What is the function of a steam turbine turning gear?
1 Answers
The functions of a steam turbine turning gear include the following points: 1. Protection: To ensure the steam turbine can be started at any time after shutdown, the rotor is continuously or periodically rotated to eliminate thermal bending. Additionally, the turning gear prevents thermal deformation caused by steam leakage into the turbine due to imperfect valve sealing. 2. Cooling: By rotating the rotor, the turning gear ensures thorough mixing of steam in the steam chamber, achieving uniform cooling of all components. Since the oil pump must be activated during turning gear operation, it also cools the bearings by dissipating heat. 4. Impact Reduction: During turbine startup, the turning gear reduces rotor inertia and decreases blade impact forces.