Turbomachine system with direct header steam injection, related control system and program product

Various embodiments of the invention include a system including: at least one computing device operably connected with a steam turbomachine and an extraction conduit fluidly connected with the steam turbomachine and a steam seal header fluidly coupled with the steam turbomachine, the at least one computing device configured to modify an output of the steam turbomachine by performing actions including: determining a pressure within the steam turbomachine; comparing the pressure within the steam turbomachine with a pressure threshold range; and instructing the extraction conduit to extract steam seal header steam from the steam seal header and provide the extracted steam seal header steam to the steam turbomachine in response to determining the pressure within the steam turbomachine deviates from the pressure threshold range.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to power systems. More particularly, the subject matter disclosed herein relates to turbomachine devices and related control features.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Turbomachines, such as steam turbines, are designed to translate the fluidic motion of a working fluid (e.g., steam) into rotational motion that can be used to perform mechanical work. Some power systems include multiple turbomachines (e.g., steam turbines), including one or more high-pressure (HP), intermediate-pressure (IP), and low-pressure (LP) sections. These sections are sometimes joined along a common shaft, or along disjoined shafts, and each section is conventionally sealed at an axial end by a steam seal header (or simply, “header”). The header is typically pressurized by providing fluid (e.g., steam) flow to the header region to prevent working fluid from exiting the turbine at the interface of the turbine's casing and the shaft. Due to a variety of factors, the header region typically produces leakage steam, at least some of which is diverted to the condenser.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments of the invention include a system including: at least one computing device operably connected with a steam turbomachine and an extraction conduit fluidly connected with the steam turbomachine and a steam seal header fluidly coupled with the steam turbomachine, the at least one computing device configured to modify an output of the steam turbomachine by performing actions including: determining a pressure within the steam turbomachine; comparing the pressure within the steam turbomachine with a pressure threshold range; and instructing the extraction conduit to extract steam seal header steam from the steam seal header and provide the extracted steam seal header steam to the steam turbomachine in response to determining the pressure within the steam turbomachine deviates from the pressure threshold range.

A first aspect of the invention includes a system having: at least one computing device operably connected with a steam turbomachine and an extraction conduit fluidly connected with the steam turbomachine and a steam seal header fluidly coupled with the steam turbomachine, the at least one computing device configured to modify an output of the steam turbomachine by performing actions including: determining a pressure within the steam turbomachine; comparing the pressure within the steam turbomachine with a pressure threshold range; and instructing the extraction conduit to extract steam seal header steam from the steam seal header and provide the extracted steam seal header steam to the steam turbomachine in response to determining the pressure within the steam turbomachine deviates from the pressure threshold range.

A second aspect of the invention includes a system including: a steam turbomachine section including a casing and a diaphragm at least partially contained within the casing; a flow path fluidly coupled with the steam turbomachine section; a steam seal header sealing a portion of the flow path; an extraction conduit fluidly connected with the steam seal header and the diaphragm; and a control system operably connected to the extraction conduit and the steam turbomachine section, the control system configured to: extract steam seal header steam from the steam seal header; and provide the extracted steam seal header steam to the diaphragm in response to detecting a predetermined pressure condition in the steam turbomachine section.

A third aspect of the invention includes a computer program product comprising program code stored on a computer readable medium, which when executed by at least one computing device, causes the at least one computing device to modify an output of a steam turbomachine by performing actions including: determining a pressure within the steam turbomachine; comparing the pressure within the steam turbomachine with a pressure threshold range; and initiating extraction of steam from a steam seal header connected with the steam turbomachine and providing the extracted steam seal header steam to the steam turbomachine in response to determining the pressure within the steam turbomachine deviates from the pressure threshold range.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As indicated above, aspects of the invention relate to power systems. More particularly, the subject matter disclosed herein relates to turbomachine devices and related control features.

As used herein, the terms “axial” and/or “axially” refer to the relative position/direction of objects along an axis A, which is substantially parallel with the axis of rotation of the turbomachine (in particular, the rotor section). As further used herein, the terms “radial” and/or “radially” refer to the relative position/direction of objects along axis (r), which is substantially perpendicular with axis A and intersects axis A at only one location. Additionally, the terms “circumferential” and/or “circumferentially” refer to the relative position/direction of objects along a circumference which surrounds axis A but does not intersect the axis A at any location.

