Performance Prediction Methods for Reducing Losses in Intermediate Pressure Steam Turbine by Using Steam Path Appraisal

Quality of fuel is of paramount importance for producing quality of steam which finally affects the performance of thermal power plant. This not only hampers the performance of turbine but also helps to reduce the maintenance, overhauling, and increase the time span of breakdown maintenance schedule. Worldwide, 35 % share of power generation is fulfilled through steam turbine in thermal power plant, and hence steam path appraisal is significant to predict the efficiency of turbine in varying fuel application. The paper presents the performance predication methods for reduction of losses which occurred in intermediate pressure steam turbine. The basic theory of the turbine steam path flow, pressure and temperature relationships is reviewed to realize the understanding of how these trends can be interpreted and used to locate and identify the cause of the turbine deterioration. This is necessary to identify the specific components which affect the thermal performance of steam turbine.