Startup Time Standardization for Thermal Power Plant Generating Equipment with Transverse Links

The article describes an approach to standardizing the startup time of generating equipment at thermal power plants (TPPs) with transverse links subject to the requirement according to which it shall not exceed the standard startup time of TPP power units with equipment having close values of capacity (steam output) that have been determined and included in the Technical requirements for the generating equipment of wholesale market participants. It is pointed out that the requirement, according to which the main protections and interlocks of the TPP power units kept in the cold standby shall be periodically (once in three days) tested, should be extended to TPP equipment with transverse links. In that case, it is possible, subject to fulfilling the relevant requirements of the operational regulations, exclude the testing time from the standard startup time of this equipment. In that case, the following advantages are obtained: - a significantly smaller scope of works (as well as the time taken to accomplish them) has to be performed immediately prior to start the equipment; - the testing is carried out at a convenient time for the staff; - the time spent on testing is not limited; - repeated work supports the qualification of the staff. For TPP generating equipment with transverse links it is recommended that the boiler and turbine should be jointly prepared for the startup. It is also recommended that once the command for starting the turbine within the shortest possible time arrives, the turbine should be started in the condensing mode. It is proposed to use the approach presented in determining the standard startup time of the TPP equipment with transverse links.