Exhaust Fluid Mingled With Non-exhaust Fluid Patents (Class 60/689)
  • Patent number: 10941750
    Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for operating a hydraulic turbine. A speed adjustment quantity for the hydraulic turbine and a corresponding change in flow quantity are obtained. A rotation speed of the hydraulic turbine is adjusted based on the speed adjustment quantity. A change ratio of the flow quantity with regard to the speed adjustment quantity is determined based on the speed adjustment quantity and the corresponding change in flow quantity. An adjustment manner in which the rotation speed is further adjusted is determined based on the determined based on the determined change ratio of flow quantity. An adjustment manner in which the rotation speed is further adjusted is determined based on the determined change ratio of flow quantity. It enables the hydraulic turbine to track a maximum efficiency operation point under a given power order and water head in real time at a low cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Xiaobo Yang, Chunming Yuan, Chao Yang
  • Publication number: 20140373546
    Abstract: A method for discharging exhaust gas from a gas turbine wherein a number of sectors, position, and angle at the center of at least one sector of a peripheral opening capable of forming an area for reingestion of a primary flow into an engine bay are determined by correlation of interactions between secondary cooling flows and the primary flow, from following behavior parameters: air gyration and speed at an inlet of a pipe, geometry of an exhaust stream, routing of the secondary cooling flow for cooling the engine bay, and a geometry and position of inlets of the secondary flows. The peripheral opening is then closed over the identified at least one angular sector. The method prevents backflow of hot primary air into the peripheral opening formed between a pipe and an ejector of the exhaust stream of a gas turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Applicant: TURBOMECA
    Inventors: Fabian Ammon, Alexandre Brisson, Guy Crabe, Jacques Demolis, Laurent Houssaye, Julien Munoz
  • Patent number: 8910479
    Abstract: A system including an energy unit with an outlet for flue gases is disclosed. The system comprises a regulating nozzle for injecting water into the flue gases from the outlet, a condenser apparatus for extracting water from flue gases, a pump for pumping water from the condenser apparatus to the regulating nozzle, the water devoid of any chemical treatment, and a processor for receiving sensor data, calculating target water content of the flue gases at 100% humidity and a dew point of the flue gases and, calculating an amount of water to inject into the flue gases for: 1) increasing a water content of the flue gases to 100% humidity; 2) lowering a temperature of the flue gases to below the dew point and 3) such that the water is absorbed by the flue gases, and transmitting control signals to the regulating nozzle to inject said amount of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Inventor: Sergey Sorokin
  • Publication number: 20140311148
    Abstract: Provided is an exhaust apparatus provided in a construction machine with an engine and an engine room, the exhaust apparatus capable of suppressing vibration of an exhaust gas pipe and securing required strength thereof. The exhaust apparatus includes a duct provided in the engine room, a fan to suck air into the engine room and discharge through the duct the air to an outside as exhaust wind, and an exhaust gas pipe guiding exhaust gas of the engine into the duct. The exhaust gas pipe includes a duct inner portion inside the duct and a duct outer portion connected to the duct inner portion outside the duct. The duct inner portion has a plurality of discharge holes to allow the exhaust gas to be injected into the duct therethrough and discharged to the outside together with the exhaust wind. The duct inner portion is connected to the duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: KOBELCO CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tomoyuki TSUCHIHASHI
  • Publication number: 20140020388
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a power plant is provided. The power plant includes a power generation system configured to produce an exhaust; a CO2 separation system configured to receive the exhaust and configured to remove CO2 therefrom, the CO2 separation system being configured to produce a CO2 stream; a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) operatively coupled to the power generation system and the CO2 separation system; and a CO2 compression system configured to receive the CO2 stream and configured to produce a CO2 product stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventors: Miguel Angel Gonzalez Salazar, Parag Prakash Kulkarni, Vittorio Michelassi
  • Publication number: 20120272651
