Abstract: A coal-fired steam locomotive powered by reciprocating steam engines. The locomotive is a two-unit drawbar-coupled locomotive. The units, which are designated as a power unit and a support unit, are arranged back-to-back, with each having a cab-in-front. Operation of the locomotive is equally effective in both directions. The power unit basically contains a furnace and combustion system, an ash storage system, a gas cleanup and exhaust system, a boiler and steam generator, steam engines, a jet condenser, and a control cab. The support unit, on two 6-wheel trucks, contains a modular coal storage area, a stoker motor, a water storage area, heat transfer assemblies and fans for air-cooling circulating water, and a second control cab. The coal-gasification furnace, steam boiler, and steam engines are all in a closed system. Further, the steam engines of the locomotive are in the form of a four cylinder, balanced system for driving the running gear of the locomotive.

Abstract: Power is produced from a methane-containing cryogenic liquid such as LNG by compressing the liquid and employing the compressed liquid as a refrigerant in the condensers of two closed and independent power cycles. The heat exchange medium in the first of the cycles evaporates in a lower temperature range than that at which the heat exchange medium in the second cycle condenses. The first heat exchange medium is condensed by heat exchange in a first heat exchange step with the compressed cryogenic liquid and the second heat exchange medium is condensed by heat exchange in a second heat exchange step with compressed cryogenic liquid recovered from the first heat exchange step and evaporating first heat exchange medium. Power is recovered from the expansion engines associated with the two power cycles.

Abstract: A closed loop sealed recirculatory water conservation solar power generator is provided herein. It includes a stationary hollow globular water boiler having a water inlet, a steam outlet conduit and a refractor lens window. A parabaterol reflector directs the sun's rays towards the refractor lens window to generate heat to boil the water. A primary steam-powered turbine is connected to the steam outlet conduit and is joined via a steam condensing radiator and a condenser to provide a water outlet which feeds a closed reservoir. A secondary water-powered turbine is provided for the generation of electricity and is connected to the reservoir in such a way that it is selectively driven by water from the reservoir. A valve automatically sequenced for periodic opening is provided, to permit flow of water from the reservoir to the secondary turbine to drive the turbine, and for periodic closing to cut off the flow of water to permit the secondary turbine to remain at rest.

Abstract: A geothermal deep well energy extraction system is provided of the general type in which solute-bearing hot water is pumped to the earth's surface from a relatively low temperature geothermal source by transferring thermal energy from the hot water to a working fluid for driving a primary turbine-motor and a primary electrical generator at the earth's surface. The superheated expanded exhaust from the primary turbine motor is conducted to a bubble tank where it bubbles through a layer of sub-cooled working fluid that has been condensed. The superheat and latent heat from the expanded exhaust of the turbine transfers thermal energy to the sub-cooled condensate. The desuperheated exhaust is then conducted to the condenser where it is condensed and sub-cooled, whereupon it is conducted back to the bubble tank via a barometric storage tank. The novel condensing process of this invention makes it possible to exploit geothermal sources which might otherwise be non-exploitable.

Abstract: Methods for utilizing the heat content of a heated carrier agent are disclosed including indirectly contacting the carrier agent with a working fluid which boils at a temperature lower than water, in order to vaporize the working fluid, producing mechanical energy by expanding the working fluid to a number of reduced pressures, including the condensation pressure of the working fluid corresponding to atmospheric temperature conditions at the time, and a reduced pressure intermediate between the initial elevated pressure of the working fluid and that condensation pressure, separating the working fluid into separate streams corresponding to the working fluid at each of these reduced pressures, condensing the working fluid stream at the lowest pressure by indirectly contacting it with the atmospheric air, condensing the working fluid at the condensation pressure by indirectly contacting it with a liquid heat carrier, and repressurizing both of those working fluid streams for recycle.

Abstract: A self-starting, fuel-fired, air heating system including a vapor generator, a turbine, and a condenser connected in a closed circuit such that the vapor output from the vapor generator is conducted to the turbine and then to the condenser where it is condensed for return to the vapor generator. The turbine drives an air blower which passes air over the condenser for cooling the condenser. Also, a condensate pump is driven by the turbine. The disclosure is particularly concerned with the provision of heat exchanger and circuitry for cooling the condensed fluid output from the pump prior to its return to the vapor generator.

