Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Technical Review Vol. 58 No. 3 (September 2021)
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Development of Latest High Efficiency Side
Exhaust Steam Turbine

TAKASHI NAKANO*1

NAOTO TOCHITANI*2

NARIYUKI MATSUNO*3

MASAOMI MAKINO*4GOINGWON LEE*5

SOICHIRO TABATA*6

Mitsubishi Power, Ltd. (Mitsubishi Power) has been making tireless efforts to improve theefficiency of thermal power generation facility. In order to meet the need for higher efficiency andthe demand for smaller size, we have developed a latest steam turbine for the single shaft GTCC thatuses a structure with separate high-pressure and intermediate-pressure casings, a side exhaustsystem and a SSS clutch. For this steam turbine, we adopted high-performance blade design(reaction blades, low-pressure end blades and exhaust diffuser), verification of clearance prediction
and control technology, new seal and high-performance bearings, while verifying the performanceand reliability at T-point 2 (our power plant demonstration facility). We have also carried out
verification of the practical application of 700°C class high-temperature steam turbines, which are
the next-generation technology.
This report presents the new technologies adopted in the high-performance steam turbine,features of the new structure, and verification results in the real machine.

|1. Introduction
The global decarbonization trend has been accelerating and the shift to renewable energy is
progressing. On the other hand, it is expected that a certain amount of thermal power generation
facility will remain in the future according to the power demand and supply, making the efficiency
enhancement of thermal power generation indispensable for controlling greenhouse gas emissions.
Mitsubishi Power has been working tirelessly to improve the efficiency of steam turbines1). We have
expanded the use of the latest technology with high efficiency and high reliability to actual equipmentby adopting the latest analysis technology for the design method, while also conducting actualequipment verification of a rotor for 700°C class high-temperature steam turbines2), which is one of
the future technologies.

|2. Overview of latest high-performance side exhaust steam turbine
High-performance reaction blades, Low Pressure end (LP-End) blades, side exhaust LP
turbines, clearance prediction technology, sealing technology and high specific load bearings, which
are technologies applied to the latest steam turbine, can also be used for steam turbines for combined
cycle power generation, small and medium capacity turbines, large capacity turbines for coal-fired
power generation, nuclear power turbines, geothermal turbines, internal replacement work in aftersales service, etc. Figure 1 shows the high-efficiency steam turbine to which these technologies areapplied and Table 1 lists the specifications. This turbine is the latest steam turbine with a rated output
of 170 MW at a steam temperature of 600°C and is connected to a GT and a generator via a SSS
clutch to configure a 566 MW GTCC (Gas turbine combined cycle) plant. For the high-pressure and*1

Deputy Head, Turbomachinery Headquarters, Mitsubishi Power, Ltd.

*2

Director, Steam Turbine Engineering Department, Mitsubishi Power, Ltd.

*3

Deputy Director, Steam Turbine Engineering Department, Mitsubishi Power, Ltd.

*4

Manager, Steam Turbine Engineering Department, Mitsubishi Power, Ltd.

*5

Manager, Large Frame Steam Turbine Engineering Department, Mitsubishi Power, Ltd.

*6

Chief Staff Manager, Steam Turbine Engineering Department, Mitsubishi Power, Ltd.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Technical Review Vol. 58 No. 3 (September 2021)
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intermediate-pressure turbines, we developed blades for high velocity ratios with small diametersand multiple stages and for the low-pressure turbine, we optimized the flow pattern of the last stage
rotating blade and flow field inside exhaust chamber using integrated analysis. Despite double flow
exhaust, the lower-height building was attained by adopting side exhaust instead of conventional
downward exhaust. We also conducted clearance prediction using unsteady FEM（Finite Element
Method） and verification of clearance control using a heater. A low-pressure loss and compact
combination valve and high-performance high-surface pressure bearings were applied. A single shaft
GTCC system was adopted using a SSS clutch. The turning device adopted a double turning systemthat can independently turn ST and GT alone, which resulted in an improvement in terms of operation
during regular inspection. We applied a Ni-based weld rotor, which had been developed as a rotor
for 700°C class high-temperature steam turbines, to actual equipment for verification.

