Patents by Inventor Jurgen Hoffmann

Jurgen Hoffmann has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20150047366
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a gas turbine power plant, including a gas turbine, a HRSG following the gas turbine, an exhaust gas blower, and a carbon dioxide separation plant which separates the carbon dioxide contained in the exhaust gases and discharges it to a carbon dioxide outlet, the gas turbine, HRSG, exhaust gas blower, and carbon dioxide separation plant being connected by means of exhaust gas lines. According to the method a trip of the gas turbine power plant includes the steps of: stopping the fuel supply, switching off the exhaust gas blower, and controlling the opening angle of a VIGV at a position bigger or equal to a position required to keep a pressure in the exhaust gas lines between the HRSG and the exhaust gas blower above a minimum required pressure. The invention relates, further relates to a gas turbine power plant configured to carry out such a method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Richard Carroni, Jürgen Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 8826670
    Abstract: A method is provided for operating a gas turbine in a power station in which limits of the operating concept, which provide limits for optimization of the power station operation in respect of efficiency, service life consumption, emissions and power provision to the grid system, are adapted during operation. In particular, temperature limits and compressor inlet guide vane position limits are varied as a function of the optimization aims. A gas turbine power station is also provided for carrying out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Jürgen Hoffmann, Johann Josef Daxer, Bernhard Wippel, Klaus-Dieter Liedtke
  • Patent number: 8796874
    Abstract: A method is provided for operating a power station (10) with turbine shafting (11) including a gas turbine (12) and a generator (18) that is driven directly by the gas turbine (12) and that generates alternating current with an operating frequency. The output of the generator is connected to an electrical grid (21) with a given grid frequency. An electronic decoupling apparatus or variable electronic gearbox (27) is arranged between the generator (18) and the grid (21). The decoupling apparatus decouples the operating frequency from the grid frequency. In the event of a temporary over-frequency or under-frequency event in the electrical grid (21), the mechanical rotational speed of the gas turbine (12) is decreased more than the grid frequency during an under-frequency event of the electrical grid (21) and is increased more than the grid frequency during an over-frequency event of the electrical grid (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Jürgen Hoffmann, Thomas Meindl
  • Publication number: 20140144156
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for determining a temperature in a pressurized flow path of a gas turbine comprising the steps of sending an acoustic signal from an acoustic signal emitting transducer across a section of the pressurized flow path, detecting the acoustic signal with a receiving transducer, measuring the time needed by the acoustic signal to travel from the acoustic signal emitting transducer to the receiving transducer, calculating the speed of sound, and calculating the temperature as a function of the speed of sound, the heat capacity ratio (?) and a specific gas constant (Rspec) of the gas flowing in the pressurized flow path. Besides the method, a gas turbine with a processor and transducers arranged to carry out such a method is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Wolfgang LANG, Jürgen HOFFMANN
  • Patent number: 8408006
    Abstract: A method is provided for operating a combined cycle power plant including a CO2 capture system and flue gas recirculation system. The method includes controlling a flue gas recirculation rate and a re-cooling temperature of the recirculated flue gases, depending on load, to optimize the overall plant efficiency including the CO2 capture system. Also provided is a combined cycle power plant including a CO2 capture system and flue gas recirculation system. The plant being configured to carry out a method in which a flue gas recirculation rate and a re-cooling temperature of recirculated flue gases is controlled depending on load to optimize the overall plant efficiency including the CO2 capture system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Hongtao Li, Jurgen Hoffmann, Holger Nagel, Francois Droux, Celine Mahieux, Christoph Ruchti, Manfred Wirsum
  • Patent number: 8373295
    Abstract: A method is provided for operating a power station (10), with turbine shafting (11), that includes a gas turbine (12) and a generator (18) driven directly by the gas turbine (12) and that generates alternating current with an operating frequency, the output of the generator is connected with an electrical grid (21) with given grid frequency. An electronic decoupling apparatus or variable electronic gearbox (27) is arranged between the generator (18) and the grid (21), the decoupling apparatus decouples the operating frequency from the grid frequency. Increased service life of the station and reduced emissions are achieved in that, when there are longer-lasting changes in the grid frequency, the mechanical or aerodynamic rotational speed of the gas turbine (12) is kept constant and the output of the gas turbine (12) is adjusted without a delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Jürgen Hoffmann, Thomas Meindl
  • Patent number: 8346394
