Including Superheating, Desuperheating, Or Reheating Patents (Class 60/653)
  • Patent number: 8137063
    Abstract: The aim of the invention is to provide a superheated component of a steam turbine installation with high thermal and mechanical resistance. To this end, the component comprises a lining applied to a body of the component, on a hot side facing a steam chamber, said lining being adapted to the contour of the component body. According to the invention, the lining comprises a number of molded parts, each molded part comprising a metallic and ceramic composite layer formed from at least one metallic layer and at least one ceramic layer. The ceramic layer is used especially as a insulating layer, and the metallic layer is especially used as a support or for protection against abrasion and/or erosion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Detlef Haje, Dietmar Röttger, Friedhelm Schmitz
  • Patent number: 8117844
    Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for implementing a closed loop thermodynamic cycle utilizing a multi-component working fluid to acquire heat from two or more external heat source streams in an efficient manner utilizing countercurrent exchange. The liquid multi-component working stream is heated by a first external heat source stream at a first heat exchanger and is subsequently divided into a first substream and a second substream. The first substream is heated by the first working stream at a second external heat source stream at a second heat exchanger. The second substream is heated by the second working stream at a third heat exchanger. The first substream and the second substream are then recombined into a single working stream. The recombined working stream is heated by the second external heat source stream at a fourth heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Recurrent Engineering, LLC
    Inventors: Mark D. Mirolli, Lawrence Rhodes, Yakov Lerner, Richard I. Pelletier
  • Publication number: 20120036852
    Abstract: A technique of controlling a steam generating boiler system includes dynamically tuning a rate of change of a disturbance variable (DV) to control operation of a portion of the boiler system, and in particular, to control a temperature of output steam to a turbine. The rate of change of the DV is dynamically tuned based on a magnitude of an error or difference between an actual and a desired level of an output parameter, e.g., output steam temperature. In an embodiment, as the magnitude of the error increases, the rate of change of the DV is increased according to a function f(x). A dynamic matrix control block uses the dynamically-tuned rate of change of the DV, a current output parameter level, and an output parameter setpoint as inputs to generate a control signal to control a field device that, at least in part, affects the output parameter level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: EMERSON PROCESS MANAGEMENT POWER & WATER SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert A. Beveridge, Richard J. Whalen, JR.
  • Patent number: 8104283
    Abstract: A technique of controlling a boiler system such as that used in a power generation plant includes using manipulated variables associated with or control inputs to a reheater section of the boiler system to control the operation of the furnace, and in particular to control the fuel/air mixture provided to the furnace or the fuel to feedwater ratio used in the furnace or boiler. In the case of a once-through boiler type of boiler system, using the burner tilt position, damper position or reheater spray amount to control the fuel/air mixture or the fuel to feedwater flow ratio of the system provides better unit operational efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Emerson Process Management Power & Water Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Xu Cheng, Charles H. Menten, Richard W. Kephart
  • Patent number: 8099959
    Abstract: Heat recovery equipment recovers heat from flue gas. The heat recovery equipment includes a power generation plant that drives a steam turbine by superheated steam produced in a boiler, and an exhaust-gas treatment line that treats flue gas output from the boiler. The exhaust-gas treatment line includes a first air preheater, a heat extractor unit, and a dry electrostatic precipitator. The power generation plant includes a condensed water line. The condensed water line includes a condenser, a condensed water heater, and a low-pressure feedwater heater. The condensed water heater heats water condensed by the condenser with the heat recovered by the heat extractor unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Takeuchi, Yoshio Nakayama, Tsuyoshi Oishi, Satoshi Nakamura, Shinji Nakamura, Tsuyoshi Dohi, Chikayuki Nagata
  • Publication number: 20120006020
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for powering a compressor turbine are provided. The shared shaft between an exhaust gas turbine and the compressor may operates more effectively with the addition an additional component such as a steam turbine to help control the speed of the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Inventor: Karim Wahdan
  • Patent number: 8091361
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for increasing the final feedwater temperature associated with a regenerative Rankine cycle, said cycle commonly used in thermal systems such as conventional power plants, whose steam generators are fired with a fossil fuel and whose regenerative Rankine cycle employs a reheating of the working fluid. This invention involves the placement of an Exergetic Heater System in the feedwater path of the regenerative Rankine cycle. The Exergetic Heater System conditions and heats feedwater such that the temperature of the cycle's final feedwater as it enters the steam generator has reached a desired value. The Exergetic Heater System receives its driving steam from an Intermediate Pressure turbine extraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Exergetic Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Fred D. Lang
  • Publication number: 20120000202
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for generating energy by means of thermal cycles with high pressure and moderate temperature steam, which allows improving the energy and operational efficiency of the conversion of heat energy into mechanical or electrical energy by means of thermal cycles in which the temperature of the steam is limited to moderate values in its generation, comprising the following steps: a) generating steam at a pressure above 65 bar and a moderate temperature below 400° C., b) expanding said steam in a steam turbine, steam of an intermediate pressure, comprised between 10-40 bar, with a moderate moisture, below 15%, being obtained c) drying said steam by means of a moisture separator and reheating said steam, d) expanding said steam in the turbine, and e) heating boiler water used to generate the steam by means of a plurality of steam extractions from the turbine, in order to exchange heat with said boiler water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: SENER GRUPO DE INGENIERIA, S.A.
