Of Accommodating, Fluctuating Or Peak Loads Patents (Class 60/652)
  • Patent number: 11352951
    Abstract: Systems and methods relating to variable pressure turbines are disclosed. A power generation system may include a closed cycle system configured to generate power, a combustor, and a control system. The closed cycle system may include a working fluid circulating in a closed cycle path. The combustor may provide thermal energy to the working fluid. Further, the control system may be configured to determine to increase an amount of power generated by the closed cycle system, and in response to the determination to increase the amount of power generated by the closed cycle system, cause an increase in pressure of the working fluid in the closed cycle path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: MALTA INC.
    Inventors: Raj Apte, Richard DeVaul, Philippe Larochelle
  • Patent number: 11326471
    Abstract: A system for warming a power generation system including a boiler and a mixer fluidly coupled to the boiler, a turbine first section operable to receive steam from the boiler at a first temperature. The turbine supplies steam at a second temperature to a first heat exchanger operably connected to receive the heated steam at the second temperature from the output of at least the first section of the turbine and transfer heat to at least one of water and steam in the boiler or the mixer, feedwater for the boiler, and a thermal energy storage system. The system further includes a control unit configured to receive the monitored operating characteristic and control the amount of steam directed through the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Antonio Mambro, William Miller, Francesco Congiu, Danny Gelbar
  • Patent number: 11274792
    Abstract: A thermal storage subsystem may include at least a first storage reservoir disposed at least partially under ground configured to contain a thermal storage liquid at a storage pressure that is greater than atmospheric pressure. A liquid passage may have an inlet connectable to a thermal storage liquid source and configured to convey the thermal storage liquid to the liquid reservoir. A first heat exchanger may be provided in the liquid inlet passage and may be in fluid communication between the first compression stage and the accumulator, whereby thermal energy can be transferred from a compressed gas stream exiting a gas compressor/expander subsystem to the thermal storage liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Hydrostor Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Stradiotto, Cameron Lewis, Davin Young, Andrew McGillis
  • Patent number: 11193395
    Abstract: A heat energy recovery installation installed on a beam reheating furnace equipped with burners includes a turbine that generates electricity by implementing a Rankine cycle on an organic fluid coming from calories derived partly from the fluid used for cooling the tubular beams via a first intermediate circuit, and in part from flue gases from the burners by way of a second intermediate circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: FIVES STEIN
    Inventors: Patrick Giraud, Aurélie Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 11175684
    Abstract: A thermostatic single-control cartridge is provided with ceramic discs with a member for controlling a flow rate and a temperature of a mixed fluid by moving a thermostatic element, thus adjusting the temperature of the mixed fluid between end adjustment positions, an overtravel spring inserted between a regulating slide valve and the thermostatic element being compressed by an overtravel between the end adjustment positions. A retractable blocking system temporarily blocks the temperature adjustment of the mixed fluid in intermediate position of the control member between the end adjustment positions, so as to cut the overtravel in half in the intermediate position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: VERNET
    Inventor: Jean Chamot
  • Patent number: 11156385
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides pumped thermal energy storage systems that can be used to store electrical energy. A pumped thermal energy storage system of the present disclosure can store energy by operating as a heat pump or refrigerator, whereby net work input can be used to transfer heat from the cold side to the hot side. A working fluid of the system is capable of efficient heat exchange with heat storage fluids on a hot side of the system and on a cold side of the system. The system can extract energy by operating as a heat engine transferring heat from the hot side to the cold side, which can result in net work output. Systems of the present disclosure can employ solar heating for improved storage efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: MALTA INC.