    Abstract: Power plant characteristics are operated in a flexible manner by controlling the power consumption of a CO2 capture and compression system. The impact of CO2 capture and compression on the capacity of a power plant can be minimized to maximize the electric power the plant can deliver to the power grid and the impact of CO2 capture and compression on the average plant efficiency can be reduced, by an operating method and a power plant, in which the power consumption of the CO2 capture system is used to control the net output of the plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Charles Soothill, Christian Steinbach, Allen Michael Pfeffer, Philippe Jean-Michel Paelinck, Jurgen Hoffmann
  • Publication number: 20120291445
    Abstract: An exemplary method is disclosed for operating a gas turbine power plant with exhaust gas recirculation, in which the exhaust gas recirculation is, for example, disengaged during starting and shutting down of the gas turbine, and in which the engaging or disengaging of the exhaust gas recirculation can be carried out in dependence upon an operating state of the gas turbine. An exemplary gas turbine power plant with exhaust gas recirculation is also disclosed which can include a control element, the closing speed of which is such that the control element can be closed within a time which is less than a time for exhaust gases to flow from the turbine through an HRSG.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: ALSTOM Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Stefan Rofka, Jürgen Hoffmann, Eribert Benz, Frank Sander, Martin Nicklas
  • Patent number: 8247919
    Abstract: A combined-cycle power plant (10) has at least one power train (60) including a steam turbine (24) and a second generator (8) directly driven by the steam turbine (24) and generating alternating current, the output of which generator is connected to a power grid (21) having a given grid frequency (F), and at least one power train (11) of a gas turbine (12) and a first generator (18) driven directly by the gas turbine (12) and generating alternating current with an operating frequency, the output of which generator is connected to a power grid (21) having a predetermined grid frequency. An electronic decoupling device or a variable electronic gear unit (27) decouples the operating frequency from the grid frequency and is arranged between the first generator (18) and the power grid (21). Such a plant allows both flexible steady-state operation with high overall efficiency as well as flexible transient operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Jürgen Hoffmann, Thomas Meindl
  • Publication number: 20120031101
    Abstract: A method is provided for CO2 separation from a combined-cycle power plant with exhaust-gas recirculation and CO2 separation. The hot-gas flow is split into a recirculation flow and an exhaust-gas flow before the final turbine stage in the turbine. A first partial flow remains in the turbine and carries out expansion work in the conventional form, before its waste heat is dissipated, for example in a waste-heat boiler, and the gases are recirculated into the inlet flow of the gas turbine. A second partial flow is diverted before the final turbine stage, and emits its waste heat in an HRSG/heat exchanger, before CO2 is separated from the exhaust-gas flow at an increased pressure level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventors: Jürgen HOFFMANN, Hans Peter KNOPFEL, Hans E. WETTSTEIN
  • Publication number: 20110304155
    Abstract: CO2 compression is a main step in carbon capture and storage, which is essential to control global warming. CO2 compressors are powered by electric motors, which increase operational flexibility but require much energy leading to additional expenses, power and efficiency losses. A method is provided for optimized operation of a plant including a power generation unit with a CO2 capture system and compressor with minimum losses during normal operation, allowing flexible part load. The method allows steam from the power unit to drive a steam turbine, which drives the CO2 compressor via an engaged overrunning clutch if a sufficient amount of steam is available from the power unit, and to drive it by the generator, which is used as motor when insufficient steam is available from the power unit. When no or insufficient steam is available the clutch is disengaged and the steam turbine may be at standstill or idling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventors: Jürgen HOFFMANN, Holger NAGEL, Hongtao LI
  • Publication number: 20110302922
    Abstract: A method is provided for operating a combined cycle power plant including a CO2 capture system and flue gas recirculation system. The method includes controlling a flue gas recirculation rate and a re-cooling temperature of the recirculated flue gases, depending on load, to optimize the overall plant efficiency including the CO2 capture system. Also provided is a combined cycle power plant including a CO2 capture system and flue gas recirculation system. The plant being configured to carry out a method in which a flue gas recirculation rate and a re-cooling temperature of recirculated flue gases is controlled depending on load to optimize the overall plant efficiency including the CO2 capture system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventors: Hongtao LI, Jürgen HOFFMANN, Holger NAGEL, Francois DROUX, Celine MAHIEUX, Christoph RUCHTI, Manfred WIRSUM
  • Publication number: 20110289898
    Abstract: An exemplary system method for the operation of a CCP P with flue gas recirculation to reduce NOx emissions and/or to increase the CO2 concentration in the flue gases to facilitate CO2 capture from the flue gases is disclosed. The flue gas recirculation rate (rFRG) is controlled as function of the combustion pressure and/or the hot gas temperature. Operability is enhanced by admixing of oxygen or oxygen enriched air to the gas turbine inlet gases or to the combustion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Jaan HELLAT, Jürgen HOFFMANN
  • Publication number: 20110214518
