Precision Execution, Milestone Breakthrough | LP Cylinder Casing Closing of Steam Turbine Completed Successfully on First Attempt

Recently, a key milestone was achieved at a major power construction project in Xinjiang. At 12:28 on October 4, the low-pressure cylinder casing closing operation for the Unit 2 steam turbine was successfully completed on the first attempt, marking an important milestone in the turbine's main body installation. As a critical procedure in steam turbine installation involving high technical difficulty and numerous risk control points, the quality of the LP cylinder casing closing directly affects the future operational safety and long-term power generation efficiency of the unit. It imposes extremely high requirements on construction workmanship, on-site management, and quality control.

The core of steam turbine LP cylinder casing closing lies in ensuring a high level of internal cleanliness inside the cylinder, achieving a tightly sealed fit of the upper and lower horizontal joint surfaces, and completing precise positioning of the cylinder body. Any small debris left inside the cylinder or any deviation in the horizontal joint fit would leave hidden risks for the unit's long-term operation. Therefore, the entire process must be carried out with rigor and meticulousness, with every step strictly following technical specifications.

To ensure a foolproof casing closing operation, the project construction team planned well in advance and made thorough preparations. The project organized multi-level safety and technical briefings, centered on the core quality indicator of internal cylinder cleanliness, clarifying control standards and detailing the operation procedures. Before the formal lifting, a comprehensive joint inspection was carried out with all parties involved, verifying item by item the completion status of the preceding installation processes. For the pipelines connected to the cylinder, endoscopic inspection equipment was used for detailed examination to confirm that the interior of the cylinder body and connected piping was free of any foreign matter. Only after all pre-conditions for casing closing were satisfied did the team commence the lifting operation. At 9:30 on October 3, the LP cylinder casing closing lifting operation officially began.

During the entire casing closing process, a strict on-site control mechanism was implemented. Management personnel provided full-time side-standing supervision, while crew members of various specialties worked with clear role division and close coordination. Safety management personnel enforced closed management of the lifting operation area, designated safety warning zones, mitigated lifting risks, and ensured the entire process was safe, controllable, and orderly. Personnel in lifting, technical, and quality inspection positions collaborated closely, closely monitoring key steps such as lifting, positioning, closing, and fastening, and performing real-time verification and re-checking of positioning posture and clearance data.

As the upper half of the LP inner cylinder was smoothly positioned, on-site inspection showed that multiple key parameters—including horizontal joint clearance and bolt tightening torque—all met the design standards. The LP cylinder casing closing was successfully completed on the first attempt. Core quality indicators such as internal cleanliness and flow passage clearances all met the requirements, accomplishing this highly difficult installation milestone.

The successful completion of the steam turbine casing closing marks the entry of the turbine's main body installation into its final sprint phase, creating the preconditions for subsequent commissioning work such as oil flushing and turning gear/rolling tests, and laying a solid hardware foundation for the unit's subsequent full start-up and power generation.

In recent years, various thermal power and cogeneration projects across China have continued to advance. Steam turbines, as the core power equipment of generator units, have received increasing industry attention regarding equipment manufacturing quality and on-site installation quality. The one-shot success of the LP cylinder casing closing is both a result of the project team's pursuit of excellence and determination to overcome challenges, and a microcosm of the continuous improvement of domestic steam turbine equipment supporting and on-site installation workmanship. Going forward, the project will continue to strictly uphold the two bottom lines of quality and safety, steadily advance subsequent equipment commissioning work, continue marching toward the overall goal of the unit's timely commissioning, and contribute to regional power supply security.