Design Considerations and Operation of Condenser Bypass Systems in Combined Cycle Power Plants: Part 2 Available to Purchase

Premature condenser tube failures in combined cycle power plants have been experienced at several installations related to fatigue and erosion of the condenser tubes. The admission of high energy steam into the condenser poses design challenges with respect to the compact design of the condenser in the combined cycle power plant. Dissipation of energy within the condenser is a specialty design usually performed by the condenser manufacturer. Part 1 of this paper reviews condenser design and plant operation that impacts, or may contribute to, condenser tube failures. Part 2 of this paper reviews the condenser bypass system, identifies related opportunities, and provides design considerations to optimize condenser reliability through the controlled admission of high energy steam into the condenser. A number of factors go into properly designing sub-systems, as required by the functional operation of the combined cycle plant. The bypass system is one sub-system, considered integral with the condenser.