Heat Rate

Measuring the heat rate of a power plant is essential for evaluating its efficiency, performance, and overall economic viability. 

1.) Assessing Efficiency 

• Heat Rate measure the amount of fuel (kJ or BTU) required to generate one kilowatt-hour(kWh) of electricity.

• A lower heat rate indicates higher fuel efficiency – meaning the plant is using less fuel to produce electricity. This is a critical factor in determining how well a power plant converts fuel energy into electrical energy. 

2.) Optimizing Fuel Consumption 

• Fuel is one of the largest operational costs in power plants, especially those running on fossil fuels like coal, natural gas, or oil. 

• By monitoring the heat rate, plant operators can identify opportunities to optimize fuel consumption and reduce operating costs. 

3.) Performance Monitoring 

• Regularly tracking the heat rate allows operators to detect performance degradation over time. 

• A rising heat rate might indicate issues like equipment wear, fouling, or inefficiencies (a failing turbine or cooling system) 

• A stable or decreasing heat rate suggests that the plant is running optimally. 

• This helps to schedule maintenance and avoid unplanned downtimes.

4.) Environmental Impact

• Lower heat rates lead to reduced fuel consumption, which translates into lower emissions (such as CO2). 

• Measuring the heat rate is vital for ensuring the plant meets environmental regulations and for improving its carbon footprint. 

5.) Profitability and Cost Management 

• In a competitive energy market, the ability to generate power efficiently at a lower cost can determine a plant’s profitability. 

• A more efficient plant (with a low heat rate) can generate electricity at a lower cost and sell it at a competitive rate, improving its market position. 

6.) Benchmarking and Comparison 

• Heat rate allows for comparison between different power plants or even between different technologies within the same plant. 

• Combined-cycle plants generally have lower heat rates compared to simple-cycle plants because they are more efficient. 

• Comparing heat rates can help in determining which plants or technologies are operating more efficiently, or if upgrades are needed. 

7.) Plant Design and Efficiency Targets

• Heat rate is an essential metric in setting and achieving design targets for new power plants. 

• It is used in plant feasibility studies to project energy production and costs over the plant’s lifespan. 

8.) Regulatory Compliance

• Heat rate is often part of performance guarantees in contracts or regulatory framework. Power plants are typically required to meet certain heat rate thresholds. 

• Monitoring it ensures the plant remains in compliance with these agreements. 

9.) Long-Term Planning 

• Over time, measuring heat rate helps power plant operators make data-driven decisions about equipment upgrades, plant expansions, or fuel-switching options, contributing to long-term planning and sustainability.

Effects of Generator excitation

Effects of Generator under excitation 

If a generator is operating in an under-excited condition, it could result in increased fuel consumption for the following reasons.

Understanding under excitation: 

• Excitation refers to the supply of DC voltage to the rotor windings of a synchronous generator establish its magnetic field. 

• Under-excitation means the generator is producing less reactive power than its rated capacity, causing the generator to operate at a lower excitation voltage. 

• This leads to a decrease in the generator’s ability to produce reactive power (leading to a power factor of less than 1), affecting overall system efficiency. 

How under excitation affects fuel consumption: 

1.) Efficiency losses:

o In under-excitation, the generator becomes less efficient, as it may require additional mechanical power to maintain the same real power output. The system may need more fuel to compensate for these inefficiencies. 

2.) Increased Reactive power demand:

o Under-excitation may require the generator to absorb more reactive power from the grid, or it could be unable to supply reactive power efficiently to the load. This often requires the turbine to work harder to compensate, leading to higher fuel consumption. 

3.) Lower Power Factor: 

o Operating under-excitation can lead to a lower power factor (more reactive power consumption), causing the generator to use more fuel to maintain its real power output. A lower power factor typically means that the generator is less efficient in converting fuel into useful electrical power. 

4.) Load imbalance: 

o Under-excitation might also cause an imbalance between real and reactive power output, making the system less stable and potentially requiring more fuel to correct or stabilize the system. 

In an under-excited condition, the generator tends to consume more fuel because it operates less efficiently, requires more mechanical power to produce the same electrical power output, and could need additional fuel to compensate for lower power factor and increased losses. 

