What will happen if a Turbine-Generator Over-Speed / Runaway?
If a turbine – generator unit over-speed to greater than its run-away speed, literally, the unit will shatter. Result is even worst if the unit is being used in high speed power plant technologies like thermal and geothermal plants. The picture below is the aftermath of an over speed / runaway incident in a geothermal plant. The unit has a rated speed of 3600 rpm.
Runaway or over-speed incident happens, usually after a plant tripping followed by a failure of over-speed protection system – over-frequency relay, turbine control, and emergency shut-off valve.
Posted in Power Plants