Turbine Trip Oil System

In a power plant, a turbine trip oil system is a critical safety mechanism designed to protect the turbine and associated equipment in the event of an emergency or abnormal operating condition.

1.)   Purpose

·       The primary purpose of a turbine trip oil system is to rapidly and reliably shutdown the turbine in the event of a potentially dangerous situation, such as an overspeed condition, loss of load, or other abnormal operating conditions.

·       By shutting down the turbine quickly and safely, the trip oil system helps prevent damage to the turbine and associated equipment, minimizes the risk of a catastrophic failure, and ensures the safety of personnel in the vicinity of the turbine.

2.)   Components

·       Trip Oil Pump: The heart of the turbine trip oil system is a dedicated pump responsible for supplying pressurized oil to the system. The pump is often powered by an independent power source, such as an electric motor or a small turbine driven by steam or compressed air.

·       Trip Oil Reservoir: A reservoir or tank stores the trip oil under pressure. This reservoir ensures that enough oil is available to actuate the turbine trip mechanism when needed.

·       Trip Oil Piping: A network of pipes distributes the pressurized trip oil from the pump to the various components of the turbine trip system.

·       Trip Valve: The trip valve is a crucial component of the system located within the turbine’s control system. When activated, the trip valve releases the pressurized trip oil into the turbine’s trip system, initiating the shutdown sequence.

·       Actuators: Actuators are devices that convert the hydraulic pressure of the trip oil into mechanical motion to perform specific actions, such as closing steam admission valves (MSV and GV), opening turbine bypass valves, or activating other protective devices.

3.)   Operation

·       In normal operating conditions, the turbine trip oil system remains idle, with the trip oil pump running and maintaining pressure in the system.

·       If an abnormal condition occurs that requires an emergency shutdown of the turbine, such as overspeed, loss of load, or other predefined conditions, the trip valve is activated.

·       The trip valve releases pressurized trip oil into the turbine’s trip system, which in turn activates the actuators to initiate the shutdown sequence.

·       The shutdown sequence typically involves closing steam admission valves to stop steam flow to the turbine, opening turbine bypass valves to relieve pressure, and other actions to safely bring the turbine to a stop.

·       Once the turbine has been safely shut down, the trip oil system may include provisions for resetting and recharging the system to prepare for future operation.

In summary, a turbine trip oil system is a vital safety mechanism in a power plant that ensures the rapid and reliable shutdown of the turbine in emergency situations, protecting equipment and personnel from harm.