Abstract: A compressed-air energy-storage system is described. The system includes a first compressor arrangement for compressing an air stream; a thermal energy storage unit, where through compressed air from the first compressor arrangement exchanges heat against a heat accumulation means; an air storage device arranged and configured for receiving and accumulating compressed air from the thermal energy storage unit; at least one expander for receiving compressed air from the air storage device and producing useful power therefrom. A further compressor arrangement is located between the thermal energy storage unit and the air storage device.

Abstract: A multi-stage compressor is described, comprising a rotor having a plurality of axially stacked impellers and a tie rod extending through the stacked impellers and holding the impellers together. A gas compression path extends from a compressor inlet to a compressor outlet and through the impellers. A flow channel is provided between the tie rod and the stacked impellers. The flow channel develops along at least a portion of the tie rod. Hot gas is diverted from the compression path and flows through the flow channel to heat the tie rod during startup of the compressor.

Abstract: A centrifugal compressor including: a casing; at least one impeller supported for rotation in the casing and provided with a hub, a shroud and an impeller eye; an impeller-eye sealing arrangement, for sealing the impeller in the region of said impeller eye. The centrifugal compressor further includes at least one cooling-medium portlocated at the impeller-eye sealing arrangement, arranged for delivering a cooling medium around the impeller eye.

Abstract: A compressed-air energy-storage system is described. The system includes a first compressor arrangement for compressing an air stream; a thermal energy storage unit, where through compressed air from the first compressor arrangement exchanges heat against a heat accumulation means; an air storage device arranged and configured for receiving and accumulating compressed air from the thermal energy storage unit; at least one expander for receiving compressed air from the air storage device and producing useful power therefrom. A further compressor arrangement is located between the thermal energy storage unit and the air storage device.

Abstract: A multi-stage compressor is described, comprising a rotor having a plurality of axially stacked impellers and a tie rod extending through the stacked impellers and holding the impellers together. A gas compression path extends from a compressor inlet to a compressor outlet and through the impellers. A flow channel is provided between the tie rod and the stacked impellers. The flow channel develops along at least a portion of the tie rod. Hot gas is diverted from the compression path and flows through the flow channel to heat the tie rod during startup of the compressor.

Abstract: The concentrated solar power (CSP) plant comprises a solar field and a vapor turbine system. The vapor turbine system includes a vapor turbine arrangement. The vapor turbine arrangement receives super-heated vapor generated by heating a working fluid circulating in the vapor turbine system. The plant further comprises a thermal transfer system configured for transferring solar thermal energy from the solar field to the vapor turbine system. Moreover, a supplemental-energy delivery device is provided, which is configured for superheating the vapor, when the solar thermal energy from the solar field is insufficient to generate superheated vapor.

Abstract: A centrifugal compressor including: a casing; at least one impeller supported for rotation in the casing and provided with a hub, a shroud and an impeller eye; an impeller-eye sealing arrangement, for sealing the impeller in the region of said impeller eye. The centrifugal compressor further includes at least one cooling-medium portlocated at the impeller-eye sealing arrangement, arranged for delivering a cooling medium around the impeller eye.

Abstract: A closed loop system for producing energy using an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) and an ORC fluid, comprising a first solar power source (52) configured to heat an ORC liquid to a saturated ORC liquid, a second solar power source (70) fluidly connected to the first solar power source and configured to vaporize the saturated ORC liquid to become ORC vapor, and a turbo-machine (54) configured to receive ORC vapor and produce mechanical energy by expanding the ORC vapor.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide for capturing heat energy in a power generation system. The system includes: a first compressor configured to exhaust a first compressed, heated air flow; a heat exchanger connected to the first compressor and configured to receive the first compressed, heated air flow and configured to transfer heat energy from the first compressed, heated air flow to an oil; at least one pump connected to the heat exchanger and configured to pump the heated oil in a closed-loop system from the heat exchanger to an insulated storage tank; a second compressor connected to the heat exchanger and configured to exhaust a second compressed, heated air flow; and an energy storage unit connected to the second compressor and configured to store heat energy from the second compressed, heated air flow.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transforming solar energy into mechanical and/or electrical energy by using an ORC fluid in an ORC cycle configuration. The ORC cycle configuration includes a heat source that vaporizes the ORC fluid and an expander that expands the vaporized ORC fluid to produce the energy.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide for capturing heat energy in a power generation system. The system includes: a first compressor configured to exhaust a first compressed, heated air flow; a heat exchanger connected to the first compressor and configured to receive the first compressed, heated air flow and configured to transfer heat energy from the first compressed, heated air flow to an oil; at least one pump connected to the heat exchanger and configured to pump the heated oil in a closed-loop system from the heat exchanger to an insulated storage tank; a second compressor connected to the heat exchanger and configured to exhaust a second compressed, heated air flow; and an energy storage unit connected to the second compressor and configured to store heat energy from the second compressed, heated air flow.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide for cooling air in a power generation system. The system includes: an air handling unit configured to receive air, to cool the air and to remove moisture from the air; a first compressor fluidly connected to the air handling unit and configured to receive the air from the air handling unit and to exhaust a first compressed, heated air flow; a vapor absorption chiller connected to the first compressor and configured to transfer heat energy between a plurality of mediums and to cool the first compressed, heated air flow; and a second compressor connected to the vapor absorption chiller and configured to receive the cooled first compressed, heated air flow and to exhaust a second compressed, heated air flow.

Abstract: Method and unit for generating energy with improved efficiency. A Brayton cycle unit includes a multistage compressor configured to compress a flowing medium; a first heat exchanger fluidly connected to the multistage compressor and configured to transfer heat from a working medium passing the first heat exchanger to the compressed flowing medium; an expander fluidly connected to the first heat exchanger and configured to expand the heated compressed flowing medium for producing a rotation of a shaft of the expander; and a second heat exchanger fluidly connected between the expander and the compressor and configured to remove heat from the expanded flowing medium. A path of the flowing medium through the unit is closed. At least one inter-cooler mechanism between first and second stages of the multistage compressor is configured to cool the flowing medium to a predetermined temperature.