UPDATING OF FEED PUMPS FOR 150 - 1200-MW POWER UNITS AT THE KALUGA TURBINE PLANT

Suggestions concerning updating of main feed pumps of Russian thermal power plants are considered. Causes of pump failure are analyzed and recommendations are given for improving their operating characteristics. The updating of PN 1500-350-1 pumps at the Kaluga Turbine Plant (replacement of eight-channel guide vanes by twelve-channel whole-milled ones, use of 'cellular' seals, additional hydrostatic bearing unit in the middle stage of the rotor, and process measures) has substantially improved the vibration characteristics and increased the reliability. The pump of the 800-MW generating unit of the Perm Regional Hydro Power Plant has run for 5000 h. Recommendations are given for further improvement of the characteristics and the reliability. It is shown that the condensate-feed system can be simplified and made more reliable by realizing a circuit without booster and using preliminary startup of an axial-vortex stage in the feed pump. The updating performed by the KTP is flexible and adaptable to financial possibilities of customers.