U.S. patent application number 13/254110 was filed with the patent office on 2011-12-22 for air-cooled condenser system and method for setting up such a condenser plant.
This patent application is currently assigned to GEA Energietechnik GmbH. Invention is credited to Raimund Witte.
Application Number | 20110308764 13/254110 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42372318 |
Filed Date | 2011-12-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110308764 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Witte; Raimund |
December 22, 2011 |
AIR-COOLED CONDENSER SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SETTING UP SUCH A
CONDENSER PLANT
Abstract
An air-cooled condenser system (1) comprises a platform (2)
carrying heat exchanger elements (4), steam distribution lines (6),
and fans (5). The platform (2) is arranged on pillars (3), which
previously are introduced into the soil beneath the platform. The
platform (2) is mounted close to the ground, wherein the intake
chamber (21) required beneath the platform (2) is formed by
removing soil beneath the platform (2). In this way, the platform
(2) can be mounted at low height and with little effort.
Inventors: |
Witte; Raimund; (Dortmund,
DE) |
Assignee: |
GEA Energietechnik GmbH
44809 Bochum
DE
|
Family ID: |
42372318 |
Appl. No.: |
13/254110 |
Filed: |
February 12, 2010 |
PCT Filed: |
February 12, 2010 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/DE2010/000162 |
371 Date: |
August 31, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
165/45 ;
405/232 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F28B 1/06 20130101; F28B
9/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
165/45 ;
405/232 |
International
Class: |
F24J 3/08 20060101
F24J003/08; E02D 7/00 20060101 E02D007/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 6, 2009 |
DE |
10 2009 011 505.6 |
Claims
1-16. (canceled)
17. An air-cooled condenser system, comprising: a platform having
heat exchanger elements, steam distribution lines and fans, pillars
supporting the platform, and an intake chamber formed underneath
the platform at least partially by an excavation in the ground.
18. The condenser system of claim 17, wherein the excavation has
sloped edges.
19. The condenser system of claim 18, wherein the sloped edges have
a slope angle of approximately 15.degree. to approximately
45.degree..
20. The condenser system of claim 18, wherein the sloped edges are
arranged in regions next to the platform.
21. The condenser system of claim 17, wherein the intake chamber
comprises a horizontal floor area bounded by the sloped edges and
wherein the horizontal floor area is greater than the horizontal
base area of the platform.
22. The condenser system of claim 17, wherein a mound with sloped
embankments is arranged on a floor of the excavation underneath the
platform.
23. The condenser system of claim 22, wherein a height of the mound
is between 30% and 70% of a distance between a surface of the floor
of the excavation and a bottom edge of the platform.
24. The condenser system of claim 17, further comprising a wall
arranged at an edge of the excavation, with a crest of the wall
projecting above a height of the platform above ground level.
25. The condenser system of claim 24, wherein the crest is located
in a horizontal plane which intersects top edge of the heat
exchanger elements.
26. The condenser system of claim 24, wherein the wall is formed
from soil excavated from the excavation.
27. A method for constructing an air-cooled condenser system having
a platform supported on pillars, with fans, heat exchanger elements
and steam distribution lines installed on the platform, the method
comprising the steps of: introducing the pillars into the ground,
mounting the platform on the pillars, and forming an excavation
underneath the platform so as to form or to enlarge an intake
chamber underneath the platform.
28. The method of claim 27, wherein the platform is mounted on the
pillars at ground level and the intake chamber is formed in its
entirety by removing soil from underneath the platform.
29. The method of claim 27, wherein the platform is mounted on the
pillars at a height above ground level, wherein the height is
smaller than a vertical height of the intake chamber after
completion, wherein the vertical height of the intake chamber is
increased by removing soil from underneath the platform.
30. The method of claim 27, further comprising the step of forming
a mound with a sloped embankment on a floor of the excavation
underneath the platform.
31. The method of claim 27, further comprising the step of
constructing a wall at an edge of the excavation.
32. The method of claim 31, wherein the wall is constructed from
soil removed from the excavation.
Description
[0001] The invention relates, on one hand, to an air-cooled
condenser system according to the features in the preamble of claim
1.
[0002] The other hand, the invention relates to a method for
constructing an air-cooled condenser system according to the
features in the preamble of claim 11.
