Condensing Plant

Operating Documentation Condenser Level Protection

Functional Description

Process Engineering Function of Condenser
Level Protection
Turbine steam and/or bypass steam is for the most part
condensed in the condenser. The level of the condensate is
determined by the balance of inlet and outlet flows. Any los-
ses in the water/steam cycle are compensated for by the in-
jection of demineralized water into the condenser (see scope
of supply and description of the water/steam cycle).
If the condenser level rises unallowably in the event of a
fault (e.g. failure of condensate pumps), various consequen-
ces are possible:
• Impermissible pressure increase in the condenser
• Risk of damage to LP moving blades due to ingress of
water
• Flooding of condenser standpipe and/or direct drains
(steam hammer when turbine drains open)
Condenser level protection is provided to avoid hazards
of this kind. This initiates trip of the steam turbine and bypass
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densation process arrested due to rising level) that the con-
denser level can never increase to such an extent during
coastdown of the steam turbine that water enters the steam
turbine.
The condenser level is measured using 3 differential
pressure transmitters (10MAG10CL021, 10MAG10CL022,
10MAG10CL023).
The condenser level protection is implemented in a 2-out-
of-3 standard configuration. It is also implemented in failsafe
technology.
Annunciations
Before the trip initiation limit signal of the condenser level
protection is reached, the warning alarm "Condenser level
HIGH" and the fault alarm "Condenser level TOO HIGH" are
output in the control room. Demineralized water injections are
terminated when the fault alarm is issued.
Different annunciations are issued by the condenser level
protection depending on the operating condition. Comments

station when the permitted condenser level is exceeded.

and any necessary action by the operating personnel are de-
For steam turbines installed on a turbine deck, steam tur-
scribed in the comments on annunciations.
bine tripping by the condenser low-vacuum trip is initiated at
such an early stage when the condenser level is high (con-
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