As noted herein, turbomachines (e.g., steam turbines) are designed to translate the fluidic motion of a working fluid (e.g., steam) into rotational motion that can be used to perform mechanical work. Some power systems include multiple turbomachines (e.g., steam turbines), including one or more high-pressure (HP), intermediate-pressure (IP), and low-pressure (LP) sections. These sections are sometimes joined along a common shaft, or along disjoined shafts, and each section is conventionally sealed at an axial end by a steam seal header (or simply, “header”). The header is typically pressurized by providing fluid (e.g., steam) flow to the header region to prevent working fluid from exiting the turbine at the interface of the turbine's casing and the shaft. Due to a variety of factors, the header region typically produces leakage steam, at least some of which is diverted to the condenser.

Various embodiments of the invention are directed toward turbomachine systems that utilize leakage steam from the steam seal header (or simply, “header”) to enhance the efficiency of a turbomachine, e.g., a steam turbine. The systems can include at least one steam turbine coupled with a control system. The control system can initiate extracting of steam from the header region and injecting that extracted steam into a stage of a turbomachine (e.g., a steam turbine, such as a low pressure (LP) steam turbine). The control system can monitor a pressure in the steam path to determine in which location in the steam turbine to inject the extracted steam. In some cases, the location(s) can be predetermined (e.g., apertures may be pre-fabricated in the steam turbine to allow for injection of the steam).

In various embodiments of the invention, the header extraction steam is directly injected through the steam turbine diaphragm body, e.g., through a hollow section of the diaphragm body. In some embodiments of the invention, the steam turbine diaphragm body includes an aperture extending through the hollow section for receiving the extracted header steam. In contrast to other conventional approaches to enhance steam turbine performance, the various embodiments of the invention directly inject extracted header steam through the diaphragm body and into a stage of the steam turbine. In some cases, the stage of the steam turbine is the last (L0) or second-to-last (L1) stage of the steam turbine. That is, steam may be directed to the hollow diaphragm section proximate a stage (e.g., an L0, L1, L2, etc.) of the turbine, and can then be admitted to the steam path through apertures in the diaphragm at that stage. The admission holes can be arranged to minimize flow losses when the admitted steam is mixed with the main flow path. In various embodiments, introducing hotter steam from the steam seal header (when compared with main flow path steam), will delay the nucleation process in the main steam flow, thereby improving performance of the steam turbine.

Various particular embodiments of the invention include a system having: at least one computing device operably connected with a steam turbomachine and an extraction conduit fluidly connected with the steam turbomachine and a steam seal header fluidly coupled with the steam turbomachine, the at least one computing device configured to modify an output of the steam turbomachine by performing actions including: determining a pressure within the steam turbomachine; comparing the pressure within the steam turbomachine with a pressure threshold range; and instructing the extraction conduit to extract steam seal header steam from the steam seal header and provide the extracted steam seal header steam to the steam turbomachine in response to determining the pressure within the steam turbomachine deviates from the pressure threshold range.

Other particular embodiments of the invention include a system including: a steam turbomachine section including a casing and a diaphragm at least partially contained within the casing; a flow path fluidly coupled with the steam turbomachine section; a steam seal header sealing a portion of the flow path; an extraction conduit fluidly connected with the steam seal header and the diaphragm; and a control system operably connected to the extraction conduit and the steam turbomachine section, the control system configured to: extract steam seal header steam from the steam seal header; and provide the extracted steam seal header steam to the diaphragm in response to detecting a pressure in the steam turbomachine section.

Further particular embodiments of the invention include a computer program product comprising program code stored on a computer readable medium, which when executed by at least one computing device, causes the at least one computing device to modify an output of a steam turbomachine by performing actions including: determining a pressure within the steam turbomachine; comparing the pressure within the steam turbomachine with a pressure threshold range; and initiating extraction of steam from a steam seal header connected with the steam turbomachine and providing the extracted steam seal header steam to the steam turbomachine in response to determining the pressure within the steam turbomachine deviates from the pressure threshold range. In various embodiments, the computer program product can cause the at least one computing device to modify a location for admission of steam to the turbomachine based upon the turbomachine's operating load.

Various additional particular embodiments of the invention include a system, e.g., a turbomachine system. The system can include: a steam turbomachine section including a casing and a diaphragm at least partially contained within the casing; a flow path fluidly coupled with the steam turbomachine section; a steam seal header sealing a portion of the flow path; an extraction conduit fluidly connected with the steam seal header and the diaphragm of the steam turbomachine section; and a control system operably connected to the extraction conduit and the steam turbomachine section, the control system configured to: extract steam seal header steam from the steam seal header; and provide the extracted steam seal header steam to the diaphragm in response to detecting a predetermined pressure condition in the steam turbine section.

