Patents by Inventor Juergen Hoffmann

Juergen Hoffmann has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9249689
    Abstract: An exemplary system method for the operation of a CCPP with flue gas recirculation to reduce NOx emissions and/or to increase the CO2 concentration in the flue gases to facilitate CO2 capture from the flue gases is disclosed. The flue gas recirculation rate (rFRG) is controlled as function of the combustion pressure and/or the hot gas temperature. Operability is enhanced by admixing of oxygen or oxygen enriched air to the gas turbine inlet gases or to the combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventors: Jaan Hellat, Jürgen Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 9181873
    Abstract: A method is provided for CO2 separation from a combined-cycle power plant with exhaust-gas recirculation and CO2 separation. The hot-gas flow is split into a recirculation flow and an exhaust-gas flow before the final turbine stage in the turbine. A first partial flow remains in the turbine and carries out expansion work in the conventional form, before its waste heat is dissipated, for example in a waste-heat boiler, and the gases are recirculated into the inlet flow of the gas turbine. A second partial flow is diverted before the final turbine stage, and emits its waste heat in an HRSG/heat exchanger, before CO2 is separated from the exhaust-gas flow at an increased pressure level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventors: Jürgen Hoffmann, Hans Peter Knopfel, Hans E. Wettstein
  • Patent number: 9181872
    Abstract: A power plant includes a first gas turbine engine, a second gas turbine engine, a flue gas duct, a CO2 capture system for treating flue gases from the second gas turbine engine and an exhaust system. It additionally includes at least one among a direct connection between the first gas turbine engine and the exhaust system, and a damper for on-line regulating the flue gases flow through it, a direct connection between the first gas turbine engine and the CO2 capture system, and a damper for regulating the flue gases flow through it, a supply of fresh oxygen containing fluid for the second gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventors: Hongtao Li, Alexander Zagorskiy, Jürgen Hoffmann, Francois Droux, Christoph Ruchti
  • Patent number: 9181875
    Abstract: An intake manifold is provided for inducting combustion air for a compressor of a gas turbine. The intake manifold includes a plurality of walls that delimit against the environment. Devices are provided for controllable change of the mechanical rigidity of the walls to reduce noise which is generated or is emitted in an air intake region during operation of the gas turbine. A gas turbine is also provided and includes an air intake to which air to be compressed is fed via an intake manifold. The intake manifold having a plurality of walls that delimit against the environment. Devices are provided to controllably change a mechanical rigidity of the walls to reduce noise which is generated or emitted in an air intake region during operation of the gas turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventors: Armin Busekros, Thomas Kramer, Jochem Fischer, Juergen Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 9097187
    Abstract: An exemplary method is disclosed for operating a gas turbine power plant with exhaust gas recirculation, in which the exhaust gas recirculation is, for example, disengaged during starting and shutting down of the gas turbine, and in which the engaging or disengaging of the exhaust gas recirculation can be carried out in dependence upon an operating state of the gas turbine. An exemplary gas turbine power plant with exhaust gas recirculation is also disclosed which can include a control element, the closing speed of which is such that the control element can be closed within a time which is less than a time for exhaust gases to flow from the turbine through an HRSG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD.
