Thermal power plant

Abstract

The invention relates to a thermal power plant including a turbine ( 1, 2, 3 ) operated using at least one water-steam-loop ( 4 ), and a generator ( 5 ) driven by said turbine ( 1, 2, 3 ). According to the present invention, means ( 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 ) for cooling said generator ( 5 ) are provided, which means ( 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 ) are de signed for extracting condensate from said water-steam-loop ( 4 ), transporting it to said generator ( 5 ) and returning it into said water-steam-loop ( 4 ).

1 . A thermal power plant, comprising: 
 a turbine utilizing a water-steam-cycle for energy transfer;    a generator coupled to the turbine for generating electricity;    a generator cooling device for cooling the generator, the generator cool ing device configured to discharge a condensate from the water-steam-cycle, feeding the condensate to the generator and returning the condensate to the water-steam-cycle.    
   
   
       2 . The thermal power plant according to  claim 1 , wherein the generator cooling device comprises an extraction device for extracting the condensate from the water-steam-cycle, the extraction device arranged at such location of the water-steam-cycle having the lowest condensate temperature within the water-steam-cycle.  
   
   
       3 . The thermal power plant according to  claim 2 , wherein the extraction device is arranged adjacent to a condenser adapted to convert steam exiting the turbine into the condensate.  
   
   
       4 . The thermal power plant according to  claim 2 , wherein the extraction device is arranged adjacent to a condensate pump.  
   
   
       5 . The thermal power plant according to  claim 4 , further comprising a low-pressure pre-heating device for pre-heating the condensate, the low-pressure pre-heating device connected to the condensate pump, wherein the extraction device is arranged upstream the condensate pump and downstream a low-pressure pre-heating device for pre-heating the condensate, the extraction device powered by excess steam discharged from the turbine.  
   
   
       6 . The thermal power plant according to  claim 2 , wh erein the generator cooling device includes a returning device for re-circulating the condensate into the water-steam-loop.  
   
   
       7 . The thermal power plant according to  claim 6 , wherein the condensate is re-circulated after being heated up during a cooling pro cess including a heat transfer from at least one generator component to the condensate.  
   
   
       8 . The thermal power plant according to  claim 5 , wherein the turbine comprises a low pressure turbine for supplying the low-pressure pre-heating device with the excess steam.  
   
   
       9 . The thermal power plant according to  claim 1 , wherein the generator cooling device includes a circulation pump for feeding the discharged condensate to the generator.  
   
   
       10 . The thermal power plant according to  claim 1 , wherein the generator cooling device includes a pipeline system for routing the condensate through the generator cooling device.  
   
   
       11 . A method of cooling a generator of a thermal power plant having a turbine and a water-steam-cycle, the method comprising discharging a condensate from the water-steam-cycle, feeding the condensate to the generator and returning the condensate to the water-steam-cycle, wherein heat emerging from at least one generator component is transferred to the condensate.  
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the condensate is discharged from the water-steam-cycle at such location of the water-steam-cycle having the lowest condensate temperature within the water-steam-cycle.