Various further embodiments of the invention include a turbomachine system that includes: a first steam turbomachine section including a casing and a diaphragm at least partially contained within the casing; a second steam turbomachine section fluidly coupled with the first steam turbine turbomachine; a flow path fluidly coupling the first steam turbomachine section and the second steam turbomachine section; a steam seal header sealing a portion of the flow path; an extraction conduit fluidly connected with the steam seal header and the diaphragm of the first steam turbomachine section; and a control system operably connected to the extraction conduit and the first steam turbomachine section, the control system configured to: extract steam seal header steam from the steam seal header; and provide the extracted steam seal header steam to the diaphragm in response to detecting a pressure condition in the first steam turbine section.

Even further embodiments of the invention include a system having: at least one computing device operably connected with a steam turbomachine and an extraction conduit fluidly connected with the steam turbomachine and a steam seal header fluidly coupled with the steam turbomachine, the at least one computing device configured to modify an output of the steam turbomachine by performing actions including: obtaining data about a pressure condition within the steam turbomachine; comparing the data about the pressure condition with a predetermined pressure condition threshold range; and initiating the extraction conduit to extract steam seal header steam from the steam seal header and provide the extracted steam seal header steam to the steam turbomachine in response to determining the data about the pressure condition deviates from the predetermined pressure condition threshold range.

FIG. 1shows a schematic depiction of a system2according to various embodiments of the invention. As shown, the system2can include a turbomachine system, e.g., a system including at least one turbomachine (such as a steam turbine). In some cases, the system2can include a first steam turbomachine section (e.g., a low pressure (LP) steam turbine)4, a second steam turbomachine section (e.g., an intermediate pressure (IP) steam turbine)5and a third turbomachine section (e.g., a high pressure (HP) steam turbine)6. In the example embodiment shown, the first steam turbomachine section4and second steam turbomachine section5include a joint LP/IP steam turbomachine section. In various embodiments, each steam turbomachine section (e.g., LP steam turbine4) includes a casing and a diaphragm at least partially contained within the casing.

FIG. 2shows a schematic cross-sectional depiction of a steam turbomachine, e.g., an LP steam turbine4. The LP steam turbine4includes a casing8, and a diaphragm10at least partially contained within the casing8. The diaphragm10encompasses a rotor body12and a plurality of rotor stages14axially dispersed along the rotor body12. As is known in the art, the LP steam turbine4can include a plurality of axially disposed stages13. The stages13can include a first stage (L0), a second stage (L1), third stage (L2), etc. axially disposed along the LP steam turbine4. In various embodiments, the diaphragm10includes at least one aperture15extending between an outer surface17and a hollow inner section19of the diaphragm10.

Returning toFIG. 1, the system2can further include a flow path20coupled with the LP steam turbine4, the IP steam turbine5and the HP steam turbine6. The flow path20can include a flow conduit coupled with an outlet of the IP steam turbine5and the HP steam turbine6. Along the flow path20is a steam seal header (SSH)22that seals a portion of the flow path20. As is known in the art, a steam seal header22is a region axially proximate the interface of the flow path20and the steam turbine casings. The steam seal header22is conventionally sealed by steam from another steam source, which pressurizes the steam seal header22and prevents leakage of the steam from the casing of each steam turbine (LP steam turbine4, IP steam turbine5, HP steam turbine6).

As shown inFIG. 1, the system2according to various embodiments can include an extraction conduit24fluidly connected with the steam seal header22and the diaphragm (10,FIG. 2) of the steam turbomachine section (LP steam turbine4). The extraction conduit24can include a conventional metal such as a steel, alloy or other composite capable for carrying steam. The system2can also include a control system26operably connected to the extraction conduit24and the steam turbomachine section (e.g., LP steam turbine4). As will be described further herein, the control system26can include a computerized, electrical and/or electrical/mechanical control system configured to perform the functions described herein. In various embodiments, the system2can include a control valve28coupled to the extraction conduit24and the control system26. The control system26can be configured to actuate the control valve28based upon detecting of a predetermined pressure condition in the steam turbine section (LP steam turbine section4). As will be described further herein, the control system26can be configured to perform certain functions, such as: a) extracting steam seal header steam from the steam seal header22; and b) providing the extracted steam seal header steam to the diaphragm (10,FIG. 2) in response to detecting a predetermined pressure condition in the steam turbine section (LP steam turbine section4).