    Abstract: A throttleable exhaust venturi is described herein that generates strong suction pressures at an exhaust outlet by accelerating an incoming ambient fluid stream with the aid of a venturi to high gas velocities and injecting a combustion exhaust stream into the ambient fluid stream at an effective venturi throat. A mixing element downstream of the venturi throat ensures that the mixed fluid stream recovers from a negative static pressure up to local atmospheric pressure. A physical and the effective throat of the venturi are designed to promote mixing and stabilize the ambient fluid flow to ensure that high velocity is achieved and the effective venturi is operable over a variety of combustion exhaust stream mass flow rates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: FIRESTAR ENGINEERING, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory S. Mungas, Larry Buchanan
  • Patent number: 8277548
    Abstract: A combined exhaust gas aftertreatment/dust ejector unit (10) is provided for use with a combustion process (14) and an air cleaner (16) of the combustion process (14). The unit (10) includes an elongate housing (30) containing an exhaust gas aftertreatment device (40) and having a radial exhaust gas outlet (34) to direct an exhaust gas flow (12) radially from the housing (30), and a dust ejector (60) including an ejector outlet (62) positioned in the exhaust gas outlet (34). The exhaust gas outlet (34) and the ejector outlet (62) have elliptical shaped cross sections (68,70), with the ejector outlet cross section (70) spaced inwardly from the exhaust gas outlet (34) to define a reduced flow area (72) for the exhaust gas flow (12) to accelerate the exhaust gas flow (12) past the ejector outlet (62).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Kleinfeld, Isidro Hernandez, Shi Zheng, Rick Veneziano
  • Publication number: 20110314820
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a dosing system for dosing a first fluid, preferably flowing in a first flow passage (5) into a stream of a second fluid, preferably flowing in a second flow passage (9). The system may e.g. be used to dose a reducing agent into an exhaust gas from a combustion engine (1). The system comprises a valve (6), a nozzle (3) having an outlet arranged downstream of the valve (6), a flow passage (5) through which the first fluid can flow from a reservoir (4) to the nozzle outlet via the valve (6), and a control system (7) adapted to receive input from one or more sensors (8) and based thereon determine a request value based on which a valve opening period is determined. The valve opening period is different from zero and independent on the request value when the request value is below a predefined threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: GRUNDFOS NONOX A/S
    Inventor: Jan Plougmann
  • Publication number: 20100313566
    Abstract: A system for manipulating engine exhaust gases away from inhabited areas comprises an air pressurization system coupled in fluid communication to a housing. The housing is adapted to reside adjacent a terminal portion of an exhaust pipe so that pressurized air injected into the housing entrains the exhaust gases and disperses them from the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: LESEMAN DAVIS, LLC
    Inventors: GARY THELEN LESEMAN, JOSEPH BYRON DAVIS
  • Publication number: 20100251715
    Abstract: A fluid delivery device, in particular for delivering exhaust gas posttreatment media, such as a urea-water solution, for an internal combustion engine, includes a movable work wall, in particular a work diaphragm. A work chamber is provided for a fluid that is to be delivered via at least one fluid connection. The work chamber is capable of being increased and decreased in size by means of the movable work wall, the at least one fluid connection, and at least one mechanism for moving the work wall upon an intake stroke and a compression stroke. The at least one mechanism is embodied such that the force for moving the work wall both in the intake stroke and in the compression stroke includes a Lorentz force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventors: Christoph WALETZEK, Peter Holek, Ralph Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20100242480
    Abstract: This invention is to reduce NOx occluded in a NOx catalyst in a more appropriate manner. In this invention, in case where an amount of NOx occluded when an execution condition for NOx reduction control holds is more than a predetermined amount of occlusion, NOx reduction control is performed by lowering the O2 concentration of the exhaust gas by means of said O2 concentration lowering means and at the same time supplying a reducing agent to the NOx catalyst by a reducing agent supplying means. In addition, in case where the amount of NOx occluded when the execution condition for NOx reduction control holds is equal to or less than the predetermined amount of occlusion, NOx reduction control is executed by supplying the reducing agent to the NOx catalyst by the reducing agent supplying means without lowering the O2 concentration of the exhaust gas by the O2 concentration lowering means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Nobumoto Ohashi