    Inventors: Robert B. Laughlin, Philippe Larochelle, Nicholas Cizek
  • Patent number: 11047302
    Abstract: A compressed air energy storage (CAES) power generation apparatus includes a motor driven by renewable energy, a compressor driven by the motor, a pressure accumulating tank storing compressed air compressed by the compressor, an expander driven by the compressed air from the pressure accumulating tank, and a generator connected to the expander. The apparatus includes a first heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between the compressed air from the compressor to the pressure accumulating tank and a heat medium, cools the compressed air, and heats the heat medium, a heat accumulating tank that stores the heat medium heated by the first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between the compressed air from the pressure accumulating tank to the expander, heats the compressed air, and cools the heat medium, and third heat exchangers that perform heat exchange between the exhaust heat outside a system and a fluid in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yohei Kubo, Masatake Toshima, Hiroki Saruta, Masaki Matsukuma, Kanami Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 11041631
    Abstract: A combined heat and power (CHP) system is installed with a power lock-out feature preventing flow of heated working fluid to an expander driving a generator generating electrical power until installation by a licensed person is completed, whereby heat can be provided to a building substantially immediately after installation of the CHP system, while power generation can be deferred until convenient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Averill Partners, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Jeffrey Brookman
  • Patent number: 10830134
    Abstract: A power generation system comprising a shared hot side thermal store, a shared cold side thermal store, a plurality of power subunits, and an electrical bus is disclosed. Each of the power subunits may connected or isolated from the shared hot side thermal store and/or the shared cold side thermal store.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: MALTA INC.
    Inventors: Raj B. Apte, Philippe Larochelle, Julian Green
  • Patent number: 10823051
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine comprises a fan includes a plurality of fan blades rotatable about an axis. A compressor section includes at least a first compressor section and a second compressor section, wherein components of the second compressor section are configured to operate at an average exit temperature that is between about 1000° F. and about 1500° F. A combustor is in fluid communication with the compressor section. A turbine section is in fluid communication with the combustor. A geared architecture is driven by the turbine section for rotating the fan about the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick M. Schwarz, Karl L. Hasel
  • Patent number: 10782015
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for commissioning steam turbine generator power plants to advance the cleanliness of the complete steam cycle by the conditioned discharge of steam to the plant surface condenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Boyle Energy Services & Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher J. Bloch
  • Patent number: 10584634
    Abstract: A compressed-air energy-storage system is described. The system includes a first compressor arrangement for compressing an air stream; a thermal energy storage unit, where through compressed air from the first compressor arrangement exchanges heat against a heat accumulation means; an air storage device arranged and configured for receiving and accumulating compressed air from the thermal energy storage unit; at least one expander for receiving compressed air from the air storage device and producing useful power therefrom. A further compressor arrangement is located between the thermal energy storage unit and the air storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: NUOVO PIGNONE SRL
    Inventors: Bhaskara Kosamana, Kalyan Kumar Venkatachalam
  • Patent number: 10393453
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting deficiencies in a cooling tower (2) of a thermal facility (1) in operation in a given environment, comprising the implementation of the steps of: (a) measurement, by a plurality of sensors (13), of a set of values of physical parameters relating to the cooling tower (2), at least one of which being an endogenous parameter specific to the operation of the cooling tower (2) and at least one exogenous parameter specific to said environment; (b) calculation, by data processing means (11), of at least one expected optimum value of said endogenous parameter as a function of said values of the physical parameters and a model; (c) determination, by the data processing means (11), of at least one potentially deficient function of the cooling tower (2) as a function of the disparity between the measured value and the expected optimum value of said endogenous parameter and/or the variation of said disparity; (d) testing, by the data processing means (11), of each functi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: ELECTRICITE DE FRANCE
    Inventors: Christophe Duquennoy, Claude Wolf, Véronique Charrel
  • Patent number: 10358946
    Abstract: An expansion apparatus for recovering waste heat may include two or more turbines and a distribution valve distributing working fluid supplied from the boiler to the two or more turbines, wherein the two or more turbines include a power turbine and one or more auxiliary turbines, and the power turbine is configured to receive a larger amount of working fluid than the one or more auxiliary turbines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporartion
    Inventor: Do Sun Choi
  • Patent number: 10280804
    Abstract: Thermocline arrays comprising a plurality of pressure vessels that are in used in place of heat exchangers in a closed thermodynamic cycle system, such as a closed Brayton cycle power generation or energy storage system. Each pressure vessel is configurable to be connected to the working fluid stream or isolated from the working fluid stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Malta Inc.
