Seconds From Disaster - Overspeed Devices ‘Atulloss of generator aad can cause te operating speed ofa stetare turbine steam or combustion) to go from nocmal to catastrophic 8 Force matter of seconds. The electrical load con be lost rom generator failure or from externa sources suchas hurricanes, foods orice storms downing powerlines. ‘Motive aS mt cop magcnaninnapecmgueoairgmee nm EE J create open noche anes eee cree ee re a conan wun neers cinyegne renee sees oes aaaaccee res eg Mao ean ness See ‘overspeed protection devices can be mechanical rip weigh electrical ora combination ofboth, Units can havea mechanical governor oF EHC controls. Regardless ofthe mechanism, all overspeed protective devas {are designed to stop the steam or fue rom entering the turbine(s) upon an increase in normal speed. Most ‘overspeed tip mechanisms are set to trp the unit at 1108 of rated speed, but most turbine generators are designed to temporary operate at upto 120% of rated speed. Lower overspeed settings may be required or certain reheat units and nuclear applications. ‘Your turbine should have at east to trip dewces~eleconic ane mechanical. Soth systems must beinspacted andi tested regulary please check your operating manual or call us with any questions Failure to remove the deving force steam or combustion) can unleash toxque forces which an destroy your turbine generator. For example. a modest sized steam turbine can have a startup flow of 42,00 lvhour to ‘synchronize the generator tothe gi and close the breaker. As the generator takes on load, steam flow is Increased trom te initia 40.000 tumour to a much greater flow (let's say 2.000.000 Ibhoun andthe turbine g005 no faster: That adtional 1,960,000 hour steam flowrhas created torque to ive the generator.Under full load rjecton, the generator armature reaction that oppotes those adaltional pounds per hour of steam flow is suddenly removed, Now theres an unopposed 1.960.000 Ii-hour of steam flow accelerating the turbine, We should nat he concerned sa much wth Row fat the turbine wil go, becauce the speed wll be Way ‘00 much, We are more concemed with how fast the turbine generator wil accelerate and how quickly the turbine inet steam valves wll have to close, Ifthe steam isnot shutoff the turbine achieves the 120% rating ‘value in seconds. Seconds later, bearings are fang, blades ae failing. dks are fling or being pushed into the slophragms generator retaining rings ae aling andthe rotor is being pushed int the core: ‘Combustion turbine operators may fet safer because the compressor load acts a5 an adaional brake on acceleration, However, this retarding force will ony afford you a few extra seconds. Whether steam or ‘combustion ¢rven, our turbinegeneratorneees to be ready and personne! need to be reay. There iso warning and you have site ume to act Minimize overspeed risk by: + Having at least to tip devies- electronic and mechanical * Property calibrating your overspeed devices. * Routine testing to exercce those devices that must operate In an emergency. + Reporting unusual events that could be indicators of increased risk stckng valve that fils to respond to oad demend is 2 good example} + Not pertorming tests (exercces in severe weather conditions where the rik af loa rection ke much higher. Follow the OEM's recommendations fr the recommended testing frequency of your over speeci trp and record "ts tip speed. A good time to testis when you ae required to shut down the unit and load i emeved rom the ‘generator. “The bottom line that your turbine generator needs to be ready; personnel need tobe ready as there sno warning and you nave so itl ume to act