Abstract: A system for conditioning a gas. The system includes a compressor for compressing and heating the gas into a hot gas; an airflow device generating an airflow; and a heat exchanger receiving in a first flow path the hot gas and in a second flow path the airflow. Heat is transferred from the hot gas to the airflow to generate a cool gas and hot airflow, and moisture condenses within the cool gas. A moisture separator separates condensed moisture from the cool gas to generate a saturated gas. A reheater receives in one flow path the saturated gas from the moisture separator and in another flow path the hot airflow from the heat exchanger. Heat is transferred in the reheater from the hot airflow to the saturated gas to generate a superheated gas having a temperature above the saturation temperature of the gas.

Abstract: A method of removing siloxanes from a gas that contains siloxanes and water, the method comprising: (a) expanding the gas to cool the gas and freeze at least some of the water in the gas; and (b) removing the siloxanes and frozen water from the expanded and cooled gas. The method may also include compressing the gas prior to expanding it. The step of expanding the gas may include expanding it through a turbine. The method may also include using an energy input mechanism to drive one or both of the compressor or turbine. The ice and siloxanes may be removed from the gas with a cyclonic separator.

Abstract: A combustor for a gas turbine engine is disclosed which is able to operate with high combustion efficiency, and low nitrous oxide emissions during gas turbine operations. The combustor consists of a can-type configuration which combusts fuel premixed with air and delivers the hot gases to a turbine. Fuel is premixed with air and is delivered to the combustor with a high degree of swirl motion. This swirling mixture of reactants is conveyed through a flowpath that expands; the mixture reacts, and establishes a central recirculation zone. An imperforate trapped vortex cavity is disposed proximal to the swirler apparatus which provides for a second reaction zone. Fresh fuel/air reactants are exchanged with burned products in the trapped vortex and a pilot flame is established in the trapped cavity. The imperforate trapped cavity is not supplied with either fuel or air, but is cooled on a backside of the cavity with a flow of cooling air.

Abstract: A fuel-conditioning skid for an engine. The fuel-conditioning skid includes an inlet that is connectable to a source to receive a flow of fuel containing undesirable compounds. An outlet is connectable to the engine to deliver a flow of fuel that is substantially free of undesirable compounds. An inlet cleaner is in fluid communication with the inlet and is operable to remove a portion of the undesirable compounds. A compressor is in fluid communication with the inlet cleaner to receive the flow of fuel at a first pressure and discharge the flow of fuel at a second pressure. The second pressure is greater than the first pressure. A purifier is in fluid communication with the inlet cleaner to receive the flow of fuel. The purifier is operable to remove substantially all of the remaining undesirable compounds from the flow of fuel.

Abstract: An engine control system suited for use with an engine that outputs electrical power to a local load and is electrically connected to an electrical grid. The engine control system includes a set point control operable to set an engine power output value and a sensor operable to measure an electrical parameter between the engine and the electrical grid. A master control system is operable to maintain the engine electrical power at about the engine power output value. The master control system is also operable to vary the engine power output value to maintain the electrical parameter above a predetermined value.

Abstract: A power transfer assembly comprises a power turbine constructed of a nickel alloy; a gear shaft constructed of a low-carbon carburized gear material; and a transition portion between and welded to each of the power turbine and gear shaft. The nickel alloy may be welded to the transition portion by inertia welding, and the low-carbon carburized gear material may be welded to the transition portion by electron beam welding, for example. The power transfer assembly may be used in a microturbine engine, for example, to transfer rotation of a power turbine to an electric generator.

Abstract: A microturbine engine that includes a compressor that is operable to provide a flow of compressed air. The compressed air flows through a recuperator where it is preheated before delivery to a combustor. The preheated compressed air mixes with a fuel and is combusted within the combustor to provide a flow of products of combustion. The flow of products of combustion pass through one or more turbines to drive the compressor and a synchronous generator. The synchronous generator is able to synchronize to a priority load, to the utility grid or to both depending on the mode of operation. A control system monitors various engine parameters as well as load and grid parameters to determine the desired mode of operation.

Abstract: A microturbine engine that includes a compressor that is operable to provide a flow of compressed air. The compressed air flows through a recuperator where it is preheated before delivery to a combustor. The preheated compressed air mixes with a fuel and is combusted within the combustor to provide a flow of products of combustion. The flow of products of combustion pass through one or more turbines to drive the compressor and a synchronous generator. The synchronous generator is able to synchronize to a priority load, to the utility grid or to both depending on the mode of operation. A control system monitors various engine parameters as well as load and grid parameters to determine the desired mode of operation.

Abstract: A microturbine engine that includes a compressor that is operable to provide a flow of compressed air. The compressed air flows through a recuperator where it is preheated before delivery to a combustor. The preheated compressed air mixes with a fuel and is combusted within the combustor to provide a flow of products of combustion. The flow of products of combustion pass through one or more turbines to drive the compressor and a synchronous generator. The synchronous generator is able to synchronize to a priority load, to the utility grid or to both depending on the mode of operation. A control system monitors various engine parameters as well as load and grid parameters to determine the desired mode of operation.

Abstract: A heat exchange cell for use in a recuperator includes top and bottom plates spaced apart to define therebetween an internal space. Within the internal space are inlet and outlet header tubes communicating with a plurality of internal matrix fins. The header tubes are rigidly affixed to at least one adjacent header tube and to the top and bottom plates. The header tubes may have a rectangular cross-section and may, for example, be metallurgically bonded to the top and bottom plates and to each other through brazing. Rigidly affixing the header tubes to each other reduces the stress on the fillets that bond the tubes to the top and bottom plates. This in turn permits less structural material to be used in the header portions of the cell and reduces pressure drop across the headers.