  • Publication number: 20100236243
    Abstract: The invention provides for a method for operating an SCR catalytic converter for the aftertreatment of exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine, wherein a reducing agent tank (1) with reducing agent and a reducing agent metering device (8) are provided. The reducing agent tank (1) has at least one tank heater (3) having PTC characteristics. A variable characterizing the heater current is acquired for detecting cavities (10) in the reducing agent tank (1) when the reducing agent is frozen. The presence of cavities is suggested from a deviation of the acquired value or values for the variable characterizing the heater current from a predeterminable reference value, which represents a reducing agent tank without cavities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GMBH
    Inventors: Georgios Lolas, Wolfgang Klenk, Andreas Wagner
  • Publication number: 20100162703
    Abstract: A process for reducing CO2 emission in a power plant, wherein the power plant comprises at least one gas turbine coupled to a heat recovery steam generator unit and the CO2 capture unit comprises an absorber and a regenerator, the process comprising the steps of: (a) introducing hot exhaust gas exiting a gas turbine having a certain elevated pressure into a heat recovery steam generator unit to produce steam and a flue gas stream comprising carbon dioxide; (b) removing carbon dioxide from the flue gas stream comprising carbon dioxide by contacting the flue gas stream with absorbing liquid in an absorber having an elevated operating pressure to obtain absorbing liquid enriched in carbon dioxide and a purified flue gas stream, wherein the settings and/or construction of the gas turbine are adjusted such that the hot exhaust gas exiting the gas turbine has a pressure of at least 40% of the elevated operating pressure of the absorber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: SHELL INTERNATIONALE RESEARCH MAATSCHAPPIJ B.V.
    Inventors: Kuei-Jung Li, Georgios Protopapas
  • Publication number: 20100139278
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus is disclosed for the operation of a turboprop aircraft engine provided with pusher propellers. In order to reduce thermal loading of the pusher propellers impaired by the hot exhaust-gas flow of the engine and increase the service life of the pusher propellers, cold air from the environment outside of the aircraft engine is fed into, and mixed with, the hot exhaust-gas flow passing the pusher propellers and their connecting structure before the hot exhaust-gas flow reaches the pusher propellers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE DEUTSCHLAND LTD & CO KG
    Inventor: Carsten CLEMEN
  • Publication number: 20090320442
    Abstract: A system or method of propelling a vehicle with a multimodal propulsion system is provided. This multimodal propulsion system includes a primary inlet, a high-pressure gas generator, a gas generator exhaust system, a secondary fluid inlet, and a propulsion exhaust system. The primary inlet receives an incoming fluid flow that is provided to the high-pressure gas generator. The high-pressure gas generator coupled to the primary inlet produces a high-pressure exhaust from the incoming fluid flow. The high-pressure gas generator exhaust and secondary inlet couple to the propulsive exhaust system which mixes the two flow streams. The secondary flow may be gaseous or liquid fluid flow such as air flow for airborne flight and water for waterborne operation. The mixed fluid flow is expelled by the propulsive exhaust system that can propel the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventors: William M. Butler, Paul E. Hagseth
  • Publication number: 20080148735
    Abstract: A cogeneration process is provided for a regenerator in a fluidized catalytic cracking system having a reactor and a regenerator. The process includes introducing flue gas from the regenerator into a heating unit to produce heated flue gas at a temperature of at least about 900° C. The heated flue gas is introduced into an expander. Steam is heated with the heated flue gas to produce heated steam. The heated steam is introduced into a turbine to extract energy from the steam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventor: James F. McGehee
  • Patent number: 6105368
    Abstract: A method for capturing working fluid which includes a hazardous component and is discharged from a power generating system, includes directing the discharge to a container. There, the discharged working fluid is combined with a liquid in which the hazardous component is soluble to form a less hazardous mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: ABB Alstom Power Inc.