    Inventors: José María Menéndez Salcedo, Jerónimo Angulo Aramburu
  • Patent number: 8087248
    Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for transferring heat from a hot flue gas stream from a cement plant including large particles and dust to a working fluid of a power plant via a high temperature heat transfer fluid without exposing all or most of the equipment to the erosive force of the particles and dust is disclosed where the apparatus includes a cement plant, a particle separation and heat transfer system and a power plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Kalex, LLC
    Inventor: Alexander I. Kalina
  • Patent number: 8082737
    Abstract: A boiler system for producing steam from water includes a plurality of serially arranged oxy fuel boilers. Each boiler has an inlet in flow communication with a plurality of tubes. The tubes of each boiler form at least one water wall. Each of the boilers is configured to substantially prevent the introduction of air. Each boiler includes an oxy fuel combustion system including an oxygen supply for supplying oxygen having a purity of greater than 21 percent, a carbon based fuel supply for supplying a carbon based fuel and at least one oxy-fuel burner system for feeding the oxygen and the carbon based fuel into its respective boiler in a near stoichiometric proportion. The oxy fuel system is configured to limit an excess of either the oxygen or the carbon based fuel to a predetermined tolerance. The boiler tubes of each boiler are configured for direct, radiant energy exposure for energy transfer. Each of the boilers is independent of each of the other boilers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Jupiter Oxygen Corporation
    Inventors: Brian R. Patrick, Tom L. Ochs, Danylo B. Oryschyn, Cathy A. Summers
  • Publication number: 20110308252
    Abstract: A pressure sensor measures an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) working fluid pressure in front of a radial inflow turbine, while a temperature sensor measures an ORC working fluid temperature in front of the radial inflow turbine. A controller responsive to algorithmic software determines a superheated temperature of the working fluid in front of the radial inflow turbine based on the measured working fluid pressure and the measured working fluid temperature. The controller then manipulates the speed of a working fluid pump, the pitch of turbine variable inlet guide vanes when present, and combinations thereof, in response to the determined superheated temperature to maintain the superheated temperature of the ORC working fluid in front of the radial inflow turbine close to a predefined set point. The superheated temperature can thus be maintained in the absence of sensors other than pressure and temperature sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Herbert Kopecek, Gabor Ast, Thomas Johannes Frey, Pierre Sebastien Huck
  • Patent number: 8056350
    Abstract: An apparatus for cooling, comprising: a liquid pump for transport of fluid through a heating cycle, an external heat source for heating the fluid in the heating cycle, for example a solar heater directly connected to the heating cycle or connected through a heat exchanger, an expander with an expander inlet and an expander outlet, the expander inlet having a fluid connection to the external heat source for receiving fluid in the gas phase to drive the expander by expanding the fluid, a compressor with a compressor inlet and a compressor outlet, the compressor being driven by the expander for compressing working fluid from a low pressure compressor inlet gas to a high pressure compressor outlet gas, a first heat exchanger with a fluid connection to the compressor outlet and connected to the expander inlet for transfer of heat from the high pressure compressor outlet gas to the fluid in the heating cycle, a second heat exchanger with a condenser for condensing the working fluid from the expander by energy trans
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: AC-Sun ApS
    Inventors: Gunnar Minds, Søren Minds, John Steen Jensen
  • Publication number: 20110265444
    Abstract: A power generation system (11) and method of operating such a system (11) including a steam turbine (14). In one embodiment a HRSG (20) includes an evaporator (127) coupled to receive condensate from the steam turbine (14), and a superheater (132) coupled to receive output from the evaporator (127). The HRSG (20) generates steam with thermal energy received from a combustion turbine (28). A flash tank (9) receives water heated in the HRSG (20), outputs a first portion of the water as steam, and outputs a second portion of the water as liquid. A flow line (134) passes steam (51) from the flash tank (9) to a combustion chamber (26) in the combustion turbine (28) to provide power augmentation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventors: James C. Bellows, Frederick W. Shoemaker
  • Publication number: 20110265477
    Abstract: A power plant system including a fossil fuel fired power plant (6) for the generation of electricity, a carbon dioxide capture and compression system (5, 13), and an external heat cycle system has at least one heat exchanger (1,2,3) for the heating of the flow medium of the external heat cycle system. The heat exchanger (1,2,3) is connected to a heat flow from the CO2 capture plant (5) or a CO2 compression unit (13). A return flow from the heat exchanger (1,2,3) is led to the CO2 capture and compression system (5,13) or to the power plant (6). The power plant system allows an increase in overall efficiency of the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventors: Paul DROUVOT, Hongtao LI, Jörg DIETZMANN
