Steam Turbine Steam Washing of Turbine
Maintenance
Introduction
During operation, deposits occur on the
turbine blading to a greater or lesser degree
depending on the steam purity [1] and the
pressures and temperatures of the operating
steam. These deposits cause a reduction of
the turbine generator unit’s efficiency due to:

Changes in the flow profiles

Thicker boundary layers in the steam
flow as a result of rough surfaces.
In extreme cases the flow area of turbine
may get reduced with consequent reduction
in the maximum possible steam flow through
the turbine, and corresponding output.
Choking of blade flow path can be detected
on the basis of internal efficiency (ηi)
measurements [2].
If deposit leads to an increase in stage
pressures, the maximum stage pressures
shown in the Technical Data should not be
exceeded. If necessary, the output must be
reduced.
Complex, i.e. water-insoluble, silicate
deposits occur in a temperature range
between 500°C and 350°C. Alkali silicates
and silicic acid are deposited between
350°C and 60°C. Salt deposits occur at
temperatures ranging from 480°C to the
blading stages where condensation begins.
Salt deposits are water-soluble and can be
removed by steam washing with saturated
steam. Depending on their composition,
silicate deposits are either water-soluble
(e.g. alkali silicates) or occur as a hard
Water-insoluble coating. In latter case the
deposits can only be removed mechanically
during overhauls.
General Instructions
The effort required for saturated steam
washing is considerably lesser than that
required for opening the turbine. If efficiency
reduction occurs, saturated steam washing
should be performed first. In that case, the
major part of the turbine generator unit
downtime is accounted for by the cooling
BHEL Haridwar
own time of the turbine. Special measures
should be taken to accelerate cooling [3].
For maximum success, steam washing
should not be started until the casing
temperatures have dropped to < 100°C.
When Steam Washing the turbine stages,
the initial saturated steam temperatures
must be as low as possible. Steam washing
with a constant steam condition is not very
effective. After a certain time the turbine
blading reaches the temperature of the
washing steam and the condensation that
brings about the effect is lost. To get
maximum success in the shortest possible
time, it is necessary to increase the steam
temperature in stages by increasing the
pressure. As the temperature is raised the
turbine speed will generally increase (take
care to avoid critical speed ranges).
Increased speed will also promote cleaning.
The steam entering the condenser must be
condensed during the entire process i.e. one
circulating water pump must be in operation.
If possible, the turbine generator unit should
be started up and loaded after steam
washing. Any dissolved salt residue
remaining on the blading will be blown out
due to the high velocity of the steam under
load conditions.
Steam washing with saturated steam will
only have the desired success if the steam
has adequate moisture content upstream of
the blading.
The saturated steam is introduced into the
HP turbine via the connection flanges
provided between the stop and control
valves.
The steam is introduced into the IP turbine
between the control valves and the turbine.
Appropriate blind flanges are provided.
The steam line must be blown-out before
saturated steam washing commences.
It may be ensured that no external
condensate can enter the condenser during
steam washing.
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 3 3

6 2

HPT IPT LPT

3 3

10 9 8 7 1
11 12 CONDENSER

SATURATED STEAM
1 Flange for saturated steam line connections
2 Saturated steam line to IP turbine
3 Connections for introduction of saturated steam
4 Blind flange on condenser
5 Condensate discharge header
6 Saturated steam line to HP turbine 4 4
7 Drains
8 Drains
9 Drains 5
10 Drains
11 Drains
12 Drains

Fig. 1 : Flow diagram for saturated steam washing

Steam Washing of IP Turbine
All stop and control valves and all valves in
the extraction lines remain closed during
steam washing of the IP turbine. Any
isolating valves present upstream of the
feedwater heaters must also be closed.
The drains from the IP turbine between the
reheat control valves and the IP outlet, the
extraction valves or the swing check valves
in the extraction lines must be vented during
steam washing only to the extent required to
allow the condensate arising to drain off
whilst preventing excessive loss of steam.
All other drains from the turbine generator
must be full open.
After the saturated steam line (Fig.1, item 2)
has been joined up at the connection points
(3), the washing steam can be routed into
the IP turbine, from there via the cross-
around lines to the IP turbine and then to the
condenser.
There are two possible ways of discharging
the condensate condensing in the
condenser to the atmosphere. These are:

By opening the blind flanges (4) on the
condenser. The condenser must be
under atmospheric pressure. With this
method of steam washing samples for
finding out the saIt content may also be
taken at this point.

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With the vacuum pump \ ejector
switched on and the blind flange (4)
closed, i.e. with the condenser at sub
atmospheric pressure, via the
condensate discharge line of an
operation condensate pump. In this
case, make sure that the condensate is
discharged to the atmosphere
downstream of the pump. Samples for
finding out the salt content are also
taken at this point.
The first method of steam washing with the
condenser under atmospheric pressure
guarantees a slight overpressure at the
drains so that it is possible to perform
additional sampling at these points. For this
purpose, the appropriate drains may be cut
off at the sludge traps, or the steam inserts
of the drain valves may be removed.
It is suggested to record the salt content at
the sampling point continuously throughout
the washing Process. Also, water samples
should be taken every half an hour for
deposit analysis.
Steam washing may be stopped when the
purity of steam entering the turbine (as
determined by sampling) is approximately
the same as that of the condensate or steam
extracted at the discharge sampling point.
The steam washing may be stopped when
the salt content in condensate remains
constant at a very low level.
Also refer to the following sections:
[1] 2-0300: Steam purity
[2] 4-1150: Measurement of internal efficiency
[3] 3-3160: Fast cooling down of the turbine
Steam Washing of HP Turbine
The main control valves must be open
during steam washing of the HP turbine.
All drains (7, 8) from the HP turbine situated
between the main stop valves and the HP
outlet may be vented during steam washing
only to the extent required to allow the
condensate arising to drain off while
preventing excessive loss of steam.
All other drains particularly those in the cold
reheat line, must be fully open. Local
drainage may also be provided so that no
steam can enter the Reheater of the Boiler,
if at all possible.
After the steam line (6) has been joined up
at the connection points (3), the stream can
be routed into the HP turbine. The steam
leaving the HP turbine is exhausted to the
condenser via the drains (9).
The condensate is discharged and samples
are taken to determine the salt content as
described in steam washing of IP turbine,
the completion criteria remaining same.
Restoring the Turbine to Operating
Condition
On completion of steam washing, all
temporary fittings must be dismantled and
the flanges closed off. Any drain lines cut off
must be rewelded. Controllers and control
valves must be returned to normal position.
The temporary lines are to be preserved for
future use.
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