Abstract: An electrical apparatus (10) comprises: first and second terminals (18,20) for connection to an electrical circuit; a chain-link converter (22) connected between the first and second terminals (18,20), the chain-link converter (22) including a plurality of chain-link modules (24), each chain-link module (24) inluding at least one switching element (26) and at least one energy storage device (28), the or each switching element (26) and the or each energy storage device (28) of each chain-link module (24) combining to selectively provide a voltage source; and a protection device (32) connected across an electrical block (34) that includes at least two of the plurality of chain-link modules (24), the protection device (32) including a plurality of series-connected semiconductor devices (36), wherein the protection device (32) selectively provides a current-conductive path to allow at least part of a current flowing in the electrical apparatus (10) to bypass the electrical block (34).

Abstract: A control circuit (20) comprises: first and second terminals (22,24) for respective connection to first and second power transmission lines (26,28); a current transmission path (30,32) extending between the first and second terminals (22,24), the current transmission path (30,32) including at least one module (36), the or each module (36) including at least one energy storage device, the current transmission path (30,32) including at least one inductor (38); a control unit (46) which selectively removes the or each energy storage device of the or each module from the current transmission path (30,32) to modulate a voltage across the or each inductor (38) in a filtering mode to modify current flowing through the current transmission path (30,32) and thereby filter one or more current components from the power transmission lines (26,28); and at least one energy conversion element, wherein the control unit (46) selectively removes the or each energy storage device of the or each module (36) from the current tran

Abstract: A movable portion of a vacuum circuit-breaker includes a circular spring sliding on an outer bearing surface in most positions, that is suitable for entering a recess on relaxing in order to define a maximally open position for the vacuum circuit-breaker in which locking is thus provided. The movable portion may be made up of two sections, of which one, made of copper, is a very good electrical conductor, and is directed towards the stationary contact and receives a connection element for connection to an outside electrical circuit; the section may be made of steel in order to promote sliding of the spring without wear.

Abstract: A power plant includes a gas turbine unit adapted to feed flue gases into a diverter where they are divided into a recirculated flow that is fed into a mixer together with fresh air to form a mixture that is fed to a gas turbine unit compressor inlet, and a discharged flow, that is fed into a CO2 capture unit. A monitoring system for the mixture oxygen content at the compressor inlet is provided. The monitoring system includes a recirculated flow mass flow rate sensor, a recirculated flow oxygen concentration sensor, mixture mass flow rate sensors, a control unit arranged to process information detected by the recirculated flow mass flow rate sensor, recirculated flow oxygen concentration sensor and mixture mass flow rate sensor, to determine an oxygen concentration upstream of the compressor inlet.

Abstract: A locked state for a movable part (11) of switchgear is created by deflected spring wires (15) entering a recess (12). Said device is reversible and has the advantage of being safe since it is completely passive, and it improves the dynamics of the movement of the movable part in particular by damping impacts when entering the abutment state. The invention can be applied to the drive rod of a vacuum circuit-breaker.

Abstract: This valve is integrated into a fluid distribution network and enables selective interruption or authorization of the circulation of a fluid. The valve includes a fluid blocking member driven in rotation by an actuator device of the valve and at least one journal, a hollow body inside which the blocking member is mobile and which defines at least one bore for receiving the journal, and a bearing disposed around each journal and inside the bore of the body enabling support of the journal and guidance thereof in rotation relative to the bore, thereby centering the journal. The valve further includes a device for immobilizing and sealing for maintenance the journal relative to the body of the valve. This immobilization device is disposed on the same side of the bearing as the internal volume of the hollow body and is maneuverable via the bearing to go from a non-clamped first configuration to a clamped second configuration in which it immobilizes the journal in the bore and vice versa.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to recover heat from and cool flue gases. As shown in FIG. 1, a condenser 10 is provided having two packed beds (20/26) and separate condensate loops. The condensate loops are configured such that first packed bed 20 maximizes heat recovery from flue gas 12 and second packed bed 26 maximizes cooling of flue gas 12. Temperature differences between entry flue gas 12 and recovered condensate 38 are minimized while temperatures differences between exit flue gas 34 and return condensate 54 is also minimized.

Abstract: Device for making and/or breaking a current including a pair of permanent contacts (3, 4), at least one of the contacts (3, 4) being movable. At least one permanent contact (3, 4) including a main portion (3.1, 4.1) having a free end and an end protection portion (3.2, 4.2) secured to the free end of the main portion (3.1, 4.1), designed to be in mechanical and electrical contact with the other permanent contact (4, 3) only during an operation for opening or closing the pair. The end protection portion (3.2, 4.2) is made of a single transition metal having a melting temperature that is strictly higher than that of the main portion (3.1, 4.1) to which it is secured, or of an oxide or carbide of such a metal, or even of zinc oxide. For application in particular to high- or medium-voltage circuit breakers.

Abstract: There is a method of fault clearance for a voltage source converter that interconnects a DC network and an AC network. The voltage source converter is connected to the DC network via one or more DC circuit interruption devices. The method comprises the steps of: (a) detecting a fault in the DC network; (b) carrying out a primary protection sequence, wherein the step of carrying out the primary protection sequence involves carrying out a first sub-sequence that includes the steps of: i. opening the or each DC circuit interruption device, ii. setting a DC power order of the voltage source converter to zero, iii. controlling the voltage source converter to exchange re-circuit breaker active power with the AC network.

