Device to increase turbine efficiency by removing electric charge from steam

Abstract

Small, rigid electrodes in the form of sharp-pointed rods (“pins”) installed around the periphery of the diffuser at the exhaust of a steam turbine extend into the path of the wet steam flowing out of the turbine and remove electric charge from the steam, whereby turbine back-pressure and turbulence within the exhaust hood are decreased, and the energy conversion efficiency of the power generating unit is increased. In the preferred embodiment these pins are grounded, but pin electrodes isolated from electrical ground with a suitable voltage applied may give better performance in some situations. Similar pins may be installed around the bearing cone facing the turbine exhaust, along the L-stage guide blades, or along the trailing edges of flow guides or baffle plates within the exhaust hood and condenser to remove from the steam charge that may be present in the steam in those places, whereby energy conversion efficiency is likewise increased.