As described herein, the predetermined pressure condition can include a pressure level that deviates from a threshold, e.g., a threshold range. In various embodiments, the predetermined pressure condition can include a pressure level that is below a threshold, e.g., a predetermined threshold. A drop in pressure below the threshold (threshold level or threshold range) can indicate that the steam turbine section (e.g., LP steam turbine section4) is operating below a desired level (e.g., at a part load condition). In various embodiments, the control system26can divert admitted steam from the steam seal header to a higher pressure location (e.g., port) in the steam turbine section (e.g., the LP steam turbine section4) in response to determining the steam turbine section is operating below the desired level.

As shown inFIG. 1, excess flow extracted from the steam seal header22can be provided to the steam turbine (e.g., e.g., LP steam turbine4). The steam seal header22is shown fluidly connected with the flow path20e.g., where flow is shown entering the steam seal header22at various locations along the flow path20. For the purposes of clarity in illustration, the steam seal header22is shown in two locations inFIG. 1to illustrate connection of components within the system2. However, it is understood that this schematic depiction is intended merely to be illustrative of the various aspects of the invention. Also shown inFIG. 1is a dynamoelectric machine (dynamo)23, which can include any conventional dynamoelectric machine such as an electrical generator, motor, etc. The dynamo23can be coupled to one or more of the turbomachines (e.g., LP steam turbine4, IP steam turbine5and/or HP steam turbine6) via any conventional means, e.g., a conventional single or multi-shaft configuration.

In various embodiments, the system2can further include a sensor system30coupled to the steam turbomachine section (LP steam turbine section4) and the control system26. The sensor system30can be configured to detect pressure condition(s) in the steam turbomachine section (LP steam turbine section4). In various embodiments, the sensor system30includes a plurality of pressure sensors32at axially separated locations along the diaphragm (10,FIG. 2) of the steam turbomachine section (LP steam turbine section4). The plurality of pressure sensors32is configured to detect pressure condition(s) at each of the axially separated locations along the diaphragm (10,FIG. 2).

In various embodiments, the sensor system30further includes a steam seal header pressure sensor34configured to detect a pressure of the extracted steam seal header steam (from the steam seal header22). The pressure sensors described herein can include any conventional pressure sensors, e.g., a piezoelectric sensor, piezoelectric strain gauge, capacitive, electromagnetic, optical, thermal, ionization, etc.

In various embodiments, the control system26, when coupled with the sensor system30, is further configured to:

(I) Obtain data about the pressure of the extracted steam seal header steam from the steam seal header pressure sensor34;

(II) Obtain data about the pressure condition proximate at least one of the axially separated locations from at least one of the plurality of sensors32;

(III) Compare the data about the pressure of the extracted steam seal header steam with the data about the pressure condition proximate the at least one of the axially separated locations (proximate the sensors32); and

(IV) Provide the extracted steam seal header steam to the diaphragm body10proximate a selected one of the axially separated locations based upon a difference between the data about the pressure of the extracted steam seal header steam and the pressure condition proximate the at least one of the axially separated locations.

With reference toFIGS. 1-2, in various embodiments, the control system26provides the extracted steam seal header steam to a first stage (L0) or a second stage (L1) of the diaphragm10in response to detecting the predetermined pressure condition in the steam turbine section (LP steam turbine4). In various embodiments, the control system26is configured to provide the extracted steam seal header steam directly to the diaphragm10in response to detecting the predetermined pressure condition in the steam turbine section. That is, the control system26is configured to extract the steam seal header steam and directly provide that extracted steam seal header steam to the diaphragm10in response to detecting the predetermined pressure condition (e.g., without mixing the extracted steam seal header steam). In some cases, the control system26is configured to inject the extracted steam seal header steam to stage (e.g., L0, L1, L2, etc.) of the LP steam turbine4that has a lower pressure level than the pressure of the extracted steam seal header steam. The control system26obtains data from the sensor system30to compare the pressure of the extracted steam seal header steam with the pressure of the working fluid (steam) inside the LP steam turbine4.