    Inventor: Raj Apte
  • Patent number: 10233868
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a gear assembly, a bypass flow passage, and a core flow passage. The bypass flow passage includes an inlet. A fan is arranged at the inlet of the bypass flow passage. A first shaft and a second shaft are mounted for rotation about an engine central longitudinal axis. A first turbine is coupled with the first shaft such that rotation of the first turbine is configured to drive the fan, through the first shaft and gear assembly, at a lower speed than the first shaft. The fan includes a hub and a row of fan blades that extend from the hub. The row includes 12 (N) of the fan blades, a solidity value (R) that is from 1.0 to 1.2, and a ratio of N/R that is from 10.0 to 12.0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Edward J. Gallagher, Byron R. Monzon
  • Patent number: 10012150
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a gear assembly and a bypass flow passage that includes an inlet and an outlet that define a design pressure ratio between 1.3 and 1.55. A fan is arranged at the inlet. A first turbine is coupled with a first shaft such that rotation of the first turbine will drive the fan, through the first shaft and the gear assembly, at a lower speed than the first shaft. The fan includes a row of fan blades. The row includes 12-16 (N) fan blades, a solidity value (R) that is from 1.0 to 1.3, and a ratio of N/R that is from 10.0 to 16.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Edward J. Gallagher, Byron R. Monzon, Shari L. Bugaj
  • Patent number: 9771834
    Abstract: An economic dispatch program allocates a load demand and an emission allowance of a power generation system among various power plants to determine the operational set-points and the pollution control set-points of each of the various power plants in a manner that minimizes the total operating cost for the power generation system, including the pollution control cost. The economic dispatch program uses the pollution control set-points and the load set-points of the various power plants as decision variables and takes into consideration the pollution control costs of the various power plants in allocating the load demand. During operation, the economic dispatch program takes into consideration the pollution credits available to the various power plants in allocating the load demand and pollution control level to determine the optimal operating solution for the power plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: EMERSON PROCESS MANAGEMENT POWER & WATER SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Xu Cheng, Frederick C. Huff
  • Patent number: 9771822
    Abstract: A method is provided for carbon-dioxide-neutral compensation for current level fluctuations in an electrical power supply system as a result of peaks and troughs in the generation of electrical energy. When a generation peak occurs, electrical energy produced from a regenerative energy source is used in an electrolysis unit for hydrogen generation. A hydrogen flow generated in the electrolysis unit is supplied to a reactor unit that catalytically generates an energy-carrier flow containing hydrocarbon. In a generation trough, the produced energy-carrier flow is burned in a combustion chamber. The thermal energy of the flue-gas flow formed by the combustion is used to generate electrical energy in a turbine process. The generated electrical energy is fed into the electrical power supply system. The flue-gas flow is supplied to the reactor unit as a carbon source for generation of the energy-carrier flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Carbon-Clean Technologies AG
    Inventors: Klaus Knop, Lars Zoellner
  • Patent number: 9512741
    Abstract: A binary power generation device is equipped with the flow path of a medium circulating through a heat exchanger, a turbine, a condenser, and a pump. A method for removing air that has intruded into the flow path of the medium includes: an air intrusion detection step of calculating, based on the pressure and temperature of a gas retaining portion communicatively connected to the flow path of the medium, a pressure threshold value obtained by adding the saturated vapor pressure of the medium and a margin value and of detecting, by comparing the pressure of a gas phase portion with the pressure threshold value, that air has intruded into the medium; a medium liquefaction step of producing a gas by pressurizing a mixed gas of the medium and air to reduce the amount of the medium in the mixed gas; and an exhaust step of exhausting the gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ichiro Myogan, Hiroaki Shibata, Yoshitaka Kawahara, Isamu Osawa, Kokan Kubota
  • Patent number: 9441486
    Abstract: A centrifugal compressor comprising an impeller having an input drive, the impeller having an impulse turbine positioned around the periphery of the impeller to be driven by the gas exiting the impeller, the output of the turbine being coupled to the drive of the impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: AMBER POWER PTY LTD
    Inventor: Garth Davey
  • Patent number: 9322297
