Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing load-following power using low to medium temperature heat source fluid comprising the steps of reducing the power level produced by a Rankine cycle power plant producing load-following power operating on a low to medium temperature heat source fluid during one period of time; storing heat not used during the first period of time; and using the heat stored for producing power during a second period of time.

Abstract: An apparatus for increasing the efficiency of a multi-heat source power plant includes a thermal collector having access to heat from a solar collector as a heat source for heating a fluid to a first temperature; a second heat source for heating the fluid; a heat exchanger that transfers heat to the fluid which is heated to said first temperature, to raise the temperature of the fluid to a higher temperature; and a power generation cycle using the fluid, heated to the first temperature, as a motive fluid.

Abstract: A waste heat recovery system includes a closed fluid circuit through which an organic motive fluid flows, and a heat exchanger for transferring heat from waste heat gases to the motive fluid. A first flashing unit flashes the motive fluid which exits the heat exchanger into a high pressure flashed vapor portion. Another flashing unit flashes liquid non-flashed motive fluid, producing a low pressure flashed vapor portion. A high pressure turbine module receives the high pressure flashed vapor portion to produce power, and a low pressure turbine module receives a combined flow of motive fluid vapor comprising the low pressure flashed vapor portion and discharge vapor from the high pressure turbine module whereby additional power is produced.

Abstract: A power system for delivering a custom level of electrical power to an industrial or commercial facility includes a local generator connected to a turbine operating in accordance with an organic Rankine or steam Rankine cycle. The local generator has a capacity at least greater than a maximum anticipated power level needed for the electrical needs of a local industrial or commercial facility. One or more control devices are operatively connected to the local generator for regulating active and reactive power generated by the generator. A controller directs the one or more control devices to regulate the generator such that the active power and reactive power generated by the generator are sufficient to satisfy active and reactive load conditions of local industrial or commercial facilities.

Abstract: A method for producing power from geothermal fluid includes: separating the geothermal fluid in a flash tank into geothermal vapor comprising steam and non-condensable gases, and geothermal brine; supplying the geothermal vapor to a vaporizer; vaporizing a preheated motive fluid in the vaporizer using heat from the geothermal vapor to produce heat-depleted geothermal vapor and vaporized motive fluid, wherein the heat content in the geothermal vapor exiting the flash tank is only enough to vaporize the preheated motive fluid in the vaporizer; expanding the vaporized motive fluid in a vapor turbine producing power and expanded vaporized motive fluid; condensing the expanded vaporized motive fluid in a condenser to produce condensed motive fluid; and preheating the condensed motive fluid in a preheater using heat from the heat-depleted geothermal vapor and the geothermal brine, thereby producing the preheated motive fluid, make-up water and heat-depleted geothermal brine.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hybrid geothermal power plant, comprising a photovoltaic module for generating direct current electrical power, a geothermal unit for utilizing heat content of a geothermal fluid extracted from a production well to produce power, and a controller for coordinating operation of the photovoltaic module and the geothermal unit such that the power plant generates a substantially uniform electrical output.

Abstract: A solar power plant in a new split configuration of a solar Brayton cycle or Brayton/Rankine combined cycle which comprises an array of heliostat mounted mirrors, a solar receiver and a high pressure section of a Brayton cycle power plant mounted near a top of a solar tower, a low pressure section of the Brayton Cycle power plant and the electric generator mounted near or at ground level.

Abstract: A heat exchanger has a wind deflector extending along a long side of a finned heat exchange tube array.

Abstract: A closed Rankine cycle power plant using an organic working fluid includes a solar trough collector for heating an organic working fluid, a flash vaporizer for vaporizing the heated organic working fluid, a turbine receiving and expanding the vaporized organic working fluid for producing power or electricity, a condenser for condensing the expanded organic working fluid and a pump for circulating the condensed organic working fluid to the solar trough collector. Heated organic working fluid in the flash vaporizer that is not vaporized is returned to the solar trough collector.

Abstract: An apparatus for increasing the efficiency of a multi-heat source power plant includes a thermal collector having access to heat from a solar collector as a heat source for heating a fluid to a first temperature; a second heat source for heating the fluid; a heat exchanger that transfers heat to the fluid which is heated to said first temperature, to raise the temperature of the fluid to a higher temperature; and a power generation cycle using the fluid, heated to the first temperature, as a motive fluid.

Abstract: For increasing power plant efficiency during periods of variable heat input or at partial loads, a motive fluid is cycled through a Rankine cycle power plant having a vaporizer and a superheater such that the motive fluid is delivered to a turbine at a selected inlet temperature at full admission. A percentage of a superheated portion of the motive fluid is adjusted during periods of variable heat input or at partial loads while virtually maintaining the inlet temperature and power plant thermal efficiency.