  • Publication number: 20110259011
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for converting heat into a usable form of energy, where the system and method are designed to utilize at least two separate heat sources simultaneously, where one heat source stream has a higher initial temperature and a second heat source stream has a lower initial temperature, which is transferred to and a multi-component working fluid from which thermal energy is extracted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: KALEX, LLC
    Inventor: Alexander I. Kalina
  • Publication number: 20110232284
    Abstract: A process is described for obtaining energy from waste, comprising the following phases: a) bio-drying of municipal solid waste (MSW) to transform it into refuse-derived fuel (RDF), a dry, homogeneous material with piece size of around 20-30 cm, known by the name of RDF; h) compacting of the material obtained from phase a) into bales or BIOCUBr and storage of the BIOCUBI® in bioreactors; c) activation by wetting with water of the bioreactors to produce biogas by anaerobic digestion; d) combustion at the start of the material obtained from phase a) (RDF) and subsequently of the residue already digested in the bioreactors, and therefore not biodegradable, in a waste combustor provided with a system of purification of combustion gasses and production of superheated steam at approximately 400° C. and pressure of around 70 bar; e) combustion of the purified biogas in a conventional boiler provided with re-superheaters for raising the temperature of the steam produced by the waste combustor by approximately 100° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: ECODECO S.R.L.
    Inventors: Giuseppe Natta, Gianni Donati, Cristina Donati
  • Publication number: 20110232285
    Abstract: A steam turbine (10) has an impulse rotor (11), a multiplicity of stages (N, . . . , N+4) which are arranged in series along a machine axis (12) and with each of which is associated a wheel disk (11a-e) equipped with corresponding rotor blades (17a-e). The rotor blades (17a-e) of the individual stages (N, . . . , N+4) project into a common axial steam passage (15) into which steam (14) enters via an inlet duct (13), and diaphragms (16b-e) are arranged between the stages (N, . . . , N+4) in each case. A simple and effective protection of the wheel disks against stress corrosion cracking is achieved by dry superheated steam (14) being fed to the steam turbine (10), and for reducing or for avoiding stress corrosion cracking on wheel disks (11b-e) of the impulse rotor (11) which are exposed to the risks of wet steam, by the dry superheated steam (14) being used for purging of the wheel disks (11b-e) of the impulse rotor (11) which are at risk.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventor: Andreas Nowi
  • Patent number: 8024930
    Abstract: A combined Gasification, methanation and power island steam turbine system. The system includes a gasification portion, the methanation portion and a steam turbine portion. The Gasification portion includes the new heat recovery design and associated controls for obtaining a desired steam to dry gas ration of 1.1-2.2. The methanation portion includes first, second and third methanation reactors and associated heat recovery integrated with a high-pressure, low-pressure superheater, and HP economizers. The power Island steam turbine includes a High pressure, Intermediate pressure, low-pressure steam turbine having an input coupled to an output of the superheaters in Methanation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sampath Kumar Bommareddy, Karthik Subramanyan, James Michael Storey, Jerrold Samuel Kassman, Kurt Richard Imai
  • Publication number: 20110214427
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for reducing coal consumption in coal fired power plant with steam-piping drying, namely a steam-piping drying system is provided between a coal grinding mill and a coal powder bunker as well as a weighing belt of the prior coal fired boiler generating set, and superheated steam which have done partial work is extracted from an steam turbine and used as a drying medium, moisture contained in the coal powder is evaporated with sensible heat and latent heat of the superheated steam, water resulted from the condensation of the superheated steam is fed into a deaerator of the steam turbine via a condensate pump for recirculation. The present invention has advantages of reducing coal consumption and saving coal, recovering residual heat, reducing emission of carbon dioxide and adopting to the national industrial policy on energy saving and emission reduction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Inventors: Xu Zhao, Maikui Zhang, Yan Dou, Yongzhong Jiang, Jinwen Shi
  • Patent number: 8006496
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods related to an engine for converting heat into mechanical output using a working fluid in a closed circulating system are disclosed. In some embodiments, the engine includes a pump to pressurize the working fluid, a regenerative heat exchanger to transfer heat from a first portion of the working fluid to a second portion, a heating device to heat the working fluid, and first and second scroll expanders to expand the working fluid and generate the mechanical output. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: SECCO2 Engines, Inc.