    Inventors: Paul L. Hansen, Paul D. Kuczma, Jens O. Palsson, Jonathan S. Simon
  • Patent number: 5117635
    Abstract: A unique arrangement of components comprising an open Rankine cycle power system for under water application is provided. The arrangement features a high energy density steam generator, a turbine, pumps and other apparatus to provide and control the flow of a seawater working fluid and the use of a mixing condenser to condense the spent steam. The mixing condenser uses droplets of seawater to condense the steam exhausted from the turbine. Alternatively, the steam may be introduced into a pool of water in the mixing condenser by means of a bubble device. The mixing condenser also provides a preheated feedwater supply for the boiler. This system facilitates the packaging of power sources an order of magnitude more powerful than current sources. Moreover, this system can be installed in current vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1992
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventor: Alfred Blau
  • Patent number: 4894993
    Abstract: Power is produced by a power plant using a salt-water solar pond comprising an upper wind-mixed layer, a halocline and a lower convective heat storage layer. The power plant includes a heat engine for utilizing heat present in the heat storage layer of the solar pond and a condenser, which preferably is cooled by liquid droplets. In accordance with a specific embodiment of the invention the power plant is positioned within the solar pond and a flash evaporator is used in the heat engine to produce steam which is supplied to a turbine connected to a generator, the heat depleted steam exiting from the turbine and being cooled by liquid droplets in a direct-contact condenser. The size of the droplets is selected such that the heat extracted in the condenser penetrates the majority of the liquid content of most of the droplets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1990
    Assignee: Solmat Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Gad Assaf, Uriyel Fisher
  • Patent number: 4800727
    Abstract: A system for converting thermal energy into electrical energy includes a fluid reservoir, a relatively high boiling point fluid such as lead or a lead alloy within the reservoir, a downcomer defining a vertical fluid flow path communicating at its upper end with the reservoir and an upcomer defining a further vertical fluid flow path communicating at its upper end with the reservoir. A variable area nozzle of rectangular section may terminate the upper end of the upcomer and the lower end of the of the downcomer communicates with the lower end of the upcomer. A mixing chamber is located at the lower end portion of the upcomer and receives a second relatively low boiling point fluid such as air, the mixing chamber serving to introduce the low boiling point fluid into the upcomer so as to produce bubbles causing the resultant two-phase fluid to move at high velocity up the upcomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1989
    Assignee: Solmecs Corporation N.V.
    Inventor: Michael Petrick
  • Patent number: 4776170
    Abstract: In a device for degassing the feed-water line in the cycle of, for example, a nuclear heated electricity generating plant, steam bubbles are introduced into the condensate beneath the water level in the condensate collecting vessel via spray nozzles in order to solve the acute steam generator corrosion problems. For this purpose, a flow channel, in which the condensate follows a particular path to the hot well is provided in the vessel. Several spray nozzles are provided spaced out in the flow direction of the condensate. The steam/gas mixture escaping from the condensate is guided in counterflow to a steam balance opening which is located in the intermediate floor in the entry region of the flow channel the intermediate floor screening the vessel from the condensation space of the condenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1988
    Assignee: BBC Brown, Boveri & Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Francisco Blangetti
  • Patent number: 4766730
    Abstract: A geothermal steam turbine plant comprises a steam turbine operatively connected to a production well, an indirect-contact type main condenser into which a geothermal steam including non-condensed gas is introduced from the steam turbine, and a cooling water supply system for supplying cooling water to the main condenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1988
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Masayuki Amano, Seiji Okawa, Yoshio Nakano
  • Patent number: 4767938
    Abstract: A fluid dynamic device is provided which includes a fluid holding and U-shaped conduit having a first leg and a second leg, an electrical generating device positioned between and in flow communication with the first and second legs and being motivated by passage of the fluid therethrough, and injection means for injecting a substance of substantially less density relative to the normal density of the fluid within the second leg and at a location spaced below the top end of the first leg. The second leg diverges substantially where the low density substance is injected thereinto so as to accommodate expansion of the fluid occasioned by injection of the low density substance thereinto. In one embodiment, the device utilizes a compressible gas, such as air, as the low density substance which is provided by gas compressors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1988
    Inventor: Dale R. Bervig
  • Patent number: 4691522
    Abstract: A solar electric power generating process is described which consists of tapwater thermally contacted with special brine. Low pressure characteristics of the brine draw steam through a power generating turbine from the water into the brine. As the brine is pumped over an open air evaporator, excess water picked up by the brine is driven off using solar or waste heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1987
    Inventor: William G. Brown, II
  • Patent number: 4658592
