Two shift operation power plants

Many power stations, originally designed for base load applications, are now operating on a two shift, stop/start regime. Start/stops operations are causing an increase of operational issues due to the constant changing process parameters. These issues are additional thermal stress in the headers, drums, high temperature piping, valves and auxiliary equipment, leading to additional wear and tear. Without addressing the above issues, the life time of the components will decrease enormously.
It require other types of steam coolers, de-superheater by-pass valves, drains, feed water control valves, main steam HP and IP isolation valves, and stop check valves. These valves are designed for two shifting process, improve operational performance and reduce wear and tear.
One valve in particular, only seen in installations with an Alstom GT 24 or GT 26 gas turbine is the OTC feed water level control valve.
The following paper highlights the function and the role an OTC feed water control valve has, what problems are regularly seen and what solutions AVS can offer.