Abstract: A voltage source converter includes a converter limb having limb portions separated by an AC terminal and extending between DC terminals, each limb portion including a primary switching element to switch the limb portion into and out of circuit. The converter further includes an auxiliary limb. The primary switching element of each limb portion is switchable to switch the auxiliary limb into and out of circuit with the corresponding limb portion. The converter further includes a control unit to, in one mode, inject a circulation current that flows in one direction in one of the limb portions and minimize a current flowing in the opposite direction in that limb portion. Each primary switching element switches the respective limb portion into or out of circuit following the minimization of the limb portion current by the circulation current.

Abstract: An evaporator for steam generation is presented. The evaporator includes a plurality of primary evaporator stages and a secondary evaporator stage. Each primary stage includes one or more primary arrays of heat transfer tubes, an outlet manifold coupled to the arrays, and a downcomer coupled to the manifold. Each of the primary arrays has an inlet for receiving a fluid and is arranged transverse to a flow of gas through the evaporator. The gas heats the fluid flowing through the arrays to form a two phase flow. The outlet manifold receives the two phase flow from the arrays and the downcomer distributes the flow as a component of a primary stage flow. One or more of the plurality of primary evaporator stages selectively form the primary stage flow from respective components of the two phase flow, and provide the primary stage flow to inlets of the secondary evaporator stage.

Abstract: The combustion device according to the invention produces gases containing CO2 and water vapor and comprises a circulating fluidized bed reaction chamber (1, 2), a separator (10, 20), heat recovery means of which a part is situated in a dense fluidized bed (12, 12a, 22), wherein the part located in the bed of the heat recovery system(s) is composed of catalyst tubes (120, 120a, 220) through which a gas mixture flows. The gas mixture is composed of natural gas and/or naphtha or refinery gas or two or more of these gases. The gas undergoes reformation which converts it into a synthesis gas containing hydrogen. The fact of the catalyst tubes being situated in the dense fluidized bed made up of ashes from the combustion allows the catalyst to be reheated in a homogenous manner and the reforming reaction of the natural gas mixture to be stimulated.

Abstract: A protection device for providing protection against the particles generated by an electric arc when a first electrically conductive part and a second electrically conductive part of an electrical connection unit are separated from each other, the protection device including at least one protection element disposed in the proximity of the place at which the first part and the second part separate in order to form a shield against the particles.

Abstract: An air quality control system (AQCS) useful for processing a gas stream, such as a flue gas stream emitted from a fossil fuel fired boiler, for at least partial removal of acidic and like pollutants therefrom. The air quality control system includes a CDS reactor useful using a reducing agent slurry.

Abstract: A current limiter for selectively limiting a rate of change of current in a DC electrical network may include a first electrical block including an inductive element and a second electrical block including a bidirectional switch. The first electrical block is connected in parallel with the second electrical block between first and second terminals, and the first and second terminals are connectable to the DC electrical network. The bidirectional switch is switchable to: (1) a first mode to permit current flow through the second electrical block in a first current direction and at the same time inhibit current flow through the second electrical block in a second, opposite current direction; and (2) a second mode to permit current flow through the second electrical block in the second current direction and at the same time inhibit current flow through the second electrical block in the first current direction.

Abstract: A method of managing energy supply in which an aggregator receives an energy demand from at least one operator of an energy distribution network and sends instructions to a plurality of energy facilities suitable for providing energy in order to satisfy the demand, the method being characterized by the following steps: each energy facility transmits to the aggregator a description of instantaneous variations of the energy state and technical constraints linked to its operation in order to satisfy the demand; and the aggregator defines in automatic manner for each energy facility a response profile for the demand as a function of the description by taking into account non-linear responses and energy state history data from each energy facility, and transmits the response profile of the energy distribution network to the operator, and transmits a set of control signals to each energy facility in order to satisfy the demand.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing formate from carbon dioxide includes a reactor (115) that is configured to receive carbon dioxide from a separation device (109) and a first reagent to form a formate and a bicarbonate material. The bicarbonate material is sent to a regeneration device (123) that also receives a second reagent from a source of the second reagent to form the first reagent and a carbonate material. The first reagent is recycled back to the reactor (115). The carbonate material can be stored in a storage device (131) for subsequent sale or other use and/or sent to a process device (109) of a plant for processing flue gas to remove one or more acid gas elements from the flue gas by using the carbonate material received from the regeneration device (123). A method for producing formate from carbon dioxide can include use of the apparatus.

Abstract: A gas turbine combustion liner having a novel and improved system for receiving a peripheral device through a floating collar is disclosed. The retaining collar assembly provides planar movement for receiving the peripheral device while preventing the floating collar from rotational movement through an anti-rotation tab on the collar and a collar cap, resulting in reduced wear to the peripheral device. The collar cap can include different configurations for reducing any vibratory effects caused by an oncoming airflow directly contacting the floating collar.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of conditioning a condensate generated in the compression section of a gas purification unit. The invention also relates to system for this method.

