CONDENSER FOR A STEAM POWER PLANT

Abstract

A method for operating a condenser, wherein the condenser is designed for condensing water vapor to form water and during operation a condensate having water accumulates in the condenser, wherein on the condensate surface a plurality of floating bodies are arranged on the condensate, wherein the floating bodies float on the condensate, wherein a large number of floating bodies are used in such a way that the condensate surface is covered, wherein the floating bodies are of spherical and/or sphere-like design, and wherein floating bodies with different sizes are used.

Claims

1.-8. (canceled)

9. A method for operating a condenser, wherein the condenser is designed for condensing water vapor to form water and during operation a condensate consisting of water accumulates in the condenser, the method comprising: arranging on the condensate surface a plurality of floating bodies on the condensate, wherein the floating bodies float on the condensate, wherein a large number of floating bodies are used such that the condensate surface is covered, wherein the floating bodies are of spherical and/or sphere-like design, and wherein floating bodies with different sizes are used.

10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein floating bodies with different shapes are used.

11. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein a large number of floating bodies are arranged in the condenser such that they lie one above the other.

12. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein floating bodies with different densities are used.

13. Floating bodies for floating on a condensate in a condenser, comprising: floating bodies designed for the method as claimed in claim 9.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] In the drawing:

[0027] FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a condenser,

[0028] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment according to the invention of the floating bodies,

[0029] FIG. 3 shows a further embodiment of the floating bodies according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

[0030] FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a condenser 1 for a steam power plant, which is not shown in more detail. The condenser 1 comprises a plurality of tube bundles 2 which are arranged in a steam flow 3. Cooled water flows through the tube bundles 2, which leads to the water vapor from the steam flow 3 condensing on the surfaces of the tube bundles 2 and, as water, coming into a region 4 in which the water collects to form a condensate 5. The steam flow 3 is fluidically connected to a low-pressure turbine section. Furthermore, the condenser 1 comprises air coolers 6 which are arranged in the region of the tube bundles 2.

[0031] The condensate 5 forms a condensate surface 7.

[0032] According to the invention, floating bodies 8 are arranged on this condensate surface 7. In FIG. 1, for reasons of clarity, only three floating bodies 8 are provided with the designation 8. These floating bodies 8 wet the condensate surface 7 and consequently reduce the contact area of the condensate surface 7 with the environment. The floating bodies 8 are of spherical and/or sphere-like design. Optionally, other shapes are also possible, as is the simultaneous use of different shapes and sizes.

[0033] Shown in FIG. 2 by way of example is an arrangement in which the floating bodies 8 are arranged one above the other in a plurality of rows, wherein the floating bodies 8 have different sizes and are of spherical design in a first approximation.

[0034] FIG. 3 shows a further embodiment of the invention. The floating bodies 8 are of sphere-like design in FIG. 3 and are also arranged one above the other in layers. Similarly, the floating bodies 8 are designed with different sizes.

[0035] A further embodiment of the floating bodies 8 lies in the fact that these are of unsymmetrical design, which prevents rotation. As a result, the surface can dry more quickly.

[0036] The specific gravity of the floating bodies 8 is different and can be selected so that the steam flow cannot lift these out of the condensate. The floating bodies 8 can also have different weights so that, for example, a better covering of the condensate surface 7 is achieved. By the same token, a different density is suitable for this purpose.

[0037] The number of floating bodies 8 is selected to be of sufficient size in order to cover the surface of the condensate in the hotwell 9. The number of floating bodies 8, however, can also be significantly greater in order to therefore form a second layer of floating bodies 8, for example.

[0038] The floating bodies 8 are preferably equipped with non-absorbent surfaces so that in the ideal case no wetting of the surfaces takes place.

[0039] Although the invention has been fully illustrated and described in detail by means of the preferred exemplary embodiment, the invention is not then limited by the disclosed examples and other variations can be derived by the person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of protection of the patent.