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How to Seal Off a Leak in a Steam Turbine

Steam turbines have been around since ancient Egypt, where turbines were used as toys for children and later used as machines for turning spits while cooking meats. During the Renaissance, early and later periods of the Industrial Revolution, steam engine turbines were used for pumping water out of coal mines, providing movement for locomotives and eventually, producing electricity. Although in most cases, personal steam turbines are mainly used as hobbies, it's important to keep them running efficiently. The process for fixing a leak in your own home steam turbine will vary, depending on the size and location of the leak.

Things You'll Need

Protective clothing and eyewear
Gaffer's tape
Rubber hoses
Replacement gaskets
Silicone
Manufacturer's manual
Boiler sealer

Instructions

- 1
  Put on protective clothing and eyewear before attempting any repairs on your steam turbine, due to the high temperature and pressure of the steam within the turbine system.
- 2
  Inspect the leak and its location. If the leak is coming from a hose or fitting, you may be able to replace the parts with new ones in order to fix the leak. Use multiple pieces of gaffer's tape in the meantime to help seal off and control the leak, or simply turn off your steam turbine machine until the repair is made.
- 3
  Disassemble the turbine's components and replace any seals or worn out gaskets that are allowing steam to escape from the machine. In many cases, you will want to use automotive silicone or gasket seal to help the rubber gasket to bond to metal parts.
- 4
  Use a release valve to purge the nitrogen pressure if it is too high on your steam turbine engine, which could be one of the causes for a steam turbine leak around the bearing oil seal. Consult the turbine's manufacturer recommendations and operations manual for the correct oil pressure and recalibrate your machine according to the directions given in the manual.
- 5
  Reduce the temperature of your steam turbine and steam flow rate to see if the problem resolves itself. Check the steam flow rate of the turbine, as well as the thermal conditions of the inlet and backpressure gauges of your turbine compared to the manufacturer's recommendations found in your turbine manual.
- 6
  Install a steam deflector between the carbon box and its adjacent seal. Only use a steam deflector that is designed by your turbine's manufacturer for your specific turbine. Steam deflectors should only be used when the temperature of the steam leaking from the carbon box is greater than 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
- 7
  Pour in boiler sealer through the opening closest to the leak if the leak is coming from the boiler. Close off the openings and raise the pressure gradually to its maximum allowable pressure according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Monitor the leak, watching for the boiler sealer to completely seal the leak.

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