High-Pressure Boiler and Turbine Operation at Northeast Station

Abstract

Abstract This paper describes the installation and major problems that came up during 2½ years’ operation of the high-pressure equipment at the Northeast Station of the Kansas City Power & Light Company. Reheater equipment is discussed, together with the experimental work involved in raising the steam temperature to the desired point, and incidentally obtaining a type of construction that would withstand the high furnace temperatures and give reasonable life. The effect of the reheater troubles on the use obtained from the equipment is also covered. A general operating history of the turbine is given, dealing in considerable detail with the turbine-blade deposits. Discussion of this phase of the troubles brings out the various changes that have been made in boiler feedwater in an effort to find a relationship between boiler-water concentration and turbine-scale formation. The method used for turbine-scale removal is given. Only minor troubles were experienced with boilers, high-pressure superheater, and auxiliaries. The effect of continued operation on boiler efficiency has been covered graphically, and the operating performance of the high-pressure equipment as well as the whole station for a typical month has been given showing the heat consumption of the two pressure turbines, the load distribution, and the net result for the station. Considerable detail is given concerning the utility factor of the entire installation and the effect the various individual parts have had on this factor.