    Inventor: Preston Henry Carter
  • Publication number: 20110203277
    Abstract: The invention relates to producing liquid hydro carbonaceous product (1) from solid biomass (2). In the invention solid biomass (2) is gasified in a gasifier (6) to produce raw synthesis gas (3). The raw synthesis gas (3) is conditioned to purify the raw synthesis gas (3) to obtain purified synthesis gas (4), the conditioning comprising lowering the temperature of the raw synthesis gas (3) in a cooler (19) producing saturated steam (51). Then the purified gas (4) is subjected to a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis in a Fischer-Tropsch reactor (5) to produce liquid hydro carbonaceous product (1). In the invention the saturated steam (51) produced by the cooler (19) is further superheated in a superheating boiler (50) for producing superheated steam (52).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: UPM-KYMMENE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Petri Kukkonen, Pekka Knuuttila, Pekka Jokela
  • Patent number: 7997078
    Abstract: In a nuclear power plant, thermal power in a second operation cycle of a nuclear reactor is uprated from thermal power in a first operation cycle preceding the second operation cycle by at least one operation cycle. A proportion of steam extracted from a steam system and introduced to a feedwater heater, which is in particular extracted from an intermediate point and an outlet of a high pressure turbine, with respect to a flow rate of main steam, is reduced in the second operation cycle from that in the first operation cycle such that the temperature of feedwater discharged from the feedwater heater is lowered by 1° C. to 40° C. in the second operation cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi-GE Nuclear Energy, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masao Chaki, Kazuaki Kitou, Motoo Aoyama, Masaya Ootsuka, Kouji Shiina
  • Patent number: 7997076
    Abstract: A system for converting heat from an engine into work includes a boiler coupled to a heat source for transferring heat to a working fluid, a turbine that transforms the heat into work, a condenser that transforms the working fluid into liquid, a recuperator with one flow path that routes working fluid from the turbine to the condenser, and another flow path that routes liquid working fluid from the condenser to the boiler, the recuperator being configured to transfer heat to the liquid working fluid, and a bypass valve in parallel with the second flow path. The bypass valve is movable between a closed position, permitting flow through the second flow path and an opened position, under high engine load conditions, bypassing the second flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Cummins, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy C. Ernst
  • Patent number: 7987676
    Abstract: A closed loop expansion system for energy recovery includes a heat exchanger for using heat from a heat source to heat a working fluid of the closed loop expansion system to a temperature below the vaporization point of the working fluid; a radial inflow expander for receiving the working fluid from the heat exchanger and for expanding and partially vaporizing the working fluid; a screw expander for receiving the working fluid from the radial inflow turbine and for further expanding and vaporizing the working fluid; and a condenser for receiving the working fluid from the screw expander and for liquefying the working fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gabor Ast, Thomas Johannes Frey, Herbert Kopecek, Michael Adam Bartlett, Pierre Sebastien Huck
  • Patent number: 7975483
    Abstract: The invention relates to a steam power plant comprising at least one steam heater for preparing compressed steam, a main turbine, which is connected downstream of the steam heater, is arranged on a main drive shaft and is a high-pressure or medium-pressure turbine, and a secondary turbine, which is interposed between the steam heater and the main turbine and is arranged on a secondary drive shaft, characterized in that the secondary turbine has an at least 50% higher operating speed when compared with a nominal speed of the main turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Kai Wieghardt
  • Publication number: 20110146278
    Abstract: A power generation plant and a method of generating electric energy from recovered heat during an industrial process that uses steam as a means of transferring energy. The method comprises: a) generating a first saturated steam in a first heat exchanger heated by a first source of recovered heat; b) feeding the first saturated steam into a first steam turbine generator, where the first steam turbine generator outputs exhaust steam; c) removing moisture from the exhaust steam with a moisture separator; d) superheating the moisture reduced exhaust steam from step c) in a main heat exchanger with a heat source; and e) feeding the superheated exhaust steam into a second steam turbine generator. The power generation plant comprises a first source of saturated steam, a first steam turbine generator, a moisture separator, a second source of saturated steam, a heat exchanger and a second steam turbine generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: HATCH LTD.
