JOSEPH F. BYRD, JR., INC.

PO Box 52 Dunn, NC 28335 PH: (910) 658-1291 byrdj@asme.org

Seal Oil Operation

In normal operation, turbine lube oil is used by the seal oil system in a once through cycle and then returned to the lube oil tank. The lube oil supply into the seal oil vacuum tank is HES at H-41. The oil from the air detraining tank supply HMA at H-07/08 is only at head pressure where as HES is at bearing header pressure (25 PSIG plus head), so H-07/08 are checked and fresh lube oil flows to the vacuum tanks float valve H-10. The lube oil in the vacuum tank is circulated through a spray header by the RSOP and excessive MSOP discharge. This treats the lube oil by removing entrained air and moisture. The treated MSOP discharge oil is then regulated to ~8 psig greater than the hydrogen gas pressure in the generator by H-19 and supplied to generators shaft seals.

Steam Turbine Controls Consulting

JOSEPH F. BYRD, JR., INC.

At each shaft seal, the oil exits between the two rings and the shaft either toward the bearing cavity (air side) or internal the generator (gas side). Given the delta pressure is greater between seal oil and bearing cavity, more oil flows toward the air side with less oil towards the gas side (about 10:1). The air side seal oil drain mixes with the bearing lube oil drain and flows into the air detraining tank. The lube oil tanks vapor extractor does not vent air from the generator bearing housings (due to possible hydrogen concentration). The generator bearing housings are vented by air being drawn with the draining oil into the air detraining tank and out the GBV. If the shaft seals were to leak hydrogen, the hydrogen will be vented out the GBV. The air detraining section then drains back to the lube oil tank through the loop seal. Given the delta pressure is less towards the gas side there is less seal oil flow into the hydrogen detraining section. The volume of the hydrogen detraining section allows time for any excessive hydrogen to escape back into the generator gas space. The gas side oil then drains into the float trap H58. The oil exits the float trap below the surface to prevent hydrogen gas from escaping. The gas side flow from the float trap flows into the air detraining tank (HHD to HAD). The volume of the air detraining and the turbulence with the bearing drain will allow most of the entrained hydrogen to escape out the GBV before the oil returns to the lube oil tank. The solubility of hydrogen in lube oil is approximately 35% at 5 atmospheres gas pressure. For 5 gpm gas side flow, the expected hydrogen loss would be 340 ft3/day. In the event the lube oil system must be secured while the generator is gassed, the seal oil system becomes a closed loop cycle. With no pressure at H-41, the head from the air detraining tank will provide make up for the vacuum tank. Since this path (HAD to HMA) is rarely used, it may have deposits that restrict make up and should be verified prior to depending upon for extended periods. The ESOP does not use treated oil from the vacuum tank, but uses either fresh lube oil or air detraining tank head if lube oil is out of service.

Steam Turbine Controls Consulting

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