Effects of Generator Over-excitation 

Over-excitation refers to the condition where the generator is supplied with more DC voltage to its rotor windings than required for normal operation. This increases the magnetic field strength and causes the generator to produce more reactive power than needed. Here are the key effects of over-excitation on a synchronous generator: 

1.) Increased reactive power output: 

o Over-excitation leads to the generation of more reactive power (VARs), which can be useful in systems that require voltage support. In grid applications, this can help maintain voltage levels at distant loads or stabilize the system. 

o While this can be beneficial for voltage control in certain scenarios, excessive over-excitation can lead to problems, especially if reactive power exceeds the system’s needs. 

2.) Reduced efficiency:

o Increased fuel consumption: over-excitation can reduce the overall efficiency of the generator because producing excessive reactive power often requires the turbine to work harder, thus consuming more fuel to maintain the same level of active (real) power. 

o Losses in the system: Excessive excitation may cause higher losses due to the increased current in the rotor, stator, and other components of the generator. These losses reduce the generator’s overall efficiency and increase fuel consumption. 

3.) Potential for overheating: 

o Over-excitation increases the magnetic field strength, which can result in increased eddy current losses and core losses in the generator. 

o These losses can cause the generator’s core and windings to overheat, potentially damaging the equipment if sustained over time. 

4.) Voltage instability: 

o If over-excitation is too high, it can cause the generator to produce more reactive power. This could lead to voltage instability, where the system voltage becomes too high, potentially causing damage to sensitive electrical equipment or causing voltage regulation problems. 

o Over-voltage can lead to flash-over (insulation breakdown) and can damage both the generator and connected equipment. 

5.) Reduced power factor: 

o over-excitation can lead to a situation where the generator’s power factor is too high (the generator is producing too much reactive power), which may result in inefficient operation of the generator and overall system. 

o A high reactive power output can increase the load on the generator and reduce its overall real power output efficiency, leading to higher fuel consumption for the same real power. 

6.) Excitation control system stress:

o Operating in over-excitation for extended periods can stress the excitation control system. The system may work harder to regulate the voltage, and if not properly manage, this could result in control system failures or other operational problems. 

7.) Impact on system stability: 

o While over-excitation can help with voltage regulation in some cases, excessive reactive power can create instability in the grid or system. If too many generators are over-excited, it could cause excessive voltage to rise and result in voltage collapse or tripping of generators. 

Over-excitation can have both positive and negative effects: 

• Positive: it can help boost voltage support in certain applications and maintain system stability.

• Negative: it leads to inefficiency, higher fuel consumption, overheating, damage to equipment, and voltage instability if not properly controlled. 

Ideally, the excitation of a generator should be carefully controlled to ensure it operates within optimal parameters. Balancing the need for reactive power support without causing negative effects on efficiency, system stability, and fuel consumption.

Useful Power Generation Formula

1.) Electrical Power (DC Circuits) 

P = V x I 

Where: 

P = Power (in watts) 

V = Voltage (in volts) 

I = Current (in amperes) 

2.) Electrical Power (AC Circuit, Single Phase) 

P = V x I x cos Ɵ

Where: 

Ɵ = is the phase angle between voltage and current (power factor)

3.) Electrical Power (AC circuit, Three Phase) 

P = √3 x V x I x cos Ɵ

Where: 

V = line voltage (in volts) 

I = line current (in amperes) 

cos Ɵ = power factor 

4.) Efficiency of Power Generation System 

Eff. = (P out / P in) X 100 

Where: 

Eff. = efficiency (Percentage) 

P out = output power (in watts)

P in = input power (in watts) 

5.) Mechanical Power Output of a Turbine 

P = T x ῶ

Where: 

ῶ = angular velocity (in radians per second) 

6.) Thermal Efficiency of Heat Engines (Carnot Efficiency) 

ἡ carnot = 1 – (T cold / T hot) 

Where: 

T cold = temperature of the cold reservoir (in kelvins) 

T hot = temperature of hot reservoir (in kelvins) 

7.) Heat Rate (Energy Efficiency of a Power Plant) 

Heat Rate = Fuel Energy Input (Btu per hour) / Electricity Output ((kWh) 

• Lower heat rate means higher efficiency. 

