Patents by Inventor Matthias Finkenrath
Matthias Finkenrath 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).
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Patent number: 9062690Abstract: A gas compression system for use with a gas stream. The gas compression system may include a number of compressors for compressing the gas stream, one or more ejectors for further compressing the gas stream, a condenser positioned downstream of the ejectors, and a waste heat source. A return portion of the gas stream may be in communication with the ejectors via the waste heat source.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2010Date of Patent: June 23, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Miguel Angel Gonzalez, Matthias Finkenrath, Vittorio Michelassi
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Publication number: 20140033714Abstract: A regenerative thermal energy system includes a heat exchange reactor that includes a top entry portion, a lower entry portion, and a bottom discharge portion. The system also includes at least one fluid source coupled in flow communication with the at least one heat exchange reactor at the lower entry portion. The system also includes at least one cold particle storage source coupled in flow communication with the at least one heat exchange reactor at the top entry portion. The system further includes at least one thermal energy storage (TES) vessel coupled in flow communication with the heat exchange reactor at each of the bottom discharge portion and the top entry portion. The heat exchange reactor is configured to facilitate direct contact and counter-flow heat exchange between solid particles and a fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2012Publication date: February 6, 2014Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Miguel Angel Gonzalez Salazar, Matthias Finkenrath, Mathilde Bieber
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Patent number: 8572972Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus including a compressed air energy storage (CAES) system including a compression train with a compressor path, a storage volume configured to store compressed air, a compressed air path configured to provide passage of compressed air egressing from the compression train to the storage volume, and a heat recovery system coupled to at least one of the compressor path and the compressed air path and configured to draw heat from at least one of the compressor path and the compressed air path to a first liquid. The compression train is configured to provide passage of compressed air from a first compressor to a second compressor. The heat recovery system includes a first evaporator configured to evaporate the first liquid to a first gas and a first generator configured to produce electricity based on an expansion of the first gas.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2009Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Thomas Johannes Frey, Matthias Finkenrath, Gabor Ast, Stephanie Marie-Noelle Hoffmann, Matthew Lehar, Richard Aumann
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Patent number: 8459030Abstract: A process fluid cooler can extract thermal energy from a process fluid including carbon dioxide. An absorber can transfer carbon dioxide from the process fluid to a removal fluid. A reboiler can heat the removal fluid so as to cause carbon dioxide to be released from the removal fluid and outputted as part of a reboiler output stream. The reboiler can also output a heating fluid. A stripper condenser can extract thermal energy from the reboiler output stream so as to cause condensation of water associated with the reboiler output stream and to remove carbon dioxide therefrom. A compression system can remove thermal energy from carbon dioxide received from the stripper condenser. A heat engine can be configured to operate according to an organic Rankine cycle, receiving thermal energy from the heating fluid and/or extracted at the process fluid cooler, at the stripper condenser, and/or at the compression system.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2009Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Matthias Finkenrath, Gabor Ast, Michael Adam Bartlett, Vittorio Tola
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Publication number: 20130081395Abstract: A system includes a gas turbine system, a thermal energy storage device, and a heat recovery system. The gas turbine system is powered by solar energy to generate a first amount of electric power. The thermal energy storage device is coupled to the gas turbine system. The thermal energy storage device is configured to selectively receive expanded exhaust gas from the gas turbine system and store heat of the expanded exhaust gas. The heat recovery system is coupled to the gas turbine system and the thermal energy storage device. The heat recovery system is selectively powered by at least one of the gas turbine system and the thermal energy storage device to generate a second amount of electric power.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2011Publication date: April 4, 2013Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Thomas Johannes Frey, Gabor Ast, Clarissa Sara Katharina Belloni, Matthias Finkenrath
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Patent number: 8347629Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus including a compressed air energy storage system that includes an ambient air intake configured to intake a quantity of ambient air for storage in a compressed air storage volume, a compression system having a compression path that is configured to convey air compressed by the compression system through the compression system, a first path configured to convey ambient air to the compression system, a second path proceeding from the compression system to the compressed air storage volume and configured to convey compressed air to the compressed air storage volume, and a dehumidifying system. The dehumidifying system is coupleable to at least one of the first path that proceeds from the ambient air intake to the compression system, the compression path, and the second path. The dehumidifying system includes a dehumidifying component configured to remove moisture from the ambient air and/or the compressed air.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2009Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Matthias Finkenrath, Cristina Botero, Sebastian Walter Freund, Clarissa Sara Katharina Belloni, Miguel Angel Gonzalez Salazar, Stephanie Marie-Noelle Hoffmann, Roland Marquardt, Kurt Peter Moser, Stefan Martin Zunft
