Steam Turbine-Part III - Trip and Throttle Valve

Steam Turbine- Part III- Trip and Throttle valve.
A single turbine, although designed for a specific speed, can work in a range of speeds. But how it is
possible to control the speed? In electrical motors speed are controlled by different means for
example changing the frequency (Variable Frequency Drive or VFD) or changing other parameters
such as Voltage or Amperage.
In plants different levels of steam are pre-defined but they are not continuous. For example, High
pressure steam and Medium pressure steam. HP steam is at 50 barg and 400C and MP is at 20barg
and 200C. In between these two levels, there is no available steam to be used by equipment such as
steam turbines. Since the steam is input of steam turbine, its properties cannot be changed. Thus,
unlike electrical motor, it is not possible for steam turbine inlet properties to be changed. The only
property that can be changed easily is inlet mass flow. The mass flow can be changed by using a
special valve. This valve is called throttle valve.
Hint: Inlet pressure can be changed using a pressure control valve but for the inlet of steam
turbines, due to high flow, it is not economical. In addition to economic reasons, it is risky to change
inlet condition since the formation of water droplets is possible. If the droplets are formed, turbine
blades will be eroded heavily.
What is throttle valve?

Throttle valve or governor valve is a big valve at the inlet pipe of the turbine. It has the same size as
inlet. After receiving a signal from governor, by using the actuator, the opening area of the valve will
change. As the size of opening changes, certain amount of steam can pass the valve. Higher volume
of flow will cause a sonic shock and the flow will be choked. In this manner the inlet mass flow of
turbine will be controlled and in the result the speed and output power of turbine can be controlled.
Material selection of throttle valve

During the operation throttle valve is not opened completely. As shown in the figure 1 the left side of
the valve is in constant contact with high-pressure, high-speed stream of steam. This will cause
erosion. Erosion cannot be avoided but by choosing the correct material it can be delayed for
sufficient periods of time.
Due to its complicated geometries, these valves are usually casted. As per API 612, the
recommended materials for casting are different based on working condition. It is shown in the
figure 2.
As mentioned in API also, these materials are recommendation only. Manufacturers are free to
choose other materials based on their experience.
Coating of the valve’s seat is most important part of selecting materials. Manufacturers select this
coating based on their experience. Materials such as Zirconium oxide ceramics are used for
coating the throttle valve.
Trip valve
What will happen if throttle valve fails? This scenario is one example that turbine speed will pass the
safe region of operation and reaches the dangerous velocity. In this case the steam inlet to the
turbine shall be blocked. Since this is a safety feature, the steam shall be blocked as fast as possible
given the failed throttle valve is no longer fast enough. In the results manufacturers uses another
valve called Trip Valve. The duty of trip valve is to block the steam inlet in the emergency cases.
Trip valve working principals

In the trip valves, the most important aspect of working is actuation signal, when shall trip valve
blocks the inlet line? This signal is detected based on speed, meaning that if the speed of turbine
passes a preset point, trip valve will block the inlet line. The detection device is called overspeed
device. It can be operated electrical or mechanically.
Actuation can be done by using a pressure from Air cylinder or Oil cylinder or by using a solenoid
valve. Contrary to throttle valves, trip valves in normal operation are fully open, thus erosion is not
an important case for trip valves. A simple trip valve is shown in the figure 3.
Mechanical Overspeed detection
As shown in figure 4, in this method a spring with a weight (Bolt or Pin) attached to one end is
installed inside the shaft. As the shaft starts to rotate, due to centrifugal forces Trip Pin will be pulled
toward outside while the spring force prevent this force. The spring coefficient is defined based on
rotation set point. If the speed of shaft goes higher than set point, the centrifugal force of the trip pin
will be higher than spring force and the pin goes toward outside and tip of the pin will go outside. As
the shaft rotates, the tip of the trip pin will hit a mechanism that actuates the spring of the trip valve
and then trip valve closes the inlet steam line.
Electrical Overspeed detection
Electrical method acts faster than mechanical method. In this method shaft speed will be detected
by speed sensors. If the speed of shaft exceeds the set point value, overspeed device will send a
signal to trip valve, actuating trip valve. In the figure 5 a typical P&ID for electrical over speed device
is shown.
Contrary to mechanical methods which have lower risk of errors, electrical probes have higher risk
of error. To compensate this risk few methods are used:
1. Multiple probes: instead of 1 speed probe, more probes are used. In our experience, we use
three speed probes with voting system 2OO3 (2 Out Of 3), meaning if 2 of 3 probes senses the
speed reaches set point, the trip signal will be transmitted to the trip valve.
2. Mechanical safeguard: a mechanical overspeed device with slightly higher set point is added
to safeguard the electrical methods.
Trip and Throttle Valve

