Abstract
Feed pumps for large steam power stations must accept severe thermal shocks in order to protect the boiler from such shocks, since boiler failure would be catastrophic.
The treatment of feed water to give minimum corrosion of the boiler may result in a liquid which is quite erosive at the flow speeds associated with a high-pressure pump.
In this paper the research into transient thermal phenomena is described, and it is shown how modern feed pumps for steam power units up to the largest powers visualized are designed to give symmetry of construction, of flow and of stresses in order to withstand rapid temperature changes without distortion of alignment.
Modern steam and gas turbines similarly aim at symmetry about the shaft axis.
Illustrations are given of how erosion is avoided and performance improved by mathematical control of the acceleration within the pump and by the use of superior materials.
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