Steam turbine inlet piping low point created -water hammer

Posted by: sam

Steam turbine inlet piping low point created -water hammer - 02/15/17 12:39 AM

Due to wrong location pf drip legs in Steam turbine inlet piping to steam turbine, low pints have been created in horizontal run in cold and operating condition both. How to avoid condensate driven water hammer in piping ?
reg,
sam
Posted by: Shahid Rafiq

Re: Steam turbine inlet piping low point created -water hammer - 02/15/17 02:21 AM

Sam,
1 - change the location of driplegs.
2 - Also check the working/condition of the steam traps.
3 - Ask operations to increase the frequency of checking the steam trap & condensate accumulation and drain accordingly.
Posted by: Ibrahim Demir

Re: Steam turbine inlet piping low point created -water hammer - 02/16/17 06:05 AM

Sam,

I do not understand that the condensation pots are in the wrong locations especially in the steam turbine inlet piping. It seems that someone in the construction field wanted to destroy the steam turbine during start-up/operation.

In addition to Shahid's good suggestions I would check the drawings/isometric as well for the suitability of the slope and the location of the condensation pots.
Sometime the pot size is not sufficient to collect the condensation, check the recommended size against the main steam pipe diameter.

You should do everything to eliminate the condensation to reach the turbine inlet. Therefore the modification somehow is essential.
Posted by: sam

Re: Steam turbine inlet piping low point created -water hammer - 02/23/17 11:47 PM

Thank you both,brothers - Shahid & Ibrahim, for excellent suggestions.

Our problem is - in piping walk down audit window, we can't have major changes accepted easily.

Moreover, our core area of specialization is pipe supports and pipe stress - mechanical integrity.

When condensate water hammer breaks pipe support, it is our issue, where the slope maintenance and drip leg location fixing are piping layout concern.

So, what we should do -we can't sometimes!

reg,
sam