Abstract: A chemical energy power plant includes control of steam temperature to prevent turbine damage while allowing throttling of the power output level and rapid response to commands for changed power output level.

Abstract: In a wet-steam turbine plant, which comprises a high-pressure turbine (1), at least one low-pressure turbine (3), and a generator (4), and in which a high-velocity water separator (6) is provided in the connecting line (2) between the high-pressure turbine (1) and the low-pressure turbine (3), a reheater (7), of space-saving design, is located downstream of the water separator (6), between the lower and upper cross-connecting lines (2). The reheater (7) is connected in a manner such that the heating steam is admitted to it in cross-flow, and possesses a flow cross-section which approximates to that of the connecting line (2), so that it is a portion thereof.

Abstract: Liquid injection into the interstage steam flow in a multi-stage compressor is controlled by calculating a saturation temperature of the fluid in the interstage and then controlling the liquid flow to reduce the incoming fluid temperature to a value a predetermined amount above the saturation temperature. In one embodiment, the fluid temperature is measured at the downstream end of the interstage conduit after it has been reduced by liquid injection. This measured temperature is used to compare with the calculated saturation temperature to determine whether to increase or decrease the liquid injection flow. In another embodiment of the invention, the fluid temperature is measured upstream of the liquid injection point.

Abstract: A turbine condenser includes a steam dome of the condenser having a wall. At least one bypass steam inlet discharges into the steam dome. The bypass steam inlet includes a bypass valve for controlling the amount of bypass steam in the bypass steam inlet and at least two series-connected throttling devices disposed downstream of the bypass valve for decompressing the bypass steam. Each respective throttling device disposed relatively further downstream has a larger cross section than each throttling device disposed relatively further upstream. The throttling device disposed farthest downstream is in the form of an insert disposed in the steam dome conforming to the curvature of the steam dome wall. A device is provided for injecting water into the bypass steam inlet cooling the bypass steam.

Abstract: A boiler for a heat sensitive working fluid in which there are three systems, first, a stream of hot combustion gas system, second, a heat transfer fluid system and lastly, a heat sensitive working fluid system. The heat transfer fluid is at the interface between the hot combustion gas and the working fluid so as to prevent the formation of hot spots.

Abstract: A process for the energy efficient conduct of a multi-stage water gas shift reaction includes furnishing a carbon monoxide-containing feed gas stream at an inlet temperature of at least 600.degree. F. and water to a high-temperature shift reactor stage to produce a carbon dioxide and hydrogen enriched exhaust gas stream and introducing the exhaust gas stream to a low-temperature shift reactor stage at an inlet temperature of about 300.degree.-500.degree. F. to produce a product gas stream further enriched in carbon dioxide and hydrogen. A heat exchange fluid is passed in heat exchange relationship with at least the feed and exhaust gas streams to recover thermal energy therefrom by concurrently cooling the gas streams and heating the heat exchange fluid.

Abstract: A bypass system for a steam turbine wherein the energy level of the steam bypassed around the intermediate pressure and low pressure turbines is modified by introduction of cooling water. The amount of water introduced is adaptively varied as a function of the enthalpy of the bypassed steam as measured by a sensor in the steam path.

Abstract: A bypass system for a steam turbine wherein the temperature of the steam bypassed around the high pressure turbine is accurately controlled by measuring the inlet and outlet temperatures of the boiler reheater and generating an adaptive set point. The set point value is used to govern operation of a spray valve which admits cooling water to the bypass steam path.

Abstract: A vapor generating and vapor superheating installation for marine propulsion purposes, and a method of operating such an installation. The installation including a vapor generating and vapor superheating unit adapted to be fired with fluent fuel including tubulous vapor generating and vapor superheating surface proportioned to give a predetermined superheated vapor output at a maximum firing rate. The installation also including a fluent fuel fired fluidized bed furnace provided with a superheater tube bank connected to receive vapor from the vapor generating and vapor superheating unit and arranged to impart superheat to the vapor at part load operation of the unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electricity generation system, using freon as an agent to circulate between a warm heat source and a cold heat sink, recapturing electrical energy on one side and alleviating thermal pollution in the environment on the other side.

Abstract: Steam is produced from low quality feedwater. A feedwater stream and a superheated steam stream are introduced into a contactor vessel where the superheated steam is contacted with the feedwater thereby producing saturated steam in the contactor vessel and precipitating minerals from the feedwater in the contactor vessel. The produced steam is withdrawn from the contactor vessel and divided into a primary stream and a secondary stream. The primary stream of produced steam is flowed to a use terminal such as a well for injecting the same into a subsurface formation as part of a steam flood system or such as a steam turbine. The secondary stream of steam is superheated and recycled to the contactor vessel. Waste water containing the solid minerals precipitated from the feedwater within the contactor vessel is withdrawn from the contactor vessel through a waste water discharge conduit.

