Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation system that includes an exhaust gas recirculation regulator operatively connectable to a turbomachine system, and regulating a predetermined amount of exhaust gas to be recirculated. The exhaust gas recirculation system further includes a measuring unit that measures fuel composition of incoming fuel, and a control unit connected to the EGR regulator and the measuring unit, and determining a Wobbe Index and/or reactivity of the incoming fuel based on the measured fuel composition and determining the predetermined amount of exhaust gas to be recirculated based on the determined Wobbe Index and/or reactivity.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present subject matter discloses a seal including a substrate material. The substrate material has a first portion having a first abradability and a second portion having a second abradability, the first abradability being different from the second abradability.

Abstract: An airfoil includes an interior surface, an exterior surface opposed to the interior surface, a pressure side, a suction side opposed to the pressure side, a stagnation line between the pressure and suction sides, and a trailing edge between the pressure and suction sides and downstream from the stagnation line. A first column of overlapping stagnation trench segments is on the exterior surface, and the stagnation line passes through at least a portion of each of the overlapping stagnation trench segments. At least one cooling passage in each stagnation trench segment provides fluid communication from the interior surface to the exterior surface.

Abstract: A turbine blade that includes an airfoil defined by a concave shaped pressure side outer wall and a convex shaped suction side outer wall that connect along leading and trailing edges and, therebetween, form a radially extending chamber for receiving the flow of a coolant. The turbine blade may further include a rib configuration that partitions the chamber into radially extending flow passages, and a blade outer shell that defines an outer surface of the airfoil. The rib configuration is a non-integral component to the blade outer shell.

Abstract: A system includes a turbine combustor, a turbine driven by combustion products from the turbine combustor, and an exhaust gas compressor. The exhaust compressor is configured to compress and route an exhaust gas from the turbine to the turbine combustor. The system also includes an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) path extending through the exhaust gas compressor, the turbine combustor, and the turbine, a first exhaust gas (EG) extraction port disposed along the EGR path, and a second EG extraction port disposed along the EGR path.

Abstract: A thermal actuator is provided and includes an expansion material disposed and configured to move a movable element from a first movable element position toward a second movable element position in accordance with an expansion condition of the expansion material. The expansion material includes an inorganic salt mixture or a metal oxide mixture.

Abstract: A cooling system for use in regulating a temperature of a component is described herein. The cooling system includes a plurality of flow control assemblies that are defined across a sidewall of the component for channeling a cooling fluid across a surface of the sidewall. The plurality of flow control assemblies are configured to adjust a plurality of fluid flow characteristics of the cooling fluid. The plurality of flow control assemblies includes a first flow control assembly configured to adjust a first fluid flow characteristic, and at least a second flow control assembly configured to adjust a second fluid flow characteristic that is different than the first fluid flow characteristic.

Abstract: A turbine bucket may generally include an airfoil formed from a metal-based material. The airfoil may include a base and a tip disposed opposite the base. The airfoil may also include a pressure side wall and a suction side wall extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge. Additionally, the turbine bucket may include a tip cap disposed between the pressure side wall and the suction side wall. The tip cap may be formed from a ceramic matrix composite material.

Abstract: An airfoil includes an interior surface, an exterior surface opposed to the interior surface, a pressure side, a suction side opposed to the pressure side, a stagnation line between the pressure and suction sides, and a trailing edge between the pressure and suction sides and downstream from the stagnation line. A first column of overlapping stagnation trench segments is on the exterior surface, and the stagnation line passes through at least a portion of each of the overlapping stagnation trench segments. At least one cooling passage in each stagnation trench segment provides fluid communication from the interior surface to the exterior surface.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a S-EGR process that yields an exhaust stream that includes a relatively high concentration of a desirable gas and is also substantially oxygen-free. This desirable gas includes, but is not limited to: Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Nitrogen (N2), or Argon.

Abstract: A method of controlling a power plant that includes a working fluid, wherein the power plant includes a combustion system having an upstream combustor operably connected to a high-pressure turbine and a downstream combustor operably connected to a low-pressure turbine. The method may include the steps of: supplying compressed oxidant to at least one of the upstream and the downstream combustor; supplying a fuel to at least one of the upstream and the downstream combustor; combusting the fuel with the compressed; recirculating the working fluid; controlling the power plant such that one of the upstream and the downstream combustors operates at a preferred stoichiometric ratio; and extracting the working fluid from an extraction point positioned relative to the whichever of the upstream combustor and the downstream combustor operates at the preferred stoichiometric ratio.