FIG. 3is a flow diagram illustrating processes in one method performed by the control system26according to various embodiments of the invention. The method can include:

Process P1: determining a pressure within the steam turbomachine4;

Process P2: comparing the pressure within the steam turbomachine with a pressure threshold range; and

Process P3: initiating the extraction conduit24(and the control valve28) to extract steam seal header steam from the steam seal header22and provide the extracted steam seal header steam to the steam turbomachine (LP steam turbine4) in response to determining the pressure within the steam turbomachine deviates from the pressure threshold range.

In various embodiments, the control system26(e.g., including at least one computing device) is further configured to determine whether the steam seal header22includes sufficient steam seal header steam for extraction, e.g., before the determining of the pressure within the steam turbomachine (e.g., LP steam turbine4) (e.g., process P0). That is, the control system26, in conjunction with the sensor system30and the steam seal header pressure sensor34, can determine whether the steam seal header22includes a sufficient amount of steam available to provide to the steam turbomachine. In various embodiments, the pressure at the steam seal header22determined by the sensor system30(e.g., via the steam seal header pressure sensor34) indicates whether sufficient steam seal header steam is available to extract and provide to the steam turbomachine. In this case, the steam seal header steam pressure can be compared with a pressure threshold (e.g., a predetermined pressure threshold) to determine whether the steam seal header22has sufficient steam (e.g., its pressure exceeds the threshold) to extract and provide to the steam turbomachine. In various embodiments, the pressure threshold is dictated based upon the pressure at the intended injection location on the steam turbomachine (e.g., LP steam turbomachine). As described herein, the injection location (e.g., aperture15) at a particular stage (e.g., L0, L1, L2, etc.) is determined based upon a pressure differential between the pressure at that location and the pressure of the steam in the steam seal header22. That is, in various embodiments, the control system26provides the extracted steam from the steam seal header22to the turbomachine (e.g., LP steam turbomachine2) only where a location in the steam turbomachine has a lower determined pressure than the pressure of the steam in the steam seal header22. Where more than one location in the steam turbomachine has a lower pressure level than the pressure of the steam in the steam seal header22, the control system26can provide the extracted steam to a highest pressure location within that group of locations.

FIG. 4shows an illustrative environment101including a control system26, for performing the functions described herein according to various embodiments of the invention. To this extent, the environment101includes a computer system102that can perform one or more processes described herein in order to monitor a component within a turbomachine. In particular, the computer system102is shown as including the control system26, which makes computer system102operable to monitor a component within a turbomachine by performing any/all of the processes described herein and implementing any/all of the embodiments described herein.

The computer system102is shown including a computing device124, which can include a processing component104(e.g., one or more processors), a storage component106(e.g., a storage hierarchy), an input/output (I/O) component108(e.g., one or more I/O interfaces and/or devices), and a communications pathway110. In general, the processing component104executes program code, such as the control system26, which is at least partially fixed in the storage component106. While executing program code, the processing component104can process data, which can result in reading and/or writing transformed data from/to the storage component106and/or the I/O component108for further processing. The pathway110provides a communications link between each of the components in the computer system102. The I/O component108can comprise one or more human I/O devices, which enable a user (e.g., a human and/or computerized user)112to interact with the computer system102and/or one or more communications devices to enable the system user112to communicate with the computer system102using any type of communications link. To this extent, the control system26can manage a set of interfaces (e.g., graphical user interface(s), application program interface, etc.) that enable human and/or system users112to interact with the control system26. Further, the control system26can manage (e.g., store, retrieve, create, manipulate, organize, present, etc.) data, such as steam seal header (SSH) pressure data60and/or steam turbine (ST) pressure data80using any solution. The control system26can additionally communicate with the sensor system30and/or control valve28via wireless and/or hardwired means.

In any event, the computer system102can comprise one or more general purpose computing articles of manufacture (e.g., computing devices) capable of executing program code, such as the control system26, installed thereon. As used herein, it is understood that “program code” means any collection of instructions, in any language, code or notation, that cause a computing device having an information processing capability to perform a particular function either directly or after any combination of the following: (a) conversion to another language, code or notation; (b) reproduction in a different material form; and/or (c) decompression. To this extent, the control system26can be embodied as any combination of system software and/or application software. It is further understood that the control system26can be implemented in a cloud-based computing environment, where one or more processes are performed at distinct computing devices (e.g., a plurality of computing devices24), where one or more of those distinct computing devices may contain only some of the components shown and described with respect to the computing device124ofFIG. 4.

