The Role of Rotor Welding Design in Meeting Future Market Requirements

The demand for current and future steam turbine components is driven by higher efficiency but also by higher plant cycling needs and optimized cost balance. An increase in efficiency increases the demand for higher life steam temperatures of up to 620/630°C for today’s units and of even up to 720°C for future steam power plants. The gap between required material properties in the hot and cold running parts of a steam turbine rotor is widened by the increased live steam temperatures and the increased demand for flexibility and adaptability to current and expected future energy market conditions. Besides further material development, welding is one measure to realize such contradictory rotor characteristics. Whereas 720°C is more a future related task, solutions for 560°C / 620°C apply already welded rotors.The paper discusses from a perspective of a steam turbine manufacturer the technical features to enable flexible high efficient rotor components with a focus on advanced welding technologies suitable for different large steam turbine components and what further steps for new welding technologies are under way.Copyright © 2013 by Siemens Energy, Inc.