Throttle valve and trip valve can be combined in a single valve, calling Trip and Throttle valve or TT
valve. In the most cases these valves are combined. Cross section of combined TT valve is shown in
the figure 6.
Back to erosion, mentioned in previous parts, if trip valve and throttle valves are separate, if the seat
of throttle valve erodes, sealing will not be complete and throttle valve cannot fully block the flow,
however the trip valve can block the steam.
In the combined TT valves, erosion is more important than other cases. Since the seat of trip valve
and throttle valve is same, if this seat is eroded, the trip valve cannot block the steam flow
completely, and in emergency cases this consequence will be catastrophic.
Figure 7- Different configurations of TT valves- Courtesy of Schutte & Koerting
What is Trip-Throttle Valve? How does Trip-

Throttle Valve work?
What is Trip-Throttle Valve?
Throttle/trip valves provide effective flow control and emergency shut-off
operation in a single, highly reliable valve assembly.
In high-pressure pipe lines, such as the primary steam line serving a big, high-
pressure turbine or a turbo-expander gas supply line, they are used as throttle
valves.
They add a critical safety measure to these applications as trip valves, without
the cost of a distinct trip valve.
Functions of Trip-Throttle valve:

Using a motorized operator or manual handwheel, the valve can be opened or
closed to any required flow.
As the spindle is rotated, an essential pilot valve opens, releasing steam in the
balancing chamber downstream
Through an air cylinder, petroleum cylinder, or solenoid, the trip valve mechanism
is triggered. It is also possible to provide a manual lever.
The latch lever is automatically disconnected from the latch hook when broken.
Working with the inner steam or gas pressure, a strong compression spring in the
yoke forces against the seat the entire spindle system.
Trip-Throttle valve design:

The design concept of the standard trip throttle valve is basically that of a globe
valve with a stem nut that is mounted in a frame or bracket that is free to move.
The basic designs of the trip throttle valve with respect to direction of travel can
be placed in two categories:
 those where the valve plug is pushed onto the seat by the closing force, and
 those where the valve plug is pulled onto a seat by the closing force.
Because of the dual functions required of the valve-the tripping action and the
throttling action-the stem must be in two pieces in both designs.
The stem of the valve’s steam shut-off part is not rotating ; it only slides to
accomplish the necessary tripping action. In order to allow throttling, the actuator
assembly stem has rotating motion so that it can be positioned within the spring-
loaded, hydraulically positioned stem nut.
That it can be positioned within the spring-loaded stem nut, which is hydraulically
positioned to allow throttling. Therefore, within the split coupling, there must be a
change of direction and rotation.
The ends of the two stems are separated by a hardened steel button, commonly
called a thrust bearing. It is difficult to maintain alignment between the two
stems.

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Steam Turbine- Part III- Trip and Throttle valve.

What is throttle valve?

Material selection of throttle valve

Trip valve working principals

Mechanical Overspeed detection

Electrical Overspeed detection

Trip and Throttle Valve

What is Trip-Throttle Valve? How does Trip-

Functions of Trip-Throttle valve:

Trip-Throttle valve design:

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