Valve Point Loading of Turbines

Abstract

Paralleled turbines should be loaded at selected valve points to maximize the power generation per pound of steam in preference to equal incremental steam rate loading using smooth average curves. The fact that turbines should spend a major portion of their useful working life on valve points instead of in between them, poses a logical question for the turbine and equipment manufacturers. Can valves, valve gear, governors and automatic dispatching equipment be adapted or redesigned to better fit and achieve this more precise and efficient valve point loading system for paralleled turbines?