Abstract: A steam-generating system has a construction which omits the vaporizer from a waste-heat boiler of a waste-heat recovery Rankine cycle while retaining the superheater. In this system, a superheated steam emanating from the outlet of the superheater is divided into steam for the superheater system and steam for the steam turbine system. The turbine steam is adiabatically expanded, then condensed and liquefied into water in the condenser, and subsequently converted into high-pressure hot water. This high-pressure hot water is injected into the circulation steam and consequently cooled to produce saturated steam. The saturated steam is returned to the inlet of the superheater and utilized therein to exchange heat with waste gas.

Abstract: A power plant may include a steam generator and a steam turbine wherein the steam generator provides steam to the turbine for driving the turbine and exhausted steam from the turbine is condensed in the turbine condenser to be pumped back to the steam generator as feedwater. In order to maintain minimum feedwater pump flows and to provide an alternative flow path should the steam generator require less than the available feedwater flow, a recirculation loop is provided for returning a portion of the feedwater to the turbine condenser. According to the present invention, this return flow to the condenser may be used for deaeration of condensate and for the attemperation of bypass steam.

Abstract: An adaptive control system for controlling the temperature of desuperheated steam in a turbine bypass system. In one embodiment of the invention, redundant temperature sensors downstream of desuperheating water sprays provide an indication of the actual steam temperature after desuperheating has occurred. The highest value of temperature is automatically selected for control and to provide an error signal to a controller. The controller output, indicative of the deviation from a desired temperature, is multiplied by a factor proportional to steam flow in the bypass system. The multiplied signal is then utilized to proportionally position one or more water control valves to spray more or less water into the bypassed steam. The control system thus automatically adapts itself to variations in steam flow. Preferably, the steam flow is taken as the product of the position of a steam flow throttling valve in the bypass line and the steam supply pressure ahead of the valve.

Abstract: Power is recovered from the vaporization of liquefied natural gas by liquefying a multicomponent refrigerant. The liquefied multicomponent refrigerant is then pressurized, vaporized and expanded in two stages through two expanders which are coupled to a generator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for extracting steam from a steam turbine and adjusting the temperature and pressure for a process. Steam is extracted from the first section of the turbine and is throttled to a desired pressure for use in the process. After the extracted steam is throttled it is transmitted to a suction port of a jet pump. If the pressure of the extracted steam entering the jet pump suction port is less than the desired process pressure, high pressure steam is routed to an inlet port of the jet pump. Steam leaving the jet pump may be desuperheated. Regulation of the steam flow between the first and second section turbines increased extraction pressure. At some point total efficiency of turbine operation and process operation can be improved by extracting steam from a second, higher pressure extraction location.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electricity generation system, using freon as an agent to circulate between a warm heat source and a cold heat sink, recapturing electrical energy on one side and alleviating thermal pollution in the environment on the other side.

Abstract: A method and system for allocating fluid flow draining from a fluid utilizing apparatus to first and second fluid sinks. The fluid flow is entirely routed to the first fluid sink for drain flow rates less than a predetermined flow rate and to the second fluid sink as well as the first fluid sink for drain flow rates at least as great as the predetermined flow rate. Fluid from the fluid utilizing device is received in a drain tank through an inlet port and is drained therefrom through an outlet port. The fluid flow rate through the outlet port is regulated by cooperatively modulating first and second valves arranged in parallel flow relation to allocate fluid flow to the first and second fluid sinks.

Abstract: A desuperheater is disposed in a steam supply line supplying superheated steam to a shell and tube reheater.

Abstract: A method of operation of a vapor cycle heat engine which includes the steps of regeneration, recompression, reheating and isothermal recompression with feedwater spray injection for improved cycle efficiency.

Abstract: In a combined cycle power plant comprising a steam turbine and gas turbine connected through a heat recovery steam generator, the start-up mode for a steam turbine is based upon the shell metal temperature of the steam turbine. In some combined cycle plants, the output of the gas turbine is reduced so as to more closely match the output steam temperature of the heat recovery steam generator to the steam turbine metal temperature. This arrangement can be disadvantageous for several reasons and so it is proposed that a spray attemperator or desuperheater be incorporated between the heat recovery steam generator outlet and the steam turbine inlet. Moreover, control means are indicated for controlling the fluid input into the attemperator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for power generation from a recirculating superheat-reheat circuit with multiple expansion stages which alleviates complex control systems and minimizes thermal cycling of system components, particularly the reheater. The invention includes preheating cold reheat fluid from the first expansion stage prior to its entering the reheater with fluid from the evaporator or drum component.