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Patent number: 8341964Abstract: A power generation system includes a first compressor, a second compressor, a combustor configured to receive compressed air from the second compressor to produce an exhaust stream, a first turbine, and a power turbine. The first turbine is configured to receive the exhaust stream, generate a rotational power from the exhaust stream, output the rotational power to a second compressor, and output the exhaust stream. The system includes a coupling device configured to couple and decouple the first compressor to/from a second turbine, an electrical generator coupled to an output of the power turbine and configured to output electrical power, and a controller configured to cause the coupling device to mechanically decouple the second turbine from the first compressor, and cause the coupling device to direct compressed air from an air storage cavern to an inlet of the second compressor.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2009Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Matthias Finkenrath, Balachandar Naidu, Charles Michael Booth, Garland Ferguson, Stephanie Marie-Noelle Hoffmann, Sebastian W. Freund
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Publication number: 20120131897Abstract: The present application provides a gas compression system for use with a gas stream. The gas compression system may include a number of compressors for compressing the gas stream, one or more ejectors for further compressing the gas stream, a condenser positioned downstream of the ejectors, and a waste heat source. A return portion of the gas stream may be in communication with the ejectors via the waste heat source.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2010Publication date: May 31, 2012Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Miguel Angel Gonzalez, Matthias Finkenrath, Vittorio Michelassi
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Publication number: 20110289941Abstract: A power plant including an apparatus for regasification of liquefied natural gas (LNG) is provided. The apparatus includes a compressor configured to pressurize a working fluid and a heat recovery system configured to provide heat to a working fluid. A turbine is configured to generate work utilizing the heated working fluid. One or more heat exchangers are configured to transfer heat from the working fluid to a first stage liquefied natural gas at a first pressure and at least one of a second stage liquefied natural gas at a second pressure, and a compressed working fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2010Publication date: December 1, 2011Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Miguel Angel Gonzalez Salazar, Matthias Finkenrath, Johannes Eckstein, Clarissa Sara Katharina Belloni
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Publication number: 20110268618Abstract: The present application relates to separation processes and systems and more specifically to hybrid carbon dioxide separation processes. In one embodiment, the system for the separation or removal of carbon dioxide comprises an apparatus for a selective separation of carbon dioxide (CO2) from flue gas—typically exhaust gases, syngas or natural gas streams—using one or more so-called CO2 reverse selective membrane(s) in the first separation unit to enrich a feed gas stream which contains carbon dioxide with CO2 and by separating other constituents of the gas stream. Thus, the feed gas stream is separated in the first separation unit by CO2-reverse-selective separation into a CO2-lean gas stream and a CO2-enriched gas stream. The CO2-enriched gas stream is fed to a second separation unit which is a CO2-selective separation unit. The second separation results in a purified CO2-rich gas stream and a remaining CO2-lean gas stream.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2010Publication date: November 3, 2011Inventor: Matthias Finkenrath
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Publication number: 20110265445Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for reducing CO2 emissions in an exhaust stream, and industrial plants utilizing the same. In one embodiment, a method for reducing emissions in a combustion stream, comprises: generating an exhaust stream, and compressing the stream. A first flow of the compressed exhaust stream is recycled to the generating step, and a second flow is provided to a CO2 separation system.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2010Publication date: November 3, 2011Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Cristina Botero, Matthias Finkenrath, Miguel Angel Gonzalez Salazar
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Patent number: 7966829Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for reducing power plant CO2 emissions. In one embodiment, a method for reducing emissions in a combustion stream, comprises: combusting a gaseous stream to produce an exhaust stream comprising carbon dioxide, and separating CO2 from the exhaust stream by passing CO2 through a membrane to produce a CO2 product stream and a CO2 lean exhaust stream.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2006Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Matthias Finkenrath, Michael Bartlett, Stephanie Marie-Noelle Hoffmann, Narendra Digamber Joshi
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Publication number: 20110138766Abstract: A method of improving emission performance of a gas turbine is provided. The method includes recirculating a portion of an exhaust gas stream to a compressor of the gas turbine via an exhaust gas recirculating system, to reduce concentration of oxygen in a high pressure feed oxidant stream into a combustor of the gas turbine. The method further includes adding diluent to at least one of a fuel stream directed to the combustor or a low pressure feed oxidant stream directed to the compressor, to reduce concentration of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and increase concentration of carbon dioxide in a resultant exhaust gas stream.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2009Publication date: June 16, 2011Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Ahmed Mostafa ELKady, Andrei Tristan Evulet, Geir Johan Rørtveit, Hejie Li, Matthias Finkenrath
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Publication number: 20110127004Abstract: A system and method for a thermal energy storage system is disclosed, the thermal energy storage system comprising a plurality of pressure vessels arranged in close proximity to one another, each of the pressure vessels having a wall comprising an outer surface and an inner surface spaced from the outer surface by a respective wall thickness and surrounding an interior volume of the pressure vessel. The interior volume has a first end in fluid communication with one or more compressors and one or more turbines and a second end in fluid communication with at least one of one or more additional compressors, one or more additional turbines, and at least one compressed air storage component. The thermal energy storage system further comprises a thermal storage medium positioned in the interior volume of each of the plurality of pressure vessels.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2009Publication date: June 2, 2011Inventors: Sebastian W. Freund, Matthias Finkenrath, Cristina Botero, Clarissa S.K. Belloni, Miguel Angel Gonzalez Salazar, Stephanie Marie-Noelle Hoffmann