Abstract: An auxiliary steam supply system in a solar power plant includes a solar receiver having a superheater section, a turbine, a steam circuit, a thermal energy storage arrangement and an auxiliary steam circuit. The thermal energy storage arrangement, including a thermal energy storage medium, is configured for the steam circuit to receive a portion of the steam to heat the thermal energy storage medium. The thermal energy storage arrangement may receive the steam from any location across the superheater section. Moreover, the auxiliary steam circuit generating auxiliary steam flow, which thermally communicates with the thermal energy storage arrangement to be heated, is introduced to any location across the superheater section. Capacity of the thermal energy storage arrangement may be relatively small as compared to the solar receiver and may be compact for placement on top of a tower.

Abstract: An Air Separation Unit is disclosed which is thermally integrated into a coal fired oxy boiler power plant. The Air Separation Unit has a Dryer with a dryer heater, wherein an extraction line connects the steam extraction port to the dryer heater. A drain line of the dryer heater then fluidly connects the regeneration heater to a point of a Rankine steam cycle fluidly within the condensate system.

Abstract: A blade (30?) for a gas turbine has an airfoil (31) and a blade root (32) for mounting the blade (30) on a rotor shaft of the gas turbine. The airfoil (31) is provided with cooling channels (33, 35) in the interior thereof, which cooling channels (33, 35) preferably extend along the longitudinal direction and can be supplied with cooling air (45) through cooling air supply passages (40-43) within the blade root (32). The blade root (32) includes a blade channel (40) running transversely through the blade root (32) and is connected to the cooling channels (33, 35), and an insert (41) is inserted into the blade channel (40) for determining the final configuration and characteristics of the connections between the blade channel (40) and the cooling channels (33, 35).

Abstract: The control device possesses a rigid main part combining most of the functional elements of this type of control device. It is made up of two portions of a rotary shaft, having placed between them a cam and a support arm that are connected together by a pivot that is offset relative to the axis of rotation. A toothed wheel having an inner set of teeth is placed around the support arm that is provided with a rachet system. The toothed wheel has an outer set of teeth-driven by a motor, via an intermediate gearwheel. The pivot controls the compression of the actuator spring by the assembly rotating. The device is applicable to high and medium voltage circuit breakers and switches.

Abstract: A coal fired oxy boiler power plant is disclosed in which a steam coil oxygen preheater located on an oxygen line Air Separation Unit is thermally integrated with the condensate system. Thermal energy for the steam coil oxygen preheater is provided via an extraction line connected to a steam extraction port of an intermediate pressure steam turbine. A drain line of the steam coil oxygen preheater fluidly connects the steam coil oxygen preheater to a point of the Rankine steam cycle fluidly within the condensate system.

Abstract: A coal fired Oxy boiler power plant having a combustion system configured to burn coal using an oxygen stream to produce a flue gas stream, a CO2 capture system connected to the flue gas stream and a steam cycle with serially arranged low pressure heaters forming part of a condensate system. The combustion system includes, an Air Separation Unit for removing N2 from air to produce the oxygen stream for the boiler. The Air Separation Unit includes an Air Separation Unit heat exchanger that is thermally and fluidly connected to the condensate system so as to be fluidly parallel to at least one serial low pressure heater and fluidly parallel to at least one less that the total number of serial low pressure heaters. The Flue Gas Heat Recovery System, Flue Gas Condenser and Gas Processing unit are thermally integrated into the condensate system.

Abstract: A method is provided for CO2 separation from a combined-cycle power plant with exhaust-gas recirculation and CO2 separation. The hot-gas flow is split into a recirculation flow and an exhaust-gas flow before the final turbine stage in the turbine. A first partial flow remains in the turbine and carries out expansion work in the conventional form, before its waste heat is dissipated, for example in a waste-heat boiler, and the gases are recirculated into the inlet flow of the gas turbine. A second partial flow is diverted before the final turbine stage, and emits its waste heat in an HRSG/heat exchanger, before CO2 is separated from the exhaust-gas flow at an increased pressure level.

Abstract: A power plant includes a first gas turbine engine, a second gas turbine engine, a flue gas duct, a CO2 capture system for treating flue gases from the second gas turbine engine and an exhaust system. It additionally includes at least one among a direct connection between the first gas turbine engine and the exhaust system, and a damper for on-line regulating the flue gases flow through it, a direct connection between the first gas turbine engine and the CO2 capture system, and a damper for regulating the flue gases flow through it, a supply of fresh oxygen containing fluid for the second gas turbine engine.

Abstract: An intake manifold is provided for inducting combustion air for a compressor of a gas turbine. The intake manifold includes a plurality of walls that delimit against the environment. Devices are provided for controllable change of the mechanical rigidity of the walls to reduce noise which is generated or is emitted in an air intake region during operation of the gas turbine. A gas turbine is also provided and includes an air intake to which air to be compressed is fed via an intake manifold. The intake manifold having a plurality of walls that delimit against the environment. Devices are provided to controllably change a mechanical rigidity of the walls to reduce noise which is generated or emitted in an air intake region during operation of the gas turbine.

Abstract: A lance of a gas turbine burner includes an inner duct having inner nozzles; an annular outer duct encircling the inner duct and having outer nozzles; and a spacer disposed between a terminal portion of the inner duct and a terminal portion of the outer duct, the spacer being fixed to both the inner duct and the outer duct.

Abstract: A switchgear comprising a set of arcing contacts, a set of disconnection contacts, and a set of permanent contacts, a first branch including the set of arcing contacts and the set of disconnection contacts connected in series, a second branch including the set of permanent contacts, the second branch being connected in parallel with the first branch, including a first controller and a second controller, the first controller making it possible to cause the set of arcing contacts and of the set of permanent contacts, the second controller making it possible to cause the set of disconnection contacts change over between its two positions, said disconnection contacts being able to change over towards its open position only when the set of arcing contacts and the set of permanent contacts are in their open positions, the two controllers being separate, the second being a button connected to an electric motor.