Figure 1

Overview of latest side exhaust steam turbine

Table 1

Specifications of T-point 2 steam turbine

Specifications of T-point 2 steam turbine
Type
TC2F-33.7
OutputApprox. 170MW
Rotational speed
3 600rpm
Shaft configuration
HP+IP+LP
Exhaust direction
Side exhaust
Main steam conditions
14.98MPa×600°C
Reheat steam conditions
3.46MPa×600°C
Condenser vacuum
6.8 kPa abs.

|3. Features of new technologies
3.1 Next-generation high-performance reaction blade
The performance of high-pressure and intermediate-pressure blades of the latest highperformance steam turbine was improved by reducing the diameter and multi- stages (reducing therotor diameter and increasing the number of blade rows) compared with our conventional reaction
blade path and reducing secondary flow loss at the blade end wall and leakage flow loss from theblade seal. We have improved the blade efficiency and the prediction accuracy of internal flow frombefore through development using multi-stage three-dimensional flow analysis and verification using
an air turbine.
We have developed a high-performance reaction blade for high velocity ratio suitable forsmall-diameter multi-stage blade rows using the latest multi-stage three-dimensional flow analysis
including cavities as shown in Figure 2. The blade profile loss was reduced due to the reduction of
the profile surface area by reviewing the pitch-chord ratio and relaxing the bow shape compared with

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the conventional complete three-dimensional reaction blade. Furthermore, by controlling the reaction
distribution, the balance between blade loss and leakage flow loss was optimized to improve theperformance. The high velocity ratio reaction blades developed as described above were applied tothe high-pressure turbine, intermediate-pressure turbine and low-pressure turbine upstream stage
after verification using an air turbine and it was confirmed using special measurement at the power
plant demonstration facility that the expected performance was attained.

Figure 2

Multi-stage three-dimensional analysis including cavities

3.2 Adoption of next-generation high-performance LP-End blades and side exhaust
The output carried by LP-End blades is large, and the number of turbine casings and the sizeof the plant building depend on the size of the last stage rotating blades. Therefore, the performanceof LP-End blades plays an important role in the overall efficiency of the steam turbine. Since theperformance of LP-End blades is greatly affected by the exhaust hood performance, maximizing theexhaust hood performance has a profound effect on the overall performance of the steam turbine.
We used the latest numerical analysis technology to carry out the optimum design of theexhaust diffuser with the one through integral analysis method of the flow pattern of the last stage
rotating blade and flow field inside exhaust chamber in addition to the stage load optimization, load
distribution in the blade height direction and optimization of blade profile with respect to high-Machnumber flow, which have been implemented from before. Figure 3 gives an example of the one
through integral analysis of the flow pattern of the last stage rotating blade and flow field inside(three-dimensional streamline diagram). Figure 4 depicts the meridional Mach number contours
around the exhaust diffuser. As shown in Figure. 4, the flow inside the diffuser exhibits a normal
flow pattern. Figure 5 compares the analysis-predicted value of the static pressure recovery
coefficient and the measured value of that obtained at the power plant demonstration facility. The
analysis-predicted value and the measured value are in good agreement, confirming that the expectedexhaust performance was attained3), 4).
As a result, the performance of the LP-End blades developed using the latest numericalanalysis technology was verified by our power plant demonstration facility. In addition, the drain
loss (wetness loss) particular to LP-End blades was also reduced by optimizing the shape and positionof the moisture removal slit using the state of the art flow analysis technology. In terms of structure,despite the double exhaust flow directions, the height of the foundation and the height of the turbine
building could be significantly reduced by adopting side exhaust, compared with conventional
downward exhaust (Figure. 6), which contributes to the reduction of construction costs.

