Abstract: An active magnetic bearing system includes a radial actuator and an axial actuator. The radial actuator includes a radial stator coupled to a stationary component, and a radial rotor coupled to a rotatable impeller. The radial rotor extends circumferentially with respect to the radial stator and is configured to rotate about the radial stator. The axial actuator has first and second rotor rings and first and second stators. The first rotor ring is attached to a first axial end of the impeller, and the second rotor ring is attached to a second axial end of the impeller. The first and second stators are coupled to the shaft adjacent the first and second rotor rings, respectively. The radial actuator is positioned axially between the first and second rotor rings.

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: A pressure sensor measures an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) working fluid pressure in front of a radial inflow turbine, while a temperature sensor measures an ORC working fluid temperature in front of the radial inflow turbine. A controller responsive to algorithmic software determines a superheated temperature of the working fluid in front of the radial inflow turbine based on the measured working fluid pressure and the measured working fluid temperature. The controller then manipulates the speed of a working fluid pump, the pitch of turbine variable inlet guide vanes when present, and combinations thereof, in response to the determined superheated temperature to maintain the superheated temperature of the ORC working fluid in front of the radial inflow turbine close to a predefined set point. The superheated temperature can thus be maintained in the absence of sensors other than pressure and temperature sensors.

Abstract: A system and method improves cold start performance of an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) plant. The system includes one or more pumps configured to pump condensed fluid from points of natural accumulation of the condensed fluid within an ORC loop back into a corresponding low pressure liquid storage vessel shortly after shutting down the ORC plant to ensure the start-up routine works properly for the next ORC plant start event. One or more of the pumps can also be configured to pump fluid away from the ORC expansion machine(s) at any time prior to starting the ORC if the fluid is in a liquid phase.

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 waste heat recovery plant control system includes a programmable controller configured to generate expander speed control signals, expander inlet guide vane pitch control signals, fan speed control signals, pump speed control signals, and valve position control signals in response to an algorithmic optimization software to substantially maximize power output or efficiency of a waste heat recovery plant based on organic Rankine cycles, during mismatching temperature levels of external heat source(s), during changing heat loads coming from the heat sources, and during changing ambient conditions and working fluid properties. The waste heat recovery plant control system substantially maximizes power output or efficiency of the waste heat recovery plant during changing/mismatching heat loads coming from the external heat source(s) such as the changing amount of heat coming along with engine jacket water and its corresponding exhaust in response to changing engine power.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A waste heat recovery system includes at least two integrated rankine cycle systems coupled to at least two separate heat sources having different temperatures. The first rankine cycle system is coupled to a first heat source and configured to circulate a first working fluid. The second rankine cycle system is coupled to at least one second heat source and configured to circulate a second working fluid. The at least one second heat source includes a lower temperature heat source than the first heat source. The first and second working fluid are circulatable in heat exchange relationship through a cascading heat exchange unit for condensation of the first working fluid in the first rankine cycle system and evaporation of the second working fluid in the second rankine cycle system.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a direct evaporator apparatus for use in an organic Rankine cycle energy recovery system, comprising: (a) a housing comprising a heat source gas inlet, and a heat source gas outlet, the housing defining a heat source gas flow path from the inlet to the outlet; and (b) a heat exchange tube disposed within the heat source flow path, the heat exchange tube being configured to accommodate an organic Rankine cycle working fluid, the heat exchange tube comprising a working fluid inlet and a working fluid outlet. The direct evaporator apparatus is configured such that at least a portion of a heat source gas having contacted at least a portion of the heat exchange tube is in thermal contact with heat source gas entering the direct evaporator apparatus via the heat source gas inlet. An organic Rankine cycle energy recovery system and a method of energy recovery are also provided.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A gas turbine intercooler operates to heat a predetermined organic fluid via heat generated by the gas turbine. The heated organic fluid remains in a partially evaporated or non-evaporated liquid phase to provide a heated organic fluid that reaches a state of saturation with a vapor quality less than unity. An expansion machine expands the heated organic fluid via a Tri-Lateral Flash cycle to increase the vapor quality and generate electrical power therefrom.

Abstract: A steam cycle power plant includes a gas turbine, a gas turbine intercooler, a steam turbine, and a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG). The gas turbine intercooler recovers unused heat generated via the gas turbine and transfers substantially all of the recovered heat for generating extra steam for driving the steam turbine.

Abstract: A control system includes a temperature sensor communicatively coupled to an exit of an expander of an expansion system and configured to detect temperature of the working fluid flowing through the exit of the expander. A pressure sensor is communicatively coupled to the exit of the expander and configured to detect pressure of the working fluid flowing through the exit of the expander. A controller is configured to receive output signals from the temperature sensor and the pressure sensor and control operation of one or more components of the expansion system so as to control the thermodynamic conditions at the exit of the expander while driving a quality of vapor of the working fluid at the exit of the expander towards a predetermined degree of superheat.

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: 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: The present invention provides an organic Rankine cycle energy recovery system comprising features which provide for fire suppression and/or ignition suppression in the event of an unintentional release of a flammable component of the system, for example a flammable working fluid such as cyclopentane, into a part of the of the system in which the prevailing temperature is higher than the autoignition temperature of the flammable component. In one embodiment, and the organic Rankine cycle energy recovery system comprises an inert gas source disposed upstream of a hydrocarbon evaporator and configured to purge the hydrocarbon evaporator with an inert gas on detection of a leak thereby.

Abstract: A hybrid power generation system includes a gas turbine engine system and a supercritical rankine cycle system. The gas turbine engine system includes a first compressor, an intercooler, and a second compressor. A first compressor is configured to compress an inlet airflow to produce a first outlet airflow at a first pressure. An intercooler is coupled to the first compressor and configured to cool the first outlet airflow exiting the first compressor to produce a second outlet airflow. A second compressor is coupled to the intercooler and configured to compress the second outlet airflow exiting the intercooler to produce a third outlet airflow at a second pressure. The supercritical rankine cycle system is coupled to the gas turbine engine system.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for using the thermal mass of an ORC, the working fluid, the oil loop, the cooling fluid loop and all components, to provide additional transient power to an electrical grid. A pre-heater transfers heat from the cooling fluid to a low temperature (LT) ORC loop working fluid. A LT ORC loop expander generates transient power to support stabilization of the electrical grid. A heat exchanger transfers heat from the thermal oil to a high temperature (HT) ORC loop working fluid. A HT ORC loop expander generates transient power to support stabilization of the electrical grid.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a valve system switchable between a waste heat recovery position configured to direct incoming exhaust gas through an interior volume of an exhaust section of an engine and a bypass position configured to direct the incoming exhaust gas through a bypass duct to bypass a heat recovery boiler disposed within the interior volume. The system also includes an inert gas purging system configured to inject an inert gas into the interior volume to displace residual exhaust gas from the interior volume.

Abstract: A pressure sensor measures an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) working fluid pressure in front of a radial inflow turbine, while a temperature sensor measures an ORC working fluid temperature in front of the radial inflow turbine. A controller responsive to algorithmic software determines a superheated temperature of the working fluid in front of the radial inflow turbine based on the measured working fluid pressure and the measured working fluid temperature. The controller then manipulates the speed of a working fluid pump, the pitch of turbine variable inlet guide vanes when present, and combinations thereof, in response to the determined superheated temperature to maintain the superheated temperature of the ORC working fluid in front of the radial inflow turbine close to a predefined set point. The superheated temperature can thus be maintained in the absence of sensors other than pressure and temperature sensors.