Abstract: Uninterruptible power is supplied to a load connected to a power line by connecting the power line to a rotatable member that includes a Rankine cycle turbine coupled to a device that operates as a motor when line power is operative thereby rotating the member at a standby rotational speed so that a predetermined amount of kinetic energy is stored in the rotating member, and that operates as a generator when the line power is inoperative and the member is rotated by the application of vaporized working fluid to the turbine. Working fluid is vaporized and maintained at an operational temperature level only when the line power is inoperative. The working fluid is held at a standby temperature level, preferably greater than the operational temperature level, while the power line is operative whereby the working fluid contains a predetermined amount of stored thermal energy while the power line is operative.

Abstract: A system for producing power at remote locations comprises: a closed cycle vapor turbine unit having an evaporator containing liquid working fluid, a turbine receiving vapor of the evaporated working fluid for producing power by way of an electrical generator coupled to the turbine, a condenser and means for returning the working fluid condensate from the condenser to the evaporator; a biomass furnace associated with the evaporator for heating working fluid present in the evaporator and evaporating a portion of the working fluid; and a controller for controlling the amount of biomass fuel supplied to the biomass furnace in accordance with energy requirements of a customer load. Further, a method for producing power using the system is also provided.

Abstract: A method is provided for cooling a seal located in a wall of a chamber and through which a movable shaft passes, the seal being heated by hot pressurized vapor that leaks through the seal into the chamber and internal friction. The method comprises the steps of: providing a chamber in which the seal is located and into which the hot pressurized vapor leaks; injecting cool liquid into the chamber in which the seal is located; and cooling and condensing the hot pressurized vapor in the chamber thus cooling the seal. Preferably, the method includes the step of providing a pressure chamber for containing the hot pressurized vapor within which a turbine wheel is mounted on the shaft, and vapor leaks past a labyrinth mounted on the shaft between the turbine wheel and the seal. Apparatus is also provided for cooling a seal located in a wall of a chamber and through which a movable shaft passes, the seal being heated by hot pressurized vapor that leaks through the seal into the chamber in which the seal is located.

Abstract: A method for producing power from a heat source comprises the steps of: heating an intermediate fluid with heat from the heat source and producing a vaporized intermediate fluid in an intermediate fluid heater/vaporizer. Heat from the vaporized intermediate fluid vaporizes an organic liquid working fluid present in an organic working fluid vaporizer to form a vaporized organic working fluid and intermediate fluid condensate. The vaporized organic working fluid is expanded in an organic vapor turbine for generating power and producing expanded vaporized organic working fluid; the expanded organic vaporized working fluid being condensed to produce an organic fluid condensate with the organic fluid condensate being supplied to the organic fluid vaporizer. According to the present invention, prior to supplying the vaporized intermediate fluid to the organic fluid vaporizer the vaporized intermediate fluid is expanded in an intermediate fluid vapor turbine and power is produced.

Abstract: A method is provided for cooling a seal located in a wall of a chamber and through which a movable shaft passes, the seal being heated by hot pressurized vapor that leaks through the seal into the chamber and internal friction. The method comprises the steps of: providing a chamber in which the seal is located and into which the hot pressurized vapor leaks; injecting cool liquid into the chamber in which the seal is located; and cooling and condensing the hot pressurized vapor in the chamber thus cooling the seal.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a method is provided for increasing the output of a geothermal steam turbine power plant comprising the steps of: providing a separate, additional flash separator that produces the steam for operating the non-condensable gas ejector; supplying all the geothermal steam produced by the main high-pressure flash separator to a high-pressure geothermal steam turbine; and whereby high-pressure geothermal fluid is supplied to both said separate, additional flash separator and said main high-pressure flash separator from the same production well in a pumped geothermal system.

Abstract: The present inventive subject matter is thus drawn to a hybrid ultra reliable power generating system for supplying continuous reliable power at remote locations comprising: a primary power unit producing electric power that is supplied to a load. And a secondary power unit in the form of a closed cycle vapor turbine (CCVT) system that is capable of producing 100% of the electric power that is produced by the primary power unit and which is heated in hot standby by rejected heat of the primary power unit, wherein the vaporizer of the CCVT is maintained during hot standby at a temperature above its nominal operating temperature and the vapor turbine of the CCVT is preferable maintained at idle during hot standby at a rotating speed. Preferably, the CCVT includes a burner that combusts the same fuel as the primary power unit and supplies sufficient heat so that the CCVT produces 100% of power produced by the primary unit to the load once the primary power units stops operation.