8.) Energy Generated by a Wind Turbine 

P = ½ ῤ A v^3 C p 

Where: 

ῤ = air density (in kg/m^3) 

A = swept area of the turbine blades (in m^2) 

V = wind speed (in m/s) 

C p = power coefficient (depends on the turbine) 

9.) Hydroelectric Power Generation

P = ἡ ῤ g h Q 

Where: 

ἡ = turbine efficiency 

ῤ = water density (in kg/m^3) 

g = acceleration due to gravity (9.81 m/s^2) 

h = height of the waterfall (in meters) 

Q = water flow rate (in cubic meters per second) 

10.) Steam Power Generation (Rankine Cycle Efficiency) 

ἡ rankine = W turbine – W pump / Q in 

Where: 

W turbine = work done by the turbine (in joules) 

W pump = work required to pump the fluid (in joules) 

Q in = heat energy added (in joules) 

11.) Photovoltaic Power Output (Solar Panels) 

P = A x E x ἡ

Where: 

P = power output (in watts) 

A = area of the panel (in square meters) 

E = solar irradiance (in watts per square meter) 

ἡ = panel efficiency

Effects on electricity grid if all power comes from renewables: Battery storage, Wind, and Solar.

It would significantly transform the grid and present both opportunities and challenges. 

1.) Intermittency and Variability 

• Solar and Wind energy and inherently intermittent sources of power; solar only generates electricity during daylight and wind turbines depend on wind conditions. This intermittency can always create challenges in balancing supply and demand on the grid. 

• Battery storage helps mitigate this issue by storing excess energy during times of high generation and releasing it during periods of low generation. However, the current capacity of battery storage systems is limited and large scale deployments would be needed to ensure reliability. 

2.) Grid stability and Frequency Control 

• Traditional power plants, especially thermal plants like coal and natural gas, helps maintain grid frequency and stability by providing inertia, the physical resistance to changes in the power grid’s frequency. Renewable sources like solar and wind do not naturally provide this inertia, which can make it harder to stabilize the grid. 

3.) Overgeneration

• On days of high solar and wind output, renewable generation might exceed demand, leading to overgeneration. Without enough storage or demand-side flexibility, the excess energy could be waster and power generation might need to be reduced. 

4.) Transmission and Distribution upgrades 

• Shifting to 100% renewables would require significant upgrades to transmission and distribution infrastructure. Renewable energy sources are often located far from population centres, requiring investments in high-voltage transmission lines to move energy to where it is needed. 

• Local distribution networks would also need to adapt to the “Two-way flow of electricity”, especially with decentralized solar power generation from residential rooftops. 

5.) Energy Storage 

• Energy storage becomes critical in a renewable-dominated grid. 

6.) Decarbonization and Environmental impact 

• A 100% renewable grid would significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, making a major contribution to efforts to climate change. Solar, wind and batteries produce minimal emissions compared to fossil fuel-based power plants. 

• However, renewable energy infrastructure requires mining and manufacturing for materials like lithium, cobalt, and rare earth metals, which come with their own environmental impacts that must be managed responsibly. 

7.) Cost implications 

• In the long term, renewable energy sources have the potential to be cheaper than fossil fuels, especially as the costs of solar panels, wind turbines, and batteries continue to fall. 

• In the short term, the transition would involve significant capital investment in new generation capacity, storage, grid upgrades and R&D in advanced grid management technologies. However, the reduction in operational costs would offset these over time. 

8.) Job creation and Economic shifts 

• Transitioning to a renewable-powered grid would create jobs in sectors like solar installation, wind turbine maintenance, and energy storage. However, it could also lead to a decline in jobs in fossil fuel-based industries, which would require retraining and reskilling programs from workers.

Ten years.

For the past decade, Australia has been my home, a land of boundless opportunities.

About 12 years ago, I ventured beyond the Middle East in search of new horizons. The array of options was both exhilarating and daunting. Armed with my experience as a Power Plant Operator and comprehensive training from Japanese Engineers, I felt poised to make my mark in a new setting.

At that time, I also contemplated starting a business in the Philippines to be closer to my ailing father. But then I met my ex-wife, who was determined to relocate to Australia. She was eager to escape the derision of her relatives who had criticized her for not passing job interviews abroad and failing to obtain her Occupational Therapist certification.

Enter me: compelled to play the hero and help my ex-wife realize her dream of moving to Australia.

The process was initially straightforward – pass the IELTS exam and compile a Competency Demonstration Report (CDR) to validate my engineering credentials. A score of 60 was sufficient for migration. However, for her to join me as a secondary sponsor, we had to marry, which was complicated by the fact that she was still married. I covered the costs of her annulment. Though the expenses for visas, annulment, our wedding, her child’s tuition, and my father’s dialysis and medicines, plus our ancestral home’s renovation were substantial, I managed them with my sister’s help.

