Detroit edison puts new steam turbogenerator into operation

Southwestern Michigan´s electric power supply was increased 135,000 horsepower recently with the starting up of a new steam turbogenerator at Detroit Edison´s Conners Creek power plant. The 100,000-kw machine produces enough electricity to supply a city of 215,000 people. The turbogenerator cost approximately $15,000,000 and is the first of two identical units being installed at Conners Creek. The second will go into operation in September. Both were built by the Westinghouse Electric Corporation. The new generating unit weighs more than 800 tons. Steam enters the turbine at 950 degrees Fahrenheit and at a pressure of 1,300 pounds. The boilers can generate 600,000 pounds of steam per hour. The condenser requires 74,000 gallons per minute of cooling water, which is pumped directly from the Detroit River and then returned, purified, to the river. Addition of the Conners Creek generator is one step in an expansion program that will bring Detroit Edison´s total power capacity to 3,000,000 horsepower by 1953.