CODE: BTPP/TURBINE/007/VACUUM RAISING

GUIDELINES FOR CONDENSER VACUUM RAISING

PRECONDITION:

1. Turbine on barring gear –speed 70 rpm.

2. One CW pump must run.

3. One DMCW pump must run

4. One CEP must run.

5. Auxiliary steam (HT-AST) must be available:

Pressure: 11 KSC. & Temp>250oC

(See Curve: Turbine Metal temperature Vs AST temperature.)

PROCEDURE:

1. Open HT- AST to Turbine Seal Header atmospheric drain as well as motorized
drain (MAW10AA011) before seal steam admission valve. (MAW-10).

2. Open AST to Ejectors line atmospheric drain near Pilot Ejector.

3. Crack Open AST to seals MOV (AS-9) and warm up AST to seals line.

4. Crack Open AST to ejectors isolation valve in HT/AST header and warm up
the AST to ejector line.

5. Ensure warm up of seal steam line (AST Temp near seal header>200o C)

6. Open AST to Ejectors and Gland Seal Root valves fully and Choke the
atmospheric drains. (After ensuring warming up of lines)

7. Close the Vacuum Breaker (VB) valve.

8. Start vacuum pulling by opening pilot ejector steam valve and then the air
valve. Ensure the proper closing of VB valve and charge its siphon.

9. At 0.9 Ksc Condenser pressure, admit steam to seals by opening MAW-10

and maintain seal pressure around 160mmWC.Put the pressure controller
into Auto mode and watch its proper functioning.

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10.Start one Gland steam extractor fan. (Ensure their suction and discharge
gate valves are in open condition. Also ensure Gland Steam Condenser (GSC)
drain to Flash tank is through)

11.Watch the rate of rising of Condenser vacuum.

(Take Corrective actions if rate is very slow)

12.When condenser pressure is about 0.4 ata, cut in a main ejector.

13.When condenser pressure is about 0.3 ata, Cut in the next ME and take out
the pilot ejector.

(While cutting out pilot ejector first close the air valve and then close the
Steam valve. Close the steam valve gradually without causing fast pressure
rise in the AST header.)

14.Ensure the condenser pressure is about 0.1 ata. and cut out one main
ejector.( Preferably, after Synchronizing)

15.The approximate duration to reach 0.1 ata after opening the starting ejector
steam valve is about one hour.

16.Confirm the reserve status of the non running Gland Steam Extractor Fan.

GUIDELINES FOR CONDENSER VACUUM CUT OUT

1. Ensure the Turbine speed is Turning gear.

2. LP Bypass valves are in closed condition. If it is open condition open the Re

heater startup vents (MS-85 & MS-86) to maintain about 1.0 ksc and then
close LP B/P to ensure Boiler pressure release process.

3. MS pressure below 20 Ksc and HRH pressure is about 1.0 ksc, with Re Heater
start up vents in open condition. HP BP opening should be minimum.

4. Close all drain to LP Flash Tank, HP Flash Tank, Turbine Flash Box-1 and
Turbine Flash Box-2(All MAL drains).

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5. Cut out Main ejectors from service by closing the air valve first and then the
steam valve.

6. When condenser pressure is about 0.5 ata, open the vacuum breaker.

7. When condenser pressure is about 0.9 ata, close seal steam valve MAW 10.

8. Stop the gland steam extractor fan.

9. Close the steam valve AS-9 at APRDS.

10.Close CRH to seals (CRH-7) valve if it is in open condition.

11.Close Steam valve to ejectors. Observe for any rise in condenser pressure.

12.Partially open the atmospheric drains of Steam to Ejector and Steam to seals

Parameters to be checked in case of sudden vacuum drop:

1. Confirm from CW/ACW group in DCS that circulating water pressure is

around 1.4 Ksc at the Condenser inlet. Otherwise choke both the condenser
outlet valves to improve the pressure to a minimum of 1.0 ksc. Ensure one
CEP is in service.
2. Check APRDS pressure and temperature for correct values. If the pressure is
low due to auto failure increase pressure in manual mode to required value.
3. Observe the operation of MAW 10 & MAW 50 valves.
4. Check whether the hot well level is very high. If so, reduce the level to
normal.
5. Check steam to seals pressure. If pressure is not maintaining in auto, raise
seals pressure manually.
6. Check the Vacuum Breaker valve for closed condition and ensure water
sealing.
7. Hand tight Pilot Ejector Air valve, if there is air ingress present.
8. Check whether, gland steam exhauster fan is in service. Ensure the NRV of
the reserve GSEF is holding. Check condition of the suction and discharge
valves of the Fans. Check drain flow of GSC to Flash tank is sufficient. If
drain flow is insufficient, divert drain to atmosphere.

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9. Check the air flow in the ejector vents and if air flow is insufficient and water
is coming out of the vents, ensure the ejector drains are in open condition
and drain flow to Condenser is normal. If flow is insufficient, fill the siphons
(high level in ejector compartment #1) or open bypass of steam traps (high
level in ejector compartment #2).
10.Check the activity performed before vacuum drop and take necessary
corrective action.
11.Check gland sealing of the reserve CEP is proper.
12.Check gland sealing of all valves connected to the condenser.
13.Ensure LPBP is in closed condition.
14.If HP/LP Heaters are out of service, ensure closed condition of High Level
Drain Condensate.

Turbine Metal temperature Vs AST Temp.

HT Aux. Steam Header Temperature (oC)

320

260

20 200 300

Tm- Mean HP Shaft Temperature(oC)

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SCHEMES FOR STEAM TO EJECTOR & STEAM TO SEALS

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