Abstract: Systems related to concentrated solar combination heating and power generation; solar heating; industrial heat driven power generation; thermal storage systems and heat exchanger and power generation systems therefore, including any of the above with optional supplemental fuel production, and associated methods, are generally described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gas-turbine engine and a combustion system that include a catalytic reactor and a turbine. The catalytic reactor oxidizes low BTU fuel to generate thermal energy. The turbine converts the thermal energy produced by the catalytic reactor into mechanical energy. This mechanical energy can be used, for example, to produce electricity. The gas-turbine engine and the catalytic combustion system are capable of oxidizing fuels having a higher heating value in a range of between 1000 and 5 BTU/scf.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for sustained catalytic combustion of low BTU fuels in a gas-turbine engine, and applications thereof. The method comprises ingesting fuel and combustion air into a catalytic reactor to produce thermal energy and converting the thermal energy to mechanical energy with a turbine. The fuel and the combustion air are mixed to form a fuel-air mixture. The ingested combustion air is used to oxidize the ingested fuel. Fuels having a higher heating value in a range of between 1000 and 5 BTU/scf are mixed with the combustion air and oxidized using the catalytic reactor.

Abstract: A turbogenerator system including a recuperator and a catalytic combustor employs a preheater located between the turbine outlet and the recuperator low-pressure inlet to heat the low-pressure turbine exhaust. Heat from the turbine exhaust is transferred to a cool high-pressure flow in the recuperator. A recirculation loop employs valves downstream of the recuperator low-pressure outlet to divert the recuperator low-pressure exhaust into the compressor to be recirculated through the recuperator high-pressure side and the catalytic combustor. Reduced start-up times and emissions are achieved by raising the combustor catalyst to its light-off temperature in a shorter period of time.

Abstract: A turbogenerator system including a recuperator and a catalytic combustor employs a preheater located between the turbine outlet and the recuperator low-pressure inlet to heat the low-pressure turbine exhaust. Heat from the turbine exhaust is transferred to a cool high-pressure flow in the recuperator. A recirculation loop employs valves downstream of the recuperator low-pressure outlet to divert the recuperator low-pressure exhaust into the compressor to be recirculated through the recuperator high-pressure side and the catalytic combustor. Reduced start-up times and emissions are achieved by raising the combustor catalyst to its light-off temperature in a shorter period of time.