Abstract: A combined cycle power plant utilizes an absorption heat transformer to improve plant efficiency. A heat recovery steam generator receives exhaust from a gas turbine and generates steam for input to a steam turbine. The heat recovery steam generator includes a low pressure economizer, an intermediate pressure economizer and a high pressure economizer. The absorption heat transformer is in fluid communication with the low pressure economizer. The absorption heat transformer includes a feed water circuit that draws exhaust water from the low pressure economizer for heating by the absorption heat transformer and directs heated water to at least one of the intermediate pressure economizer and the high pressure economizer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention may provide to a gas turbine a fuel gas saturated with water heated by a fuel moisturizer, which receives heat form a flash tank. A heat source for the flash tank may originate at a heat recovery steam generator. The increased mass flow associated with the saturated fuel gas may result in increased power output from the associated power plant. The fuel gas saturation is followed by superheating the fuel, preferably with bottom cycle heat sources, resulting in a larger thermal efficiency gain.

Abstract: A combined cycle power plant utilizes an absorption heat transformer to improve plant efficiency. A heat recovery steam generator receives exhaust from a gas turbine and generates steam for input to a steam turbine. The heat recovery steam generator includes a low pressure economizer, an intermediate pressure economizer and a high pressure economizer. The absorption heat transformer is in fluid communication with the low pressure economizer. The absorption heat transformer includes a feed water circuit that draws exhaust water from the low pressure economizer for heating by the absorption heat transformer and directs heated water to at least one of the intermediate pressure economizer and the high pressure economizer.

Abstract: An apparatus, a system and a method by which fuel gas to drive a heat source is heated are provided. The apparatus includes a first gas passage by which at least a portion of the fuel gas is transported from an inlet to an outlet, the outlet being fluidly coupled to the heat source, a plurality of heat pipes in thermal communication, at respective first ends thereof, with the portion of the fuel gas transported by the first gas passage, and a heating element, fluidly coupled to the heat source to receive exhaust of the heat source, through which respective second ends of the heat pipes extend to be in position to be heated by the exhaust.

Abstract: A combined cycle power plant includes a gas turbomachine system including a compressor and a gas turbine that extracts work from gases at a first temperature. The combined cycle power plant also includes a steam turbomachine system including at least one steam turbine that extracts work from gases at a second temperature. The combined cycle power plant further includes a heat recovery steam generator having a main housing fluidly connected to the gas turbine. The heat recovery steam generator includes a plurality of heat pipes that extend within the main housing in fluid communication with the gases at the first temperature. The plurality of heat pipes are also in fluid communication with the gases at the second temperature. The plurality of heat pipes absorb heat from the gases at the first temperature and pass the heat into the gases at the second temperature to form gases at a third temperature.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention may provide to a gas turbine a fuel gas saturated with water heated by a fuel moisturizer, which receives heat form a flash tank. A heat source for the flash tank may originate at a heat recovery steam generator. The increased mass flow associated with the saturated fuel gas may result in increased power output from the associated power plant. The fuel gas saturation is followed by superheating the fuel, preferably with bottom cycle heat sources, resulting in a larger thermal efficiency gain.

Abstract: A turbomachine includes a compressor having an intake portion and an outlet portion. The compressor compresses air received at the intake portion to form a compressed airflow that is passed from the outlet portion. The turbomachine also includes an intercooler operatively connected downstream from the compressor. The intercooler includes a plurality of heat pipes that are configured to extract heat from the compressed airflow.

Abstract: An apparatus to facilitate a start-up operation of a combined cycle or rankine cycle power plant is provided and includes a plurality of heat pipes, each of which respectively includes a first portion in thermal communication with exhaust emitted from a heat source and a second portion in thermal communication with the first portion, a cooling unit to cool the second portions of the heat pipes, and a controller which is configured to control the cooling unit to cool the second portions of the heat pipes and to thereby remove heat from exhaust via the first portions of the heat pipes.

Abstract: The present invention takes the form of a method and system that may reduce the level of SOx emissions by recirculating a portion of the exhaust of at least one turbomachine; the portion of exhaust may be mixed with the inlet air prior to re-entering the turbomachine. The present invention may incorporate an inlet bleed heat system to reduce the likelihood of the liquid products forming from SOx emissions. Here, a method may maintain a temperature of the inlet fluid above a condensation temperature.

Abstract: A combined cycle power plant includes a gas turbomachine having a compressor portion and a turbine portion, a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) operatively coupled to the turbine portion of the gas turbomachine, and an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) device fluidly coupled to the HRSG. The ORC device includes an organic fluid passing through a closed loop system operatively coupled to a turbine. Heated fluid from the HRSG elevates a temperature of the organic fluid flowing through the closed loop system. Thermal energy from the organic fluid is converted to mechanical energy in the turbine.