    Inventors: Shimin DENG, Ruairi P. HYNES, William DAVEY
  • Publication number: 20110131995
    Abstract: A control method for boiler outlet temperatures includes predictive control of SH and RH desuperheater systems. The control method also includes control and optimization of steam generation conditions, for a boiler system, such as burner tilt and intensity, flue-gas recirculation, boiler fouling, and other conditions for the boiler. The control method assures a proportional-valve control action in the desuperheater system, that affects the boiler system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Vladimir Havlena
  • Patent number: 7942001
    Abstract: A pair of organic Rankine cycle systems (20, 25) are combined and their respective organic working fluids are chosen such that the organic working fluid of the first organic Rankine cycle is condensed at a condensation temperature that is well above the boiling point of the organic working fluid of the second organic Rankine style system, and a single common heat exchanger (23) is used for both the condenser of the first organic Rankine cycle system and the evaporator of the second organic Rankine cycle system. A preferred organic working fluid of the first system is toluene and that of the second organic working fluid is R245fa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: UTC Power, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas D. Radcliff, Bruce P. Biederman, Joost J. Brasz
  • Publication number: 20110094228
    Abstract: A method of increasing the power of a carbonaceous fuel combusting boiler system includes the steps of (a) feeding carbonaceous fuel into a furnace of the boiler system, (b) feeding oxidant gas into the furnace for combusting fuel to produce exhaust gas, (c) discharging the exhaust gas from the furnace via an exhaust gas channel, (d) conveying a stream of feedwater from a boiler economizer arranged in the exhaust gas channel to evaporating and superheating heat exchange surfaces arranged in the furnace and in the exhaust gas channel for converting the feedwater to superheated steam, (e) expanding the superheated steam in a high-pressure steam turbine for generating power, (f) extracting steam from the high-pressure steam turbine at a decreased rate for preheating the feedwater, (g) conveying steam from the high-pressure steam turbine at an increased rate to a reheater arranged in the exhaust gas channel for generating reheated steam, (h) expanding the reheated steam in an intermediate pressure steam turbine f
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: FOSTER WHEELER ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Zhen Fan, Horst Hack, Andrew Seltzer
  • Publication number: 20110083443
    Abstract: A device and a method for using overcapacities in the power grid is provided. In case of an oversupply of energy, the energy is transferred to a thermal storage device directly via a heating element and in the discharge case of the thermal storage device the heat is removed from the thermal storage device and made available to a thermodynamic cycle whereby electrical energy is produced. The heat from the thermal storage device is used to preheat air in an air feed line to a combustion chamber, or fuel is pre-heated using heat from the thermal storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Inventors: Tobias Jockenhoevel, Norbert König, Rainer Nies, Nicolas Vortmeyer, Erik Wolf
  • Publication number: 20110067400
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for the combined production of power and heat from an external heat source stream, where the system utilizes four basic stream of different compositions to co-generate power and to heat an external heat absorber stream from an external heat source stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: KALEX, LLC
    Inventor: Alexander I. Kalina
  • Publication number: 20110061388
    Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention provides a direct evaporator apparatus for use in an organic Rankine cycle energy recovery system, comprising: (a) a housing comprising a heat source gas inlet, and a heat source gas outlet, said housing defining a heat source gas flow path from said inlet to said outlet; and (b) a heat exchange tube disposed entirely within said heat source flow path, said heat exchange tube being configured to accommodate an organic Rankine cycle working fluid, said heat exchange tube comprising a working fluid inlet and a working fluid outlet, said heat exchange tube defining three zones, a first zone adjacent to said heat source gas outlet, a second zone adjacent to said heat source gas inlet, and a third zone disposed between said first zone and said second zone, said working fluid inlet being in direct fluid communication with said first zone, and said working fluid outlet being in direct fluid communication with said third zone; wherein said first zone is not in direct fluid commu
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Matthew Alexander Lehar, Sebastian W. Freund, Thomas Johannes Frey, Richard Aumann, Gabor Ast
  • Publication number: 20110061387
    Abstract: A waste heat recovery system, method and device executes a thermodynamic cycle using a working fluid in a working fluid circuit which has a high pressure side and a low pressure side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Inventors: Timothy J. Held, Stephen Hostler, Jason D. Miller, Brian F. Hume
  • Publication number: 20110056201
