bar, 470°c|| pressure density i i co 3 E Figure 8: Conditions in the Laval nozzle Laval cross-section, Matlab [5] Fig. 9 shows Laval nozzle velocities. The yellow curve shows the outlet nozzle speed of the primary motive steam, the pink curve the outlet nozzle speed of the secondary motive steam and the blue curve the motive steam speed in Laval cross-section. Lower velocities are observed in the alternative ejector system. The primary and secondary outlet nozzle velocities are lower by 220 m/s. The velocity of steam in Laval cross-section is lower by 50 m/s. 0 0 S 9 8 6 4 2 minute 6 5 4 2 JET 43 Dusan Strusnik, Jurij Avsec JET Vol. 6 (2013) Issue 2 1600 I steam 14bar,470°C 1400-----U- 1200 ------- speed-I.ejector ratio 1000 —_____speed-2.ejector ratio speed-Laval diameter 800 ------- 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 140^1--- M steam 8,8bar,290°C ' 1200 ----- - ■ 1000 ------ « speed-1.ejector ratio E 800 -_____speed-2.ejector ratio _. speed-Laval diameter 600 -----1-- 400I ^^^S^^^S^^^S^^^S^S^S^^^S! 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 minute Figure 9: Laval nozzle velocities, Matlab [5] Fig. 10 shows the mass flow rates of the ejector motive steam. The yellow curve illustrates the consumption of the primary ejector motive steam and the pink curve the consumption of the secondary ejector motive steam. Due to a larger Laval nozzle, the motive steam consumption in the alternative ejector system increases. The primary ejector consumes 0.014 kg/s more motive steam for pumping and the secondary ejector 0.036 kg/s more motive steam. For its operation, the existing ejector system consumes 0.17 kg/s steam in total but the alternative one comsumes, 0.22 kg/s of steam. This means that the total motive steam consumption of the alternative ejector system is higher by 0.05 kg/s. 0.11 0.1 0.09 Is 0.08 0.07 0.06 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 0.16 0.14 0.12 Is * 0.1 0.08 0.06 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 minute Figure 10: Ejector motive steam flow rates, Matlab [5] Fig. 11 shows the flow rates of the pumped gases. The yellow curve illustrates the amount of non-condensable gases (air), pumped by the secondary ejector. The violet curve shows the amount of condensable gases (water vapour), pumped by the secondary ejector. The red curve shows the total flow rate of the secondary ejector, being the sum of the flow rate of non-condensable and condensable gases. The blue curve shows the primary ejector total flow rate. f L h- speed-I.ejector ratio speed-Laval diameter minute \ steam 8,8bar,290°c| 1 1 speed-1.ejector ratio speed-Laval diameter i minute steam 8,8bar,290°C steam mass flow 1.ejector ratio steam mass flow 2.ejector ratio 44 JET Using steam as an alternative motive fluid in the existing turbine ejector system of the Ljubljana district heating plant It is observed that the secondary ejector pumps a larger quantity than the primary ejector, which means that the secondary ejector also pumps a portion of the motive steam of the primary ejector. An important item of information regarding the alternative ejector system dimension is the equivalent flow rate of the existing system. Fig. 11 shows the primary and secondary ejector flow rates (blue and red curves). 0.06 0.05 0.04 0.03 0.02 0.07 0.06 s0.05 Is 0.04 0.03 pumping air in 2.ejector ratio ■ pumping steam in 2.ejector ratio pumping mass flow 1.ejector ratio ■ pumping mass flow 2.ejector ratio 0 30 minute Figure 11: Quantity of pumped gases, Matlab [5] Fig. 12 shows the generated power that would be developed by the ejector motive steam expansion in the turbine. The yellow curve shows the generated power in the case of expansion of the total quantity of the motive steam in the turbine that is used to drive the primary and secondary ejectors. In this case, the steam expands from the parameter of the quality of the steam produced in the steam boiler and expansion in the turbine to the pressure state in the turbine condenser. The pink curve shows the generated power that would be developed by the quantity of the ejector motive steam in the expansion of the steam in the turbine, from the state of quality of the steam produced in the boiler to the pressure state of the Turbine 3 extraction. The alternative ejector system is supplied with the steam of the third turbine extraction. For its operation, the existing ejector system uses the quantity of the motive steam that would produce in the turbine expansion from the pressure state in the condenser an additional amount of 197 kW of electric power. For its operation, the alternative ejector system uses a larger quantity of motive steam that would produce additional 240 kW of electric power in a turbine expansion to the pressure state in the condenser. However, the alternative ejector system is supplied from the third turbine expansion, which is why the ejector motive steam of this system expands in the turbine to the pressure state of the third turbine expansion and generates 60 kW of electric power. As the motive steam of the alternative ejector system actually expands in the turbine to the state of the third expansion, the power of expansion to the state of the third expansion has to be deducted from the total generated power of 240 kW (expansion to the pressure state in the condenser). The actual generated power of 180 kW is thus obtained that would be developed by the alternative motive steam. The comparison of both ejector systems shows that the alternative ejector system actually generates only 17 kW more electric power due to the expansion of the ejector motive steam in the turbine. 