The experience proved to be financially exhausting and emotionally draining.

Despite this, I remained committed. I never anticipated that my ex-wife’s attitude would shift once our Australian visa was approved. Shortly after our marriage, she became pregnant, and with our move to Australia scheduled around her due date, we face a difficult choice. She was unwilling to stay behind until after the birth. She insisted we move immediately to Australia, but I couldn’t leave my father, especially given his dialysis needs. I needed to find a caregiver for him before we could proceed.

It was heart-wrenching when she proposed leaving my father in an aged care facility so we could move right away. Her selfishness in pursuing her Australian dream was disheartening. Torn between my duty to my father and my commitment to my ex-wife, I chouse to prioritize my father’s well-being.

One evening, I shared my decision with father, expressing my intent to put our migration plans on hold and stay with him until his health improved. To my astonishment, he urged me to find a caregiver for him and continue with our plans, stressing the importance of our future. His selflessness and insight left me profoundly moved.

Following this, my relationship with my ex-wife unravelled rapidly. She seemed to pit me against my father, making me feel used and manipulated, revealing that her primary interest was securing an Australian visa.

Tragically, she suffered a miscarriage. Despite her obstetrician’s advice to rest due to the baby’s fragile state, she continued working against my wishes. She claimed she needed 30 thousand pesos for her child’s tuition, even though I believed I had already covered these expenses.

Respect in our relationship dissolved, and I felt like a mere bystander, excluded from her life and deprived of the intimacy that should have been ours.

Eventually, lies and deceit emerged.

I discovered she had an affair and planned to meet this person in Australia, then file for divorce. This was the breaking point for me, and I confronted her. Her deceit continued, revealing that her plans were merely a scheme to extract money from her lover.

I considered withdrawing their visa, as the primary sponsor, I had the right to do so. Yet, I chose not to act out of spite. I knew that migrating to Australia would offer a brighter future for her child and for her. To this day, I have no regrets about that decision.

A decade of bliss in the land down under.

To God be the Glory!

 

---- summary of a book I recently read.

Open Cycle Gas Turbine

The open cycle gas turbine operates by drawing fresh atmospheric air at ambient conditions into a compressor, which may be a centrifugal or axial flow type. The compressor increases the temperature and pressure of the air to levels specified by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM). This compressed air, now at a higher pressure, is directed into a combustion chamber where fuel is combusted at essentially constant pressure. The resulting high-pressure hot gases drive the turbine, generating power through the rotation of the turbine shaft, which can be utilized for various applications such as electricity generation and as prime movers for industrial equipment. The exhaust gases exiting the turbine are released into the atmosphere, classifying the cycle as an open system since these gases are not recirculated.

 

The open cycle gas turbine is a versatile and rapid-response power unit that can be brought online and taken offline quickly making it a primary source of peak power in electrical grids worldwide. However, these units are generally more expensive and less efficient compared to base load power plants like combined cycle and thermal power plants.

Brayton Cycle

• 1.     Isentropic compression: air is compressed to high pressure and temperature via an isentropic process that is adiabatic and reversible.
• 2.       Constant pressure heat addition (Isobaric heat addition): high-pressure air is fed into a combustion chamber where fuel is added and ignited.
• 3.       Isentropic expansion: high-temperature gases from the combustion chamber expand in the turbine in an isentropic process, producing mechanical work.
• 4.       Constant pressure heat rejection (Isobaric heat rejection): the exhaust gases are expelled into the atmosphere.

 

 

Cascade Control System

Cascade control is a sophisticated multi-loop control structure commonly utilized in industrial applications, facilitating the implementation of advanced controllers. This method integrates two feedback loops, where the output of the primary controller sets the set-point for the secondary controller (master and slave).

Essentially, the feedback loop of one controller is nested within the other, enabling an enhanced response to disturbances.

The accompanying figure demonstrates the application of cascade control in regulating the liquid level in a container (Steam drum level). In a single-loop control system, the level sensor provides feedback, generating an error signal for the controller to adjust the fluid inflow rate (Feedwater control valve). Rapid changes in flow can lead to significant delays before the liquid level changes sufficiently to prompt a correction. In contrast, a cascade control system utilizes the level sensor’s feedback for the outer loop controller, which then adjusts the set-point for the secondary controller responsible for regulating the liquid flow rate (feedwater).