[0003] A conventional air-cooled condenser system has several
condensers in the shape of a roof located on a platform, wherein
the condensers are supported by pillars and are supplied with
steam, wherein fans supported on the platform are located
underneath the condensers.
[0004] The condensers in such condenser systems are typically
arranged at a greater height, leaving adequate unobstructed space
underneath the condensers through which the fans can suction the
necessary cooling air from the environment of the condenser system
and distribute the cooling air across the condensers for condensing
the steam streaming through the condensers. Due to the height of
the condensers, the wind loads acting on the condenser system are
comparatively high, so that the entire substructure of the
condensers system must be designed with adequate stability. In
addition, it must be taken into account that the assembly of the
condenser system requires a significant number of large pieces of
equipment, such as cranes and scaffolding. In addition, the
installers must work at great heights.
[0005] It is the object of the invention--starting from this
state-of-the-art--to provide an air-cooled condenser system and a
method for constructing such condenser system, wherein particularly
the installation complexity can be reduced. The susceptibility of
the installed system to wind should also be reduced.
[0006] The solution relating to the device aspect of the object is
recited in claim 1.
[0007] Accordingly, the pillars supporting the platform are
anchored in the ground in an excavation formed in the soil
underneath the platform. This has the significant advantage that,
after the pillars are introduced/driven into the ground, the
platform can be installed with the heat exchanger elements and the
steam distribution lines as well as the lines discharging the
condensate directly at the height of the ground surface, i.e.,
close to the ground. This significantly reduces the complexity and
the assembly of the system, especially relating to cranes and
scaffolding. The work is made much easier for the installers
because they can now perform their work at a low height.
[0008] Only after the condenser system is in most parts or
completely assembled, an excavation is produced underneath the
platform. The size of the excavation or the slope angle of the
preferably inclined edges is hereby dimensioned so that a
sufficiently large unobstructed space exists underneath the
platform which allows the cooling air suctioned from the
environment by the fans to flow through. The slope angle of the
edges is approximately between 15.degree. and 45.degree.. A smaller
slope angle below 15.degree. would make the horizontal extent of
the excavation quite large, requiring a large amount of material to
be excavated. The space required for the system and also the wind
loads acting on the condenser system increase with decreasing slope
angles. The wind loads decrease with a greater slope angle, so that
the slope angle should remain below a minimum slope angle.
[0009] Within the context of the invention, the slope angle of the
excavation may not be identical on all sides of the excavation, but
may be different, for example commensurate with the prevailing
local wind direction.
[0010] A so-called stationary operation is desired in practical
applications, i.e., in an operation where there is no wind. In
still air, it is ensured that all fans suction in cooling air and
supply the cooling air to the heat exchanger elements almost
uniformly. Because a situation where there is no wind is rare, the
condensers receive cooling air unevenly, which reduces the
condenser efficiency and hence also the efficiency of the power
plant. Because the condenser system with the heat exchanger
elements is now arranged directly at the ground level, the wind
speeds underneath the platform are comparatively low compared to
conventionally supported condenser systems even at higher wind
speeds. More uniform and hence more advantageous flow conditions
are therefore attained even at higher wind speeds.
[0011] Advantageously, the wind loads acting on the condenser
system in the horizontal direction can be significantly reduced,
because the wind speeds at ground level are lower than at a height
of, for example, 50 m. In particular, the wind walls along the
periphery of the heat exchanger elements can be of lighter weight
and have a smaller height.
[0012] The edges of the excavation should only start in regions
near the platform, so that the air can flow to the side of the
intake chamber without obstruction. The distance between the
surface of the floor of the excavation and the bottom edge of the
platform can then be identical across the entire horizontal
extent.
[0013] In particular, an intake chamber with sufficient height
underneath the platform is attained when a horizontal floor surface
of the intake chamber bounded by the sloped edges is greater than
the horizontal base surface of the platform.
[0014] For supplying the condensers on the platform with cooling
air with the greatest possible uniformity, a mound with a sloped
embankment may be provided on the floor of the excavation. This
mound intentionally deflects cooling air from the entrance regions
of the excavation on the side of the condenser system into the
region underneath the heat exchanger elements, and simultaneously
operates as a wind breaker.
