IP Library Granted Patent US 8,373,295
Granted Patent B2
US 8,373,295 · App. 12/541,665 · Granted Feb 12, 2013

Method for operating a power plant

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,373,295
App. No.
12/541,665
Granted
Feb 12, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method is provided for operating a power station ( 10 ), with turbine shafting ( 11 ), that includes a gas turbine ( 12 ) and a generator ( 18 ) driven directly by the gas turbine ( 12 ) and that generates alternating current with an operating frequency, the output of the generator is connected with an electrical grid ( 21 ) with given grid frequency. An electronic decoupling apparatus or variable electronic gearbox ( 27 ) is arranged between the generator ( 18 ) and the grid ( 21 ), the decoupling apparatus decouples the operating frequency from the grid frequency. Increased service life of the station and reduced emissions are achieved in that, when there are longer-lasting changes in the grid frequency, the mechanical or aerodynamic rotational speed of the gas turbine ( 12 ) is kept constant and the output of the gas turbine ( 12 ) is adjusted without a delay.

Claims (16)

1. Method for operating a power station, having turbine shafting, comprising a gas turbine and a generator that is driven directly by the gas turbine and that generates alternating current with an operating frequency, the output of the generator is in connection with an electrical grid with given grid frequency, an electronic decoupling apparatus or variable electronic gearbox is arranged between the generator and the grid, the decoupling apparatus decouples the operating frequency from the grid frequency, the method comprising:

maintaining a constant mechanical or aerodynamic rotational speed of the gas turbine in the event of longer-lasting changes in the grid frequency; and

adjusting the output of the gas turbine without a delay.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein a gas turbine with an output greater than 100 MW is used and a frequency converter in the form of a matrix converter is used as the electronic decoupling apparatus.

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the operating frequency of the gas turbine clearly differs from the grid frequency.

4. The method according to claim 3 , wherein the grid frequency or the operating frequency of the gas turbine equals 50 Hz or 60 Hz.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein a gas turbine with sequential combustion is used as the gas turbine.

6. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the matrix converter comprises a plurality of controllable, bidirectional switches that are arranged in an (m×n) matrix and that, controlled by a controller, connect m inputs selectively to n outputs, wherein m is greater than n and wherein a first device for determining the signs of the currents in the inputs is provided and a second device for determining the signs of the voltages between the inputs is provided, and wherein the first and second devices are connected to the controller by signal lines.

7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein, in the event of grid frequency fluctuations, peaks in emissions are avoided by the electronic decoupling apparatus.

8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the rotational speed of the gas turbine is raised before an anticipated under-frequency event.

9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the rotational speed of the gas turbine is reduced before an anticipated under-frequency event.

10. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the power-station output is kept constant during the adaptation of the rotational speed of the gas turbine.

11. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the power-station output is kept constant during the adaptation of the rotational speed of the gas turbine.

12. The method according to claim 10 wherein the power-station output is kept constant by adapting the turbine inlet temperature and/or the position of the adjustable compressor guide vanes of the gas turbine.

13. The method according to claim 11 wherein the power-station output is kept constant by adapting the turbine inlet temperature and/or the position of the adjustable compressor guide vanes of the gas turbine.

14. The method according to claim 8 wherein the power-station output is kept constant before an anticipated under-frequency event and is raised above the nominal power in the case of under-frequency.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Aug 17, 2016
From: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD
To: GENERAL ELECTRIC TECHNOLOGY GMBH
Reel/Frame 039714/0578 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 23, 2009
From: HOFFMANN, JURGEN; MEINDL, THOMAS
To: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD
Reel/Frame 023416/0593 →