Abstract: A gas cleaning unit for cleaning an effluent gas of at least one aluminum production electrolytic cell comprises a contact reactor in which the effluent gas is brought into contact with alumina, and a dust removal device for removing at least a portion of the alumina. The gas cleaning unit further comprises a wet scrubber in which the effluent gas is brought into contact with an absorption liquid containing water for removing further pollutants from the effluent gas. The wet scrubber is positioned at a point vertically higher than that of the dust removal device.

Abstract: The method for retrofitting a double flow steam turbine includes opening an outer casing of the steam turbine, removing the blade carriers and the stator blades, removing the inner casing with inlet belt, removing the double flow rotor and the rotor blades. Thus, the method includes the further steps of providing a new single flow rotor and new rotor blades different from the rotor blades connected to the double flow rotor, providing balancers connected to the single flow rotor, to balance the axial thrust, providing new stator blade carriers and new stator blades different from the stator blades associated to the double flow rotor, providing a new inner casing with inlet belt, providing a passage between the inner casing and the outer casing, closing the outer casing.

Abstract: An aluminum production electrolytic cell (14) comprises a bath (20) with bath contents (18), at least one cathode electrode (22) in contact with said contents (18), at least one anode electrode (16) in contact with said contents (18), and a hood (36), defining interior area (36a), covering at least a portion of said bath (20). The electrolytic cell (14) is equipped for effluent gases to be drawn from said interior area (36a). The electrolytic cell (14) also comprises at least one heat exchanger (74) for cooling at least a portion of the gases drawn from interior area (36a), prior to circulation thereof to interior area (36a) through at least one distribution device (90).

Abstract: An improved labyrinth seal is described with the seal including a group of several fins forming circumferential barriers against the flow of a working fluid between stationary and rotating parts in a turbine, wherein within the group the volume between the penultimate fin and the last fin is altered compared to the average volume between other adjacent fins of the group.

Abstract: System and method for pre-startup or post-shutdown preparation for such power plants are disclosed which are subject to frequent startups and shutdowns, such as a solar operated power plant. The system and method introduces an auxiliary fluid flow to be circulated in an opposite direction to a direction of normal working fluid flow responsible for producing electricity. That is, if the working fluid flow in a first direction for operating the power plant, than the auxiliary fluid flows in a second direction, opposite to the first direction. The auxiliary fluid flows in the second direction for a predetermined time and at a predetermined conditions through a plurality of superheater panel arrangements of solar receiver former to activation of the working fluid circuit, as pre-startup preparation of the power plant, and after cessation of the working fluid circuit, as post-shutdown preparation of the power plant, to attain predetermined conditions in the superheater.

Abstract: A method of operating a carbon capture system, such as a chilled ammonia process, to remove carbon dioxide from a flue gas stream. The carbon capture system includes a cooling system, a carbon dioxide absorption system and an ammonia absorption system. The method includes providing a portion of the flue gas stream to various systems within the carbon capture system.

Abstract: A head assembly for a pulverized coal nozzle includes removeable wear-resistant inserts having vanes. The vanes may be flat or curved to direct a stream of air and pulverized solid fuel particles from the inlet port toward the outlet port. The curved vanes curve in two dimensions to evenly distribute the stream of air and pulverized solid fuel away from the outer surfaces reducing wear and corrosion. The pipe elbow has a removable cover that allows for easy access. The vanes are attached to a wear-resistant replaceable liner thus allowing them to be easily removed and replaced. The wear-resistant liner may be made from several parts for ease of removal and replacement.

Abstract: A voltage source converter (30) comprises a converter limb (36), having primary and secondary limbs connected in parallel between first and second DC terminals (32,34), the primary limb element including first and second primary limb element portions (38,40) separated by a third terminal (42), being connectable to an AC electrical network (46), each primary limb element portion (38,40) including at least one primary switching element (50), the secondary limb including first and second secondary limb element portions (52,54) separated by a junction (56), and including a DC side chain-link converter (58), and a connection interconnecting the third terminal (42) and the junction (56) wherein the voltage source converter (30) further includes a control unit (62) controlling the switching of the respective switching elements.

Abstract: A steam mill system for transport of powdered activated carbon (PAC) from a storage silo to a steam powered jet mill to produce milled sorbent for use in a coal-fired power plant flue gas for mercury control. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a cyclone separator arranged in a PAC transport line prior to a steam powered jet mill for separation of PAC according to particle size for the purpose of achieving reductions in associated compressed air usage, operating costs and capital costs.

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