0.02 JET 45 Dušan Strušnik, Jurij Avsec JET Vol. 6 (2013) Issue 2 200 150------- S steam expansion in turbine-output power 100----steam expansion to 3.turbine extract-output power ~ 50 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 minute steam 8.8bar.290°C ' 250 --------^--- 200 ------- s 150 steam expansion in turbine-output power " steam expansion to 3.turbine extract-output power 100 -----1-1-— 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 minute Figure 12: Power that would be developed by the ejector motive steam in steam expansion in the turbine, Matlab [5] 7 CONCLUSION The measurements and the ejector model data show that a reconstruction of the system is necessary in order to adjust the existing ejector system to the new motive steam parameters. Certain parts of the ejector need to be adjusted to the new computed dimensions (Table 2). Both Laval nozzles have to be replaced and the ejector system coolers enlarged by 15% due to the higher consumption of the ejector motive steam. As a result, the secondary ejector mainly pumps non-condensable gases. The automated system operation may be achieved by installing electric shut-off valves. All the other ejector system elements, such as diffusers, mixing chambers, connecting fittings and flanges could be used without reconstruction. No manual throttle valves are needed as the steam would have a constant pressure. Due to the replacement of the nozzles and the constant pressure of the alternative motive steam, the ejector mixing chamber would have a constant volume flow and consequently smoother operation and uniform pumping of gases from the condenser. The existing ejector system may also be manually controlled. Within the reconstruction, the steam electric valves would be mounted to a more accessible position. The steam valve operation would be remotely controlled. The alternative ejector system motive steam pressure would be ensured from various sources and would not be dependent only on the boiler operation. The main observation regarding the system reconstruction is that the ejector motive steam previously expands in the turbine to the third turbine expansion pressure and that the ejector system is not directly supplied with the boiler-reduced steam. Additionally, 60 kW of electric energy are generated, and the motive steam enthalpy drop is used, which is lost in the original case of damping. A weakness of the alternative ejector system is that it uses a larger quantity of motive steam and that only 17 kW of additionally generated electric power in the turbine is saved. The ejector system reconstruction is reasonable only for the sake of a more reliable and safer alternative system operation. steam 14bar,470°C steam expansion in turbine-output power ■ steam expansion to 3.turbine extract-output power - minute steam 8,8bar,290°C steam expansion to 3.turbine extract-output power r \ \ 46 JET Using steam as an alternative motive fluid in the existing turbine ejector system of the Ljubljana district heating plant The advantage of the ejector system lies in the easy maintenance of its driving parts and its reliable operation. It would be reasonable to consider a replacement of the ejector system with an electric vacuum pump characterised by lower energy consumption and a considerably higher efficiency. References [1] Z. Elčic: Pogonski propisi turbine 50 MW-Ljubljana, Jugoturbina tvornica parnih turbina Karlovac, p.p., 1965. [2] Z. Elčic: Obratovalna navodila turbine Te-to Ljubljana, Rekonstrukcija, druga izdaja, ABB-TEP Karlovac, pp.5600.0006-5602.0001, 1996. [3] B. Kraut: Krautov strojniški priročnik, 14. slovenska izdaja, izdajo pripravila Puhar J. Stropnik J. Ljubljana: Littera picta, 2003. [4] M. Marietta: Investigation of an ejector heat pump by analytical methods, Oak Ridge national laboratory, United States Department of Energy, University of Tennessee, 1984. [5] Matlab: Computer program, Simulink, version 2010-a. [6] D. Strušnik: Analiza delovanja ejektorskega sistema na turboagregatu 3, v TE-TOL, Univerza v Mariboru, Fakulteta za strojništvo, 2009. [7] D Strušnik: Primerjalna analiza delovanja ejektorskega sistema in električne vakumske črpalke turboagregata, Univerza v Mariboru, Fakulteta za energetiko, 2011. [8] TE-TOL.: Thermal power plant, information system (TIS). Nomenclature (Symbols) (Symbol meaning) A cross section c speed h specific enthalpy M mach number ril mass flow p pressure R gas constant T temperature v specific volume x flow rate K ratio of specific heats W efficiency JET 47