Patent GB-397755-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to steam power installations
IPC: F01K17/00
Filed: 1933-01-16
Abstract: 397,755. Steam-power plant. SULZER FRERES SOC. ANON., Winterthur, Switzerland. Jan. 16, 1933, No. 1427. Convention date, Nov. 19, 1932. [Classes 110 (iii) and 122 (iii).] In a steam-power plant comprising a steam generator 1 of small storage capacity, a steamengine plant comprising one or more units, heat-utilization apparatus 5 and wherein the generator output is controlled in accordance with a working-value of the steam supplied to the apparatus 5, heat-exchange apparatus 4 is provided which is heated by steam destined for the steam-engine plant to generate steam for the apparatus 5. The output of the power plant is controlled to suit fluctuations in the engine load by regulating the quantity of steam supplied to the apparatus 4. The engine has two stages 17, 19 which drive an electriccurrent generator 26, and are connected by a branch with a valve 32. A pump 21 delivers the condensate to a heater 22 supplied with steam from the main 16 through a valve 34, and from the intermediate steam supply pipe 18. A governor 28 controls servo-motors which regulate the valves 32, 34. The heated condensate passes to the exchanger 4 wherein steam is generated. When the speed of the engine increases valve 32 is first closed and then valve 34 is opened. Upon a decrease of speed, valve 34 is gradually closed and then valve 32 gradually opened. The servo-motors 11, 12 controlling the furnace 6 and pump 8 are controlled by a device 37 affected by the pressure of the steam passing to the apparatus 5. If the supply in pipe 36 falls, the supply of fuel and working medium is increased. The increase of pressure opens valve 13. The engine speed increases, valve 32 is moved towards its closed position, and valve 34 towards its open position. The steam supply through pipes 23, 24 is increased and consequently a mixture of increased temperature is supplied to the exchanger 4. With a rise in pressure in the pipe 36 the converse regulating cycle ensues. If the load on the engine increases or decreases respectively, the demand for heat in the apparatus 5 remaining unchanged, the pressure in pipe 36 falls or rises and the supply of working medium and fuel is increased or decreased respectively. When the demand for steam by the apparatus 5 is a maximum, four-fifths of the steam for the heater 22 is taken from the pipe 23 and one fifth from the pipe 24. When the load on the engine 2 and in the apparatus 5 vary simultaneously, the regulation processes are superimposed. The regulation of the steam generator takes place without disturbing the engine. The engine may comprise several mechanically and electrically coupled units, and the heating-steam bled from the connecting pipes, or the several engine parts may operate independently to drive different current generators. Other working machines may be driven by the engine. The withdrawal of steam from the engine may be controlled by a torque governor. The condensate heater 22 and the exchanger may form a unitary structure. The mixing apparatus and/or heat exchanger may be in parallel or in series with the engine. The mixer 22 may be dispensed with, the steam and condensate going directly to the exchanger 4. Safety valves may be employed to prevent excess pressure in the pipes associated with the exchanger and heat utilization apparatus. The exchanger may serve as an accumulator. The apparatus 5 may supply steam for small engines driving fans or mixing apparatus. A reducing valve may be placed in front of the apparatus 5. Instead of varying the speed of pump 7, the flow area of the working medium may be altered. The fuel, combustion air, or furnace grate speed may be regulated. The temperature, the quantity of steam supplied to the apparatus 5, or the difference of pressure on either side of a throttling point in the said supply, may effect the control. The flue gases may heat the feedwater supply or the supply to the exchanger 4.