Abstract: Aspects of the invention generally provide a heat engine system and a method for activating a turbopump within the heat engine system during a start-up process. The heat engine system utilizes a working fluid circulated within a working fluid circuit for capturing thermal energy. In one exemplary aspect, a start-up process for a turbopump in the heat engine system is provided such that the turbopump achieves self-sustained operation in a supercritical Rankine cycle. Bypass and check valves of a start pump and the turbopump, a drive turbine throttle valve, and other valves, lines, or pumps within the working fluid circuit are controlled during the turbopump start-up process. A process control system may utilize advanced control techniques of the control sequence to provide a successful start-up process of the turbopump without over pressurizing the working fluid circuit or damaging the turbopump via low bearing pressure.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention generally provide a heat engine system and a method for activating a turbopump within the heat engine system during a start-up process. The heat engine system utilizes a working fluid circulated within a working fluid circuit for capturing thermal energy. In one exemplary aspect, a start-up process for a turbopump in the heat engine system is provided such that the turbopump achieves self-sustained operation in a supercritical Rankine cycle. Bypass and check valves of a start pump and the turbopump, a drive turbine throttle valve, and other valves, lines, or pumps within the working fluid circuit are controlled during the turbopump start-up process. A process control system may utilize advanced control techniques of the control sequence to provide a successful start-up process of the turbopump without over pressurizing the working fluid circuit or damaging the turbopump via low bearing pressure.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention provided herein include heat engine systems, methods for generating electricity, and methods for starting a turbo pump. In some configurations, the heat engine system contains a start pump and a turbo pump disposed in series along a working fluid circuit and configured to circulate a working fluid within the working fluid circuit. The start pump may have a pump portion coupled to a motor-driven portion and the turbo pump may have a pump portion coupled to a drive turbine. In one configuration, the pump portion of the start pump is fluidly coupled to the working fluid circuit downstream of and in series with the pump portion of the turbo pump. In another configuration, the pump portion of the start pump is fluidly coupled to the working fluid circuit upstream of and in series with the pump portion of the turbo pump.

Abstract: Provided herein are heat engine systems and methods for starting such systems and generating electricity while avoiding damage to one or more system components. A provided heat engine system maintains a working fluid (e.g., sc-CO2) within the low pressure side of a working fluid circuit in a liquid-type state, such as a supercritical state, during a startup procedure. Additionally, a bypass system is provided for routing the working fluid around one or more heat exchangers during startup to avoid overheating of system components.

Abstract: Waste heat energy conversion cycles, systems and devices use multiple waste heat exchangers arranged in series in a waste heat stream, and multiple thermodynamic cycles run in parallel with the waste heat exchangers in order to maximize thermal energy extraction from the waste heat stream by a working fluid. The parallel cycles operate in different temperature ranges with a lower temperature work output used to drive a working fluid pump. A working fluid mass management system is integrated into or connected to the cycles.

Abstract: Provided herein are a heat engine system and a method for generating energy, such as transforming thermal energy into mechanical energy and/or electrical energy. The heat engine system may have a single charging pump for efficiently implementing at least two independent tasks. The charging pump may be utilized to remove working fluid (e.g., CO2) from and/or to add working fluid into a working fluid circuit during inventory control of the working fluid. The charging pump may be utilized to transfer or otherwise deliver the working fluid as a cooling agent to bearings contained within a bearing housing of a system component during a startup process. The heat engine system may also have a mass control tank utilized with the charging pump and configured to receive, store, and distribute the working fluid.

Abstract: A heat engine system and a method are provided for generating energy by transforming thermal energy into mechanical and/or electrical energy, and for controlling a thrust load applied to a turbopump of the heat engine system. The generation of energy may be optimized by controlling a thrust or net thrust load applied to a turbopump of the heat engine system. The heat engine system may include one or more valves, such as a turbopump throttle valve and/or a bearing drain valve, which may be modulated to control the thrust load applied to the turbopump during one or more modes of operating the heat engine system.

Abstract: Provided herein are a heat engine system and a method for managing a working fluid in the heat engine system during an emergency shutdown. The heat engine system utilizes a working fluid (e.g., sc-CO2) contained within a working fluid circuit to absorb and transport heat. An inventory system is coupled to the working fluid circuit and configured to receive and store at least a portion of the working fluid in the working fluid circuit during an emergency shutdown process. An attemperation line is coupled to the working fluid circuit upstream one or more heat exchangers and configured to direct a portion of the working fluid flow around at least one or more heat exchangers, thereby managing the temperature of the working fluid in the working fluid circuit.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention provided herein include heat engine systems, methods for generating electricity, and methods for starting a turbo pump. In some configurations, the heat engine system contains a start pump and a turbo pump disposed in series along a working fluid circuit and configured to circulate a working fluid within the working fluid circuit. The start pump may have a pump portion coupled to a motor-driven portion and the turbo pump may have a pump portion coupled to a drive turbine. In one configuration, the pump portion of the start pump is fluidly coupled to the working fluid circuit downstream of and in series with the pump portion of the turbo pump. In another configuration, the pump portion of the start pump is fluidly coupled to the working fluid circuit upstream of and in series with the pump portion of the turbo pump.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention provided herein include heat engine systems, methods for generating electricity, and methods for starting a turbo pump. In some configurations, the heat engine system contains a start pump and a turbo pump disposed in series along a working fluid circuit and configured to circulate a working fluid within the working fluid circuit. The start pump may have a pump portion coupled to a motor-driven portion and the turbo pump may have a pump portion coupled to a drive turbine. In one configuration, the pump portion of the start pump is fluidly coupled to the working fluid circuit downstream of and in series with the pump portion of the turbo pump. In another configuration, the pump portion of the start pump is fluidly coupled to the working fluid circuit upstream of and in series with the pump portion of the turbo pump.

