Turbine Shutdown Procedure Reg

I don't know but asking a bunch of strangers that don't know anything about your power plant does seem like the safest and most responsible way for you to do your job.

What does the operator's manual say.

I can't read it from here.

If it is anything other than emergency the safest method for you to follow is:

1. Put your hands in your pockets,

2. Walk slowly away from the controls,

3. Let someone who understands how to do this take over.

If it is an emergency hit the emergency trip button.

Either of the things you describe are steps in a safe shutdown, doing them out of sequence or with a load on a unit that has not been run through an orderly shutdown procedure, can lead to electrical/mechanical transients that threaten the equipment and/or the safe operation of the system.

The best way is to follow the procedure in the User Manual supplied with it.

The next best way is to leave it to someone who has been trained to do it.

The next best way is to follow the facility's Standard Operating Procedure, which ought to be on file in the Control Room ready for use.

The worst way to do it is to ask a bunch of miscreants strangers, none of whom can see the plant, none of whom know the maker, type, rating or anything else about the equipment, and none of whom have any interest or liability in whether the thing shuts down correctly or whether it self-disintegrates catastrophically on the journey.

Do you see that blue button? Press that one.

No! Not the aquamarine button, I said the blue button.

No!!!! That's the turquoise button. Never touch the turquoise button.

You're getting closer with that Cerulean button, but don't push that if you want people on the floor to live.

That's a violet button. Leave it alone. Are you color blind, too?

It depends on the size and type of power plant along with documented site procedures, obviously a Hydro plant shutdown procedure is different for a gas turbine power plant. Neither of the options you have mentioned above may be correct.

Follow the site manual, which likely says something about unloading the turbine before performing a manually-controlled or automated shutdown process following a number of steps in a certain order.

Do NOT throw something in the running turbine to stop it or just hit the E-stop button, both will likely result in........unpleasantness.

Actually any power plant operator that must ask a group of strangers how to shut down their turbine should first grab the spinning turbine shaft with their bare hands. Next they should verify that the generator is no longer producing electricity by sticking their tongue on every electrode.

I wonder, does Web MD get people asking how to remove a burst appendix or what is the safest way to make your own penicillin?

I do not know how big is your steam turbine or hydro turbine.

In both cases if the breaker is suddenly opened on load, in both cases there is risk of over speeding. Though over speed protection is available, but even after this functions, there is enough inertia of steam in chest of turbine and water in between shut down nozzles. and watter wheel that speed keeps on increasing beyond the trip set point.

Therefore it is always preferred to cut down the steam or water after the load has been brought to zero.

If the turbine is in parallel with Grid or other turbines, the load control is taken on "Manual" load sharing, its load is slowly cut down by changing speed set point on governor. (Also the excitation is controlled simultaneously to ensure it does not trip on load on under or over-excitation). Once the load is near Zero, the speed is further brought further down (VERY SLOWLY) to ensure the Turbine is tripped on REVERSE POWER. Two advantages:

1. Zero chance of over-speeding..

2. Also test your relay during shutdown.

Besides,

1. While cutting down load in case of Steam Turbine - we keep a watch on Differential Temperatures between rotor and casing and differential expansion of two and Eccentricity of Rotor.

2. Test back up devices for safe shut down, such as Standby Diesel Generator, Turning Motor or Barring Gear, Emergency Lube oil pump (or Jack up pump in case of Vertical Hydro-turbine).

3. Control Boiler firing and water level control in case of Steam turbine (You do not want Safety valve to lift or water level in drum going to enter water walls).

So in brief, Safer way to stop turbine is to first bring down load - next close steam/water and last to open the Generator CB.

Dear Mr.B.JEYACHANDRAN,

Do not Trip Turbine on load, unless it is an EMERGENCY. Follow the INSTRUCTION MANUAL

Otherwise, Normal shut down, Alert all the staff in particular the Boiler Staff to take care of Feed Water Level in the Drum, Fuel Regulation, Stand by Power - Keep DG Set Ready in ON condition etc.

Reduce the Load Gradually. Then open the ACB, the Trip the Turbine, Ensure Barring Gear starts on at right moment. Auxiliary Oil Pump starts. Oil cooler water circulation is a must.

Then close the steam to ejector for condenser, stop cooling tower and so on. Simultaneously if single boiler - shut down will follow as per the procedure.

These are salient points, still few other points are there.

DHAYANANDHAN.S

Gosh, I sure hope this is not an emergency, and he is waiting for a response before he trips the unit.

Most all the above answers are suitable answers, but the only answer that works for you is the one you arrive at considering your actual plant, and the manuals. One never does trip the (steam) turbine until load is lowered to minimum, and then the generator field coils are re-opened from the grid, then you use the manual governor control (in most instances) to lower speed on turbine, then trip the stop valve.

I really find it quite hard to believe that this is a serious inquiry and that any of us would be able to give a serious response to such a ludicrous request for advice. I really doubt that anyone who would be in a position to act upon our advice would be asking this question. At least I certain pray for the sake of anyone anywhere near that facility that he is not.

Went back and saw what his previous posts related to and can see your point in that he also is evidently an EE trying to swim with the big boys. Sorry, couldn't resist that little cross Majors jab. Best advice I would give in that case is always shed your load as slowly as necessary or allowable,rather than abruptly which he was referring to, to allow your system to adjust. Then throttle back your driver till you get to whatever point you want to end up with it and allow it to slow down and cool off per the manufacturer's instructions which he should be able to find by using the index in the 8 ft. binder.

I like that Ramconsult, I work on the mechanical engineering side of things. However 25 years ago I took 2 years of electrical in a vocational school. I got a lot out of it and a journeyman's licenses and really enjoyed it, and did very well in school because of that fact. sense that day's almost 25 years ago I always had a passion to work in a power plant.

Now I work as a mechanical contractor in power plants in the Denver area. Every time I have free time on the plant I'm always hanging around a few engineers and operators I know and ask questions and they are willing to take time and teach me about power production. I get a lot out of it and really enjoy learning about new technology in this field. In return I help therm out on there equipment at home. I also get a lot out of certain responses on this forum. My hat is off to the guys taking some time out to seriously help a guy learn a little bit.

The only good answer here is to first give a general idea since the details are not in question. I presume it is just an argument on which steps to follow and not an actual education on the procedures!

- generator before turbine or the opposite ? The details are not the argument here.

Therefore, Take care of the generator (Alternator) first then the turbine!

Now: the details of how to take care of these two during shut-down will depend on the urgency: Scheduled shut-down or emergency.

Then, the advice is to consult the makers on the procedures for each case, or leave it for the qualified or person in charge (Who should be competent...)