    Abstract: A system and a method are provided that may be used to control the temperature of steam being reheated by a moisture separator reheater (MSR). The temperature of a steam being reheated by a MSR may be sensed, and controller embodiments may use the sensed temperature to control the transfer of heat from various MSR components into the reheated steam. By using such control embodiments, the MSR may provide optimally heated steam to other power plant components, thus increasing the performance, efficiency, and safety of a power plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Steven Craig Kluge, Michael James Molitor
  • Patent number: 7900451
    Abstract: The present invention provides a power and regasification system based on liquefied natural gas (LNG), comprising a vaporizer by which liquid motive fluid is vaporized, said liquid motive fluid being LNG or a motive fluid liquefied by means of LNG; a turbine for expanding the vaporized motive fluid and producing power; heat exchanger means to which expanded motive fluid vapor is supplied, said heat exchanger means also being supplied with LNG for receiving heat from said expanded fluid vapor, whereby the temperature of the LNG increases as it flows through the heat exchanger means; a conduit through which said motive fluid is circulated from at least the inlet of said vaporizer to the outlet of said heat exchanger means; and a line for transmitting regasified LNG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Ormat Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Nadav Amir, Lucien Y. Bronicki, Uri Kaplan, Marat Klochko
  • Patent number: 7900431
    Abstract: The present invention provides process and plant for power generation comprising: providing a steam generator; first, second and third steam turbines; a reheater; a gas turbine; and at least one heat exchanger; supplying a first stream comprising steam from the steam generator to the first steam turbine to generate power in the first steam turbine; recovering from the first steam turbine a recovered stream comprising steam and supplying at least a part of the recovered stream to the reheater; supplying a second stream comprising steam from the steam generator to a first zone of the heat exchanger and heating the second stream therein by supplying at least one hot exhaust gas from the gas turbine to the first zone of the heat exchanger; supplying the heated second stream to the second steam turbine to generate power therein; supplying a third stream comprising steam from the steam generator to the reheater to heat the recovered stream from the first steam turbine; recovering from the reheater a heated recovere
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Parsons Brinckerhoff Limited
    Inventors: Paul Willson, George Atkinson
  • Publication number: 20110048011
    Abstract: A steam turbine power plant 10 includes a steam turbine facility 20 in which power is generated by driving steam turbines with steam from a boiler 21 generating steam using combustion heat and steam from a heat collecting steam generator 31 generating steam using sunlight, and a carbon dioxide collecting facility 60 in which carbon dioxide contained in combustion gas from the boiler 21 and the like is collected. Further, steam from the heat collecting steam generator 31 is delivered to a solar heat steam turbine 32 and performs expansion work, and thereafter part of the steam is delivered to the carbon dioxide collecting facility 60 via a pipe 51 and heats the absorbing liquid 100 in the recovery tower 80.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: NOBUO OKITA, Takeo Suga, Haruhiko Hirata
  • Patent number: 7891186
    Abstract: A waste heat recovery system is provided for an internal combustion engine having a piston, a cylinder and an intake manifold, significantly improving gas mileage efficiency without reliance on alternative fuels. The system includes a heat loop having a heat transfer fluid, a compressor in fluid communication with the intake manifold to supply compressed air thereto, a Stirling engine operated and optimized via thermal communication with the heat loop, and operatively coupled to the compressor. The system includes a chiller in thermal communication with the heat loop, and with the intake manifold to cool the compressed air communicate to the cylinder. The system may include additional Stirling engines operating other devices, or being operated by a device, such as a propeller. A vehicle can incorporate the system and route fluid to and from a radiator. The system can be used in both portable and stationary applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Inventor: Indru J. Primlani
  • Publication number: 20110036090
    Abstract: A steam generation system comprises a main steam generator and a back-up steam generator (20) which are both in fluid communication with a super heater (3) for superheating the generated steam. The superheater comprises a main heat source (6) for heating up a flow of heating gas. A back-up evaporator (2) is provided as a back-up steam generator for evaporating supplied water into steam. The back-up evaporator is connected in parallel to the main steam generator. An auxiliary heat source is provided for heating up the back-up evaporator. By controlling the auxiliary heat source (9), it is possible to supply more or less heat energy to the back-up evaporator to compensate for fluctuations in steam production of the main steam generator. The back-up evaporator is positioned away from the flow of heating gasses departing from the main heat source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: NEM B.V.