[0015] The mound has a particularly high efficiency if its height
is selected to be between 30% and 70% of the distance between the
surface of the floor of the excavation and the bottom edge of the
platform. In particular, the height of the mount is about 50% of
that distance.
[0016] The susceptibility of the condenser system to wind can be
further reduced by arranging on the edge of the excavation a wall
positioned on the ground. The crest of this wall should be higher
than the height of the platform. In particular, the crest should be
located in a horizontal plane intersecting with the top edges of
the heat exchanger elements. This additionally creates a noise
abatement wall by blocking sound propagating from the condenser
system.
[0017] Within the context of the invention, the wall may also be
deposited with different heights commensurate with the prevailing
wind direction, so that the crest must not necessarily have the
same height at all places. The wall may also be constructed only on
one side or two sides of the condenser system and must not
necessarily surround the entire condenser system, since the lengths
of the lines from a turbine house, where the water vapor to be
condensed is produced, to the condenser system should be kept as
short as possible. A wall placed on the side of the turbine house
would increase the lengths of the lines. For this reason, a wall is
preferably arranged only on three sides.
[0018] As another advantage, the wall may be constructed from the
soil removed during excavation, so that additional building
material need not be delivered.
[0019] The platform may even be installed at a relatively low
height above ground level, if there exists already a significant
distance from the ground level to the bottom edge of the platform.
This distance is increased by removing soil below the platform for
forming the intake chamber. The excavated soil is used for the
wall. In this way, the trough-shaped excavated area with a low
depth can be formed, because the wall represents an additional wind
barrier which reduces the susceptibility of the condenser system to
wind.
[0020] The solution of the part of the invention relating to the
method of the underlying object is recited in the features of claim
11.
[0021] In the method of the invention, pillars are first introduced
into the ground, in particular driven into the ground or cast in
the ground. The platform is then installed on these pillars, with
fans, heat exchanger elements and steam distribution lines attached
to the platform, mentioning only the largest assemblies. Of course,
additional pipe systems and components may be arranged on such
platform.
[0022] Importantly, with the method of the invention, the soil
underneath the platform is removed to a greater extent following
the installation of the platform so as to form an excavated area
which then operates as an intake chamber for inflowing air.
Depending on the distance of the platform from the ground during
the installation phase, the intake chamber may be formed or
enlarged by excavating soil. Preferably, the platform is arranged
during the installation as close as possible to the ground. In
other words, the pillars are introduced into the ground to a great
depth. In this case, the condenser system can quasi be installed on
the ground. However, the platform may also be installed at the
height of, for example, 5 m or 10 m above the ground, wherein this
night is subsequently at least doubled by removing soil so as to
produce a sufficiently large intake chamber.
[0023] In the context of the invention, excavation is removal of
the soil to an extent so as to significantly affect the flow
conditions. In particular, excavation should include soil removal
of at least 1 m, preferably several meters, and over a larger area
which represents at least 50% of the area underneath the
platform.
[0024] To ensure a uniform flow to the fans from below, a mound
with a sloped embankment can be formed on the floor of the
excavation. In this context, forming is meant to indicate that the
mound can be deposited or can remain while only the surrounding
soil is excavated. Of course, the second approach is much more
advantageous because less soil needs to be moved.
[0025] Because the method of the invention has the aim of
protecting the condenser system from nonuniformly inflowing winds,
the excavated soil can be used directly for depositing a wall on
the side of the excavation. Depending on the size of the excavation
and the desired height of the wall, additional material may of
course be used. With a wall, the condenser system may then also
advantageously be positioned at a somewhat greater height if it can
be assumed that the crest of the wall is located approximately at
the height of the platform, preferably at the height of the top
edge of the condenser systems. In this case, the pillars need not
be introduced too deeply into the ground. Although the platform is
then installed in a somewhat raised position, this is still not as
difficult as an installation at a height of, for example, 50 m.
[0026] It will be understood that within the context of the
invention a wall may be deposited even if the condenser system is
installed quasi at ground level. In this situation, the crest of
the wall projects over the top edge of the condenser system, so
that the condenser system is arranged in the trough-shape
excavation and fully protected from the wind.
[0027] To enable a uniform flow to the fans, the edges of the
excavation are constructed with a slope angle of 15.degree. to
45.degree..