    Inventors: Stefan Rofka, Jürgen Hoffmann, Eribert Benz, Frank Sander, Martin Nicklas
  • Publication number: 20150107259
    Abstract: The present disclosure refers to a method for operating a gas turbine with sequential combustors having a first-burner, a first combustion chamber, and a second combustor arranged sequentially in a fluid flow connection. To minimize emissions and combustion stability problems during transient changes when the fuel flow to a second combustor is initiated the method includes the steps of increasing the second fuel flow to a minimum flow, and reducing the first fuel flow to the first-burner of the same sequential combustor and/or the fuel flow to at least one other sequential combustor of the sequential combustor arrangement in order keep the total fuel mass flow to the gas turbine substantially constant. Besides the method a gas turbine with a fuel distribution system configured to carry out such a method is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Adnan EROGLU, Juergen HOFFMANN
  • Publication number: 20150107257
    Abstract: A method and gas turbine are provided for the reliable purging of an exhaust gas recirculation line of the gas turbine with exhaust gas recirculation without the use of additional blow-off fans. A blow-off flow of the compressor is used for the purging of the exhaust gas recirculation line. The gas turbine can include at least one purging line which connects a compressor blow-off point to the exhaust gas recirculation line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2015
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Floris VAN STRAATEN, Juergen HOFFMANN
  • Patent number: 8959884
    Abstract: CO2 compression is a main step in carbon capture and storage, which is essential to control global warming. CO2 compressors are powered by electric motors, which increase operational flexibility but require much energy leading to additional expenses, power and efficiency losses. A method is provided for optimized operation of a plant including a power generation unit with a CO2 capture system and compressor with minimum losses during normal operation, allowing flexible part load. The method allows steam from the power unit to drive a steam turbine, which drives the CO2 compressor via an engaged overrunning clutch if a sufficient amount of steam is available from the power unit, and to drive it by the generator, which is used as motor when insufficient steam is available from the power unit. When no or insufficient steam is available the clutch is disengaged and the steam turbine may be at standstill or idling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Jürgen Hoffmann, Holger Nagel, Hongtao Li
  • Publication number: 20150047366
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a gas turbine power plant, including a gas turbine, a HRSG following the gas turbine, an exhaust gas blower, and a carbon dioxide separation plant which separates the carbon dioxide contained in the exhaust gases and discharges it to a carbon dioxide outlet, the gas turbine, HRSG, exhaust gas blower, and carbon dioxide separation plant being connected by means of exhaust gas lines. According to the method a trip of the gas turbine power plant includes the steps of: stopping the fuel supply, switching off the exhaust gas blower, and controlling the opening angle of a VIGV at a position bigger or equal to a position required to keep a pressure in the exhaust gas lines between the HRSG and the exhaust gas blower above a minimum required pressure. The invention relates, further relates to a gas turbine power plant configured to carry out such a method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Richard Carroni, Jürgen Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 8955302
    Abstract: A method and gas turbine are provided for the reliable purging of an exhaust gas recirculation line of the gas turbine with exhaust gas recirculation without the use of additional blow-off fans. A blow-off flow of the compressor is used for the purging of the exhaust gas recirculation line. The gas turbine can include at least one purging line which connects a compressor blow-off point to the exhaust gas recirculation line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Floris Van Straaten, Juergen Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 8916985
    Abstract: A method for the start of a power plant installation which includes a gas turbine, a generator coupled to the gas turbine, and a frequency converter to feed current into an electrical grid. In accordance with the method, during the start of the gas turbine, the generator is connected to the electrical grid via the frequency converter before the operating rotational speed of the gas turbine is reached, wherein the frequency converter is controlled such that it generates an output current with the grid frequency. A power plant installation can execute the above method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Joerg Oesterheld, Juergen Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 8826670
    Abstract: A method is provided for operating a gas turbine in a power station in which limits of the operating concept, which provide limits for optimization of the power station operation in respect of efficiency, service life consumption, emissions and power provision to the grid system, are adapted during operation. In particular, temperature limits and compressor inlet guide vane position limits are varied as a function of the optimization aims. A gas turbine power station is also provided for carrying out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Jürgen Hoffmann, Johann Josef Daxer, Bernhard Wippel, Klaus-Dieter Liedtke
  • Patent number: 8796874
    Abstract: A method is provided for operating a power station (10) with turbine shafting (11) including a gas turbine (12) and a generator (18) that is driven directly by the gas turbine (12) and that generates alternating current with an operating frequency. The output of the generator is connected to an electrical grid (21) with a given grid frequency. An electronic decoupling apparatus or variable electronic gearbox (27) is arranged between the generator (18) and the grid (21). The decoupling apparatus decouples the operating frequency from the grid frequency. In the event of a temporary over-frequency or under-frequency event in the electrical grid (21), the mechanical rotational speed of the gas turbine (12) is decreased more than the grid frequency during an under-frequency event of the electrical grid (21) and is increased more than the grid frequency during an over-frequency event of the electrical grid (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Jürgen Hoffmann, Thomas Meindl
