Power plant performance management systems and methods

Abstract

A steam powered electric power generating station to provide electricity comprises a steam turbine positioned in a steam turbine shell, equipment, such as a heater, a first and a second temperature detectors, and a computer. The steam turbine has necessary blades and a shaft to turn an electrical generator to create electricity. The steam turbine shell mechanically coupled to receive steam to turn the at least one blade steam turbine. The equipment is mechanically coupled to the steam turbine shell to receive steam from the steam turbine shell and receives feed water through an entry port and releases feed water through an exit port. The first temperature detector is positioned to detect a first temperature of the feed water prior to entering the equipment via the entry port. The second temperature detector is positioned to detect a second temperature of the feed water after exiting the equipment via the exit port. The computer is electrically coupled to the first temperature detector and to the second temperature detector and compares the first temperature to the second temperature to generate a temperature difference. Related processes comprise detecting a first temperature of feed water immediately before the feed water has exited the heating equipment; detecting a second temperature of the feed water immediately after the feed water has entered the heating equipment; (c) comparing the first temperature to the second temperature to generate a temperature difference between the first temperature and the second temperature; (d) comparing the temperature difference with a preferred temperature difference to determine whether the temperature difference is within an approved range from the preferred temperature difference; and (e) generating a warning signal to alert the power plant operator if the temperature difference is not within the approved range.