    Abstract: An energy storage device for storing thermal energy, with a charging circuit for a working gas, is provided, having a compressor, heat accumulator and expansion turbine, the compressor and expansion turbine arranged on a common shaft, and the compressor connected on the outlet side to the inlet of the expansion turbine via a first line for the working gas, the heat accumulator wired into the first line, wherein the compressor is connected on the inlet side to a line, which is open to the atmosphere, and the expansion turbine is connected on the outlet side to a line, which is open to the atmosphere such that a circuit open to the ambient air is formed, wherein the expansion turbine is connected to the heat accumulator via a line for a hot gas such that the working gas in the expansion turbine can be heated by heat from the heat accumulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Christian Brunhuber, Carsten Graeber, Gerhard Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 9151185
    Abstract: Provided is a power plant and a method of operating thereof. The power plant includes a boiler for heating process fluids; and a multistage first steam turbine with an outlet line that passes through the boiler. The outlet line includes an extraction line that is configured and arranged to extract steam from an intermediate stage of the first steam turbine and heat at least one of the process fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Julia Kirchner, Volker Schüle, Stefan Hellweg
  • Publication number: 20150135721
    Abstract: A method for supporting a mains frequency in an energy generation plant is provided. The energy generation plant may be operated using unthrottled high-pressure valves, and the throttling action of the medium-pressure valves may be canceled when the mains frequency drops.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Martin Bennauer, Edwin Gobrecht, Matthias Heue
  • Publication number: 20150107251
    Abstract: A method for setpoint value adjustment of a setpoint value, particularly for automatic power and/or frequency or primary and/or secondary frequency regulation, in a solar thermal steam power plant having a primary heat source that is not freely adjustable and an additional heat source and also to a solar thermal steam power plant is provided. A present power range for this solar thermal steam power plant is ascertained for at least one prescribed time during operation of the solar thermal steam power plant. This present power range is limited by an upper and a lower control range limit. For the setpoint value adjustment, a currently prescribed setpoint value for the solar thermal steam power plant is set in the present power range if the currently prescribed setpoint value is outside the present power range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Matthias Buggert, Wolfgang Wiesenmüller
  • Patent number: 8959917
    Abstract: A method for operating a forced-flow steam generator operating at variable pressure and at a steam temperature above 650° C. and reducing the minimum forced-flow load of the forced-flow steam generator, wherein the economizer of the forced-flow steam generator includes at least one high pressure pre-heater and/or a heat transfer system for preheating the working medium, the at least one high-pressure pre-heater and/or the heat transfer system arranged upstream as viewed in the working medium circuit direction, wherein if a predetermined partial load point is exceeded, the heat absorption of the working medium within at least one high-pressure pre-heater and/or the heat transfer system is reduced so that the temperature of the water/steam working medium at the outlet of the economizer is below the boiling point relative to the corresponding economizer outlet by a predetermined temperature difference, and a forced-flow steam generator for performing the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Thoralf Berndt, Qiurong Chen
  • Patent number: 8955322
    Abstract: For increasing power plant efficiency during periods of variable heat input or at partial loads, a motive fluid is cycled through a Rankine cycle power plant having a vaporizer and a superheater such that the motive fluid is delivered to a turbine at a selected inlet temperature at full admission. A percentage of a superheated portion of the motive fluid is adjusted during periods of variable heat input or at partial loads while virtually maintaining the inlet temperature and power plant thermal efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Ormat Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Lucien Y. Bronicki, David Machlev
  • Publication number: 20150020527
    Abstract: A steam turbomachine includes a housing having a shell that defines a steam flow path, a first stage bowl cavity formed in the shell, a first stage including a plurality of first stage nozzles and a plurality of first stage buckets arranged downstream of the plurality of first stage nozzles, a second stage including a plurality of second stage nozzles and a plurality of second stage buckets arranged downstream of the plurality of second stage nozzles. The second stage is arranged downstream of the first stage along the steam flow path. A bypass circuit is formed in the shell. The bypass circuit extends from a first end fluidically connected to the first stage bowl cavity to a second end fluidically exposed to the steam flow path upstream of the second stage. A valve element is positioned in, and selectively blocks, the bypass circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: David Michael Ebbing, Patrick Anthony Razzano, JR.