  • Publication number: 20140144156
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for determining a temperature in a pressurized flow path of a gas turbine comprising the steps of sending an acoustic signal from an acoustic signal emitting transducer across a section of the pressurized flow path, detecting the acoustic signal with a receiving transducer, measuring the time needed by the acoustic signal to travel from the acoustic signal emitting transducer to the receiving transducer, calculating the speed of sound, and calculating the temperature as a function of the speed of sound, the heat capacity ratio (?) and a specific gas constant (Rspec) of the gas flowing in the pressurized flow path. Besides the method, a gas turbine with a processor and transducers arranged to carry out such a method is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Wolfgang LANG, Jürgen HOFFMANN
  • Publication number: 20130249213
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the start of a power plant installation (10), which comprises a gas turbine (2), a generator (18) coupled to the gas turbine (2), and a frequency converter (27) to feed current into an electrical grid (1). In accordance with the method, during the start of the gas turbine (2), the generator (18) is connected to the electrical grid (1) via the frequency converter (27) before the operating rotational speed of the gas turbine (2) is reached, wherein the frequency converter (27) is controlled such that it generates an output current with the grid frequency. The invention further relates to a power plant installation (10) for the execution of such a method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventors: Joerg Oesterheld, Juergen Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 8373295
    Abstract: A method is provided for operating a power station (10), with turbine shafting (11), that includes a gas turbine (12) and a generator (18) driven directly by the gas turbine (12) and that generates alternating current with an operating frequency, the output of the generator is connected with an electrical grid (21) with given grid frequency. An electronic decoupling apparatus or variable electronic gearbox (27) is arranged between the generator (18) and the grid (21), the decoupling apparatus decouples the operating frequency from the grid frequency. Increased service life of the station and reduced emissions are achieved in that, when there are longer-lasting changes in the grid frequency, the mechanical or aerodynamic rotational speed of the gas turbine (12) is kept constant and the output of the gas turbine (12) is adjusted without a delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Jürgen Hoffmann, Thomas Meindl
  • Publication number: 20120291445
    Abstract: An exemplary method is disclosed for operating a gas turbine power plant with exhaust gas recirculation, in which the exhaust gas recirculation is, for example, disengaged during starting and shutting down of the gas turbine, and in which the engaging or disengaging of the exhaust gas recirculation can be carried out in dependence upon an operating state of the gas turbine. An exemplary gas turbine power plant with exhaust gas recirculation is also disclosed which can include a control element, the closing speed of which is such that the control element can be closed within a time which is less than a time for exhaust gases to flow from the turbine through an HRSG.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: ALSTOM Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Stefan Rofka, Jürgen Hoffmann, Eribert Benz, Frank Sander, Martin Nicklas
  • Publication number: 20120247109
    Abstract: An intake manifold is provided for inducting combustion air for a compressor of a gas turbine. The intake manifold includes a plurality of walls that delimit against the environment. Devices are provided for controllable change of the mechanical rigidity of the walls to reduce noise which is generated or is emitted in an air intake region during operation of the gas turbine. A gas turbine is also provided and includes an air intake to which air to be compressed is fed via an intake manifold. The intake manifold having a plurality of walls that delimit against the environment. Devices are provided to controllably change a mechanical rigidity of the walls to reduce noise which is generated or emitted in an air intake region during operation of the gas turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventors: Armin Busekros, Thomas Kramer, Jochem Fischer, Juergen Hoffmann
  • Publication number: 20120227372
    Abstract: A power plant is provided including a steam power plant and/or a combined cycle power plant. A water steam cycle of the plant includes two steam turbine arrangements; the first turbine arrangement includes steam turbines with at least two pressure levels and a second turbine arrangement having at least one back pressure turbine configured to expand steam to the supply pressure of a CO2 capture system. A method for operating the plant includes operating the first steam turbine arrangement to produce power during all steady state operating points of the steam cycle and at least a part of the second steam turbine arrangement is bypassed to the system and/or is operated to produce power and to release low-pressure steam to the system when the system is in operation. Both steam turbine arrangements are operated using all available steam to produce power when the system is not in operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventors: Hongtao Li, Francois Droux, Tobias Kjellberg, Juergen Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 8247919
    Abstract: A combined-cycle power plant (10) has at least one power train (60) including a steam turbine (24) and a second generator (8) directly driven by the steam turbine (24) and generating alternating current, the output of which generator is connected to a power grid (21) having a given grid frequency (F), and at least one power train (11) of a gas turbine (12) and a first generator (18) driven directly by the gas turbine (12) and generating alternating current with an operating frequency, the output of which generator is connected to a power grid (21) having a predetermined grid frequency. An electronic decoupling device or a variable electronic gear unit (27) decouples the operating frequency from the grid frequency and is arranged between the first generator (18) and the power grid (21). Such a plant allows both flexible steady-state operation with high overall efficiency as well as flexible transient operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Jürgen Hoffmann, Thomas Meindl