Abstract: A refrigeration cycle is operated in conjunction with various thermodynamic cycle working fluid circuits to cool a target fluid that may be used in a separate system or duty. In one embodiment, the refrigeration cycle includes an ejector that extracts a motive fluid from the working fluid cycles in order to entrain a suction fluid that is also extracted from the working fluid circuits. Expanding the suction fluid reduces the pressure and temperature of the suction fluid for cooling the target fluid in an evaporator, which evaporates the suction fluid before being entrained into the ejector by the motive fluid. A mixed fluid is discharged from the ejector and injected into the working fluid circuits upstream from a condenser that cools the mixed fluid and the working fluid circulating throughout the working fluid circuits.

Abstract: Provided herein are heat engine systems and methods for starting such systems and generating electricity while avoiding damage to one or more system components. A provided heat engine system maintains a working fluid (e.g., sc-CO2) within the low pressure side of a working fluid circuit in a liquid-type state, such as a supercritical state, during a startup procedure. Additionally, a bypass system is provided for routing the working fluid around one or more heat exchangers during startup to avoid overheating of system components.

Abstract: A refrigeration cycle is operated in conjunction with various thermodynamic cycle working fluid circuits to cool a target fluid that may be used in a separate system or duty. In one embodiment, the refrigeration cycle includes an ejector that extracts a motive fluid from the working fluid cycles in order to entrain a suction fluid that is also extracted from the working fluid circuits. Expanding the suction fluid reduces the pressure and temperature of the suction fluid for cooling the target fluid in an evaporator, which evaporates the suction fluid before being entrained into the ejector by the motive fluid. A mixed fluid is discharged from the ejector and injected into the working fluid circuits upstream from a condenser that cools the mixed fluid and the working fluid circulating throughout the working fluid circuits.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention provided herein include heat engine systems, methods for generating electricity, and methods for starting a turbo pump. In some configurations, the heat engine system contains a start pump and a turbo pump disposed in series along a working fluid circuit and configured to circulate a working fluid within the working fluid circuit. The start pump may have a pump portion coupled to a motor-driven portion and the turbo pump may have a pump portion coupled to a drive turbine. In one configuration, the pump portion of the start pump is fluidly coupled to the working fluid circuit downstream of and in series with the pump portion of the turbo pump. In another configuration, the pump portion of the start pump is fluidly coupled to the working fluid circuit upstream of and in series with the pump portion of the turbo pump.

Abstract: Various thermodynamic power-generating cycles are disclosed. A turbopump arranged in the cycles is started and ramped-up using a starter pump arranged in parallel with the main pump of the turbopump. Once the turbopump is able to self-sustain, a series of valves may be manipulated to deactivate the starter pump and direct additional working fluid to a power turbine for generating electrical power.

Abstract: A method for assembling a gas turbine engine combustor is provided. The method includes providing a heat shield defined by a perimeter. The perimeter includes a radially inner edge, a radially outer edge, an axially inner edge, an axially outer edge, and an opening that extends from an upstream side of the heat shield to a downstream side of the heat shield. The method further includes coupling the heat shield to a domeplate such that the perimeter of the heat shield is positioned a distance downstream from an edge of the heat shield defining the opening. The method additionally includes coupling at least one fuel injector to the domeplate such that a portion of the fuel injector extends through the heat shield opening.

Abstract: A combustor swirl cup includes coaxial inner and outer swirlers separated by a tubular centerbody. The centerbody includes a bypass inlet surrounding the inner swirler and diverges aft along a perforate inner nozzle to terminate at an annular flameholder. An impingement ring is spaced forward from the flameholder in flow communication with the bypass inlet for receiving cooling air therefrom to impingement cool the flameholder.

Abstract: Waste heat energy conversion cycles, systems and devices use multiple waste heat exchangers arranged in series in a waste heat stream, and multiple thermodynamic cycles run in parallel with the waste heat exchangers in order to maximize thermal energy extraction from the waste heat stream by a working fluid. The parallel cycles operate in different temperature ranges with a lower temperature work output used to drive a working fluid pump. A working fluid mass management system is integrated into or connected to the cycles.

Abstract: Various thermodynamic power-generating cycles are disclosed. A turbopump arranged in the cycles is started and ramped-up using a starter pump arranged in parallel with the main pump of the turbopump. Once the turbopump is able to self-sustain, a series of valves may be manipulated to deactivate the starter pump and direct additional working fluid to a power turbine for generating electrical power.

Abstract: A method for operating a gas turbine engine including a compressor and a combustor is provided. The method comprises channeling between about 0% to about 8% of the total airflow discharged from a compressor towards a pilot swirler coupled within the burner, wherein the burner includes a main swirler and an annular centerbody extending between the pilot and main swirlers, injecting a portion of the total fuel flow supplied to the burner through a plurality of apertures defined in a hollow pilot centerbody coupled within the pilot swirler, channeling the remaining airflow discharged from the compressor towards the main swirler, and injecting the remaining fuel flow supplied to the burner through at least one main swirler vane coupled within the main swirler, such that the portion of fuel is pre-mixed with a portion of the total airflow.