For decades, both gas and steam turbines have been used as drives for generators, compressors pumps, chillers, and fans. They are capable of very efficiently converting flow and pressure into electrical energy to do mechanical work.
Steam turbine configurations range from simple backpressure drives in heating plants (as small as 10 hp) to multi-pressure-reheat units for large-scale power production, generating hundreds of megawatts of electrical power.
Siemens Energy Steam Turbines
Koch Applied Solutions works with Siemens Energy to deliver reliable steam turbine power solutions. Siemens Energy steam turbines for mechanical drive applications cover a wide range of power and steam conditions.
Based on your specific application needs, our team will specify and develop a turbine system package that meets your current needs while offering flexibility for future needs. We design customized, reliable systems that integrate seamlessly with existing processes.
Siemens Steam Turbine SST-300
The flexible configuration of the SST-300 enables it to be used in applications such as waste-to-energy, chemical processing, pulp and paper, and more.
- Design Benefits
- System Features
- Technical Overview
- Applications
Design Benefits
- All components and auxiliaries including the lube oil system are mounted on a common base frame
- Turbine can be configured with either an upward, downward, or axial exhaust orientation depending on the layout of the plant
- Turbine can accommodate multiple extraction/steam induction points
- Compact design and simple layout significantly reduce cost and time associated with inspection and maintenance
System Features
Plug & Play
- Reduces site construction time
- Does not require skilled personnel
Turbine Features
- Condensing and backpressure applications
- Multiple extractions
- Reheat capability
- Operation flexibility due to the ability to handle daily starts
Plant Integration
- Low or high-level arrangement possible
- Mounting of base frame on springs makes the tabletop optional
- Simplified design of columns as they only have to handle vertical loads
- Pre-designed turbine modules with a customized steam path
Modular Package Design
- Modular package design with pre-engineered turbine modules and modular peripherals allows for a variety of configurations
- Used for both condensing and back-pressure applications with internally controlled extraction and scope for multiple uncontrolled extractions
Technical Overview
- Power output: up to 50 MW
- Speed: up to 12,000 rpm
- Uncontrolled extractions (up to 6): Pressure up to 60 barA / 870 psi
- Controlled extraction possible (single or double, adaptive stage, nozzle control, throttle control): Pressure up to 25 barA / 362 psi
Live steam conditions (nozzle or throttle control):
- Pressure up to 120 bara / 1,740 psi
- Temperature up to 520 °C / 968 °F
Exhaust steam pressure:
- Back pressure up to 16 bara / 232 psi
- District heating up to 3 bara / 43 psi
- Condensing up to 0.25 bara / 3.6 psi
Applications
- Independent Power Production (IPP)
- Combined Cycle Power Plants (CCPP)
- District Heating (DH)
- Paper mills
- Sugar refineries
- Wood factories
- Biomass plants
- Energy-from-waste plants
- Concentrated solar power plants
- Waste heat from chemical process plants
Backpressure Steam Turbine Generators
While air and other gasses can be used, most commonly, a boiler supplies steam at high pressure and temperature to a steam turbine that will use the mass flow to turn a shaft connected to a generator. As the steam passes through the turbine, the pressure is reduced and the thermal energy is converted to electrical energy. This setup is known as a backpressure steam turbine generator set.
Increasing Cost Efficiency with PRVs
When low-pressure steam is needed in a plant for heating or a process, it often makes economic sense to generate high-pressure steam in an existing boiler, using inexpensive and clean-burning natural gas. Typical boilers operate at 80-85% thermal efficiency. In many industrial plants, a steam pressure-reducing valve (PRV) can be used to drop steam pressure to the ranges needed. In this process, the energy is lost instead of being converted to power. Backpressure steam turbine generators may be operated in parallel with PRVs for reliability and flexibility. These types of units are typically very cost-effective when properly applied.
Larger units are used in combined heat and power installations where the electrical power generation is a byproduct of the heating process. This is known as a “bottoming cycle.” Industrial steam turbine generator applications range in size from a few hundred kW to hundreds of megawatts and are often found in the paper, chemical, and basic materials industries. Generally, any industry that utilizes high volumes of steam as part of the process should consider generating onsite power via a steam turbine generator.
Koch Applied Solutions is able to help clients with concepts, budgets, and performance/economics on steam and gas turbine opportunities. Request a quote to get started today.