Abstract: An arrangement for storing energy to cover peak-load conditions and serve as a stop-gap reserve in steam power plants. A live steam generator is connected to a steam turbine, and a storage vessel is provided with a steam cushion volume and a water content volume. The water content of the storage vessel is connected, on the one hand, to a single-or multi-stage secondary steam generator which is connected, in turn, on the steam side to the turbine by a working steam line. A hot-water return line connects the secondary steam generator on the water side to the feed water line and/or a compensation vessel connected to the feed water line. The steam cushion volume of the storage vessel is connected, on the other hand, by a steam line, to a point of the main steam cycle of the plant which is upstream of the entry point of the working steam line. In particular, the steam cushion is connected to the live steam line. The secondary steam generator may be in the form of one or several flash tanks or heat exchangers.

Abstract: A thermodynamic power cycle and engine for motive power is disclosed which uses a condensible working fluid such as water in which the pressurized fluid, after being heated to vapor, is expanded to perform work in two or more stages with low expansion ratios per stage. The working fluid is reheated between one or more of the expansion stages with short reheats having high average heat addition temperatures. For use with a positive-displacement expander, the fluid has suspended in it a finely-divided powdered lubricant, such as calcium difluoride, which is used to lubricate all wear surfaces. After the fluid leaves the expander, it is still superheated and is desuperheated prior to condensing by transferring its energy to the combustion chamber inlet air. This air preheating reduces the fuel quantity required and facilitates the use of difficult-to-burn fuels such as coal dust. The combustion of the fuel and air preferably proceeds to two steps: the first overly rich and the second very lean.

Abstract: A heat-power engine and system using a condensable vapor as the working fluid has a cylinder with a piston operating therein characterized in that the heat input communicates with the clearance volume of the cylinder, and all of the working fluid, mechanically and thermodynamically possible, is removed from the cylinder adjacent and/or following bottom dead center of the piston.

Abstract: Heat from an exothermic chemical reaction(s) is employed to superheat and/or reheat steam generated by a light water nuclear reactor (LWR). The use of such a source of heat enables the selection of a temperature for the heating limited by thermodynamic considerations that eliminates equipment failures due to overheating the heater tubes.

Abstract: A power plant including dual steam turbine-generators connected to pass superheat and reheat steam from a steam generator which derives heat from the coolant gas of a high temperature gas-cooled nuclear reactor. Associated with each turbine is a bypass line to conduct superheat steam in parallel with a high pressure turbine portion, and a bypass line to conduct superheat steam in parallel with a lower pressure turbine portion. Auxiliary steam turbines pass a portion of the steam flow to the reheater of the steam generator and drive gas blowers which circulate the coolant gas through the reactor and the steam source. Apparatus and method are disclosed for loading or unloading a turbine-generator while the other produces a steady power output. During such loading or unloading, the steam flows through the turbine portions are coordinated with the steam flows through the bypass lines for protection of the steam generator, and the pressure of reheated steam is regulated for improved performance of the gas blowers.

Abstract: A transportable power system, suitable, for example, for powering a vehicle or a transportable machine tool, comprises a storage container for receiving and storing, in liquid form, a working fluid which is nevertheless gaseous at standard temperature and pressure and of non-toxic and/or non-inflammable nature, and self-contained heat supply means together with pump means by which the liquid working fluid is pumped through heat exchange means to convert it to its gaseous form and thence through the heat supply means, which is conveniently a thermal storage unit, wherein the temperature of the gas is raised preparatory to being expanded through means for converting the heat energy of the working fluid into mechanical work. The heat supply means should have a thermal capability sufficient to cause the temperature of the gas to rise to at least 200.degree. C above its critical temperature.

Abstract: Steam or other condensable vapor heated to a maximum temperature at a maximum pressure permitted by the system is expanded to a lower pressure in a positive displacement expander; the partially expanded fluid is then further expanded in a turbine, a portion of the fluid in the turbine is withdrawn and directed to a positive displacement compressor and compressed to the maximum operating pressure while introducing the condensate of the remaining portion of the fluid into the compressor. The compressed fluid is then reheated to maximum temperature and the cycle repeats.

Abstract: The steam which is produced by the steam generator in the secondary coolant circuit of the nuclear reactor power plant is partly expanded in a turbine and delivered to a reheater. A part of the superheated steam is tapped off from an upstream portion of the steam turbine and then cooled to a saturated steam condition. This saturated steam is then passed into the reheater to reheat the flow of partly expanded steam via a heat exchange.

Abstract: A vapor generating system for use in a power plant having a steam turbine and a condenser connected in a series flow relationship, in which a vapor generating section receives a heat exchange fluid and passes the fluid in a heat exchange relation to a source of heat to raise the temperature and pressure of the fluid to predetermined values. The vapor generating section operates at substantially constant pressure during start-up and a pressure reducing station is provided for reducing the pressure of the fluid before it is passed to a plurality of separators in the main flow path for receiving the fluid and separating the fluid into a liquid and a vapor. The separators are connected to a vapor circuit and to a liquid circuit for passing the vapor and liquid to the turbine and condenser, respectively. A method of starting up a vapor generating system in a power plant.