Abstract: A geothermal turbine intallation in which high-pressure steam is separated from geothermal steam, which is a mixture of steam and water, with the high pressure steam connected to a high pressure turbine. Low pressure steam produced by flashing the hot water component of the geothermal steam is introduced to a low pressure turbine which is constructed and operates independently of the high pressure turbine. The discharge steam from the high pressure turbine is introduced to a steam condenser operating at a low vacuum while discharge steam from the low pressure turbine is introduced into a steam condenser operating at a high vacuum. The cooling water system of the high and low pressure condensers are connected in series with one another. A maximum power increase is obtained if the flow rates of the high and low pressure steams at the extraction ports of the high and low pressure turbines are made substantially equal to one another.

Abstract: A direct contact type multi-stage steam condenser system having a direct contact type high vacuum stage steam condenser disposed above a low vacuum stage steam condenser with a water supplying tank for the low vacuum stage condenser disposed therebetween. In the preferred embodiment, the high and low vacuum stage condensers and the water supplying tank are formed integrally as a single unit. The water supplying tank, which also serves as a gas-tight seal between the condenser stages, is formed above a water sprinkling board provided in the upper portion of the low vacuum stage condenser. Condensed water falls under its own weight thereby eliminating the need for an intermediate pressurizing pumps.

Abstract: Closed fluid flow system and method for producing power from an extraneous heat source, in which a receiver is maintained with a volatile heat transfer fluid medium partly in the form of liquid and partly in the form of gas,to permit the pumping of liquid therefrom by a pump to an evaporator for evaporation to gas by means of the extraneous heat source, separating of any remaining liquid residue content from such gas, compressing of the separated gas to high compression gas, expanding of the high compression gas in a prime mover to produce power, and cooling and reliquifying of the separated liquid residue content for recycling to the pump,and furthermore to permit the removing of a refrigerating control portion of the liquid from the receiver for expanding and evaporating such control portion for cooling the contents of the receiver, removing of a compensating control portion of the gas from the receiver, and compressing of the expanded and evaporated liquid control portion and of the gas control portion to

Abstract: A multiple pressure boiler is disclosed having a plurality of boiler sections, each section operating at a successively lower temperature and lower pressure than the preceding section. The intake air for the firebox is heated by the flue gases, then superheated by the steam, to provide heated air for combustion, and the steam from the highest pressure section is superheated by the flue gases prior to its being used in a steam turbine or other steam engine. The fuel for the firebox is heated initially by being used as the coolant for a steam condenser, and is superheated by superheated steam from the heat exchanger. It is contemplated that a sufficient quantity of heat will be removed from the flue gases that the solids will precipitate out, and the gas will be substantially at ambient temperature.

Abstract: A comparatively low heat differential is utilized for energy generation wherein flow of a fluid from a low temperature reservoir to a high temperature reservoir is maintained by the weight of the fluid, for example through utilization of centrifugal force provided as the vaporized fluid from the high temperature reservoir operates a gas turbine. Evaporation cooling is preferably employed in establishing the temperature differential.

Abstract: A double flow-type steam turbine installation in which two turbine sections of a double flow-type steam turbine are provided with different final stage steam path areas. The turbine section with the higher area is connected to a high vacuum condenser while the turbine section with the lower area is connected to a low vacuum condenser. The cooling water systems of the two condensers are connected in series with each other. The efficiency of the system is significantly increased over previous installations.

Abstract: There is disclosed apparatus for use in condensing steam from the turbine exhaust of a power plant or the like, comprising a steam condenser having means for circulating cooling medium therethrough in order to condense a portion of the steam from the turbine exhaust, a wet cooling tower in which the cooling medium is cooled by means of ambient air, and a dry cooling tower in which the other portion of the steam is condensed by means of ambient air.

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.

Abstract: A hot fluid stream is cooled by contacting it, in indirect heat exchange, with a base cooling fluid so long as the base cooling fluid accepts heat rejected from the hot fluid stream and adequately cools the same. When the cooling capacity of the base cooling fluid is inadequate supplemental cooling is provided contemporaneously and indirectly by contacting the hot fluid stream with a secondary cooling liquid which is cold thereby heating the secondary cooling liquid. The heated secondary cooling liquid is delivered to a hot reservoir for storage. The hot secondary cooling liquid is later removed from the hot reservoir, cooled and delivered to a cold reservoir for storage. The cold secondary cooling liquid is removed when needed from the cold reservoir and again delivered into indirect heat exchange with the hot fluid stream when the base cooling fluid provides inadequate cooling for the hot fluid stream.The base cooling fluid can be a refrigerant such as ammonia and the secondary cooling liquid can be water.