This arrangement allows the flow level loop to respond swiftly to allow disturbances, significantly minimizing level fluctuations compared to a single-loop control system.

One of the most common applications of cascade control is in managing the steam drum level of a boiler vs the feedwater control valve.

Power System Stabilizer (PSS)

Power system stabilizer (PSS) is a sophisticated control system installed on a generation unit that monitors variables such as current, voltage, and shaft speed. While excitation systems with high gain and rapid response times enhance transient stability, they can also diminish small signal stability. PSS control plays a crucial role by damping generator rotor angle oscillations across a wide range of frequencies in the power system.

When necessary, the PSS sends precise control signals to the voltage regulator to suppress system oscillations, ensuring the frequency remains within acceptable tolerances.

Rapid, minor fluctuations in frequency, known as frequency oscillations, occur in bulk electric systems due to small variations in load. These oscillations must be damped to prevent them from escalating and pushing frequencies beyond system tolerances, which could lead to system shutdowns and extensive outages. During these small oscillations, the generator’s rotational speed varies due to frequency changes. However, the turbine control, which manages speed by adjusting fuel input, is not always fast enough to respond to such oscillations.

Given the interconnected nature of multiple generators in a bulk electric system, each generator may respond differently, potentially causing them to fall out of sync. Therefore, it is vital to address these oscillations promptly. A PSS achieves this by sending control signals to the generator voltage regulator upon detecting oscillations, quickly adjusting generator operation to counteract the frequency oscillations.

Difference between AVR and PSS

Automatic Voltage Regulator (AVR) controls the generator’s terminal voltage to a specified setpoint, while the PSS modulates the AVR input to mitigate both low-frequency and local-mode power oscillations. The AVR regulates terminal voltage by controlling the current supplied to the generator field winding through the exciter. The PSS, integrated with the AVR, dampens low-frequency oscillations in the power system by providing a supplementary signal to the excitation system.

Synergy Interview

 

1.     How long have you worked at Synergy?

    ·       Hired September 2021, working with awesomeness for almost 3 years now.

2.     Where do you live?

    ·       Living in Piara Waters since 2022.

3.     Do you have any pets?

    ·       I have a female cream Golden Retriever I simply calling her Sabrina on a good day and a merchant of death when she’s annoying the neighbours with her barking and destroying my furniture.

4.     What’s your favourite thing to do on the weekend?

    ·       Aside from Netflix and chill, I walk my dog and play drums to annoy the neighbours. 😃

5.     If you could have dinner with someone famous (could be a real person/fictional person/deceased person) who would it be?

        ·       My Father and my Mamay (Aunt)
6.     Where were you born?

        ·       Manila, Philippines
7.     When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

        ·       I wanted to be a pilot; wanted to be part of Voltron, defender of the universe. (Back then I thought there’s really a Voltron Team)   
                ·       Ended up piloting Power Plants, fair enough.
8.     What is your favourite food?

        ·       Kare Kare, a Filipino dish (A variant of beef curry)

9.     If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

        ·       Time manipulation 😃

10.  What is an interesting fact about you that nobody knows?

        ·       I’m still maintaining and writing a blog; a sort of stress reliever, I guess. Feel free to check it out. 😃
                    ·       deoselosa experience

11.  What’s your favourite season of the year?

        ·       Spring to summer

12.  What high school did you go to?

        ·       Sta. Catalina College back in the Philippines

13.  Are you a morning person or a night owl?

        ·       A night owl

14.  Who/What is in your BIG 5?

        ·       My Father
        ·       My Auntie, who raised me and taught me almost everything I need to know
        ·       Coffee
        ·       My Sabrina
        ·       Learning new things

15.  What are you currently watching on TV/or reading?

        ·       Rick and Morty on Netflix
        ·       Happy sexy Millionaire by Steven Bartlett
 

Generator Protection

Generator protection is a critical aspect of ensuring the safe and reliable operation of electrical power generators. It involves a set of measures, devices, and practices aimed at detecting and mitigating various faults, abnormalities, and operating conditions that could lead to damage or failure of the generator and associated equipment.