    Abstract: A closed Rankine-cycle power unit 10 for powering a turbine 16. The unit comprises a single closed loop in which a working fluid is circulated. The fluid, in liquid phase, is brought to gaseous phase by passing it through a heat exchanger 14 and the gas is used to drive a turbine 16. The gas is then passed through supersonic condenser 20 of supersonic condenser-radiator 18. Supersonic condenser 20 comprises a supersonic DeLaval nozzle 30 connected to a long barrel 38 which converts the gas stream into liquid droplets. The droplets are formed into a droplet beam 22 by a spray nozzle 40, the droplets radiating away a large amount of their heat energy. The beam 22 is collected as a liquid by a collector 24 and pumped through a compressor 26 which raises its pressure. The liquid from the compressor 26 is then circulated through the heat exchanger 14 again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1987
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventors: William R. Wagner, Stanley V. Gunn
  • Patent number: 4617800
    Abstract: A power plant includes a source of water, a heat exchanger having an evaporator side maintained below atmospheric pressure for converting the water to steam, and a turbine responsive to said steam for producing work and heat depleted steam. The heat exchanger also has a condenser side for receiving and condensing the heat depleted steam. The evaporator side of the heat exchanger is separated by a barrier from the condenser side. Concentrated brine from a source thereof is caused to fall in a film on the condenser side of the barrier, and water from the water source is caused to fall in a film on the evaporator side of the barrier. The heat of dilution of the film of concentrated brine, as it is directly contacted by the heat depleted steam in the condenser side of the heat exchanger, is transferred through the barrier from the condenser side to the evaporator side raising the temperature of the film of water on the evaporator side which evaporates in the reduced pressure in the evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1986
    Assignee: Geophysical Engineering Company
    Inventor: Gad Assaf
  • Patent number: 4583370
    Abstract: A heat exchanger comprises a housing containing upper and lower layers of fluid, the upper layer being less dense than the lower layer. The large and sharp density gradient at the interface between the upper and lower layer acts to prevent mixing of the two layers. A plurality of vertically oriented tubular sleeves that are closed at each end and filled with fresh water are located in the housing such that the axial ends of each tubular sleeve are in different ones of the layers. Heat added to the liquid in the lower layer is transferred to the liquid in the upper layer through the medium of the water container in the tubular sleeves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1986
    Assignee: Geophysical Engineering Company
    Inventor: Gad Assaf
  • Patent number: 4578943
    Abstract: A hydraulic engine which uses liquid fluid as the working medium consists of a housing structure, a liquid fluid inlet passage, a fluid outlet passage, a liquid fluid pump, a fluid actuator, coupling means connecting the two, fluid flow diffusing means, a combustion chamber, an energy exchange zone, a fuel and air supply means, a combustion ignition means, a power takeoff actuator means, a power takeoff means, and a fluid separating means. Liquid fluid enters the engine inlet where it travels to the energy exchange zone. Here exhausted combustion product in the form of a gaseous fluid is introduced into the liquid fluid where it is combined. The mixture is exhausted through the outlet passage of the engine in the form of a liquid fluid-gaseous fluid stream. Upon entering the outlet passage, the mixture is directed to a fluid separating chamber where the working liquid fluid of the engine is separated from the gaseous combustion product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1986
    Inventor: Daniel C. Scampini
  • Patent number: 4545208
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method of operating an industrial furnace which is heated by recuperator burners from which the exhaust gases are extracted via steam jet injectors. The exhaust gas-steam mixture from the steam jet injectors passes into a waste heat boiler in order to produce water vapor. This water vapor is delivered to the steam jet injectors in order to drive them. When water vapor is produced in excess, preliminary expansion can be carried out in a turbine in order to generate useful energy. Such conditions are produced in particular when the industrial furnace operates with a steam generating water cooling system for parts of the furnace which become hot. The resulting water vapor is then also led through the waste heat boiler. The useful energy occurring in the turbine can serve to drive the blower for the combustion air for the recuperator burners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1985
    Assignee: Ruhrgas Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Friedhelm Kuhn
  • Patent number: 4528817
    Abstract: Residual geothermal steam containing hydrogen sulfide from a steam turbine is condensed with an aqueous solution of ferric chelate whereby the hydrogen sulfide is converted to free sulfur and the ferric chelate is converted to ferrous chelate. The ferrous chelate is subsequently oxidized back to the ferric state and reused.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1985
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventor: Robert T. Jernigan
  • Patent number: 4476684
    Abstract: A process for condensing exhaust vapor comprises alternating modes of operation. In the first mode, the exhaust vapor contacts solid particles at a first temperature below the condensation temperature of the vapor and, simultaneously, solid particles at a second temperature above the first temperature are cooled to the first temperature. In the second mode, the exhaust vapor contacts the solid particles that were cooled in the first mode and, simultaneously, solid particles that were heated in the first mode are cooled to the first temperature. This cycle repeats continuously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1984
    Inventor: John R. Phillips
  • Patent number: 4476683
