Abstract: Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) systems and methods are provided. In one embodiment, a method for controlling an engine includes providing a first EGR gas flow to an intake manifold of the engine by closing a first EGR valve or a second EGR valve and at least partially opening the other of the first EGR valve and the second EGR valve, wherein the first and second EGR valves are respectively positioned in first and second EGR passages respectively coupled between first and second donor cylinder groups and an intake manifold, and providing a second EGR gas flow that is higher than the first EGR gas flow to the intake manifold by fully opening the first EGR valve or the second EGR valve and at least partially opening the other of the first EGR valve and the second EGR valve.

Abstract: An exemplary turbocharger system for an internal combustion engine is provided. The turbocharger system includes a first turbine and a second turbine. The first turbine is in fluid communication with the internal combustion engine. The first turbine receives a first portion exhaust gas discharged from the internal combustion engine and provides a first turbine exhaust gas. The second turbine is in fluid communication with the first turbine via an inter-stage channel. The inter-stage channel transports the first turbine exhaust gas from the first turbine to the second turbine. The inter-stage channel is in thermal connection with an exhaust gas recirculation channel defined between an inlet and an outlet of the internal combustion engine. The first turbine exhaust gas flowing through the inter-stage channel is capable of being heated by a second portion exhaust gas discharged from the internal combustion engine and flowing through the exhaust gas recirculation channel.

Abstract: A power generation system is provided. The system comprises a first Rankine cycle-first working fluid circulation loop comprising a heater, an expander, a heat exchanger, a recuperator, a condenser, a pump, and a first working fluid; integrated with a) a second Rankine cycle-second working fluid circulation loop comprising a heater, an expander, a condenser, a pump, and a second working fluid comprising an organic fluid; and b) an absorption chiller cycle comprising a third working fluid circulation loop comprising an evaporator, an absorber, a pump, a desorber, a condenser, and a third working fluid comprising a refrigerant. In one embodiment, the first working fluid comprises CO2. In one embodiment, the first working fluid comprises helium, air, or nitrogen.

Abstract: Various methods and systems for an engine driving an electrical power generation system are provided. In one embodiment, an example method for an engine driving an electrical power generation system includes adjusting an engine speed in response to a relationship between oxygen and fuel while maintaining a power transmitted to the electrical power generation system.

Abstract: An expansion system is presented. One embodiment of the expansion system that includes a pump configured to pressurize a condensed working fluid received from a condenser. The expansion system further includes a heat exchanger coupled to the pump and configured to vaporize the condensed working fluid received from the pump. The expansion system also includes an expander coupled to the heat exchanger and configured to expand the vaporized working fluid flowing from an inlet side of the expander to an outlet side of the expander. In addition, the expansion system includes a generator coupled to the expander and configured to generate energy in response to the expansion of the vaporized working fluid. Further, the expansion system includes an integrated cooling unit configured to convey at least a portion of the condensed working fluid from an inlet side of the generator to an outlet side of the generator to dissipate heat generated by the generator.

Abstract: A method includes detecting a presence of a fouling layer in an exhaust gas recirculation cooler of an internal combustion engine. The flow of a coolant through the exhaust gas recirculation cooler is stopped for a predetermined period of time while the engine exhaust gas flows through the exhaust gas recirculation cooler. The flow of an engine exhaust gas exiting from the exhaust gas recirculation cooler is diverted to at least one of a turbine of a turbocharger, and an exhaust pipe of the internal combustion engine. The fouling layer from the exhaust gas recirculation cooler is expelled along with the engine exhaust gas exiting the exhaust gas recirculation cooler.

Abstract: A solar energy receiver includes a plurality of solar receiver elements. Each solar receiver element includes a substantially solid core configured to absorb solar radiation and to store the solar radiation as heat. The core includes a base surface and a plurality of absorption surfaces. The receiver further includes at least one fluid passageway defined within the core adjacent at least one absorption surface of the plurality of absorption surfaces, wherein the at least one fluid passageway is configured to channel a working fluid therethrough for absorbing heat stored in the core.

Abstract: A Rankine cycle system includes: an evaporator configured to receive heat from a heat source and circulate a working fluid to remove heat from the heat source; an expander in flow communication with the evaporator and configured to expand the working fluid fed from the evaporator; a condenser in flow communication with the expander and configured to condense the working fluid fed from the expander; a pump in flow communication with the condenser and configured to pump the working fluid fed from the condenser; a first conduit for feeding a first portion of the working fluid from the pump to the evaporator; and a second conduit for feeding a second portion of the working fluid from the pump to the expander.

Abstract: A heat exchanging system is provided. The heat exchanging system includes multiple plates wound spirally around a reaction chamber. The multiple plates also form multiple channels that operate as a counter flow recuperator terminating within the reaction chamber.

Abstract: A system and method for generating electric power using a generator coupled to a turboexpander is disclosed. The system includes one or more thermal pumps configured for heating a fluid to generate a pressurized gas. A portion of the pressurized gas is discharged to a buffer chamber for further utilization in a Rankine system. A further portion of the pressurized gas is expanded in a turboexpander for driving a generator for generating electric power. Optionally, the system includes a pump to pressurize a portion of the fluid depending on the systems operating condition. The system further includes one or more sensors for sensing temperature and pressure and outputs one or more signals representative of the sensed state. The system includes a control unit for receiving the signals and outputs one or more control signals for controlling the flow of gases and liquid in the valves and the check valve.