Abstract: A supercritical steam combined cycle system including a gas turbine; a supercritical steam turbine system including a supercritical section, a high pressure section, an intermediate pressure section and at least one low pressure section; and a supercritical steam heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) for receiving exhaust gas from the gas turbine for heating fluid from the steam turbine system. The HRSG includes a supercritical evaporator arranged to supply steam to a superheater between the supercritical evaporator and the inlet of the HRSG and a reheater receiving cold reheat steam from and returning reheated steam to the steam turbine system. The reheater includes a first section disposed downstream of and a second section disposed upstream of the supercritical evaporator along the exhaust gas flow path.

Abstract: A method for recovering energy from bleed air from a compressor of a gas turbine is provided. The method includes directing bleed air from a compressor of a gas turbine into a cooling unit. The bleed air is compressed air from the compressor, and the bleed air is not directed into a combustion chamber of the gas turbine. The method also includes cooling the bleed air within the cooling unit. The method further includes expanding the cooled bleed air within a turbo-expander to generate power.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention may take the form of a system and method that may use at least one solar heating system to heat the fuel consumed by a turbomachine. An embodiment of the present invention may incorporate concentrated solar power (CSP). Generally, CSP systems incorporate a plurality of lenses, mirrors, or combinations thereof and a tracking system to focus a large area of sunlight forming a small concentrated beam of light. The concentrated light may then be used as a heat source. In an embodiment of the present invention, the heat source may be used to partially or completely heat the fuel consumed by a turbomachine. CSP systems may take the form of a solar trough system, a parabolic dish system, a solar power tower system, or the like.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention takes the form of a method and system that may reduce the level of SOx emissions by recirculating a portion of the exhaust of at least one turbomachine; the portion of exhaust may be mixed with the inlet air prior to re-entering the turbomachine. An embodiment of the present invention may incorporate an inlet bleed heat system to reduce the likelihood of the liquid products forming from SOx emissions. Here, a method may maintain a temperature of the inlet fluid above a condensation temperature.

Abstract: A combined cycle power plant including a gas turbine, a steam turbine and a heat recovery generator, for thermally connecting the gas turbine and the steam turbine. The heat recovery steam generator has a duct for receiving hot exhaust gas from the gas turbine. The heat recovery steam generator is also associated with a heating system for receiving feed water for heating to steam. A heat pipe having a first end disposed within the duct operates to remove heat there from. A second end of the heat pipe disposed within the heating system operates to transfer heat to the feed water.

Abstract: A combined cycle power plant includes a steam turbine section having an inlet section and an outlet section. The steam turbine section passes steam from the inlet section toward the outlet section. The combined cycle power plant also includes a condenser fluidly connected to the outlet section of the steam turbine section. The condenser includes a plurality of heat pipes configured to extract latent heat from steam passing from the steam turbine section to form condensed water.

Abstract: An apparatus to facilitate a start-up operation of a combined cycle or rankine cycle power plant is provided and includes a plurality of heat pipes, each of which respectively includes a first portion in thermal communication with exhaust emitted from a heat source and a second portion in thermal communication with the first portion, a cooling unit to cool the second portions of the heat pipes, and a controller which is configured to control the cooling unit to cool the second portions of the heat pipes and to thereby remove heat from exhaust via the first portions of the heat pipes.

Abstract: A combined cycle power plant includes a gas turbomachine system including a compressor and a gas turbine that extracts work from gases at a first temperature. The combined cycle power plant also includes a steam turbomachine system including at least one steam turbine that extracts work from gases at a second temperature. The combined cycle power plant further includes a heat recovery steam generator having a main housing fluidly connected to the gas turbine. The heat recovery steam generator includes a plurality of heat pipes that extend within the main housing in fluid communication with the gases at the first temperature. The plurality of heat pipes are also in fluid communication with the gases at the second temperature. The plurality of heat pipes absorb heat from the gases at the first temperature and pass the heat into the gases at the second temperature to form gases at a third temperature.

Abstract: A turbomachine includes a compressor having an intake portion and an outlet portion. The compressor compresses air received at the intake portion to form a compressed airflow that is passed from the outlet portion. The turbomachine also includes an intercooler operatively connected downstream from the compressor. The intercooler includes a plurality of heat pipes that are configured to extract heat from the compressed airflow.

Abstract: An apparatus, a system and a method by which fuel gas to drive a heat source is heated are provided. The apparatus includes a first gas passage by which at least a portion of the fuel gas is transported from an inlet to an outlet, the outlet being fluidly coupled to the heat source, a plurality of heat pipes in thermal communication, at respective first ends thereof, with the portion of the fuel gas transported by the first gas passage, and a heating element, fluidly coupled to the heat source to receive exhaust of the heat source, through which respective second ends of the heat pipes extend to be in position to be heated by the exhaust.