Further, the control system26can be implemented using a set of modules132. In this case, a module132can enable the computer system102to perform a set of tasks used by the control system26, and can be separately developed and/or implemented apart from other portions of the control system26. As used herein, the term “component” means any configuration of hardware, with or without software, which implements the functionality described in conjunction therewith using any solution, while the term “module” means program code that enables the computer system102to implement the functionality described in conjunction therewith using any solution. When fixed in a storage component106of a computer system102that includes a processing component104, a module is a substantial portion of a component that implements the functionality. Regardless, it is understood that two or more components, modules, and/or systems may share some/all of their respective hardware and/or software. Further, it is understood that some of the functionality discussed herein may not be implemented or additional functionality may be included as part of the computer system102.

When the computer system102comprises multiple computing devices, each computing device may have only a portion of control system26fixed thereon (e.g., one or more modules132). However, it is understood that the computer system102and control system26are only representative of various possible equivalent computer systems that may perform a process described herein. To this extent, in other embodiments, the functionality provided by the computer system102and control system26can be at least partially implemented by one or more computing devices that include any combination of general and/or specific purpose hardware with or without program code. In each embodiment, the hardware and program code, if included, can be created using standard engineering and programming techniques, respectively.

Regardless, when the computer system102includes multiple computing devices24, the computing devices can communicate over any type of communications link. Further, while performing a process described herein, the computer system102can communicate with one or more other computer systems using any type of communications link. In either case, the communications link can comprise any combination of various types of wired and/or wireless links; comprise any combination of one or more types of networks; and/or utilize any combination of various types of transmission techniques and protocols.

The computer system102can obtain or provide data, such as SSH pressure data60and/or ST pressure data80using any solution. The computer system102can generate SSH pressure data60and/or ST pressure data80, from one or more data stores, receive SSH pressure data60and/or ST pressure data80, from another system such as the sensor system30, control valve28and/or the user112, send image SSH pressure data60and/or ST pressure data80to another system, etc.

While shown and described herein as a method and system for controlling the introduction of steam seal header steam to a steam turbomachine, it is understood that aspects of the invention further provide various alternative embodiments. For example, in one embodiment, the invention provides a computer program fixed in at least one computer-readable medium, which when executed, enables a computer system to control the introduction of steam seal header steam to a steam turbomachine. To this extent, the computer-readable medium includes program code, such as the control system26(FIG. 4), which implements some or all of the processes and/or embodiments described herein. It is understood that the term “computer-readable medium” comprises one or more of any type of tangible medium of expression, now known or later developed, from which a copy of the program code can be perceived, reproduced, or otherwise communicated by a computing device. For example, the computer-readable medium can comprise: one or more portable storage articles of manufacture; one or more memory/storage components of a computing device; paper; etc.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a method of providing a copy of program code, such as the control system26(FIG. 4), which implements some or all of a process described herein. In this case, a computer system can process a copy of program code that implements some or all of a process described herein to generate and transmit, for reception at a second, distinct location, a set of data signals that has one or more of its characteristics set and/or changed in such a manner as to encode a copy of the program code in the set of data signals. Similarly, an embodiment of the invention provides a method of acquiring a copy of program code that implements some or all of a process described herein, which includes a computer system receiving the set of data signals described herein, and translating the set of data signals into a copy of the computer program fixed in at least one computer-readable medium. In either case, the set of data signals can be transmitted/received using any type of communications link.

In still another embodiment, the invention provides a method of controlling the introduction of steam seal header steam to a steam turbomachine. In this case, a computer system, such as the computer system102(FIG. 4), can be obtained (e.g., created, maintained, made available, etc.) and one or more components for performing a process described herein can be obtained (e.g., created, purchased, used, modified, etc.) and deployed to the computer system. To this extent, the deployment can comprise one or more of: (1) installing program code on a computing device; (2) adding one or more computing and/or I/O devices to the computer system; (3) incorporating and/or modifying the computer system to enable it to perform a process described herein; etc.

In any case, the technical effect of the various embodiments of the invention, including, e.g., the control system26, is to control the introduction of steam seal header steam to a steam turbomachine.

In various embodiments, components described as being “coupled” to one another can be joined along one or more interfaces. In some embodiments, these interfaces can include junctions between distinct components, and in other cases, these interfaces can include a solidly and/or integrally formed interconnection. That is, in some cases, components that are “coupled” to one another can be simultaneously formed to define a single continuous member. However, in other embodiments, these coupled components can be formed as separate members and be subsequently joined through known processes (e.g., fastening, ultrasonic welding, bonding).