One of the most significant contributors to the overall uncertainty of a performance test of a combined cycle steam turbine is the uncertainty of the primary flow measurement. ASME performance test codes provide many alternative methods for determining flow. In two actual combined cycle tests performed in 2005, the following three alternate methods were used to determine the high-pressure (HP) steam flow into the combined cycle steam turbines: (1) Derivation from measured HP feedwater flow using calibrated PTC 6 throat tap nozzles, (2) derivation from low-pressure (LP) condensate using calibrated PTC 6 throat tap nozzles, and (3) derivation from LP condensate using calibrated orifice metering sections. This paper describes the design, calibration, and installation of each flow meter involved, the methods used to calculate the HP steam flow, the estimated uncertainty of the HP steam flow derived using each method, and the actual test results using each method. A comparison of the methods showed that there are distinct advantages with one of the methods and that very low uncertainties in HP steam flow can be achieved if sufficient attention is applied to the design, calibration, and installation of all flow meters involved. Note that the information in this paper was originally published in ASME Paper PWR2006-88074 and presented at the 2006 ASME Power Conference in Atlanta, GA. For detailed diagrams, figures, and tabulations of data and analysis, please refer to the published proceedings from that conference.
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November 2008
Research Papers
Comparison of Primary Flow Measurement Techniques Used During Combined Cycle Tests
W. Cary Campbell,
e-mail: wlccampb@southernco.com
W. Cary Campbell
Southern Company Services
, 42 Inverness Center Parkway, Birmingham, AL 35242
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Warren H. Hopson,
e-mail: whhopson@southernco.com
Warren H. Hopson
Southern Company Services
, 42 Inverness Center Parkway, Birmingham, AL 35242
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Mark A. Smith
e-mail: maasmith@southernco.com
Mark A. Smith
Southern Company Services
, 42 Inverness Center Parkway, Birmingham, AL 35242
Search for other works by this author on:
W. Cary Campbell
Southern Company Services
, 42 Inverness Center Parkway, Birmingham, AL 35242e-mail: wlccampb@southernco.com
Warren H. Hopson
Southern Company Services
, 42 Inverness Center Parkway, Birmingham, AL 35242e-mail: whhopson@southernco.com
Mark A. Smith
Southern Company Services
, 42 Inverness Center Parkway, Birmingham, AL 35242e-mail: maasmith@southernco.com
J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power. Nov 2008, 130(6): 063001 (7 pages)
Published Online: August 26, 2008
Article history
Received:
October 12, 2006
Revised:
January 2, 2007
Published:
August 26, 2008
Citation
Campbell, W. C., Hopson, W. H., and Smith, M. A. (August 26, 2008). "Comparison of Primary Flow Measurement Techniques Used During Combined Cycle Tests." ASME. J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power. November 2008; 130(6): 063001. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2720544
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