1.)    Overcurrent Protection (Device Number 50): Overcurrent protection is essential to prevent damage to the generator and connected equipment due to excessive current flow. It involves the use of circuit breakers, fuses, or relays to detect and interrupt currents exceeding preset thresholds. Overcurrent protection devices are strategically placed in the generator’s electrical circuitry to safeguard against short circuits, overloads, and other abnormal current conditions.

2.)    Overvoltage and Undervoltage Protection (Device No. 59 and Device No. 27): Overvoltage and undervoltage protection mechanisms are employed to safeguard the generator and connected equipment against voltage deviations beyond safe operating limits. Voltage monitoring relays or devices are used to detect overvoltage and undervoltage conditions, triggering protective actions such as disconnecting the generator from the grid or load to prevent damage.

3.)    Over Frequency and Under Frequency Protection (Device No. 81): Over frequency and Under frequency protection are designed to detect deviations in the system frequency beyond acceptable limits. These protective measures are crucial for preventing overspeed and under speed conditions in the generator, which can lead to mechanical stress and potential damage. Frequency monitoring relays or devices are used to detect frequency deviations and initiate protective actions thoroughly.

4.)    Reverse Power Protection (Device No. 32): Reverse power protection safeguards the generator against the flow of power from the generator to the grid or another power source, which can occur in certain abnormal operating conditions. Reverse power relays or devices monitor the direction of power flow and trip the generator offline if reverse power is detected, preventing damage, and ensuring system stability.

5.)    Loss of Field Protection (Device No. 40): Loss of field protection is essential for preventing loss of excitation in the generator, which can result in voltage collapse and loss of synchronism. Loss of field relays or devices monitor the generator’s excitation system and initiate protective actions, such as disconnecting the generator from the system or activating standby excitation sources, to restore field excitation and maintain system stability.

6.)    Overtemperature Protection (Device No. 49): Overtemperature protection is employed to prevent excessive heating of the generator’s components, such as windings, bearings, and insulation materials. Temperature sensors or detectors are used to monitor the temperature of critical components, and protective actions are initiated if temperatures exceed safe operating limits. These actions may include reducing load, increasing cooling, or shutting down the generator to prevent thermal damage.

7.)    Synchronizing Protection (Device No. 25): Synchronizing protection ensures that the generator is synchronized with the grid or other power sources before connecting or paralleling. Synchronizing relays or devices monitor voltage, frequency, and phase angle differences between the generator and the system and initiate protective actions to prevent unsafe synchronization attempts, such as blocking synchronizing signals or tripping the generator offline.

8.)    Ground Fault Protection (51N): Ground fault protection is essential for detecting and isolating ground faults in the generator or its associated equipment. Ground fault relays or devices monitor the electrical insulation of the system and initiate protective actions, such as tripping the circuit breaker or disconnecting the generator, to prevent ground faults from causing damage or posing safety hazards.

9.)    Generator Differential Protection (Device No. 87G): Generator differential protection is used to detect internal faults within the generator’s windings or stator. Differential relays compare the currents entering and leaving the generator and trip the circuit breaker if a fault is detected, isolating the generator from the system to prevent further damage.

10.)                        Communication and Monitoring Systems: Communications and monitoring systems play a crucial role in generator protection by providing real-time data on the generator’s operating conditions, alarm notification, and remote-control capabilities. Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, protective relay communications, and remote monitoring platforms enable operators to monitor and manage generator protection system efficiently.

Overall, generator protection is a multifaceted discipline that encompasses a wide range of protective devices, monitoring systems, and control strategies aimed at ensuring the safe and reliable operation of electrical generators in various applications, from power plants to industrial facilities and critical infrastructure. Effective generator protection requires a comprehensive understanding of the generator’s operating characteristics, potential failure modes, and the application of appropriate protective measures to mitigate risks and maintain system integrity.

What is Reactive Power?

Reactive power is a concept in electrical engineering that describes the portion of electrical power in an alternating current (AC) circuit that oscillates between the source and load without being consumed by the load itself. Unlike active power, which performs useful work such as lighting bulbs or turning motors, reactive power does not directly contribute to useful work but is necessary for the operation of certain types of equipment and for maintaining the stability of the electrical grid.

1.)   Nature of Reactive Power

·       In an AC Circuit, the flow of electric power consists of two components: active power (measured in watts) and reactive power (measured in volt-amperes reactive of VAR).

·       Active power represents the actual energy transferred to perform useful work, such as heating, lighting, or mechanical motion.

