Patent ID: 8347598

Claim:
A method for assembling a combined cycle power generation system, said method comprising: coupling a gas turbine in flow communication with a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG); coupling a steam turbine in flow communication with the HRSG via at least one steam conduit; positioning a steam turbine inlet valve within the at least one steam conduit to control admission of steam to the steam turbine: positioning a bypass conduit upstream the steam turbine inlet valve to initially bypass the steam turbine until a pressure and a temperature are within respective ranges suitable for admitting steam to the steam turbine during a startup procedure; coupling at least one layer of at least one heating element to a portion of the at least one steam conduit between the bypass conduit and the steam turbine inlet valve, wherein the at least one heating element includes a plurality of layers; operatively coupling at least one controller to the at least one heating element; and programming the at least one controller to vary a rate of temperature change in the portion of the at least one steam conduit.