Abstract: A heat exchanger apparatus for receiving water from a steam drum (1) and providing steam and heated unevaporated liquid water to the steam drum includes a first evaporator (EVAP-1) and a second evaporator (EVAP-2). The first evaporator can receive water from a steam drum via a first feed conduit (9) and the second evaporator can receive water from a second feed conduit (11). Both evaporators can output heated fluid to the steam drum via a combined evaporator output conduit (13). Each first evaporator passageway (14) only makes a single pass through a gas duct (15) having a heated gas flow (7) passing therethrough while each second evaporator passageways (24) can make one or more passes through the gas duct for transferring heat from the gas to the fluid within the evaporators. A portion of the first feed conduit can also have a pre-specified volume a pre-specified height below the first inlet (10).

Abstract: A solar thermal power system includes a solar receiver for heating thermal energy storage fluid to be stored and utilized from a thermal energy storage arrangement having hot and cold storage tanks. The system includes a steam generator arrangement, which utilizes the heat of the thermal energy storage fluid to produce steam to run a turbine. The arrangement includes a bypass line configured to bypass the hot storage tank from the steam generator arrangement, and to supply the hot thermal energy storage fluid from the solar receiver directly to the steam generator arrangement, during day times, when the solar receiver the steam generator arrangement are both in operating mode, thereby recovering stored potential energy available in the down corner hot thermal energy storage fluid from the solar receiver.

Abstract: In a nozzle and a nozzle assembly, for use in a pressure vessel, stress analysis is used to determine areas of stress concentration. The nozzle is configured to reduce these stress concentrations.

Abstract: A solar thermal power system includes a solar receiver for heating thermal energy storage fluid and be stored and utilised from a thermal energy storage arrangement having hot and cold storage tanks. The system includes a steam generator arrangement, which utilises the heat of the thermal energy storage fluid to produces steam to run a turbine. The arrangement includes a bypass line configured to bypass the hot storage tank from the steam generator arrangement, and to supply the hot thermal energy storage fluid from the solar receiver directly to the steam generator arrangement, during day times, when the solar receiver the steam generator arrangement are both in operating mode, thereby recovering stored potential energy available in the down corner hot thermal energy storage fluid from the solar receiver.

Abstract: System and method for pre-startup or post-shutdown preparation for such power plants are disclosed which are subject to frequent startups and shutdowns, such as a solar operated power plant. The system and method introduces an auxiliary fluid flow to be circulated in an opposite direction to a direction of normal working fluid flow responsible for producing electricity. That is, if the working fluid flow in a first direction for operating the power plant, than the auxiliary fluid flows in a second direction, opposite to the first direction. The auxiliary fluid flows in the second direction for a predetermined time and at a predetermined conditions through a plurality of superheater panel arrangements of solar receiver former to activation of the working fluid circuit, as pre-startup preparation of the power plant, and after cessation of the working fluid circuit, as post-shutdown preparation of the power plant, to attain predetermined conditions in the superheater.

Abstract: An auxiliary steam supply system in a solar power plant includes a solar receiver having a superheater section, a turbine, a steam circuit, a thermal energy storage arrangement and an auxiliary steam circuit. The thermal energy storage arrangement, including a thermal energy storage medium, is configured for the steam circuit to receive a portion of the steam to heat the thermal energy storage medium. The thermal energy storage arrangement may receive the steam from any location across the superheater section. Moreover, the auxiliary steam circuit generating auxiliary steam flow, which thermally communicates with the thermal energy storage arrangement to be heated, is introduced to any location across the superheater section. Capacity of the thermal energy storage arrangement may be relatively small as compared to the solar receiver and may be compact for placement on top of a tower.

Abstract: A heat exchanger apparatus for receiving water from a steam drum (1) and providing steam and heated unevaporated liquid water to the steam drum includes a first evaporator (EVAP-1) and a second evaporator (EVAP-2). The first evaporator can receive water from a steam drum via a first feed conduit (9) and the second evaporator can receive water from a second feed conduit (11). Both evaporators can output heated fluid to the steam drum via a combined evaporator output conduit (13). Each first evaporator passageway (14) only makes a single pass through a gas duct (15) having a heated gas flow (7) passing therethrough while each second evaporator passageways (24) can make one or more passes through the gas duct for transferring heat from the gas to the fluid within the evaporators. A portion of the first feed conduit can also have a pre-specified volume a pre-specified height below the first inlet (10).

Abstract: An auxiliary steam supply system in a solar power plant includes a solar receiver having a superheater section, a turbine, a steam circuit, a thermal energy storage arrangement and an auxiliary steam circuit. The thermal energy storage arrangement, including a thermal energy storage medium, is configured for the steam circuit to receive a portion of the steam to heat the thermal energy storage medium. The thermal energy storage arrangement may receive the steam from any location across the superheater section. Moreover, the auxiliary steam circuit generating auxiliary steam flow, which thermally communicates with the thermal energy storage arrangement to be heated, is introduced to any location across the superheater section. Capacity of the thermal energy storage arrangement may be relatively small as compared to the solar receiver and may be compact for placement on top of a tower.

Abstract: System and method for pre-startup or post-shutdown preparation for such power plants are disclosed which are subject to frequent startups and shutdowns, such as a solar operated power plant. The system and method introduces an auxiliary fluid flow to be circulated in an opposite direction to a direction of normal working fluid flow responsible for producing electricity. That is, if the working fluid flow in a first direction for operating the power plant, than the auxiliary fluid flows in a second direction, opposite to the first direction. The auxiliary fluid flows in the second direction for a predetermined time and at a predetermined conditions through a plurality of superheater panel arrangements of solar receiver former to activation of the working fluid circuit, as pre-startup preparation of the power plant, and after cessation of the working fluid circuit, as post-shutdown preparation of the power plant, to attain predetermined conditions in the superheater.

Abstract: In a nozzle and a nozzle assembly, for use in a pressure vessel, stress analysis is used to determine areas of stress concentration. The nozzle is configured to reduce these stress concentrations.

Abstract: An evaporator system comprises an evaporator; a drum; and a pump that are in fluid communication with each other. The pump is operative to create a temporary pressure gradient during start-up of an evaporator system and transport a fluid from the evaporator to the drum prior to the fluid reaching its boiling point in the evaporator. Following the fluid reaching its boiling point in the evaporator, the fluid naturally circulates in the evaporator system.