Condenser and method of condensing vapour

Abstract

A condensing vessel is shown generally at 100, and comprises a stationary outer chamber 102, and a rotating portion in the form of an inner rotating drum or chamber 104, both of which are generally cylindrical, and arranged concentrically. A steam inlet 128 is provided to the inner chamber 104, and a water outlet 130 is provided from the outer chamber 102. Water level sensors 132 are provided on the outer chamber 102 to provide a control signal to a water pump (not shown). The water pump withdraws water to a de-aerator, prior to returning the water to a hot well (not shown). The pump is regulated by a three-way valve which determines how much (if any) water is returned to chamber 102 and how much is directed to the de-aerator, in dependence upon the water level in chamber 102. In use, steam enters the inlet 128 from an exhaust of a steam turbine (not shown). The inner chamber 104 is rotating at a speed of several thousand rpm and contains a body of water 134 that rotates with the chamber 104 in the form of a rotating cylindrical wall of water. The first impeller 114 forces the steam down into the chamber 104 where it condenses into droplets of water and is thrown radially outwards towards the wall 108. Uncondensed steam cannot exit the inner chamber as to do so it would first have to pass through the water to be able to enter a gap, labelled G, between the annular plate 112 and the return flange 126. In effect the water in this gap acts as a self-regulating, high-pressure water seal.

1 . A condenser for condensing a vapour, the condenser comprising a condensing vessel having an inlet for the introduction of vapour and an outlet for the removal of liquid, wherein the condenser further comprises a rotating portion that is arranged in use to create a rotating body of liquid within the vessel. 
     
     
         2 . A condenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the rotating portion comprises a first impeller. 
     
     
         3 . A condenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the rotating portion comprises a rotating inner chamber within a non-rotating outer chamber. 
     
     
         4 . A condenser according to  claim 3 , wherein the condenser comprises a condensing vessel having a non-rotating outer chamber and a rotating inner chamber, the inner chamber having a first impeller. 
     
     
         5 . A condenser according to  claim 4 , wherein the condenser comprises a second impeller. 
     
     
         6 . A condenser according to  claim 5 , wherein the second impeller is arranged in use to rotate in a contrary direction to the direction of rotation of the first impeller. 
     
     
         7 . A condenser according to  claim 3 , wherein, in use, the vessel is arranged to form a water seal between the inner chamber and the outer chamber. 
     
     
         8 . A condenser according to  claim 7 , wherein the water seal is arranged to be formed in use between an annular plate portion of the inner chamber and an annular flange portion of the outer chamber. 
     
     
         9 . A condenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the vessel is provided with a liquid-level sensor arranged in use to sense a level of liquid in the vessel. 
     
     
         10 . A condenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the condenser is arranged in use to condense steam and the outlet is arranged for the removal of water. 
     
     
         11 . A condenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the rotating portion is arranged in use to create a rotating body of liquid that comprises a vortex having a substantially central void. 
     
     
         12 . A condenser according to  claim 11 , wherein vapour is introduced through the inlet into the void so as to become entrained in the rotating body of liquid, into which it condenses. 
     
     
         13 . A condenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the inlet comprises a vortex finder arranged to direct the incoming vapour to swirl in the manner of a vortex. 
     
     
         14 . A condenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the condenser also comprises a vacuum pump for removal of non-condensable gases from the vessel. 
     
     
         15 . A method of condensing vapour, the method comprising introducing vapour into an inlet of a vessel and removing liquid from an outlet of a vessel, wherein the method further comprises creating a rotating body of liquid within the vessel. 
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 15  comprising a method of condensing steam. 
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein the method comprises creating a rotating body of liquid comprising a vortex having a substantially central void, which body is at least partly substantially cylindrical in shape having a substantially central void. 
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 17 , wherein the method comprises introducing vapour through the inlet into the void so that the vapour becomes entrained in the rotating body of liquid, into which it condenses. 
     
     
         19 . A power generation system, station or plant comprising a condenser according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         20 . A power generation system, station or plant in which vapour is condensed by a method according to  claim 15 .