Turbine operation

Influence of FINEAMIN on turbine efficiency and performance increase

Without the use of FINEAMIN, magnetite forms on the surfaces of the water-steam system of power plants due to natural oxidation of the metal material in the turbine and in the water-steam system. These can be porous, up to 400 micrometers thick and increase the flow resistance. This can result in lower overall efficiency and lower electrical output from the steam turbines.

The use of FINEAMIN makes it possible to achieve significantly more stable and compact magnetite surfaces, which reduce surface roughness and lead to an improvement in turbine flow and thus to an improvement in turbine efficiency.

Cleaning a steam turbine during operation by switching to FINEAMIN dosing

The patented combination of certain polycarboxylates and polyamines also enables cleaning and dispersing effects in the steam range. In practice, this has made it possible to remove deposits from condensing turbines, demonstrably reduce wheel chamber pressures and avoid damage and turbine downtimes.

A sensitivity analysis carried out by B&B-AGEMA, Aachen, showed an improvement in turbine efficiency of 1.1 – 2.4 % points and thus an increase in power plant efficiency of 0.2 – 0.4 %, which corresponds to an increase in output of 700 – 3000 kW for a modern steam power plant unit.

References FINEAMIN turbine operation

Bibliography: Dr. Ing. J. Lepers, Dr.-Ing. K. Kusterer (2003), B&B-AGEMA, Gesellschaft für Energietechnische Maschinen und Anlagen, Aachen, GmbH