Flow distribution measurements from an air cooled condenser in a ∼400MW power plant

E. J. Walsh; R. Grimes; G. Griffin

doi:10.1115/imece2011-62538

Flow distribution measurements from an air cooled condenser in a ∼400MW power plant

E. J. Walsh, R. Grimes, G. Griffin

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

Abstract

The use of air cooled condensers in power generation is increasing in many arid regions of the world. The classical A-frame condenser design is implemented in most new installations despite significant empirical evidence that such designs suffer from poor efficiencies and weather effects, and therefore provide significant scope for improvements. An inefficient condenser results in higher back pressure on the turbine, over-sized condensers and increased fan power. This paper addresses the flow distribution from an air cooled condenser for a ∼400MW gas and steam power plant. The results indicate that the flow patterns from the large scale fans results in a severe inhomogeneous distribution of cooling on the condenser fins. These region of high and low velocity are closely related to the outlet flow pattern from the fans, where in the hub region the air mass flow rate is reduced, while in the tip region it is increased. These measurements provide an excellent basis for both understanding the existing deficiencies of the A-frame designs and moreover provide direction for improved designs in the future.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Energy Systems Analysis, Thermodynamics and Sustainability; Combustion Science and Engineering; Nanoengineering for Energy
Publisher	American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
Pages	33-38
Number of pages	6
Edition	PARTS A AND B
ISBN (Print)	9780791854907
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1115/imece2011-62538
Publication status	Published - 2011
Event	ASME 2011 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, IMECE 2011 - Denver, CO, United States Duration: 11 Nov 2011 → 17 Nov 2011

Publication series

Name	ASME 2011 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, IMECE 2011
Number	PARTS A AND B
Volume	4

Conference

Conference	ASME 2011 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, IMECE 2011
Country/Territory	United States
City	Denver, CO
Period	11/11/11 → 17/11/11

Access to Document

10.1115/imece2011-62538

Cite this

Walsh, E. J., Grimes, R., & Griffin, G. (2011). Flow distribution measurements from an air cooled condenser in a ∼400MW power plant. In Energy Systems Analysis, Thermodynamics and Sustainability; Combustion Science and Engineering; Nanoengineering for Energy (PARTS A AND B ed., pp. 33-38). (ASME 2011 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, IMECE 2011; Vol. 4, No. PARTS A AND B). American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). https://doi.org/10.1115/imece2011-62538

Walsh, E. J. ; Grimes, R. ; Griffin, G. / Flow distribution measurements from an air cooled condenser in a ∼400MW power plant. Energy Systems Analysis, Thermodynamics and Sustainability; Combustion Science and Engineering; Nanoengineering for Energy. PARTS A AND B. ed. American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), 2011. pp. 33-38 (ASME 2011 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, IMECE 2011; PARTS A AND B).

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title = "Flow distribution measurements from an air cooled condenser in a ∼400MW power plant",

abstract = "The use of air cooled condensers in power generation is increasing in many arid regions of the world. The classical A-frame condenser design is implemented in most new installations despite significant empirical evidence that such designs suffer from poor efficiencies and weather effects, and therefore provide significant scope for improvements. An inefficient condenser results in higher back pressure on the turbine, over-sized condensers and increased fan power. This paper addresses the flow distribution from an air cooled condenser for a ∼400MW gas and steam power plant. The results indicate that the flow patterns from the large scale fans results in a severe inhomogeneous distribution of cooling on the condenser fins. These region of high and low velocity are closely related to the outlet flow pattern from the fans, where in the hub region the air mass flow rate is reduced, while in the tip region it is increased. These measurements provide an excellent basis for both understanding the existing deficiencies of the A-frame designs and moreover provide direction for improved designs in the future.",

author = "Walsh, \{E. J.\} and R. Grimes and G. Griffin",

year = "2011",

doi = "10.1115/imece2011-62538",

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publisher = "American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)",

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booktitle = "Energy Systems Analysis, Thermodynamics and Sustainability; Combustion Science and Engineering; Nanoengineering for Energy",

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Walsh, EJ, Grimes, R & Griffin, G 2011, Flow distribution measurements from an air cooled condenser in a ∼400MW power plant. in Energy Systems Analysis, Thermodynamics and Sustainability; Combustion Science and Engineering; Nanoengineering for Energy. PARTS A AND B edn, ASME 2011 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, IMECE 2011, no. PARTS A AND B, vol. 4, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), pp. 33-38, ASME 2011 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, IMECE 2011, Denver, CO, United States, 11/11/11. https://doi.org/10.1115/imece2011-62538

Flow distribution measurements from an air cooled condenser in a ∼400MW power plant. / Walsh, E. J.; Grimes, R.; Griffin, G.
Energy Systems Analysis, Thermodynamics and Sustainability; Combustion Science and Engineering; Nanoengineering for Energy. PARTS A AND B. ed. American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), 2011. p. 33-38 (ASME 2011 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, IMECE 2011; Vol. 4, No. PARTS A AND B).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

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AB - The use of air cooled condensers in power generation is increasing in many arid regions of the world. The classical A-frame condenser design is implemented in most new installations despite significant empirical evidence that such designs suffer from poor efficiencies and weather effects, and therefore provide significant scope for improvements. An inefficient condenser results in higher back pressure on the turbine, over-sized condensers and increased fan power. This paper addresses the flow distribution from an air cooled condenser for a ∼400MW gas and steam power plant. The results indicate that the flow patterns from the large scale fans results in a severe inhomogeneous distribution of cooling on the condenser fins. These region of high and low velocity are closely related to the outlet flow pattern from the fans, where in the hub region the air mass flow rate is reduced, while in the tip region it is increased. These measurements provide an excellent basis for both understanding the existing deficiencies of the A-frame designs and moreover provide direction for improved designs in the future.

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Walsh EJ, Grimes R, Griffin G. Flow distribution measurements from an air cooled condenser in a ∼400MW power plant. In Energy Systems Analysis, Thermodynamics and Sustainability; Combustion Science and Engineering; Nanoengineering for Energy. PARTS A AND B ed. American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). 2011. p. 33-38. (ASME 2011 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, IMECE 2011; PARTS A AND B). doi: 10.1115/imece2011-62538

Flow distribution measurements from an air cooled condenser in a ∼400MW power plant

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