Hamon Did it First With the SRC Air Cooled Condenser.
Back in the 1990s, Hamon was among the first to launch its air cooled condenser product as a single row of aluminium finned tubing. Back then multi-row round and oval tubes were the standard. Today most competitors have switched to SRC technology. Hamon offers state of the art technology in dry cooling air condenser units. For instance, the Research-Cottrell Dry Cooling Air Cooled Condenser (RCDC ACC) is one of the most up to date achievements in condensation units with dry cooling systems for the power generation industry.
The RCDC air cooled condenser is organized in lines of A-shaped steel frames. These support the fin tube bundles which sit on a steel understructure, raised so that proper air intake into the forced draft modules may occur with ease. The turbine exhaust steam first flows through the main steam duct to the fin tube bundles inlet. From here a hot well (also known as a drain pot) is seated in the lower steam duct and collects condensate which forms before all of the steam reaches the fin tube bundles. From there the condensate is carried to the main condensate tank using drain pumps beneath the hot well for the dry cooling systems.
Nozzles on the steam inlet duct make bypass connections. They support dump headers and internal stainless steel impingement plates at the necessary points. The ducting, drains, and supports for bypass connections and dump headers are provided by other parts of this unique process.
The turbine exhaust duct supplies steam to the ACC (air cooled condenser). It has been specially designed in order to create even pressure across the ductwork, reducing pressure drop. This increases operational efficiency between the exhaust duct supplies and the ductwork's lower steam velocities. Through the process of minimizing bends elbows nad internal ductwork vanes, steam flow is kept strong and this process also prevents pressure drop, promoting overall better flow distribution.
Before the installation of a system, RCDC will have completed a full study of the flexibility of the steam ducts. This is to determine the most appropriate expansion bellow system to be built in each instance. When undertaking the study, factors which are used generally include the expansion bellow system which is required at turbine flange. For instance, stainless steel expansion or dog bone type, which keeps any structural movements and stresses below the required level. The study also includes the expansion bellows in the standing riser elements and any other needed along the line.
All steel structures are designed to specific codes and standards. Consideration of local conditions such as wind loads, snow loads, and seismic conditions.
RCDC uses a piece marking system with which to deliver all structural steel to a jobsite. This has proven itself time and again to be an efficient way of optimizing materials handling while in the field, and it enhances the assembly process and helps to reduce man-hours in construction and project management. The steel design of our systems allows for a high degree of prefabrication, whether in the shop or at grade before being lifted into position, which also reduces field construction costs and work schedules.
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