Method and system for increasing an efficiency of a pressurized machine

Abstract

A method and system for regulating the pressure of steam in a Steam Seal Header (SSH) for a pressurized machine is provided. In the SSH, the pressure of steam may be regulated according to the operating status of the pressurized machine. The variable pressure SSH system may maintain a pressure packing of the pressurized machine within an optimized pressure range.

1 . A sealing system configured for increasing an efficiency of a machine, the system comprising:
 a pressurized machine comprising a rotatable shaft partially enclosed by a stationary housing, and a flow path defined by the area between the shaft and the housing;   a shaft sealing system configured for controlling a flow of fluid within the pressurized machine; the shaft sealing system comprising: a pressure packing configured for substantially barring a fluid from escaping the pressurized machine, and a header configured for maintaining the pressure packing at an optimized pressure range; wherein a magnitude of the optimized pressure range varies on an operating status of the pressurized machine;   a header bleed system configured for regulating the header at the optimized pressure range; wherein the header bleed system comprises a valve adapted for removing a portion of the fluid within the header; and   a controller configured for determining the optimized pressure range;   wherein the optimized pressure allows for operating the shaft sealing system with the header having a varying pressure; allowing for a reduction in the quantity of fluid used to maintain the header.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid comprises steam. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the pressurized machine comprises a steam turbine. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the operating status comprises at least one of: a start-up condition, a part-load condition, or a full-load condition. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the valve is integrated with a component, wherein the component is positioned downstream of the valve. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the valve allows for the steam to exit the header and enter the component. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the component comprises a condenser system, wherein, the condensor system is associated with the steam turbine. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller comprises a control system configured for performing the following steps:
 determining the operating status of the pressurized machine;   determining the fluid flow entering the header; and   determining the fluid flow exiting the header.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the controller determines a position of the valve. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the varying pressure of the header comprises a range of from about above atmospheric pressure to about an optimum performance pressure. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the range comprises from about 15.5 pounds per square inch to about 50 pounds per square inch. 
     
     
         12 . A method for increasing an efficiency of a machine, the method comprising:
 providing a pressurized machine comprising:   a rotatable shaft partially enclosed by a stationary housing, a flow path defined by the area between the shaft and the housing;   a shaft sealing system configured for performing the step of controlling a flow of fluid within the pressurized machine at an optimized pressure range; and   determining the optimized pressure range;   wherein the optimized pressure allows for operating the shaft sealing system with a header having a varying pressure; allowing for a reduction in the quantity of fluid used to maintain the header.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the fluid comprises steam. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the pressurized machine comprises a steam turbine. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the shaft sealing system comprises a valve configured for performing the step of allowing the steam to exit the shaft sealing system and enter a component, wherein the component is positioned downstream of the valve. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the component comprises a condensor system. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising the steps of:
 determining an operating status of the pressurized machine;   determining the steam flow entering the header; and   determining the steam flow exiting the header.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising the step of determining a position of the valve. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the varying pressure of the header comprises a range of from about above atmospheric pressure to about an optimum performance pressure. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the range comprises from about 15.5 pounds per square inch to about 50 pounds per square inch.