    Abstract: The invention relates to a functional part of an electronic piston stroke pipette with an operating environment adapted to manual piston stroke pipettes. The piston stroke pipette according to the invention comprises a pipette cone, in which there is a movable piston, rigidly connected with a transmission for its upwards and downwards movements via a piston rod, in which context the transmission is propelled by a drive motor and wherein the control board comprises an upper part as the operating part for turning and pressing and a bar as a cylindrical connection to the electronics, with the control board and display integrated in the display housing in the upper part and drive motor and battery (rechargeable battery) in the lower part of the pipette housing. Fields of application of the invention are analytical chemistry and medicinal diagnostics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: AHN BIOTECHNOLOGIE GMBH
    Inventors: Marcel Hoffmann, Hans-Jürgen Hoffmann
  • Publication number: 20110197593
    Abstract: A gas turbine and method are disclosed by which the gas turbine can be safely operated at nominal speed with reduced margin to a surge limit of a compressor. The gas turbine, via a directly driven generator which generates alternating current with an operating frequency and which is connected in a frequency-coupled manner to an electricity grid, can deliver electric power to this grid. In the case of an underfrequency event the compressor of the gas turbine is unloaded by controlled, fast closing of the variable compressor guide vanes (VGV) and as a result maintains a sufficient margin to the surge limit of the compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: ALSTOM Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Herbert FUCHS, Anton Nemet, Jürgen Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 7950240
    Abstract: In a method for operating a gas turbine plant (10) with a compressor (11) for the compression of combustion air sucked in from the surroundings, with a combustion chamber (15) for generating hot gas by the combustion of a fuel with compressed combustion air, and with a turbine (12), in which the hot gas from the combustion chamber (15) is expanded so as to perform work, temperatures and pressures are measured at various points in the gas turbine plant (10), and a combustion chamber exit temperature is derived from the measured temperatures and pressures and used for controlling the gas turbine plant (10). Improved temperature determination is achieved in that the composition of the gas, in particular the water content in the exhaust gas of the turbine (12), is determined, and in that the specific water content in the exhaust gas of the turbine (12) is taken into account in deriving the combustion chamber exit temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Anton Nemet, Jürgen Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 7944094
    Abstract: A power station (40) is provided having a turbine section including a gas turbine (12) and a generator (28) which is driven directly by the gas turbine (12) and produces alternating current at a first operating frequency, and whose output can be connected to a consumer (V) having a predetermined second operating frequency. Increased flexibility for design and operation of the power station (40) is achieved in that an electronic decoupling apparatus (27), which decouples the two operating frequencies from one another, is arranged between the generator (28) and the consumer (V).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd.
    Inventor: Jürgen Hoffmann
  • Publication number: 20110056200
    Abstract: Power plant characteristics are operated in a flexible manner by controlling the power consumption of a CO2 capture and compression system. The impact of CO2 capture and compression on the capacity of a power plant can be minimized to maximize the electric power the plant can deliver to the power grid and the impact of CO2 capture and compression on the average plant efficiency can be reduced, by an operating method and a power plant, in which the power consumption of the CO2 capture system is used to control the net output of the plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Charles SOOTHILL, Christian Steinbach, Allen Michael Pfeffer, Philippe Jean-Michel Paelinck, Jurgen Hoffmann
  • Publication number: 20110037276
    Abstract: A method is provided for operating a gas turbine in a power station in which limits of the operating concept, which provide limits for optimization of the power station operation in respect of efficiency, service life consumption, emissions and power provision to the grid system, are adapted during operation. In particular, temperature limits and compressor inlet guide vane position limits are varied as a function of the optimization aims. A gas turbine power station is also provided for carrying out the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD.
    Inventors: Jürgen HOFFMANN, Johann Josef DAXER, Bernhard WIPPEL, Klaus-Dieter LIEDTKE
  • Publication number: 20110018265
    Abstract: A combined-cycle power plant (10) has at least one power train (60) including a steam turbine (24) and a second generator (8) directly driven by the steam turbine (24) and generating alternating current, the output of which generator is connected to a power grid (21) having a given grid frequency (F), and at least one power train (11) of a gas turbine (12) and a first generator (18) driven directly by the gas turbine (12) and generating alternating current with an operating frequency, the output of which generator is connected to a power grid (21) having a predetermined grid frequency. An electronic decoupling device or a variable electronic gear unit (27) decouples the operating frequency from the grid frequency and is arranged between the first generator (18) and the power grid (21). Such a plant allows both flexible steady-state operation with high overall efficiency as well as flexible transient operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventors: Jürgen Hoffmann, Thomas Meindl