Abstract: A power plant in which hydrogen and oxygen are combusted to produce a flow of high pressure, high temperature steam. The steam is expanded in a high pressure turbine employing closed steam loop cooling for the stationary vanes and rotating blades. A heat recovery steam generator produces the cooling steam by transferring heat from the expanded steam exhausting from the high pressure turbine to feed water. The cooling steam is directed through cooling passages formed in the vanes and blades of the turbine and the heated cooling steam is collected and returned to the cycle by directing it to the combustors where it serves to moderate temperature. Steam used to cool the intermediate and low pressure vanes and blades of the high pressure turbine is directed to an intermediate pressure turbine for cooling and expansion. An intermediate pressure combustor further heats the cooling steam prior to its expansion in the intermediate pressure turbine.

Abstract: A system and method for generating power having an air compression/partial oxidation system, a turbine, and a primary combustion system. The air compression/partial oxidation system receives a first air stream and a fuel stream and produces a first partially oxidized fuel stream and a first compressed air stream therefrom. The turbine expands the first partially oxidized fuel stream while being cooled by the first compressed air stream to produce a heated air stream. The heated air stream is injected into the expanding first partially oxidized fuel stream, thereby reheating it in the turbine. A second partially oxidized fuel stream is emitted from the turbine. The primary combustion system receives said second partially oxidized fuel stream and a second air stream, combusts said second partially oxidized fuel stream, and produces rotating shaft power and an emission stream therefrom.

Abstract: A system and method for generating power having a partial oxidation turbine system and a primary turbine system. The partial oxidation turbine system receives a first air stream and a fuel stream and then partially oxidizes said fuel stream to produce a partially oxidized fuel stream. The primary turbine system receives the partially oxidized fuel stream and a second air stream and then combusts said partially oxidized fuel stream to produce rotating shaft power and an emission stream.

Abstract: A system and method for efficiently generating power using a gas turbine, a steam generating system (20, 22, 78) and a reformer. The gas turbine receives a reformed fuel stream (74) and an air stream and produces shaft power and exhaust. Some of the thermal energy from the turbine exhaust is received by the reformer (18). The turbine exhaust is then directed to the steam generator system that recovers thermal energy from it and also produces a steam flow from a water stream. The steam flow and a fuel stream are directed to the reformer that reforms the fuel stream and produces the reformed fuel stream used in the gas turbine.

Abstract: Hydrogen is used as the fuel source in a gas turbine combined cycle power plant. The hydrogen may be combusted in either a mixture of compressed air and steam or a mixture of pure oxygen and steam. In either case, the work of compression associated with pressurizing the oxidant for the combustion process is considerably reduced since steam, rather than excess air, is used to moderate combustion temperature, as well as to cool the turbine components. The steam is produced by transferring heat from the turbine exhaust gas to feed water. Since no hydrocarbon fuel is used, fuel bound NOx is eliminated. Moreover, if pure oxygen is used, rather than air, for the combustion of the hydrogen, then the only emission from the power plant is water vapor, which may be condensed and returned to the cycle.

Abstract: Combined cycle power plants are disclosed that utilize a stream of compressed flue gas and fuel that has been passed through a reformer (a thermochemical recuperator) to increase its thermal and chemical value and, along with the output of an air compressor, is fed into the gas turbine combustor. In preferred embodiments the thermochemical recuperation and flue gas recirculation are incorporated into combined cycle power plants that utilize either two gas turbines or reheat gas turbines.

Abstract: A gas turbine system in which the expanded gas from the turbine section is used to generate the steam in a heat recovery steam generator and to heat a mixture of gaseous hydrocarbon fuel and the steam in a reformer. The reformer converts the hydrocarbon gas to hydrogen and carbon monoxide for combustion in a combustor. A portion of the steam from the heat recovery steam generator is used to cool components, such as the stationary vanes, in the turbine section, thereby superheating the steam. The superheated steam is mixed into the hydrocarbon gas upstream of the reformer, thereby eliminating the need to raise the temperature of the expanded gas discharged from the turbine section in order to achieve effective conversion of the hydrocarbon gas.

Abstract: Turbine blade vibration detection apparatus having two or more extremely narrow beam radar sensors positioned to direct their radar signals towards predetermined blade row or rows. A blade identification circuit is provided for each blade row having an associated radar sensor for providing an output count indicative of which blade is being examined by a particular radar sensor. The gating of the blade count and radar sensor signals is governed by a computer which performs a frequency analysis of the radar signals and compares the result with predetermined threshold values.

Abstract: A moisture indicating apparatus for indicating the presence of moisture in a vapor flow confined within a conduit. Sonic energy generated within the conduit is detected at predetermined locations along the conduit by non-intrusively mounted detection devices. The sonic energy is converted into an electrical signal and the magnitude of the electrical signal from each detection device and the time difference therebetween are compared to predetermined magnitude and time-difference standards. If the electrical signals indicate the presence of moisture, responsive action is initiated by a suitable control arrangement connected to the apparatus. In addition to indicating moisture presence, the quality of moisture with the vapor flow is detectable.