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1984
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Rasiklal P. Shah, Cynthia L. Gleason
  • Patent number: 4471621
    Abstract: Liquid working fluid is drained from the sump of the cannister of a power plant of the type described by transferring the working fluid to the condenser rather than to the boiler. In one embodiment of the invention, liquid in the sump is drained by gravity into an auxiliary boiler which heats the drained liquid producing vapor at substantially the pressure of the condenser; and the resultant vapor is piped directly into the condenser where it condenses and joins the main condensate produced from vapor that has been exhausted from the turbine. In a second embodiment of the invention, the exhaust conduit carrying exhaust vapor from the cannister to the condenser is provided with a loop or elbow that extends below the level of the cannister, and a conduit connects the sump in the cannister to the loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1984
    Assignee: Ormat Turbines, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nadav Amir, Haim Hershman, Avi Katz, Meir Rigel
  • Patent number: 4468929
    Abstract: Residual geothermal steam containing hydrogen sulfide from a steam turbine is condensed with an aqueous solution of ferric chelate in a direct or indirect condensor whereby the hydrogen sulfide is converted to free sulfur and the ferric chelate is converted to ferrous chelate. The ferrous chelate is subsequently oxidized back to the ferric state and reused.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1984
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventor: Robert T. Jernigan
  • Patent number: 4426847
    Abstract: A reciprocating external combustion engine wherein energy is supplied to a working end space of the engine by direct injection into the cylinder of liquid water at a high temperature and pressure. The water acts as a heat-transfer medium. Some of the liquid water spontaneously vaporizes on injection, driving the piston. Liquid water is exhausted from the cylinder and recycled to an external heat exchanger for reheating prior to reinjection. The engine is capable of a thermal efficiency greater than that of the Rankine cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1984
    Assignee: Thermal Systems Limited
    Inventor: Victor H. Fischer
  • Patent number: 4414817
    Abstract: Residual geothermal steam containing hydrogen sulfide from a steam turbine is condensed with an aqueous solution of ferric chelate whereby the hydrogen sulfide is converted to free sulfur and the ferric chelate is converted to ferrous chelate. The ferrous chelate is subsequently oxidized back to the ferric state and reused.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1983
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventor: Robert T. Jernigan
  • Patent number: 4392062
    Abstract: A fluid dynamic device is provided which includes a fluid holding and U-shaped conduit having a first leg and a second leg, an electrical generating device positioned between and in flow communication with the first and second legs and being motivated by passage of the fluid therethrough, and injection means for injecting a substance of substantially less density relative to the normal density of the fluid within the second leg and at a location spaced below the top end of the first leg. The second leg diverges substantially where the low density substance is injected thereinto so as to accommodate expansion of the fluid occasioned by injection of the low density substance thereinto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1983
    Inventor: Dale R. Bervig
  • Patent number: 4307572
    Abstract: An externally cooled, absorption engine apparatus and method, the apparatus including a closed cycle system having a first fluid and a second fluid, the first fluid constituting a working fluid and having a relatively lower boiling point while the second fluid constitutes a solvent for the first fluid and has a relatively higher boiling point and a relatively high degree of absorptivity for the first fluid. The apparatus further includes a distillation column, a superheater, a mechanical expansion engine, an externally cooled absorption column, and heat exchange apparatus. The distillation column separates the first fluid or working fluid from the solvent with heat energy supplied by an external combustion source and the superheater increases the thermal energy thereof prior to passing the working fluid through the mechanical expansion engine. The mechanical expansion engine converts thermal engine in the working fluid vapor to mechanical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1981
    Assignee: New Energy Dimension Corporation
    Inventor: VerDon C. Brinkerhoff
  • Patent number: 4296802
    Abstract: There are disclosed four embodiments of apparatus for use in condensing steam from the turbine exhaust of a power plant or the like, each comprising a steam condenser having means for circulating cooling medium therethrough in heat exchange relation with steam from the turbine exhaust, and wet and dry cooling towers in which the cooling medium is cooled by means of ambient air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1976
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1981
    Assignee: Hudson Products Corporation
    Inventor: Michael W. Larinoff
  • Patent number: 4291834
    Abstract: An air heating system comprises a duct housing an air-cooled internal combustion engine which drives a fan to cause air to be drawn in through an inlet mouth of the duct and blown through the duct to a utilizer. The exhaust gases from the engine are fed as heating fluid to a heat exchanger through which they pass in a helical path concentric with the axis of the duct. Pre-heating of the air drawn into the duct can be achieved by providing a second heat exchanger through which air must flow before entering the duct inlet. The heating fluid for the second heat exchanger comprises a mixture of the used air from the utilizer and the exhaust gases leaving the main heat exchanger in the duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1981
    Assignee: Centro Ricerche Fiat S.p.A.
