Prevention of Low-Frequency Vibration of High-Capacity Steam Turbine Units
Abstract The causes of low-frequency vibration (subsynchronous vibration) of a high pressure turbine were investigated analytically and also via vibration excitation tests on actual machines under operation. From the results, it was concluded that low-frequency vibrations may be caused by either the decrease of the rotor system damping or by external forces, such as flow disturbance in the control stage and the rubbing between the rotor and casing. After identifying the cause of the low-frequency vibration, appropriate countermeasures such as installation of a squeeze-film damper and modification of valve opening sequence were taken. Vibration measurements and vibration excitation tests for the high pressure turbine under actual operating conditions were carried out in order to verify the validity of the countermeasures. These field tests confirmed that the problems of low-frequency vibration can be solved completely by taking the appropriate countermeasure depending on the cause of the vibration. This paper presents some field experiences of low-frequency vibration and the effective solution approach.