Process Changes Driving Steam Turbine and Generator Upgrades and Rerates, 2012 TAPPI PEERS Conference

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For more than a century, GE has been in the steam turbine industry, with the experience of buildingover 10,000 units.

The ever-changing performance requirements of turbines in industrial applications have driven theneed for steam turbine upgrades and complementary generator rating increases. Since the initialinstallation of some turbine-generator sets, there have been dramatic changes in requirements forplants or mills: changes in available steam, reallocation of process steam and varying demand forelectrical output. When considering upgrading or rerating your industrial steam turbine, it is importantto consider all the components as a system. In addition to the steam turbine, one must consider thegenerator, the turbine control, the exciter and other auxiliaries such as the lube oil system, valves,generator coolers, generator hydrogen (H2) control system, etc. Along with these changes, there havebeen quantum improvements in materials and design technologies to increase performance, improveefficiency, increase durability and extend the life of installed equipment. Modern analytical modelshave been developed, and results have been correlated to individual component tests and fleetoperating experience, resulting in enhanced steam turbine and generator upgrades and improvedintegration of control systems. Improvements in design technologies and analytical techniques havealso enabled the generation of more accurate performance curves and operating data.