  • Patent number: 8931277
    Abstract: Embodiments of a system for storing and providing electrical energy are disclosed. Also disclosed are embodiments of a system for purifying fluid, as well as embodiments of a system in which energy storage and fluid purification are combined. One disclosed embodiment of the system comprises a latent heat storage device, a sensible heat storage device, a vapor expander/compressor device mechanically coupled to a motor/generator device, a heat-exchanger, and a liquid pressurization and depressurization device. The devices are fluidly coupled in a closed-loop system, and a two-phase working fluid circulates therein. Embodiments of a method for operating the system to store and generate energy also are disclosed. Embodiments of a method for operating the system to purify fluid, as well as embodiments of a method for operating a combined energy storage and fluid purification system are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: State of Oregon acting by and through the State Board of Higher Education on behalf of Oregon State University
    Inventors: Richard B. Peterson, Robbie Ingram-Goble, Kevin J. Harada
  • Publication number: 20140373543
    Abstract: A fluid latent heat absorption electric induction heater is provided for raising the temperature of a fluid supplied to a fluid-driven turbine in a turbine-driven electric power generation system. The fluid latent heat absorption electric induction heater alternatively transfers heat to the fluid by induced susceptor heating, or a combination of inductor Joule heating and induced susceptor heating. The fluid may be water-steam for powering a steam-driven turbine or another fluid used in a phase change system for driving a fluid-driven turbine in a turbine-driven electric power generation system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Satyen N. PRABHU, Joseph T. BELSH, Mike Maochang CAO
  • Publication number: 20140260246
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing load-following power using low to medium temperature heat source fluid comprising the steps of reducing the power level produced by a Rankine cycle power plant producing load-following power operating on a low to medium temperature heat source fluid during one period of time; storing heat not used during the first period of time; and using the heat stored for producing power during a second period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: ORMAT TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Uriyel FISHER, Asaf Mendelovich, Dov Berger, Yoram Bronicki, Zvi Krieger, Lucien Y. Bronicki
  • Patent number: 8820081
    Abstract: A method for operating a hybrid power plant comprising fuel-operated heating and solar energy heating of carrier fluids, wherein a first portion of total power provided by the power plant is based on fuel-operated heating of carrier fluids and a second portion of the total power is based on solar energy heating of carrier fluids, the heat absorbed by a solar energy heated carrier fluid is transferred to a carrier fluid circuit of a fuel-operated part of the power plant. When a sudden increase or reduction of the total power provided by the power plant is required as compared to a basic state, the second portion is first increased or reduced over a short time period in order to provide a positive or negative reserve power. Subsequently, the first portion is slowly increased or reduced and the second portion based on solar energy heating is correspondingly reduced or increased again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: STEAG Energy Services GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Neumann, Marcus Kurth, Udo Sommer
  • Publication number: 20140238020
    Abstract: The subject of the invention is a method for the controlling and feeding of power plants, in particular coal fired power plants comprising a steam turbine connected to a turbogenerator. The method consists in that in periods of low power consumption the power is transferred from the turbine shaft to a compressor and the air compressed therein is pumped by compressors to the tanks of a compressed air terminal until a pressure close to the pressure of steam fed to turbine blades is reached. When energy demand increases, compressed air from the tanks is fed through nozzles onto the turbine blades along with superheated steam produced in a boiler. The subject of the invention is also a system for collecting compressed air and feeding it to the turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Inventors: Waldemar Piskorz, Tomasz Tadeusz Pidvo2
  • Publication number: 20140223909
