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Level measurement in the water/ steam circuit of a power plant

Optimized level measurement in the water-steam circuit

Takes little steam to carry a large amount of energy; takes little water to damage the turbine

Major benefits of using steam as a heat transfer medium are that it is nontoxic, nonflammable, the equipment is inexpensive and requires little maintenance. Nevertheless, water hammer on pre-heaters, vibration, corrosion and erosion, reduced capacity of steam heaters, and overloaded steam traps can occur. As a result, you may experience system safety issues, early equipment failures, poor steam system efficiency, frequent boiler shutdowns as well as damaged steam pipes and valves.

  • 60 Mio $

    Can be the cost of a 500MW steam turbine. If a revamp of the turbine is necessary, the encountered costs could be as much as the initial costs.

How we can help

We ensure the safe, efficient operation of your water-steam cycle and master vacuum and density problems that affect level measurement. We provide a complete range of technologies, solutions, and services to meet your requirements for different process parameters. Our measurement instruments are manufactured to the highest quality standards to guarantee consistent performance and compatibility.

  • Increased efficiency and availability of your plant with improved level controls

  • Reduced maintenance effort and life-cycle costs

  • Reduced planning and procurement time

  • Minimized loading and mounting costs (bypass chamber solutions with GWR)

  • Full compliance with power plant safety standards (e.g. SIL, PED, ASME)

Applications

Condenser hotwell

The steam condenser’s main purpose is to condense the exhausted steam from the low-pressure turbine and convert it into water so that it can be reused in the boiler as feedwater. The vacuum and the temperature difference between cooling water and steam in the hot well is key to generating more power, but it also requires user-friendly monitoring and servicing as well as reliable level measurement at all times.

Condenser hotwell
Our expertise in the field

To address vacuum issues and level gauge maintenance, try our Levelflex guided wave radar sensors as an alternative to traditional dp level transmitters and displacer type level.

  • Save time and money with simple commissioning and trouble-free operation

  • Use our Levelflex FMP51 to accurately measure level even under vacuum conditions

Steam (boiler) drum and pre-heaters

If the water level is too low, overheating of the wall tubes may cause accidents, leading to expensive repairs, downtime and injury to personnel. If the level is too high, boiler water carryover into the super-heater or turbine may lead to extensive maintenance costs, turbine or boiler outages, or decreased efficiency.

Steam/Boiler drum and pre-heaters
Our expertise in the field

Controlling the level requires high-end techniques, such as guided wave radar, as the level measurement must be accurate and transmitted to the control system. Use our Levelflex FMP54 to accurately measure level under extreme process conditions like high temperature and high pressure.

  • Increase safety by reducing the risk of boiler shutdowns

  • Increase availability by improved level control

  • Rely on Heartbeat’s self-verification to ensure that the device is in a good shape

District heating and cooling

Whether in district heating networks, industrial utilities or large building complexes — boilers, tanks and pipe systems are being heated or cooled everywhere. The cooling and heating systems required for this frequently operate around the clock and consume a tremendous amount of energy.

District heating and cooling
Our expertise in the field

We offer an energy package that provides full transparency of how much energy is being consumed in a system and where.

Increase the efficiency of the water/steam circuit

Process map of a water steam circuit ©Endress+Hauser

Water steam circuit process with focus on level controls

Benefits

With more than 60 years of application know-how in the field of water/ steam circuits, we help our customers optimize their life-cycle costs and reduce planning and procurement time. Our aim is to provide engineering solutions that are simpler, safe and accurate, and that bring consistent benefits to your plant process.

  • 25%

    cost reduction with high-quality guided wave radar (GWR) level measurement in vessel bypass chambers

  • 1-stop

    shop for complete assembly

  • 100,000

    Levelflex bypass solutions installed worldwide

Browse through our portfolio!

  • Analytics - We help you to improve quality while reducing operational costs

    Analysis

    Analysis

    Water, beverages, dairy products, chemicals or pharmaceuticals have to be analyzed every day. Choose the device best suited to your process needs from our comprehensive product portfolio.

  • Flow measurement

    Flowmeter

    Flowmeter

    Water, natural gas, steam, mineral oil, chemicals are some of the fluids that have to be measured day in, day out. Select the flowmeter best suited to your process needs.

  • Field of Applications Level

    Level

    Level

    Continuous level measurement and point level detection in liquids and bulk solids

  • Field of Application Pressure

    Pressure

    Pressure

    Powerful instruments for process pressure, differential pressure, level and flow.

  • Endress+Hauser offer appropriate software solutions for all branches of industry.

    Software

    Software

    Apart from all relevant measuring and system technologies, we also offer appropriate software for all branches of industry that provide to run your operating processes at its full potential.

  • System products and Data Managers

    System products

    System products

    Applicator

  • Key visual temperature

    Temperature measurement

    Temperature measurement

    Thermometers and transmitters for the process industry

  • Service portfolio

    Instrumentation services

    Instrumentation services

    Maximize plant performance, minimize OPEX, increase uptime, all with compliance. Partner with Endress+Hauser instrumentation services.

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