    Inventors: Mario Palazzetti, Giorgio Becchi, Guiseppe Cane
  • Patent number: 4258551
    Abstract: A multi-stage, wet steam turbine employs working fluid, such as steam for example, in its two-phase region with vapor and liquid occurring simultaneously for at least part of the cycle, in particular the nozzle expansion. A smaller number of stages than usual is made possible, and the turbine may handle liquid only. Simple construction, low fuel consumption and high reliability are achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1981
    Assignee: Biphase Energy Systems
    Inventor: Emil W. Ritzi
  • Patent number: 4216657
    Abstract: Power is generated using the temperature difference between the water at the surface of a large body of water whose temperature might be in the vicinity of 25.degree. C. or 77.degree. F., and water at considerable depth in the body of water whose temperature might be in the order of about 5.degree. C. or 41.degree. F. A floating structure is provided which extends in the order of 50 meters below the surface of the water, and input water is initially filtered and deaerated, and then drops for most of the height of the submerged structure before driving a conventional hydraulic turbine. The warm water at the output of the turbine is returned to the level of the surface of the body of water by a mist flow pump arrangement using a large tapered duct that is operated at reduced pressure, with droplets of the warm water from the output of the turbine being sprayed into the bottom of the duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1980
    Assignee: R & D Associates
    Inventor: Stuart L. Ridgway
  • Patent number: 4189924
    Abstract: A power generation system and method of operation for generating electricity by utilizing temperature differences inherently present in the ocean between water near the surface and water from the ocean's depths. A pump provides relatively warm, surface ocean water to a flash evaporator where a portion of the water is flashed into steam. The steam is expanded through a subatmospheric pressure range turbine which exhausts into a condensing enclosure. The steam exhausting into the enclosure is condensed by relatively cold ocean water pumped thereinto. The turbine drives a generator and thus produces the electricity. The turbine speed and generator output are controlled by selectively introducing atmospheric air and relatively warm water into the exhausted motive steam flow. Such selective introduction into the exhausted steam flow of air and/or relatively warm water increases the absolute pressure at the turbine's exhaust end and thus reduces steam flow through the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1980
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventor: Bernard L. LaCoste
  • Patent number: 4190399
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing an improved regenerative turbine driven by a liquid or gaseous fluid. The turbine has a housing with a primary inlet and an auxiliary inlet. The driving fluid in the primary inlet is maintained at near stagnation pressure conditions. As the primary driving fluid passes through the regenerative turbine motor channel, it describes a helical path, imparting energy from the fluid to the rotor. The auxiliary fluid inlet feeds fluid to the exhaust part of the rotor channel tangential to the helical path of the primary fluid and increases the rotational motion of the exhaust fluid. The pressure ratio between the fluid inlet and the fluid exhaust is thereby increased and results in improved turbine efficiency. Secondary sources of energy for driving the turbine provide alternative driving fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1980
    Inventor: William L. Amminger
  • Patent number: 4122680
    Abstract: Disclosed is a concentration difference energy operated power plant comprising an aqueous solution tank containing an aqueous solution of slats, a pure water boiler disposed within the tank and completely immersed in the aqueous solution therein, preheater means for preheating the aqueous solution in the tank to a temperature very close to the boiling temperature thereof, and a steam engine which is operated by the steam generated in the pure water boiler, the steam discharged from the steam engine being injected through nozzles into the aqueous solution in the tank, dissipating the latent heat to the aqueous solution. Also disclosed is the compositions of the aqueous solutions used in conjunction with the above power plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 1976
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1978
    Assignee: Ishikawajima-Harima Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naotsugu Isshiki, Isao Nikai, Hiroyuki Uchida