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Figure 3

Integrated analysis of blade row and exhaust chamber

Figure 4 Contour diagram of Mach number aroundexhaust diffuser

Figure 5

Static pressure recovery coefficient

Figure 6

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3.3 Clearance control technology
Aiming to further reduce clearance to improve the performance and flexibility, we verified theclearance control (outer casing vertical movement control) technology by heating with a heater andcooling with air from the outside of the turbine casing. Clearance were measured directly with a gap
sensor (Figure 7) installed inside the turbine.
Figure 8 shows the trend of lifting the outer casing (expansion of the upper clearance) due toheating with a heater before start-up. By lifting the outer casing before start-up, it is possible to securea margin for the upper clearance after the rotational speed increases. Similarly, Figure 9 shows thetrend of lowering of the outer casing (expansion of the lower clearance) due to cooling with air during
rated operation. On the contrary, it is possible to lift the outer casing by heating with a heater.

Figure 7

GAP sensor mounting position

Figure 8 Clearance control with heater operation before start-up

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Figure 9

Clearance control with cooling air during operation

As described above, we have established a sensor technology that enables the control ofclearance (vertical movement) from the outside and the measurement of clearance inside, regardlessof whether stopped or operating. In the future, we will use this technology to further improve theperformance and flexibility.

3.4 Sealing technology
We have developed leaf seals and ACC abradable seals for the purpose of reducing leaks fromdummy rings, gland cases and blade tips and achieved high efficiency by arranging these in an
appropriate combination.
The leaf seal is an array of plate-shaped leaves shown in Figure 10 in the circumferential
direction and the tip of the leaf slightly rises to maintain a non-contact state when the rotor rotates.
ACC (Active Clearance Control) abradable seal is a combination of ACC seal and an abradable seal.
ACC seal maintains a large clearance between the rotor and labyrinth seal during start-up /shut-down
operation and in a shut-down term of the steam turbine, and keeps the clearance small during constantload operation by using the seal differential pressure to move the seal segment to a predetermined
position. An abradable seal uses a low heat generation seal material with excellent free-cutting
characteristics thermally sprayed on the inner surface of the seal ring as shown in Figure 11. Due tothis configuration, the ACC abradable seal can reduce the clearance during rated operation while
suppressing heat generation caused by fin contact and it prevents shaft vibration as a result. We also
applied externally controlled ACC and achieved the leak reduction shown in Figure 12 by utilizing
flow analysis technology to optimize the combination of these seals.

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Figure 10

Leaf seal

Figure 11

ACC seal (using low heat generation seal material)

Figure 12

Leakage reduction by optimizing combination of seals

3.5 High-performance and high specific load bearing
In order to shorten the shaft span and make the steam turbine compact, we adopted a shaft
system design with less number of journal bearings compared with conventional design (Figure 13).
Since the number of bearings is reduced, specific load applied per bearing is higher than before.
Therefore, we developed a journal bearing that can deal with higher specific load conditions than
before (Figure 14)5). The main specifications of the bearing were designed so that the optimal
static/dynamic characteristics of the bearing can be obtained using Thermo-Elastic Hydraulic
Lubrication (TEHL) analysis that combines bearing pad elastic deformation analysis and thermofluid lubrication analysis, coupling the Reynolds equation, energy equation and heat transfer
equation. The bearing was applied to our power plant demonstration facility after a verification test
and good verification results were obtained in terms of metal temperature, bearing loss, vibration
characteristics, etc. In addition, the application of this bearing to commercial plants has been
progressing and some of them have already been put into operation.

