Thermal power plants: description, operation and technical characteristics
Energy supply stations todayare operated in different variations. Power plants operating on thermal energy are not the most common, but they also have many attractive qualities in terms of application. Equipment of this type is used to generate, convert and transmit electricity to consumers. But for effective performance of these functions, thermal power plants must be properly serviced. This applies to basic measures of technical prevention, and to the organization of control systems, as well as to more responsible repair operations.
General information about thermal power plants
The power plant is a whole complexsystems, units and units that work to generate electricity as a result of converting heat into mechanical energy. The basis of such stations is an electric generator with a rotating shaft. Also, the complex includes a combustion chamber in which a process of heat generation takes place. It is important to note that the operation of thermal power plants and heat networks often involves the allocation of steam. This applies to those installations that are also equipped with hydrological communications in which the vapor pressure increases, resulting in activation of the rotation of the turbine rotor. The energy generated in this way is transmitted to the main rotor shaft of the motor, which leads to the generation of an electric current. At the same time, not always produced thermal energy is completely spent on generating electricity. Depending on the place of operation and the needs of consumers, some of it can be used for heating function.
Technical characteristics of thermal power plants
One of the key performance characteristics isthe voltage with which the station operates. Usually, complexes with potential up to 1000 V and more are isolated. The first are applied locally as a means of supplying energy to specific objects - usually industrial ones. The second type of stations supporting a voltage of more than 1000 V is used to serve certain areas and even cities. Most often these are installations that implement the transformation and distribution tasks. Equally important is the power, which varies in the range of 3-6 GW. This indicator depends to a large extent on the type of fuel that is burned in the combustion chamber. To date, the rules for the operation of thermal power plants allow the use of diesel, fuel oil, natural gas, as well as traditional solid fuel elements.
Organization of heating networks
Most power plants in one way or anotherare the objects of the infrastructure of the heat network. If in the distribution of electrical energy similar networks are formed by high-voltage lines, in this case the technical basis of communication is thermal pipelines that provide hot water supply. Each line is provided with an appropriate shut-off fittings with gate valves and coolant control equipment. In this case, thermal power plants can be interfaced with the same electrical networks. Thus, the combined infrastructure of the network is formed, in which the distribution is carried out both through the heat supply channel and through the power transmission line.
In addition, the organization of work is also practicedSteam pipelines that are part of the structure of the thermal channels. In such cases, the operation of thermal power plants and heat networks involves the installation of more efficient condensate drainage systems. Devices for starting drainage of the steam wire are also installed with a certain step along the entire line of the gasket.
Tasks of the attendants
The list of functions that employees perform,operating power plants, can be divided into several groups. The basic tasks include the technical content of the equipment, which involves monitoring the operating parameters in accordance with project requirements. The next group of functions is conditioned by the security requirements. This concerns the maintenance of standards for protection from fire, compliance with labor protection standards, etc. In addition, thermal power plants need regular maintenance work. This category of functions can include diagnostic and repair activities. The personnel should audit the components of the power plant, test it for compliance with technical and operational indicators, etc. Based on the results of the work done, documentation is being prepared, in which acts of repair work, diagnostics, as well as accidents and accidents are recorded.
Admission of power plants to operation
In the structure of the heat network infrastructureThe power plant is introduced after the completion of the acceptance measures. Acceptance tests are performed to assess the quality of the equipment operation and to verify its compliance with technical regulations. Depending on the operating conditions, a test project is developed, to which thermal power plants are subjected. The admission rules require that this list of works, together with commissioning operations, be performed by the contractor responsible for the design schemes of the specific heat network into which the facility is integrated.
A special attention deserves the processtechnical organization of tests. At this stage, tools, protective equipment, spare parts, fuel and other consumables are prepared. Also, the rules for the operation of thermal power plants require that before the completion of the acceptance report the customer himself made a comprehensive testing of the equipment. This is necessary to verify the already joint operation of the nodes and aggregates of the station in conjunction with additional equipment under load.
Maintenance of equipment
Maintenance of installations in good technicalis the most important task of the staff. Experts check the quality of the functioning of individual parts of the station and its overall performance. The test is subjected to both electronic filling, and mechanics with the body. The integrity of the materials from which the power unit and the body parts are made is also assessed. In accordance with the standards, the technical operation of thermal power plants is carried out with periodic control of metals by non-destructive methods. That is, defects are produced by devices that do not change the structure of the material, but allow us to identify possible foci of damage and deformation.
Systems for automation of plant management
Management of power plants is gradually changingfrom traditional mechanical methods to automation systems. With the help of the controller, the operator can maintain the optimal performance of all the functional units of the power plant, without detaching from the control room. In this case, the operation of thermal power plants is closely related to the function of sensors that record certain data about the work of the station, sending information to the control panel. Based on this information, the system makes decisions on the correction of operating parameters.
Fuel economy service
The power plant can not be regarded asautonomous power generation facility. Its function is provided by consumable fuel material, which also requires compliance with maintenance measures. In particular, fuel economy assumes the organization of storage of products of the future combustion. Modern rules for the technical operation of thermal power plants require that service enterprises maintain special storage facilities for such needs. In each such storage facility, equipment is provided for loading and unloading fuel materials, weighing them, stacking and sorting them.
Conclusion
Operation of power plants in mandatoryorder is focused on achieving optimal performance indicators. This is achieved by increasing the efficiency of the workforce, the introduction of new control systems and modernization of power units. However, thermal power plants do not always justify themselves financially. This is especially true for stations that have undergone a technological upgrade. Along with the increase in management efficiency, such facilities are, in their entirety, more costly. For this reason, many operating enterprises tend to maintain the traditional principles of control and management of power installations.