Abstract: Solar energy receivers and methods of using the same are provided. The receiver includes a plurality of absorber members configured to absorb concentrated solar radiation. The plurality of absorber members define at least one fluid transport channel. The solar receiver also includes a plurality of structural plates, wherein each of the plurality of structural plates is positioned between adjacent absorber members to define an inner fluid transport passage and a plurality of outer fluid transport passages. The inner fluid transport passage is in flow communication with the plurality of outer fluid transport passages. The plurality of outer fluid transport passages are in thermal communication with the plurality of absorber members.

Abstract: An exemplary turbocharger system for an internal combustion engine is provided. The turbocharger system includes a first turbine and a second turbine. The first turbine is in fluid communication with the internal combustion engine. The first turbine receives a first portion exhaust gas discharged from the internal combustion engine and provides a first turbine exhaust gas. The second turbine is in fluid communication with the first turbine via an inter-stage channel. The inter-stage channel transports the first turbine exhaust gas from the first turbine to the second turbine. The inter-stage channel is in thermal connection with an exhaust gas recirculation channel defined between an inlet and an outlet of the internal combustion engine. The first turbine exhaust gas flowing through the inter-stage channel is capable of being heated by a second portion exhaust gas discharged from the internal combustion engine and flowing through the exhaust gas recirculation channel.

Abstract: A system for recovering heat from recirculating exhaust gases is provided. The system includes a first exhaust manifold in fluid communication with multiple combustion chambers of an engine. The system also includes a turbocharger having a turbine stage and a compressor stage, wherein the turbine stage comprises an inlet port in fluid communication with the first exhaust manifold and the compressor stage includes an inlet port for air intake and an outlet port for compressed air. The system includes an exhaust gas recirculation cooler having a first flow path and a second flow path, wherein the first flow path is configured to receive a portion of exhaust gas from the first exhaust manifold flowing through an exhaust gas recirculation loop. The second flow path includes an inlet for receiving a compressed air for drawing heat from the exhaust gas flowing through the first flow path.

Abstract: A waste heat recovery system is provided. The waste heat recovery system includes a Rankine cycle system for circulating a working fluid. The Rankine cycle system includes at least one first waste heat recovery boiler configured to transfer heat from a heat source to the working fluid. The Rankine cycle system also includes a first expander configured to receive the heated working fluid from the at least one first waste heat recovery boiler. Further, the Rankine cycle system includes a second expander and a third expander coupled to at least one electric generator. The waste heat recovery system also includes a condenser configured to receive the working fluid at low pressure from the first expander, the second expander and the third expander for cooling and a pump connected to the condenser for receiving a cooled and condensed flow of the working fluid from the condenser.

Abstract: Systems and methods include heat exchangers using Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) fluids in power generation systems. A system for power generation using an ORC comprises: a heat exchanger configured to be mounted entirely inside a duct, the heat exchanger comprising a single inlet which traverses from an outer side of the duct to an inner side of the duct, a single outlet which traverses from the inner side of the duct to the outer side of the duct, and a conduit connecting the single inlet to the single outlet, the conduit being provided entirely inside the duct.

Abstract: A system for recovering heat from recirculating exhaust gases is provided. The system includes a first exhaust manifold in fluid communication with multiple combustion chambers of an engine. The system also includes a turbocharger having a turbine stage and a compressor stage, wherein the turbine stage comprises an inlet port in fluid communication with the first exhaust manifold and the compressor stage includes an inlet port for air intake and an outlet port for compressed air. The system includes an exhaust gas recirculation cooler having a first flow path and a second flow path, wherein the first flow path is configured to receive a portion of exhaust gas from the first exhaust manifold flowing through an exhaust gas recirculation loop. The second flow path includes an inlet for receiving a compressed air for drawing heat from the exhaust gas flowing through the first flow path.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for an engine. In one example, the system includes a two-stage turbocharger which has first turbocharger with a first turbine and a first compressor and a second turbocharger with a second turbine and a second compressor, where the first turbine and the second turbine are arranged in parallel and the first compressor and the second compressor are arranged in series. The system may include a duct coupling turbine inlets of the first and second turbine, and a valve coupled between the duct and the inlet of the first turbine to throttle flow to first turbine.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) systems and methods are provided. In one embodiment, a method for controlling an engine includes providing a first EGR gas flow to an intake manifold of the engine by closing a first EGR valve or a second EGR valve and at least partially opening the other of the first EGR valve and the second EGR valve, wherein the first and second EGR valves are respectively positioned in first and second EGR passages respectively coupled between first and second donor cylinder groups and an intake manifold, and providing a second EGR gas flow that is higher than the first EGR gas flow to the intake manifold by fully opening the first EGR valve or the second EGR valve and at least partially opening the other of the first EGR valve and the second EGR valve.

Abstract: An electricity generation system is presented. The electricity generation system includes a solar preheater for preheating compressed discharge air, a combustor to receive the heated compressed air from the solar preheater, burn a fuel using the heated compressed air to generate hot burned gas, a first turbine to receive the hot burned gas from the combustor, expand the hot burned gas to generate exhaust gas, a heat recovery steam generator to receive the exhaust gas from the first turbine, generate vapor by heating a condensed fluid using the exhaust gas, a solar evaporator/superheater to receive a heated working fluid from the heat recovery steam generator, generate solar vapor by heating the heated working fluid, and a second turbine to drive a second generator using vapor and the solar vapor.