Abstract: A method of controlling a power plant that includes a working fluid and a recirculation loop, wherein the power plant includes a combustion system having an upstream combustor operably connected to a high-pressure turbine and a downstream combustor operably connected to a low-pressure turbine. The method includes: recirculating the working fluid through the recirculation loop; controlling a compressed oxidant amount supplied to the upstream combustor and the downstream combustor; controlling a fuel amount supplied to the upstream combustor and the downstream combustor; controlling the power plant such that each of the upstream combustor and the downstream combustor periodically operates at a preferred stoichiometric ratio; and selectively extracting the working fluid from a first extraction point associated with the upstream combustor and a second extraction point associated with the downstream combustor based upon which combustors operates at the preferred stoichiometric ratio.

Abstract: A power plant configured to include a recirculation loop about which a working fluid is recirculated. The recirculation loop may include a plurality of components configured to accept an outflow of working fluid from a neighboring upstream component and provide an inflow of working fluid to a neighboring downstream component. The recirculation loop may include: a recirculation compressor; an upstream combustor; a high-pressure turbine; a downstream combustor; a low-pressure turbine; and a recirculation conduit configured to direct the outflow of working fluid from the low-pressure turbine to the recirculation compressor. The power plant further may include: an oxidant compressor configured to provide compressed oxidant to one of the upstream combustor and the downstream combustor; and means for extracting a portion of the working fluid from an extraction point disposed at a predetermined location on the recirculation loop.

Abstract: A method of controlling a power plant that comprises a working fluid and a recirculation loop, wherein the power plant includes a combustor operably connected to a turbine, the method including the steps of: recirculating at least a portion of the working fluid through the recirculation loop; controlling the power plant such that the combustor at least periodically operates at a preferred stoichiometric ratio; and extracting the working fluid from at least one of a first extraction point and a second extraction point positioned on the recirculation loop during the periods when the combustor operates at the preferred stoichiometric ratio.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method of operating a combined-cycle powerplant at part-load without shutting down an HRSG and steam turbine. The present invention may apply to a powerplant operating in an open-cycle mode. The present invention may also apply to a powerplant operating in a closed-cycle mode.

Abstract: A power plant configured to include a recirculation loop about which a working fluid is recirculated, the recirculation loop comprising a plurality of components configured to accept an outflow of working fluid from a neighboring upstream component and provide an inflow of working fluid to a neighboring downstream component. The recirculation loop may include: a recirculation compressor; an upstream combustor; a high-pressure turbine; a downstream combustor; a low-pressure turbine; and a recirculation conduit configured to direct the outflow of working fluid from the low-pressure turbine to the recirculation compressor. The power plant may include: an oxidant compressor configured to provide compressed oxidant to both the upstream combustor and the downstream combustor; and means for extracting a portion of the working fluid from an extraction point disposed on the recirculation loop.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method that yields an exhaust stream that includes a relatively high concentration of a desirable gas and is also substantially oxygen-free. This desirable gas includes, but is not limited to: Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Nitrogen (N2), or Argon. The present invention also provides a way to control the physical property of the exhaust stream.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide to a cooling and sealing air system for reheat gas turbine powerplant operating in a configuration that includes stoichiometric exhaust gas recirculation configuration. A user may have the flexibility in determining where the cooling and sealing flow derives. This may include and enhanced oil recovery system, a concentrated carbon system, etc.

Abstract: A power plant configured to include a recirculation loop about which a working fluid is recirculated, the recirculation loop comprising a plurality of components configured to accept an outflow of working fluid from a neighboring upstream component and provide an inflow of working fluid to a neighboring downstream component. The recirculation loop may include: a recirculation compressor; an upstream combustor; a high-pressure turbine; a downstream combustor; a low-pressure turbine; and a recirculation conduit configured to direct the outflow of working fluid from the low-pressure turbine to the recirculation compressor. The power plant may include: an oxidant compressor configured to provide compressed oxidant to both the upstream combustor and the downstream combustor; and means for extracting a portion of the working fluid from an extraction point disposed on the recirculation loop.

Abstract: Various embodiments include a turbine apparatus and a related monitoring system. In various embodiments, an apparatus includes a turbine rotor having: a rotor body; sets of rotor blades axially dispersed along the rotor body and extending radially from the rotor body; a spacer region axially separating two adjacent sets of the sets of rotor blades along the rotor body; a conductive element located within the spacer region for initiating an electrical current; and a module electrically connected with the conductive element for receiving the electrical current from the conductive element and powering at least one monitoring device onboard the rotor body.