Patent ID: 9217566
Filing Date: 2015-12-22
Classification: B08B,F16L,F22B,F26B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A process for steam flushing, as part of commissioning a steam driven turbine plant with one or more steam circuits, each one or more steam circuits comprising: a steam heating source, a turbine, a condenser, and conduit means between the condenser and an exhaust for the turbine, wherein particulate and non-particulate contamination are removed from the one or more steam circuits in coordination with exhaust of flush steam to the condenser of the one or more steam circuits, said process comprising the steps of: (a) removing particulate and non-particulate contamination from the flush steam prior to the entry of said flush steam to the condenser by introducing steam circuit condensate into the flush steam at one or more injection points to generate a mixed phase annular mist of steam and liquid condensate droplets to induce turbulence therein to entrain contaminants and then separating the droplets and entrained contaminants from the steam circuit via a bypass, prior to admission of said flush steam to the plant condenser; (b) testing the flush steam for contaminants prior to the entry of said flush steam to the condenser, (c) admitting flush steam to the condenser for the bulk of the commissioning process, having fully evaporated the previously injected condensate droplets before admission to the condenser, then rapidly terminating the entry of flush steam to the condenser should there be the potential for damage to the condenser by the entry of said flush steam to the condenser, and (d) adding volatile chemistry component to said condensate used to generate the flush steam to effect simultaneous removal of particulate and non-particulate contamination from the steam circuits and capturing the flush steam and the added components for recycling use in the commissioning.