    Abstract: A comburant gas supply system is provided for a combustion boiler/turbine of a thermal power plant, a combustion boiler/turbine system and a thermal power plant. The gas supply system has an air separation module to separate and output an oxygen rich gas from an input air supply; a comburant gas storage module fluidly connected to the output of the air separation module for storage in liquid state of separated oxygen rich gas; a comburant gas supply module to supply the oxygen rich gas to the combustion boiler selectively from the air separation system and/or the comburant gas storage system. The air separation module has an oxygen rich gas output capacity determined from a demand rating for the combustion boiler/turbine adjusted with reference to a load factor across a predetermined operating period and/or the ASU size is increased to provide longer term energy storage capacity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: DOOSAN BABCOCK LIMITED
    Inventors: Konrad Jerzy Kuczynski, Douglas John Spalding
  • Publication number: 20140208753
    Abstract: A power plant includes a boiler, a steam turbine, a generator driven by that steam turbine, a condenser, a post combustion processing system and an energy storage system including at least one electrochemical cell to store excess electrical energy generated by the generator during period valley demand and release thermal energy for power plant operations at other times.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: University of Kentucky Research Foundation
    Inventors: Kunlei Liu, James Kyle Neathery, Joseph Eugene Remias, Cameron Anthony Lippert, Nick Edward Holubowitch
  • Patent number: 8789371
    Abstract: A power generation apparatus including a boiler feedwater pump turbine control system is disclosed. In one embodiment, a power generation apparatus is disclosed, including: a boiler feedwater pump turbine having a low pressure steam inlet and a high pressure steam inlet; a high pressure control valve for controlling admission of high pressure steam to the high pressure steam inlet; a low pressure control valve for controlling admission of low pressure steam to the low pressure steam inlet; and a control system operably coupled to the high pressure control valve and the low pressure control valve, the control system configured to close the low pressure control valve and prevent flow of the low pressure steam to the boiler feedwater pump turbine in response to a request for increased power output from a power grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Charles Henry Kleine
  • Publication number: 20140202157
    Abstract: Thermal storage systems that preferably do not create substantially any additional back pressure or create minimal additional back pressure and their applications in combined cycle power plants are disclosed. In one embodiment of the method for efficient response to load variations in a combined cycle power plant, the method includes providing, through a thermal storage tank, a flow path for fluid exiting a gas turbine, placing in the flow path a storage medium comprising high thermal conductivity heat resistance media, preferably particles, the particles being in contact with each other and defining voids between the particles in order to facilitate flow of the fluid in a predetermined direction constituting a longitudinal direction, arrangement of the particles constituting a packed bed, dimensions of the particles and of the packed bed being selected such that a resultant back pressure to the gas turbine is at most a predetermined back pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventors: Meir Shinnar, Shlomo Shinnar
  • Patent number: 8776523
    Abstract: A steam-driven power plant includes a steam source providing steam at a desired pressure and a steam turbine operably connected to the steam source. The steam turbine includes a low pressure section and an intermediate pressure section. A low pressure admission conduit is configured to convey steam from the steam source to an entrance of the low pressure section and an intermediate pressure admission conduit is configured to convey steam from the steam source to a mid-steampath point of the intermediate pressure section. One or more valves are located between the steam source and the steam turbine to control a flow of steam from the steam source through the low pressure admission conduit and/or the intermediate pressure admission conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mahendra Singh Mehra, Nachiket Chilhatey, Nestor Hernandez Sanchez
  • Patent number: 8739536
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of regulating the temperature of a heat regenerator (ST1, ST2) used in an installation (10) for storing energy by adiabatic compression of air. The regenerator is subjected to successive operating cycles, each cycle comprising a compression stage followed by an expansion stage. Between two successive cycles, the method consists in cooling a bottom compartment (26a) of the layer of refractory material (26) of the regenerator that is situated in the proximity of the bottom distribution box (24) in order to bring the air leaving the heat regenerator to a temperature that is compatible with the range of temperatures required during the compression stages. The invention also provides such a heat regenerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: GDF Suez