    Inventor: Peter Simon Rop
  • Patent number: 7886538
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a steam power station and a power plant as well as a corresponding steam power station. According to the invention, essentially all of the water that is drained from at least one pressure stage of the steam power station is collected, stored, and recirculated into the water circuit of steam power station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Schöttler, Anja Wallmann, Rainer Wulff
  • Publication number: 20110023487
    Abstract: In a method for controlling a waste heat recovery steam generator of the once-through steam generator type in a combined cycle power plant, the flow volume of the feedwater into the steam generator is controlled based on a measured steam temperature at the outlet of a superheater and on a set-point value for the steam temperature for a steam turbine. A degree of superheating at the outlet of a high-pressure evaporator, a degree of subcooling at the inlet into the high-pressure evaporator, and the measured current flow volume of the feedwater are integrated in the control system in a plurality of control steps. For an optimum operation during rapid load changes, the method especially comprises additional controlling of the degree of subcooling of the flow medium at the inlet into the high-pressure evaporator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventor: Hamid OLIA
  • Patent number: 7870735
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus that includes a first heat exchanger for heating a first heat transfer medium in a first form from a first temperature to a second higher temperature to provide an increased pressure gas, a first mechanical device configured to use the increased pressure gas to provide mechanical energy to one or more primary components, and one or more additional mechanical devices configured to use the increased pressure gas to provide mechanical energy to one or more secondary components. The mechanical device produces spent gas, and a conversion device is operably associated with at least one of the mechanical devices to convert the spent gas to the first form for re-use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Romanelli Energy Systems, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Pat Romanelli, Robert J. Romanelli
  • Patent number: 7861527
    Abstract: A thermal power generation apparatus comprises a boiler (15) and multiple turbine sets for high, intermediate and lower steam pressure operation. Steam exhausted from the high pressure turbine (HP), and reduced in both pressure and temperature, is returned to a reheater (19) for reheating. The reheated steam is then passed to a intermediate pressure turbine (IP). It is desirable to control the temperature of steam entering the intermediate pressure turbine (IP). The invention provides a system for effecting temperature control of the reheater stream in a thermal power plant. The system includes a reheater conduit (10, 21) adapted to define at least a part of a reheat flow path for steam between an exhaust of a high pressure turbine system (HP) and an inlet of a reheater system (19). The system further includes an indirect water/steam heat exchanger (B) having a heat exchange portion within the reheat flow path and defining a water flow path means adapted to receive and circulate feed water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Doosan Babcock Energy America LLC
    Inventor: Bin Xu
  • Patent number: 7861526
    Abstract: The invention relates to a steam generation plant, comprising a steam generator (1) with a combustion chamber (8), an evaporator, a superheater (9), an intermediate superheater (12), a condenser (14), a feed water preheater (16, 19, 19?) regeneratively heated by steam, a steam turbine set (2) with a high-pressure section (4), a medium pressure section (5) and a low-pressure section (6), a flue gas line (22), connected to the combustion chamber (8), an air supply line (21), for the supply of combustion air to the burner in the combustion chamber (8) and an air preheater (3) with flue gas and combustion air passing therethrough. An air line (23) branches off from the air supply line (21) downstream of the air preheater (3) in said steam generation plant and supplies an air-fractionation unit (25). Air coolers (34, 35) are arranged in the air line (23) through which the condensate or feed water from the condensate/feed water circuit from the steam generator (1) flows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Man Turbo AG
    Inventor: Bernd Gericke
  • Publication number: 20100326074
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the embodiment, a steam turbine power plant 10 is provided with a steam turbine system 20 which generates electricity by driving a steam turbine by the steam from a boiler 21 or the like which generates the steam by combustion heat, and a carbon dioxide recovery system 50 which recovers carbon dioxide contained in the combustion gas from the boiler 21 or the like. In the steam turbine system 20, part of the steam having performed the expansion work in a high-pressure turbine 22 is introduced into a back-pressure turbine 27. The steam introduced into the back-pressure turbine 27 performs the expansion work and partly supplied to the carbon dioxide recovery system 50 through a pipe 42 to heat an absorption liquid 90 in a regeneration tower 70.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: Nobuo OKITA, Yasunori Matsuura, Nobuhiko Hattori