[0028] The invention will now be described in more detail with
reference to exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings,
which show in:
[0029] FIG. 1 in a schematic vertical cross-section, an air-cooled
condenser system, and
[0030] FIG. 2 also in a schematic vertical cross-section, an
air-cooled condenser system according to a further embodiment.
[0031] FIG. 1 illustrates an air-cooled condenser system designated
with 1. This condenser system 1 includes a horizontal platform 2
which is supported by several vertical pillars. Heat exchanger
elements 4 supplied with steam, in form of condensers and
dephlegmators, are arranged above the platform 2 in a roof
structure. Fans 5 supported on the platform are arranged below the
heat exchanger elements 4. Steam distribution lines 6 extend on the
ridge side of the heat exchanger elements 4. The required lines for
feeding steam to the condenser system 1 and for discharging the
condensate from the heat exchanger elements 4 are not illustrated
so as not to obscure the clarity of the drawing. Wind walls 7 are
provided along the peripheral sides of the heat exchanger elements
4 and/or the platform 2.
[0032] When the condenser system is constructed, pillars 3 are
first introduced with sufficient depth from the surface 8 of the
ground 9 into the ground 9. After the platform 2 with the heat
exchanger elements 4 and with all steam and condensation lines,
including the lateral wind walls 7, are installed on the pillars 3,
wherein the condenser system 1 is located directly proximate to the
surface 8 of the ground 9, a trough-shaped excavation 10 is
excavated underneath the platform 2. The excavation 10 has lateral
edges 11 which in the exemplary embodiment extend at an angle
.alpha. of 25.degree. with respect to the ground surface 8, i.e.,
to the horizontal. The edges 11 are arranged in regions next to the
platform 2.
[0033] A mound 12 with sloped embankments 13 is provided on the
floor 14 of the excavation 10 underneath the platform 2. This mound
12 can be formed from the excavated material of the excavation 10.
The height H of the mound 12 corresponds approximately to half the
distance A between the surface 15 of the floor 14 of the trough 10
and the bottom edge 16 of the platform 2. The distance A also
defines the height of the intake chamber 21. The intake chamber 21
is the region below the platform, via which air can flow to the
fans 5.
[0034] The arrows K indicate the cooling air suctioned by the fans
5 from the environment U of the condenser system 1, while the
arrows A indicate the outflowing air heated on the heat exchanger
elements 4 during heat exchange.
[0035] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, which is
constructed identically to the condenser system 1 of FIG. 1, a wall
17 is constructed on the ground 9 at the edge of the excavation 10.
The crest 18 of the wall 17 extends approximately in a horizontal
plane HE, which also intersects the top edges 19 of the steam
distribution lines 6 of the condensers 4. The edges 11 transition
smoothly into the sloped edges 20 of the wall 17, i.e., the
embankment 20 has the same angle as the edges 11 of the excavation
10.
[0036] However, it can be seen that the platform 2 of the condenser
system 1 is arranged at a greater height than the platform 2 in
FIG. 1. The depth T of the excavation 10 may then be smaller, thus
reducing the amount of material that needs to be excavated when
building the excavation 10.
[0037] In all other aspects, the embodiment of FIG. 2 corresponds
to that of FIG. 1.
LIST OF REFERENCES SYMBOLS
[0038] 1 Condenser system [0039] 2 Platform of 1 [0040] 3 Pillars
for 2 [0041] 4 Heat exchanger elements of 1 [0042] 5 Fans for 4
[0043] 6 Steam distribution lines [0044] 7 Wind walls [0045] 8
Surface of 9 [0046] 9 Soil, ground [0047] 10 Excavation [0048] 11
Edges [0049] 12 Mound [0050] 13 Embankments of 12 [0051] 14 Floor
of 10 [0052] 15 Surface of 14 [0053] 16 Bottom edge of 2 [0054] 17
Wall [0055] 18 Crest of 17 [0056] 19 Top edges of 6 [0057] 20
Embankment of 17 [0058] 21 Intake chamber [0059] A Distance between
15 and 16 [0060] A Heated exhaust air [0061] H Height of 12 [0062]
HE Horizontal plane [0063] T Depth of 10 [0064] Environment of 1
[0065] K Inflowing cooling air [0066] .alpha. Angle between 8 and
11
* * * * *