  • Patent number: 4121425
    Abstract: A thermodynamic system heats a portion of a liquid from a reservoir to vaporize some of the liquid and use the vapor to power an injector. The injector pumps unvaporized liquid through a path leading from the reservoir and through a rotatably driven transducer that outputs energy from the system. Two immiscible liquids can be used so that a portion of one of the liquids is vaporized to power the injector, and the other liquid is pumped through the transducer. Also, a vortex tube is preferably arranged between the vaporizer and the injector for dividing the vaporized liquid into relatively hot and cold portions and feeding the hot portion to the injector to power the injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1978
    Inventor: Carl D. Nicodemus
  • Patent number: 4089177
    Abstract: In conjunction with a heat engine such as a turbine in which the medium expands and is cooled while giving up energy, which uses a closed system in which the medium is cooled so that the vaporized medium condenses to fluid, a heat pump is used in which the medium is transported by a compressor utilizing an ejector, particularly an ejector having at least two nozzles for injection of liquid working medium, with the temperature of the working medium fed to the two nozzles being different from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1978
    Inventor: Gosta Olofsson
  • Patent number: 4080787
    Abstract: A pair of sealed, concentric metal tanks define a high pressure air storage chamber between the tanks, while the inner of the two tanks forms an air expansion chamber and carries a plurality of axially spaced impellers fixed to a shaft mounted for rotation coaxially through both concentric tanks. A plurality of tubular inductor nozzles are fixedly mounted to the motor and project at circumferentially and axially spaced positions into the inner chamber and carry high pressure expansion nozzles which receive air from the high pressure storage chamber and induce recirculated, low pressure air from the inner chamber to flow through the tubular inductor nozzles for impingement on the respective impellers. Planetary gearing couples the impellers to the shaft to effect high velocity rotation of the output shaft of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1976
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1978
    Inventors: Howard Biggs, Jr., Vincent Raymond Meiley
  • Patent number: 4063418
    Abstract: A power producing system includes a source of geothermally heated fluid having inorganic salts dissolved therein. The fluid is directed through a first direct contact heat exchanger in heat transfer relation with a working fluid of a type insoluble in a liquid including inorganic salts. The vaporous working fluid thus produced is expanded through a prime mover and then directed through a second direct contact heat exchanger. The vaporous fluid is condensed in said second direct contact heat exchanger by passing in heat transfer relation with a relatively cold heat exchange medium comprising a liquid brine solution. The condensed working fluid is thereafter returned to the first direct contact heat exchanger for repeated reuse in the cycle. Inorganic salts are mixed with either the geothermal heated fluid or the relatively cold heat exchange medium to maintain the percentage by weight of inorganic salt in each of the fluids above a predetermined value to prevent the working fluid from being absorbed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1976
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1977
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: J. Rodger Shields
  • Patent number: 4052858
    Abstract: Steam resources, which may in some cases be of forms heretofore considered unusable because of low energy content or corrosive contamination, are used for electrical power and water treatment operations in installations where these formerly separate activities may be combined, with the waste products of one being a valuable input to the other. In one embodiment, discharge heat from a steam driven generating station and contaminated sewage water, each of which formerly presented costly or environmentally hazardous disposal problems, are combined to produce sterilized water reusable for crop irrigation. In another embodiment, fresh water enroute to a municipal utility system is used to condense discharge steam from generating station turbines for return to the boilers while sterilizing the water to reduce or eliminate cholorination requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1975
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1977
    Inventor: Morris R. Jeppson