Abstract: A heat exchange cell for use in a recuperator includes top and bottom plates spaced apart to define therebetween an internal space. Within the internal space are inlet and outlet header tubes communicating with a plurality of internal matrix fins. The header tubes are rigidly affixed to at least one adjacent header tube and to the top and bottom plates. The header tubes may have a rectangular cross-section and may, for example, be metallurgically bonded to the top and bottom plates and to each other through brazing. Rigidly affixing the header tubes to each other reduces the stress on the fillets that bond the tubes to the top and bottom plates. This in turn permits less structural material to be used in the header portions of the cell and reduces pressure drop across the headers.

Abstract: A combustion air delivery system comprising a compressor operable to provide a stream of compressed air and a bypass duct positioned to divide the stream of compressed air into a bypass flow stream and a primary flow stream. A recuperator is operable to preheat the primary flow to produce a flow of preheated compressed air. A premix chamber receives the bypass flow stream and mixes the bypass flow stream with a flow of fuel to produce a fuel-air flow. A can member at least partially defines a primary zone that receives the fuel-air flow and includes an aperture sized to admit a predetermined portion of the flow of preheated compressed air. The fuel-air flow and predetermined portion of the flow of preheated compressed air mix in the primary zone to produce a combustible flow. An igniter is operable to ignite the combustible flow.

Abstract: A radial flow turbine including a rotor having a plurality of vanes defining an inlet, an outlet, and a flow path therebetween. A shroud is positioned to cover at least a portion of the flow path and a housing is positioned to at least partially support the rotor for rotation about a rotational axis. The housing at least partially defines a chamber for the receipt of a flow of products of combustion. A plurality of nozzle guide vane assemblies are positioned to provide fluid communication between the chamber and the inlet. Each of the plurality of nozzle guide vane assemblies is positioned adjacent another nozzle guide vane assembly to at least partially define one of a plurality of converging flow paths. Each nozzle guide vane assembly includes a guide vane positioned between the shroud and the housing and including an aperture therethrough. A bolt engages with the shroud and extends through the aperture to sandwich the guide vane between the shroud and the housing.

Abstract: A fuel booster operable to compress a combustible fuel, the fuel booster comprising a compressor housing a compress rotor, and a seal assembly coupled to the compressor housing. The seal assembly and the compressor housing cooperate to at least partially define a hermetically sealed compressor chamber. A motor housing is coupled to the seal assembly. The motor housing and seal assembly cooperate to at least partially define a motor chamber that is sealed from the compressor chamber to prevent fluid flow therebetween. The fuel booster also includes a motor having a motor rotor and a motor stator. The motor rotor and the compressor rotor are contained within the compressor chamber. The motor rotor includes a cylindrical surface. The motor stator substantially surrounds the cylindrical surface and is contained within the motor chamber.

Abstract: An engine control system suited for use with an engine that outputs electrical power to a local load and is electrically connected to an electrical grid. The engine control system includes a set point control operable to set an engine power output value and a sensor operable to measure an electrical parameter between the engine and the electrical grid. A master control system is operable to maintain the engine electrical power at about the engine power output value. The master control system is also operable to vary the engine power output value to maintain the electrical parameter above a predetermined value.

Abstract: A method of operating a combustion turbine engine that includes separating a flow of compressed air into a first flow stream and a second flow stream. The method also includes preheating the first flow stream to produce a preheated flow stream and premixing the second flow stream with a flow of fuel to produce a premixture. The method further includes mixing the premixture with a portion of the preheated first flow stream to produce a combustible mixture and combusting the combustible mixture to produce a flow of hot products of combustion.

Abstract: A power transfer assembly comprises a power turbine constructed of a nickel alloy; a gear shaft constructed of a low-carbon carburized gear material; and a transition portion between and welded to each of the power turbine and gear shaft. The nickel alloy may be welded to the transition portion by inertia welding, and the low-carbon carburized gear material may be welded to the transition portion by electron beam welding, for example. The power transfer assembly may be used in a microturbine engine, for example, to transfer rotation of a power turbine to an electric generator.

Abstract: An outdoor microturbine engine assembly includes a microturbine engine supported by a base and enclosed by an enclosure. The base defines a reservoir for the collection of rain water and any oil that may leak from the engine into the reservoir. The oil will naturally float on the water in the reservoir. A drain pipe communicates with the bottom of the reservoir and drains water from the bottom of reservoir while maintaining the oil in the reservoir.

Abstract: A microturbine engine comprising a turbine including a first housing and a turbine rotor. The engine also includes a generator having a second housing and a generator rotor. The generator rotor is supported for low-speed rotation by a low-speed bearing. The engine also includes a gearbox having a third housing connected to the first housing and the second housing, a pinion gear, and a low-speed gear connected to the generator rotor and at least partially supported by the low-speed bearing. A shaft is connected to the turbine rotor and the pinion gear and a first high-speed bearing and a second high-speed bearing are positioned to support the turbine rotor and the shaft for high-speed rotation.

Abstract: A microturbine engine operable to combust a flow of VOCs without a combustor. The microturbine engine comprising a compressor having an inlet, the inlet receiving a mixture of air and VOCs, the compressor operable to produce a flow of compressed air and VOCs. The invention also includes a reaction chamber including a reactor bed. The flow of compressed air and VOCs is combusted within the reactor bed to produce a flow of products of combustion. The invention includes a turbine driven by the flow of products of combustion from the combustor and a generator coupled to the turbine. The generator is driven by the turbine at a speed to produce electrical power.