Patent ID: 6012290
Filing Date: 2000-01-11
Classification: F01K,F28B

Abstract:
An electrical generating facility including first and second electrical generating units each includinga steam turbine, an electrical generator driven by the turbine, a motive fluid circuit for receiving condensate from a condenser and delivering steam to the turbine, and a circulating coolant circuit including an indirect heat exchange condenser receiving steam from the turbine for withdrawing heat from the steam and converting the steam to condensate, a heat exchanger for giving up heat from the coolant, and piping connecting the condenser and heat exchanger in a circuit for circulating coolant through the condenser and heat exchanger,the first electrical generating unit being more efficient than the second electrical generating unit and being the normally operating unit, the second electrical generating unit normally delivering less than its full capacity and being put into high load service in times of large demand, the improvement comprisingmeans dividing condensate from the condenser of the first generating unit into a first stream delivered to the motive fluid circuit and a second stream;means delivering the second stream of condensate to the condensing means of the second generating unit and cooling the second stream of condensate; andmeans delivering the cooled second stream of condensate into the condenser of the first generating unit for condensing steam in the condenser of the first generating unit whereby condensate of the first generating unit is cooled in the condensing means of the second generating unit and unused capacity of the second generating unit is used by the first generating unit at a time when the second generating unit is operating at less than full capacity.