  • Patent number: 7856823
    Abstract: A pre-heater arrangement in a heat regenerative engine for pre-heating water in its delivery path from a condenser sump to a combustion chamber. The engine includes a steam generator, including the combustion chamber, for producing pressurized steam. The engine further includes at least one piston and cylinder arrangement for receiving the pressurized steam in order to drive the piston within the cylinder, and a condenser for condensing steam to liquid. A conduit formed of a heat transferring material provides the delivery path from the condenser sump to the combustion chamber. The pre-heater arrangement includes at least one exhaust port associated with the cylinder for releasing steam from within the cylinder after driving the piston, and a tubular coil connected to the steam delivery conduit and wound about the cylinder, adjacent to the exhaust port, for transferring heat from the exhausted steam to the water traveling through the coil, thereby heating the water on its delivery path to the steam generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Cyclone Power Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Harry Schoell
  • Patent number: 7856822
    Abstract: A heat regenerative engine uses water as both the working fluid and the lubricant. In operation, water is pumped from a collection pan and through a coil around a cylinder exhaust port, causing the water to be preheated by steam exhausted from the cylinder. The preheated water then enters a steam generator and is heated by a combustion chamber to produce high pressure super heated steam. Air is preheated in a heat exchanger and is then mixed with fuel from a fuel atomizer. An igniter burns the atomized fuel as the flames and heat are directed in a centrifuge within the combustion chamber. The speed and torque of the engine are controlled by a rocker and cam arrangement which opens a needle-type valve to inject high pressure super heated steam into a cylinder having a reciprocating piston therein. The injected steam expands in an explosive action on the top of the piston at high pressure forcing the piston down and drivingly rotating a linked crank cam and crankshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Cyclone Power Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Harry Schoell
  • Patent number: 7849692
    Abstract: A segmented heat exchanger system for transferring heat energy from an exhaust fluid to a working fluid. The heat exchanger system may include a first heat exchanger for receiving incoming working fluid and the exhaust fluid. The working fluid and exhaust fluid may travel through at least a portion of the first heat exchanger in a parallel flow configuration. In addition, the heat exchanger system may include a second heat exchanger for receiving working fluid from the first heat exchanger and exhaust fluid from a third heat exchanger. The working fluid and exhaust fluid may travel through at least a portion of the second heat exchanger in a counter flow configuration. Furthermore, the heat exchanger system may include a third heat exchanger for receiving working fluid from the second heat exchanger and exhaust fluid from the first heat exchanger. The working fluid and exhaust fluid may travel through at least a portion of the third heat exchanger in a parallel flow configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Darryl Dean Baldwin, Martin Leo Willi, Scott Byron Fiveland, Kristine Ann Timmons
  • Publication number: 20100307154
    Abstract: A closed thermodynamic system for producing electricity, including a water pump (180), a water circulation heater (110), a steam turbine (120), an electric generator (130) and a steam/water cooling sub-system (190). The water pump transfers water, having about ambient temperature, extracted from the steam/water unit to the water heating unit (165), which heats up the water that flows into the cooking sub-system (190). The water circulation heater (110) converts the water into high pressure steam which is directed to the steam turbine which converts the thermal energy to kinetic energy. The rotating turbine rotates the electric generator (130), being affixed onto the rotational axis of the turbine, and the electric generator produces electric energy. The water cooling sub-system then reduces the steam returning from the turbine into water having about ambient temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventor: Gilbert Gal Ben Lolo
  • Patent number: 7841179
    Abstract: System and method is disclosed to increase the efficient of internal combustion engines using to generate electric power, where the system and method converts a portion of thermal energy produced in the combustion process to a usable form of energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Kalex, LLC
    Inventor: Alexander I. Kalina