·       Reactive power, on the other hand, represents the energy oscillating (inductors and capacitors) in the circuit. It does not perform any useful work but is essential for maintaining voltage levels and supporting the operation of inductive loads.

2.)   Causes of Reactive Power

·       Reactive power arises primarily due to the presence of inductive (such as motors, transformers, and coils) and capacitive (such as capacitors and transmission lines) elements in the electrical system.

·       Inductive loads absorb reactive power as they require magnetic fields to operate, while capacitive elements generate reactive power as they store and release electrical energy.

3.)   Role and Importance

·       Reactive power is essential for maintaining voltage levels within acceptable limits in the electrical grid. it helps to counteract voltage drops caused by the inductive reactance of loads and transmission lines.

·       In industrial applications, reactive power is necessary for the operation of inductive loads like motors and transformers. Lack of sufficient reactive power can lead to voltage instability, reduced efficiency, and equipment damage.

·       Utilities and grid operators often manage reactive power flow to ensure the stability and reliability of the electrical grid. they may employ devices such as capacitors, reactors, and synchronous condensers to provide or absorb reactive power as needed.

4.)   Power Factor

·       Power factor is a measure of the ratio of active power to apparent power in an AC Circuit. It indicates how effectively the electrical power is being utilized.

·       A low power factor indicates a high level of reactive power in the system (importing), which can result in increased losses, reduced efficiency, and high electricity costs. Utilities may impose penalties on consumers with low power factors to encourage them to improve power factor correction.

In summary, reactive power is the portion of electrical power in an AC circuit that oscillates between the source and load due to the presence of reactive elements. While it does not perform useful work, reactive power is essential for maintaining voltage stability, supporting the operation of inductive loads, and ensuring the efficient and reliable operation of the electrical grid.

 

Turbine Electro-Hydraulic Oil System

The turbine electro-hydraulic oil system serves as a crucial component for controlling and regulating the movement of various mechanical parts, such as valves, servomotors, and actuators.

1.)   Purpose

·       The primary purpose of the turbine electro-hydraulic oil system is to provide hydraulic pressure to actuate control valves and other mechanical devices within the turbine control system.

·       By utilizing electricity to control the hydraulic fluid flow, the system can precisely regulate the movement and positioning of turbine components, allowing for efficient and reliable operation of the steam turbine.

2.)   Components

·       Hydraulic Pump: The system includes one or more hydraulic pumps responsible for generating hydraulic pressure by converting mechanical energy into hydraulic energy. These pumps are often driven by electric motors.

·       Hydraulic Reservoir: A reservoir or tank stores the hydraulic oil used by the system. The reservoir ensures a constant supply of oil and helps dissipate heat generated during operation.

·       Hydraulic lines: A network of hydraulic lines distributes the pressurized hydraulic oil from the pump to various components throughout the turbine control system.

·       Electro-Hydraulic Valves: These valves control the flow of hydraulic oil based on electrical signals received from the turbine’s control system. By opening or closing these valves, the system can precisely regulate the hydraulic pressure and flow to different actuators and components.

·       Actuators: Actuators are devices that convert the hydraulic pressure of the oil into mechanical motion to perform specific actions within the turbine control system. These may include opening or closing control valves, adjusting turbine blade angles, or controlling other critical parameters.

·       Solenoid Valves: Solenoid valves are used to control the flow of oil to the actuators based on electrical signals. These valves are typically operated by the turbine’s control system to achieve the desired positioning and movement of the turbine components.

3.)   Operation

·       During normal operating, the hydraulic pump is activated, and hydraulic oil is circulated through the system to maintain pressure and ensure readiness for control actions.

·       When the turbine control system issues commands to adjust turbine parameters, such as steam flow, blade angles, or load demand, electrical signals are sent to the electro-hydraulic valves.

·       The electro-hydraulic valves respond by opening or closing to regulate the flow of hydraulic oil to the appropriate actuators, causing them to move and adjust the position of turbine components accordingly.

·       By precisely controlling the hydraulic pressure and flow, the turbine electro-hydraulic oil system ensures the efficient and safe operation of the steam turbine, allowing for optimal performance and response to changing operating conditions.

In summary, the turbine electro-hydraulic oil system plays a vital role in controlling and regulating the movement of the turbine components in a steam turbine, enabling precise and reliable operation of the turbine under various operating conditions.