GB727659A - Improvements relating to thermal power plant - Google Patents

Abstract

727,659. Power-generating systems; elastic fluid turbines. METROPOLITAN-VICKERS ELECTRICAL CO., Ltd. Oct. 23, 1952 [Oct. 25, 1951], No. 25014/51. Classes 110 (3) and 122 (3). [Also in Group XIII] In a thermal power plant in which heat is transferred to a working medium, e.g. water, by a fluid heat carrier which receives heat from a primary source and operates in a closed cycle at a relatively low temperature, the heat carrier is circulated through a series of boilers 1, 1a, 1b generating steam, say, at successively lower temperatures and pressures. The heat carrier may be the coolant from a nuclear reactor, and in the specific embodiment described the steam from the several boilers is directed to associated inlets 2, 2a, 2b of a steam turbine 3 after passage through superheaters 13b, 13a, 13 which may be heated by the heating medium in its passage to the first boiler 1 or, alternatively, separately fired. The exhaust from the turbine 3 is led through a reheater 5, also heated by the heating medium, to a second turbine 4 and thence to a condenser 6, the condensate being returned to the boilers by a pump 10 through feedwater heaters 11, 11a, 11b, 11c, heated by steam bled from the turbines, and an economizer 12 heated by the heat carrier; further economizers 12a, 12b, heated by the heat carrier, may be located between the boilers. The heat carrier and condenser cooling water are circulated continuously through their respective circuits by fans 8, 8a and pumps 9, 9a which are driven by auxiliary turbines 7, 7a supplied with tapped-off steam from the low-pressure boiler 1b. The higher pressure boilers are preferably fitted with relief valves each of which discharges into the next lower pressure boiler. It is stated that the primary heat source is a nuclear reactor, which normally heats the heat carrier through an intervening carrier so as to avoid radiation dangers.