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Figure 13 Reduction of number of bearings by adopting highperformance and high specific load bearings

Figure 14 High-performance and highspecific load bearing

3.6

SSS clutch applied to shaft

We adopted a single shaft GTCC system using an SSS clutch, making it possible to delay the
ST start-up timing. Thus, the ST can be started with the steam generated after the GT is started inadvance, making cooling steam for preventing windage loss and heat generation of the ST
unnecessary, so the amount of auxiliary steam at start-up can be significantly reduced. The capacityof the thyristor for GT start-up can be determined without considering ST and can be small. The SSS
clutch can absorb the elongation of the GT and generator and it is not necessary to consider thedifferential expansion for the design of ST, so it is possible to implement performance improving
measures such as increasing the number of ST stages. Being able to use one generator for both GT
and ST contributes to the reduction of construction costs. The SSS clutch is unengaged and overhangs
when the ST is started and after the ST synchronization, the SSS engages, transmits torque andbecomes rigid. It is necessary to make the shaft system design by assessing the state before and after
SSS engagement, the design is based on our knowledge so far and the shaft vibration state before andafter SSS engagement is also favorable, resulting in operation without problems (Figure 15).

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Figure 15

Shaft vibration with SSS clutch used

3.7 High-efficiency combined SV/CV valve
The developed combined SV/CV valve has a valve casing shared by the stop valve (SV) andcontrol valve (CV), so the number of valve chambers is reduced from 2 to 1, which reduces thenumber of components such as bonnet covers and bolts by about half. Therefore, compared with theconventional separated type SV and CV (i.e., each valve has a separate structure), the body is smaller,
which is advantageous in terms of manufacturing cost. By applying the valve casing material, fully
closing backseat function and stem leak connection system, which were proven with 600°C classunits, the reliability was improved. At the same time, by increasing the size and improving the steam
flow path, the pressure loss was reduced (Figure 16). As a result of measuring the pressure loss ofthe combined SV/CV valve applied to a high-pressure main steam valve and a high-temperature
reheat steam valve, the measured value was within the range of the planned value and it was
confirmed that the pressure loss was reduced compared with the initially planned value6).

Figure 16 High-efficiency combined SV/CV valve

3.8 Double turning technology
The turning time of a conventional single shaft GTCC (CGS arrangement) plant (after
shutdown) depends on the turning time on the ST, which requires time for metal temperature
reduction. To shorten the plant shut-down period at the time of inspection, GT turning is required tostop in advance. This time, we have developed a double turning device that can turn GT and ST
separately with one turning device. This could also reduce the installation space compared with thecase of installing two turning devices. Consideration was given to safety as well, such as adding
multiple interlocks, to prevent turning from being activated due to incorrect operation during
inspection work.

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3.9

Verification targeting 700°C class high-temperature steam turbine technology

For the intermediate-pressure turbine, we adopted a dissimilar metal welded rotor of Ni-based
alloy (LTES700R) and advanced 12Cr steel (MTR10A) developed in the A-USC Component
Technology Development Project. The dissimilar metal welded rotor of Ni-based alloy and 12Cr
steel was rotation-tested in a high-temperature air environment of 700°C for 1 051 hours in a national
project at the time and completed a long-term rotation test of the dissimilar metal welded joint
equivalent to 160,000 hours. This technology won the Best Paper Award at Powergen Europe in20177). This rotation test was conducted under a rated rotational speed of 3600 rpm and in an air
environment and the effect of load change including start-up and shut-down was not evaluated.
Further reliability verification in a steam environment is ongoing with the temperature of thedissimilar metal welded joint area the same as the design temperature of the 700°C class hightemperature steam turbine (Figure 17). The ST temperature increasing technology is expected to be
applicable to high-temperature gas reactors, CO2 turbines and heat storage turbines.

Figure 17 Intermediate-pressure rotor (including dissimilar metal weld rotorof Ni-based alloy and 12Cr steel)|4. Conclusion
We developed the performance enhancing technologies for the latest steam turbine andconfirmed that the expected results can be achieved using actual facility. These technologies areapplicable to all types of steam turbines, from small and medium capacity turbines to large-capacity
turbines—as well as after-sales service replacement work—and have been already applied to someprojects. We will continue to develop new technologies and high-performance steam turbines that
apply the technologies with the aim of further improving the efficiency of power generation facility,
thereby contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

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