    Inventors: Patrick Canal, Lionel Nadau
  • Publication number: 20140130499
    Abstract: A steam turbine installation that has a steam turbine, a steam generator and a feed water pre-heating unit operated by process steam is provided. The steam turbine has an overload bypass line with which main steam can be fed to the feed water pre-heating unit between the steam turbine input and the extraction point during overload operation of the steam turbine, wherein the feed water pre-heating unit has an auxiliary extraction line that is connected to the overload bypass line in such a way that process steam can be extracted from the steam turbine during partial load operation of the steam turbine and added to the feed water pre-heating unit for the additional pre-heating of feed water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Carsten Graeber, Thomas Loeper, Michael Wechsung
  • Publication number: 20140102102
    Abstract: The various embodiments herein provide a method and a system for maintaining a constant power output from the low pressure stages of an extraction-condensing type steam turbine under the large variations of extraction or bleed. The method comprises of keeping the flow of working fluid to the low pressure stages constant for a wide range of variations in extraction. The embodiments herein utilizes a pressure reducing and de-superheating stations (PRDS) and an Auxiliary Quick Start™ turbine to maintain the constant flow of working fluid or alternatively two pressure reducing and de-superheating stations (PRDS) for the same. The Auxiliary Quick Start™ turbine or PRDS is used to maintain the constant power output from the low pressure stages of the extraction-condensing type steam turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Inventor: KRISHNA KUMAR BINDINGNAVALE RANGA
  • Patent number: 8695347
    Abstract: A boiling water nuclear power plant supplies steam from a reactor to high-pressure and low-pressure turbines. Feed water generated by condensing steam in a condenser is heated by low-pressure and high-pressure feed water heaters and supplied to the reactor. The steam discharged from the low-pressure turbine is compressed by a steam compressor and supplied to one of the low-pressure feed water heaters to heat feed water. The steam extracted from the low-pressure turbine is supplied to the low-pressure feed water heater. When power required for the steam compressor is Q1, heat energy supplied from the steam compressor is Q3, a coefficient of performance of the steam compressor is COP (=Q3/Q1), and a thermal efficiency of the boiling water nuclear power plant is ?, the steam compression apparatus is connected to a position in a main steam system and to the feed water heater so as to satisfy COP?1/?>0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeo Hatamiya, Koji Namba, Fumio Takahashi, Koji Nishida, Susumu Nakano, Takanori Shibata
  • Publication number: 20140090378
    Abstract: The invention relates to a control system for matching the output of a steam turbine (2) to a changed load, in particular for the short-term matching of the output of a power plant steam turbine (2) to changed network loads within the context of primary control. The control system according to the invention is characterized by a heat store (33) which, when there is an increased volume of steam tapped off from the steam turbine (2) under a correspondingly reduced load, extracts heat from the steam and which, when there is a reduced quantity of steam tapped off from the steam turbine under a correspondingly increased load, gives up heat to a steam/feed water circuit supplying the steam turbine (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: STEAG NEW ENERGIES GMBH
    Inventor: Andreas Dengel
  • Patent number: 8671686
    Abstract: Backup energy systems utilizing compressed air storage (CAS) systems and bridging energy systems to supply backup power to a load are provided. During a power failure, the bridging energy system provides backup power to the load at least until the CAS system begins supplying adequate power. In various embodiments, backup power capability is enhanced through the use of one or more exhaustless heaters, which are used to heat compressed air. The compressed air, in turn, drives a turbine which is used to power an electrical generator. In various embodiments, ambient air heat exchangers or other types of heat exchangers are used to heat compressed air prior to the compressed air being routed to the turbine, thereby increasing system efficiency. Backup power and backup HVAC are also provided by utilizing turbine exhaust, heat exchangers and various resistive heating elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Active Power, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph F. Pinkerton, David Beatty, David E. Perkins
  • Publication number: 20140060051
