What are the hazards of steam leakage from a turbine?
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The nitrogen and hydrogen compressors in our facility use condensing turbine units, with a steam pressure of 9.8 MPa and a temperature of 530°C. Recently, steam leaks were detected in the turbines; the temperature of the external insulation layer reached around 300°C. Since the turbines are insulated, it is difficult to determine the exact location of the leaks. The speed and vibration sensors located near the turbine end were damaged due to the high temperatures. As the turbine inlets, outlets, and drain pipes are all located at the bottom, the space there is very limited, making leak detection and maintenance difficult. Even after replacing the gaskets on all the flanges, it remains challenging to detect leaks. There have also been instances of fires caused by oil leaks in this area. Has anyone who has been to the sea encountered this situation? If so, please share your experience. Thank you.
There are only a few key locations: the mid-plane of the cylinder block, the mid-plane of the valves, and the shaft seal area. It is crucial to ensure high quality in maintenance work. If the clearance of the oil seals is adjusted properly and the valves in the oil circuit are set correctly, there’s no need to worry about oil leaks. As for steam leaks, one can try introducing low-pressure steam using a reverse flushing method; or, if there’s an opportunity for a major overhaul, the entire cylinder block can be disassembled and pressure tested