Cooling and Sealing Air System: Gas Turbine Training Manual

Gas Turbine Training Manual
COOLING AND SEALING AIR SYSTEM
The cooling and sealing air system provides the necessary air flow from the gas
turbine compressor to other parts of the gas turbine rotor and stator to cool these parts
during normal operation. When the gas turbine is operating air is extracted from two
stages of the axial flow compressor as well as form the compressor discharge. It is
used to provide the following cooling and sealing functions:
A. Seal the turbine bearings.
B. Cool the internal parts.
C. Cool the turbine outer shell and exhaust frame.
D. Provide an operating air supply for the air-operated valves.
E. Compressor pulsation protection.
F. Provide pulse air to the self cleaning inlet air filter
Specially designed air passages are fabricated in the turbine casing,

turbine nozzle and rotating wheels. The schematic flow diagram in the Reference
Drawing Section shows the external flow of cooling and sealing air.
FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION
Air extracted form the fifth stage and eleventh stage of the axial flow compressor
and format he compressor discharge is used for sealing the bearings and internal
turbine parts. It is also used to provide a clean air supply for air-operated control valves
of other systems.
Bearing sealing air is extracted from the fifth and eleventh stage of the
compressor. Internal cooling air, identified as sixteenth-stage extraction air, is extracted
form the compressor discharge. It provides internal flow of cooling air through the
center of the turbine rotor. Air used as the operating air supply for the air-operated
extraction valves and for compressor pulsation control is extracted form the discharge
of the compressor.
BEARING SEAL AIR
Sealing air for the bearings is provided form a connection on the compressor
casing out of the fifth stage. It is piped externally to each of the two turbine bearings.
Orifices in the air lines to they turbine bearings limit the flow of air and the pressure to
the proper valve. Centrifugal separators in the piping remove any particles of dirt or
foreign matter that might be injurious to the bearings. Such matter is vented to the
exhaust through continuous separator blow downs.
This pressurized air seals the bearings and contains any lube oil within the
bearing housing that otherwise might seep past the mechanical seals. Air is directed to
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GTAACS01 - 0201
Gas Turbine Training Manual
both ends of each bearing housing providing a pressure barrier to the lube oil. After
performing this function, the air is vented via the oil drain passage of the bearing.
PULSATION PROTECTION
In order to prevent compressor pulsation when the unit is accelerating during

startup or decelerating during shutdown, then in conjunction with inlet guide vane
operation air is extracted from four eleventh-stage extraction air is released to
atmosphere through air-operated extraction valves, VA1-1 and VA1 –2. Filtered
compressor discharge air limit switch, 33CB-1, or 33CB -2, are provided on each bleed
valve to give an indication of valve position.
TURBINE COOLING
Air extracted internally form the sixteenth stage of compression flows through
the bore of the rotor. It cools the first and second-stage turbine wheel buckets as well
as the aft face of the second-stage wheel and the forward face of the third-stage wheel.
High-pressure seal leakage air leaking past the compressor high pressure
packing cools the forward side of the first-stage wheel. In addition, compressor
discharge air cools the first and second stage turbine nozzles. The aft side of the first-
stage turbine wheel, and the forward side of the second-stage wheel.
PRESSURIZED AIR SUPPLY
Compressor discharge air is used for pulsating the self-cleaning inlet air filters.
This hot high pressure often moisture laden air is first cooled, pressure regulated, and
dried in an air processing unit prior to being piped to the pulsing valves in the inlet filter
house. In addition, compressor discharge air is the source of air used as atomizing air
if the unit has a liquid fuel system.
Compressor discharge air is also used as a source of air for various air operated
valves used in other gas turbine auxiliary systems. Compressor discharge pressure is
monitored by pressure transducer 96CD-1 for use in the control of the gas turbine.
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GTAACS01 - 0201

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Gas Turbine Training Manual

COOLING AND SEALING AIR SYSTEM

Specially designed air passages are fabricated in the turbine casing,

BEARING SEAL AIR

BHEL-GE Gas Turbine Services Ltd Page 1of 2

In order to prevent compressor pulsation when the unit is accelerating during

PRESSURIZED AIR SUPPLY

BHEL-GE Gas Turbine Services Ltd Page 2of 2

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