Abstract: In a method for increasing power plant efficiency during periods of variable heat input or at partial loads, a motive fluid is cycled through a Rankine cycle power plant having a vaporizer and a superheater such that the motive fluid is delivered to a turbine at a selected inlet temperature at full admission. A percentage of a superheated portion of the motive fluid during periods of variable heat input or at partial loads is adjusted while substantially maintaining the inlet temperature and a power plant thermal efficiency. A Rankine Cycle power plant includes a conduit circuit extending from a heat source to each of a vaporizer section and a superheater section for regulating flow therethrough of source heat fluid.

Abstract: A solar power plant in a new split configuration of a solar Brayton cycle or Brayton/Rankine combined cycle which comprises an array of heliostat mounted mirrors, a solar receiver and a high pressure section of a Brayton cycle power plant mounted near a top of a solar tower, a low pressure section of the Brayton Cycle power plant and the electric generator mounted near or at ground level.

Abstract: A waste heat recovery system includes a high pressure turbine and a low pressure turbine, in which the high pressure turbine receives high pressure working fluid vapor, the low pressure turbine receives low pressure working fluid vapor and the high pressure turbine also supplies low pressure working fluid vapor to the low pressure turbine. A recuperator receives working fluid vapor from the low pressure turbine. The recuperator produces heated condensate, at least a portion of which is provided to a high pressure vaporizer. The high pressure vaporizer is configured to receive from a high temperature heat source and produces high pressure working vapor used to power the high pressure turbine. The remaining condensed fluid is provided to a low pressure vaporizer which is configured to receive heat from a low-temperature heat source, thereby producing low pressure working fluid vapor used to power the low pressure turbine.

Abstract: A gas turbine exhaust gas cooling system includes a conduit for a primary gas turbine exhaust gas extending from the primary gas turbine to an inlet of a desired industrial process apparatus, a work producing thermodynamic cycle in which a working fluid is heated and expanded, and at least one heat exchanger by which heat is sufficiently transferred from the primary gas turbine exhaust gas to the working fluid to produce a low temperature heating medium downstream of the heat exchanger at a predetermined temperature and energy level which are sufficient for effecting a desired industrial process.

Abstract: For operating a multi-heat source power plant, including a thermal collector having access to heat from a solar collector as a first heat source for heating a first fluid to a first temperature, a topping power generation cycle using the first fluid as a motive fluid, and a geothermal second heat source for heating a second motive fluid, which is different from said first motive fluid, to a second temperature lower than the first temperature, a heat exchanger transfers heat from the first fluid to the second fluid to raise the temperature of the second fluid to a higher temperature. A bottoming power generation cycle uses said second fluid, heated to the higher temperature, as a motive fluid.

Abstract: A power system includes a Rankine cycle local generator having a capacity greater than a maximum anticipated power level. One or more control devices are operatively connected to the local generator for regulating active and reactive power generated by the generator. Detectors are provided to sense active and reactive voltages. The controller directs the control devices to regulate the generator such that the active power and reactive power are sufficient to satisfy the active and reactive load conditions.

Abstract: According to present invention, a method is provided for operating a multi-heat source power plant using a low-medium temperature heat source fluid, wherein the multi-heat source power plant includes a turbine or expander run by an organic motive fluid, comprising preheating the organic motive fluid using the low-medium temperature heat source fluid and thereafter providing further heat from an additional heat source to vaporize the motive fluid which is supplied to the turbine or expander. Furthermore, in an embodiment of the present invention, the present invention provides an apparatus comprising a heat exchanger suitable to pre-heat an organic motive fluid with a low-medium temperature geothermal fluid, and solar energy collecting means suitable to directly or indirectly provide heat to the pre-heated organic motive fluid for heating and vaporizing the motive fluid.

Abstract: A power system is provided for delivering a custom level of electrical power to an industrial or commercial facility, comprising a local generator connected to a turbine operating in accordance with an organic Rankine cycle, the local generator having a capacity at least greater than a maximum anticipated power level needed for the electrical needs of a local industrial or commercial facility, one or more control devices operatively connected to the local generator for regulating active and reactive power generated by the generator, a detector for sensing active voltage induced by said generator, a detector for sensing reactive voltage produced by the generator, and a controller in electrical communication with said one or more control devices and with the active and reactive voltage detectors, wherein the controller directs the one or more control devices to regulate the generator such that the active power and reactive power generated by the generator are sufficient to satisfy active and reactive load condi

Abstract: The present invention provides an integrated engine generator Rankine cycle power system which increases the efficiency of the use of its power output. The system comprises a closed Rankine cycle power generating unit through which working fluid flows and an engine generator, the closed Rankine cycle power generating unit including a waste heat boiler for vaporizing said working fluid by means of exhaust gases discharged from the engine generator, an expander in which the vaporized working fluid expands and performs work to drive a shaft for producing mechanical power, or an electric generator coupled thereto and adapted to produce electrical power, from both the engine generator and the expander, and an external lubrication system in fluid communication with the expander wherein one or more closed Rankine cycle power generating unit components are operationally connected to the electric generator.