Abstract: Radiative heat rejection for the condensate of a steam system in which panels painted with titanium dioxide are put out in the desert and water as a heat exchange fluid is flowed on the underside of the panels. They will radiate into the night sky and produce significant cooling and provide for rejection of condenser heat from Rankine cycle water and steam turbines as well as reflect the sun. In addition to titanium dioxide panels one can use reversible plastic mattresses floating on a cool pond coated black on one side and silver on the other and with the black surface up at night, silver surface up in the daytime; they too will provide radiative heat rejection.

Abstract: In a thermal power station installation the waste heat of the last stage is utilized by storing the cooling water which receives this waste heat, and heating it further during the periods during which the installation is not on full load, whereafter it is supplied to the grid of a remote area heating system.

Abstract: Power generating plants discharge steam or hot water typically from a steam turbine to a condenser system for the purpose of cooling the discharged fluid prior to its being recirculated. The condenser system receives water from an ambient source pumped using a circulating water pump, said water being elevated to a temperature on the order of 115.degree. F. to 125.degree. F. upon passing through the condenser system. The condenser system can operate in basically two different states to provide either single pressure, single pass condenser operation when the waste hot water is discharged to the source and not used, or multi-pressure, multi-pass condenser operation to maintain an elevated hot water supply that is fed to a load (utilization equipment). Valve controls are provided for enabling serial-to-parallel and, vice versa, switching between modes of operation without difficulties and with only a slight drop in load during the transition.

Abstract: A power plant system utilizing a zoned or multipressure condenser or cooling tower whose different zones are air-cooled in a dry manner. The zoned condenser may condense motive cycle fluid by passing it directly through air-cooled heat exchange conduits or by passing a dense fluid through an intermediate, zoned condenser where it boils as it absorbs heat from the cycle fluid and then through the aforementioned zoned, cooling tower. A separate coolant circuit is used between each intermediate condenser zone and the cooling tower. Each intermediate condenser zone is maintained at a predetermined pressure by the coolant flowing through one of the coolant circuits and transporting heat therewith from the intermediate condenser to air flowing through the dry cooling tower. To obtain different boiling and condensing temperatures in the coolant circuits different coolants or different coolant pressures must be utilized therein.

Abstract: A steam generator is operated by heat generated by combustion of fuel, and supplies steam to an expander. An auxiliary condenser transfers some of the heat remaining in the steam from the expander to air used for burning the fuel.

Abstract: An air cooled dry-type cooling tower having two sets of dry type heat exchange assemblies with the first set mounted in a vertically extending array on a circle concentric to the wall of the tower housing and the second set mounted generally horizontal and extending from the first set to the wall of the tower housing.

Abstract: A vapor generator vaporizes a motive fluid which is used to drive a multivaned rotary expander. The expander is the prime mover for an electric generator which may be an alternator. Exhausted vapor from the expander (or if the expander is not being operated, vapor from the vapor generator) is passed through a heat exchanger where a fluid, e.g. air or water, is heated. This heated fluid is used for space heating. The expander may also be connected to drive the compressor for an air conditioning system. Alternatively, an electric motor may be employed for this purpose.

Abstract: The invention concerns an aerocondenser for a thermal power station, comprising, more particularly, a first heat exchanger for reheating the air by exchange of heat with a fluid having a freezing point lower than 0.degree. C, for example, a Freon substance, the respective rates and surfaces of exchange between the fluid having a low freezing point and the water vapor being such that the air is heated to a temperature appreciably above 0.degree. C, before beginning to effect a heat exchange with the water vapor to be condensed.

Abstract: Low pressure turbine installation comprising a casing, at least two groups of turbine stages mounted in said casing, each turbine stage having blades so arranged that a flow of steam passes through the respective turbine stages in contraflow manner, partition means in said casing for separating the opposed final stages of said turbine stages from each other, and steam exhausting means opened in the side walls of said casing in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of said turbine, said steam exhausting means being connected to condensers.