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Publication number: 20110113781Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus including a compressed air energy storage (CAES) system including a compression train with a compressor path, a storage volume configured to store compressed air, a compressed air path configured to provide passage of compressed air egressing from the compression train to the storage volume, and a heat recovery system coupled to at least one of the compressor path and the compressed air path and configured to draw heat from at least one of the compressor path and the compressed air path to a first liquid. The compression train is configured to provide passage of compressed air from a first compressor to a second compressor. The heat recovery system includes a first evaporator configured to evaporate the first liquid to a first gas and a first generator configured to produce electricity based on an expansion of the first gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2009Publication date: May 19, 2011Inventors: Thomas Johannes Frey, Matthias Finkenrath, Gabor Ast, Stephanie Marie-Noelle Hoffmann, Matthew Lehar, Richard Aumann
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Publication number: 20110100583Abstract: A thermal energy storage system comprises a pressure vessel configured to withstand a first pressure, wherein the pressure vessel has a wall comprising an outer surface and an inner surface surrounding an interior volume of the pressure vessel. The interior volume of the pressure vessel has a first end in fluid communication with one or more compressors and one or more turbines, and a second end in fluid communication with at least one compressed air storage component. A thermal storage medium is positioned in the interior volume, and at least one reinforcement structure is affixed to the outer surface of the wall, wherein the at least one reinforcement structure configured to reinforce the wall to withstand a second pressure greater than the first pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2009Publication date: May 5, 2011Inventors: Sebastian W. Freund, Matthias Finkenrath, Cristina Botero, Clarissa S.K. Belloni, Miguel Angel Gonzalez Salazar, Stephanie Marie-Noelle Hoffmann
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Publication number: 20110100213Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus including a compressed air energy storage system that includes an ambient air intake configured to intake a quantity of ambient air for storage in a compressed air storage volume, a compression system having a compression path that is configured to convey air compressed by the compression system through the compression system, a first path configured to convey ambient air to the compression system, a second path proceeding from the compression system to the compressed air storage volume and configured to convey compressed air to the compressed air storage volume, and a dehumidifying system. The dehumidifying system is coupleable to at least one of the first path that proceeds from the ambient air intake to the compression system, the compression path, and the second path. The dehumidifying system includes a dehumidifying component configured to remove moisture from the ambient air and/or the compressed air.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2009Publication date: May 5, 2011Inventors: Matthias Finkenrath, Cristina Botero, Sebastian W. Freund, Clarissa S.K. Belloni, Miguel Angel Gonzalez Salazar, Stephanie Marie-Noelle Hoffmann
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Publication number: 20110100010Abstract: An adiabatic compressed air energy storage (ACAES) system includes a compressor system, an air storage unit, and a turbine system. The ACAES system further includes a thermal energy storage (TES) system that includes a container, a plurality of heat exchangers, a liquid TES medium conduit system fluidly coupling the container to the plurality of heat exchangers, and a liquid TES medium stored within the container. The TES system also includes a plurality of pumps coupled to the liquid TES medium conduit system and configured to transport the liquid TES medium between the plurality of heat exchangers and the container, and a thermal separation system positioned within the container configured to thermally isolate a first portion of the liquid TES medium at a lower temperature from a second portion of the liquid TES medium at a higher temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2009Publication date: May 5, 2011Inventors: Sebastian W. Freund, Matthias Finkenrath, Cristina Botero, Clarissa S.K. Belloni, Miguel Angel Gonzalez Salazar, Stephanie Marie-Noelle Hoffmann
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Publication number: 20110094236Abstract: A power generation system includes a first compressor, a second compressor, a combustor configured to receive compressed air from the second compressor to produce an exhaust stream, a first turbine, and a power turbine. The first turbine is configured to receive the exhaust stream, generate a rotational power from the exhaust stream, output the rotational power to a second compressor, and output the exhaust stream. The system includes a coupling device configured to couple and decouple the first compressor to/from a second turbine, an electrical generator coupled to an output of the power turbine and configured to output electrical power, and a controller configured to cause the coupling device to mechanically decouple the second turbine from the first compressor, and cause the coupling device to direct compressed air from an air storage cavern to an inlet of the second compressor.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2009Publication date: April 28, 2011Inventors: Matthias Finkenrath, Balachandar Naidu, Charles Michael Booth, Garland Ferguson, Stephanie Marie-Noelle Hoffmann, Sebastian W. Freund
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Publication number: 20110094230Abstract: A system includes a compression system fluidly coupled to a compartment to compress a first quantity of gas for storage in the compartment, the compression system including a compression path to convey the first quantity of gas; an expansion system fluidly coupled to the compartment to expand a second quantity of gas from the compartment, the expansion system including an expansion path to convey the second quantity of gas; a first path fluidly coupled to the compression path to convey the first quantity of gas to the compartment; a second path fluidly coupled to the expansion path to convey the second quantity of gas from the compartment to the expansion system; and a separation unit fluidly coupled to one of the first path, second path, compression path, and expansion path, wherein the separation unit removes a quantity of carbon dioxide from one of the first and second quantities of gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2009Publication date: April 28, 2011Inventors: Matthias Finkenrath, Gabor Ast, Matthew Lehar, Thomas Frey, Samuel David Draper, Richard Aumann, Stephanie Marie-Noelle Hoffmann