- #36
jim hardy
Science Advisor
Gold Member
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In a steam plant -
The turbine of course begins to accelerate so its governor drives the steam inlet valves closed.
Other valves open to bypass steam around the turbine straight to the condenser.
That's because the the boiler cannot be immediately driven from full power to near zero power.
As fuel to boiler cuts back to match power demand, the bypass valves modulate shut.
Your hydro plant probably has analogous equipment.
The water in the inlet pipes cannot be immediately decelerated, so something must allow it to go around the turbine instead.
That's the basic concept. Others here are obviously better versed in hydro plant equipment and terminology than I am.
The turbine of course begins to accelerate so its governor drives the steam inlet valves closed.
Other valves open to bypass steam around the turbine straight to the condenser.
That's because the the boiler cannot be immediately driven from full power to near zero power.
As fuel to boiler cuts back to match power demand, the bypass valves modulate shut.
Your hydro plant probably has analogous equipment.
The water in the inlet pipes cannot be immediately decelerated, so something must allow it to go around the turbine instead.
That's the basic concept. Others here are obviously better versed in hydro plant equipment and terminology than I am.