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What is Main Generator – Electric Generator – Turbo-alternator – Definition

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Main Generator – Electric Generator – Turbo-alternator. A generator, or electric generator is a device that converts mechanical energy of the steam turbine to electrical energy. Thermal Engineering

Main Generator – Electric Generator – Turbo-alternator

Steam turbine of typical 3000MWth PWR
Schema of a steam turbine of a typical 3000MWth PWR.

A generator, or electric generator is a device that converts mechanical energy of the steam turbine to electrical energy. Since any AC electric generator can be called an alternator, for large power plants engineers also use the term turbo-alternator, which refers to alternators driven by steam turbines. Since the turbo-alternator usually consists of two parts, the larger of the two sections is the main generator and the smaller one is the exciter. In thermal power plants, there is usually one main generator, which provides all of the power for electric power grids. A steam turbine is usually on the same shaft with a main generator and an exciter.

In general, a main generator consists of a rotating part and a stationary part:

  • Stator. Stator is the stationary part of an electric generator, which surrounds the rotor. The stator has a wire winding in which the changing field induces an electric current
  • Rotor. Rotor is the rotating part of an electric generator and generates a magnetic field.

A typical turbo-alternator in nuclear power plants consists of:

  • Main generator
    • 4-pole hydrogen-cooled rotor.  The rotor winding is made up of hollow conductors through which the hydrogen gas flows. The hydrogen is cooled in the hydrogen/water heat exchangers.
    • Stator with water-cooled winding (demineralized water).
  • Brushless excitation system. Shaft-driven, air-cooled brushless exciter. The exciter keeps a current going through the wires of the rotor. When this rotor turns, it induces a voltage in the stator.

Typically the main generator operates at speeds about:

  • 3000 RPM for 50 Hz systems for 2-pole generator (or 1500RPM for 4-pole generator),
  • 1800 RPM for 60 Hz systems for 4-pole generator (or 3600 RPM for 2-pole generator).

with an output voltage of 24,000 volts (i.e. 24kV), nominal rating – 1111 MVA, efective power – 1000 MWel, power factor – 0,9 and efficiency – 99%.

 
References:
Nuclear and Reactor Physics:
  1. J. R. Lamarsh, Introduction to Nuclear Reactor Theory, 2nd ed., Addison-Wesley, Reading, MA (1983).
  2. J. R. Lamarsh, A. J. Baratta, Introduction to Nuclear Engineering, 3d ed., Prentice-Hall, 2001, ISBN: 0-201-82498-1.
  3. W. M. Stacey, Nuclear Reactor Physics, John Wiley & Sons, 2001, ISBN: 0- 471-39127-1.
  4. Glasstone, Sesonske. Nuclear Reactor Engineering: Reactor Systems Engineering, Springer; 4th edition, 1994, ISBN: 978-0412985317
  5. W.S.C. Williams. Nuclear and Particle Physics. Clarendon Press; 1 edition, 1991, ISBN: 978-0198520467
  6. Kenneth S. Krane. Introductory Nuclear Physics, 3rd Edition, Wiley, 1987, ISBN: 978-0471805533
  7. G.R.Keepin. Physics of Nuclear Kinetics. Addison-Wesley Pub. Co; 1st edition, 1965
  8. Robert Reed Burn, Introduction to Nuclear Reactor Operation, 1988.
  9. U.S. Department of Energy, Nuclear Physics and Reactor Theory. DOE Fundamentals Handbook, Volume 1 and 2. January 1993.

Advanced Reactor Physics:

  1. K. O. Ott, W. A. Bezella, Introductory Nuclear Reactor Statics, American Nuclear Society, Revised edition (1989), 1989, ISBN: 0-894-48033-2.
  2. K. O. Ott, R. J. Neuhold, Introductory Nuclear Reactor Dynamics, American Nuclear Society, 1985, ISBN: 0-894-48029-4.
  3. D. L. Hetrick, Dynamics of Nuclear Reactors, American Nuclear Society, 1993, ISBN: 0-894-48453-2.
  4. E. E. Lewis, W. F. Miller, Computational Methods of Neutron Transport, American Nuclear Society, 1993, ISBN: 0-894-48452-4.

Other References:

Diesel Engine – Car Recycling

See also:

Turbine Generator

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