    Abstract: A thermoelectric energy storage system and method are provided for storing electrical energy by transferring thermal energy to a thermal storage in a charging cycle, and for generating electricity by retrieving the thermal energy from the thermal storage in a discharging cycle. The thermoelectric energy storage includes a working fluid circuit configured to circulate a working fluid through a heat exchanger, and a thermal storage conduit configured to transfer a thermal storage medium from a thermal storage tank through the heat exchanger. The working fluid includes a zeotropic mixture. The working fluid is in a mixed vapor and liquid phase and has continuously rising or continuously falling temperature during heat transfer due to the working fluid including the zeotropic mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: ABB RESEARCH LTD
    Inventor: ABB RESEARCH LTD
  • Patent number: 8656719
    Abstract: A thermal power plant includes a boiler for burning fossil fuel to generate steam, a steam turbine including a high-pressure turbine, an intermediate-pressure turbine, and a low-pressure turbine which are driven by steam generated in the boiler, an absorber for absorbing and capturing CO2 contained in boiler exhaust gas discharged from the boiler in an absorbing liquid, a desorber for circulating the absorbing liquid between the desorber and the absorber and separating CO2 from the absorbing liquid that has absorbed CO2, a reboiler for feeding a heating source for separating CO2 from the absorbing liquid to the desorber, a steam pipe system for feeding steam taken out from the high-pressure turbine and the intermediate-pressure turbine to the reboiler, and a steam feed source switching device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Kosaka, Nobuyoshi Mishima, Takashi Sugiura
  • Publication number: 20130327043
    Abstract: A method is provided for regulating a brief increase in power of a steam turbine that has an upstream fossil-fired once-through steam generator having a plurality of economizer, evaporator and superheater heating surfaces which form a flow path and through which a flow medium flows. The flow of the flow medium through the fossil-fired once-through steam generator is increased in order to achieve the brief increase in power of the steam turbine. The method involves using desired enthalpy value at the outlet of an evaporator heating surface as a control variable for determining a desired value for the flow of the flow medium through the fossil-fired once-through steam generator. The desired enthalpy value is reduced in order to achieve the brief increase in power of the steam turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Inventors: Jan Brückner, Martin Effert, Frank Thomas
  • Patent number: 8572972
    Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus including a compressed air energy storage (CAES) system including a compression train with a compressor path, a storage volume configured to store compressed air, a compressed air path configured to provide passage of compressed air egressing from the compression train to the storage volume, and a heat recovery system coupled to at least one of the compressor path and the compressed air path and configured to draw heat from at least one of the compressor path and the compressed air path to a first liquid. The compression train is configured to provide passage of compressed air from a first compressor to a second compressor. The heat recovery system includes a first evaporator configured to evaporate the first liquid to a first gas and a first generator configured to produce electricity based on an expansion of the first gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas Johannes Frey, Matthias Finkenrath, Gabor Ast, Stephanie Marie-Noelle Hoffmann, Matthew Lehar, Richard Aumann
  • Patent number: 8555640
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a waste heat auxiliary power unit. In one embodiment, the present invention is a heat exchange unit for an automobile including a core unit configured to be connected to a catalytic converter of the automobile, the core unit generating vapor, and a first energy generation module connected to the core unit, the first energy generation module receiving the vapor from the core unit and generating energy from the vapor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Woodson Wayne Samuel
  • Patent number: 8537961
    Abstract: Disclosed is an advanced process that relates to the enhanced production of energy using the integration of multiple thermal cycles (Brayton and Rankine) that employ multiple fuels, multiple working fluids, turbines and equipment. The method includes providing a nuclear reactor, reactor working fluid, heat exchangers, compressors, and multiple turbines to drive compressors that pressurize a humidified working fluid that is combusted with fuel fired in at least one gas turbine. The turbine(s) provide for electrical energy, processes or other mechanical loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Inventor: Michael Keller