Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing load-following power using low to medium temperature heat source fluid comprising the steps of: reducing the power level produced by a Rankine cycle power plant producing load-following power operating on a low to medium temperature heat source fluid during one period of time; storing heat not used during the first period of time; and using the heat stored for producing power during a second period of time.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing load-following power using low to medium temperature heat source fluid comprising the steps of reducing the power level produced by a Rankine cycle power plant producing load-following power operating on a low to medium temperature heat source fluid during one period of time; storing heat not used during the first period of time; and using the heat stored for producing power during a second period of time.

Abstract: A waste heat recovery system includes a closed fluid circuit through which an organic motive fluid flows, and a heat exchanger for transferring heat from waste heat gases to the motive fluid. A first flashing unit flashes the motive fluid which exits the heat exchanger into a high pressure flashed vapor portion. Another flashing unit flashes liquid non-flashed motive fluid, producing a low pressure flashed vapor portion. A high pressure turbine module receives the high pressure flashed vapor portion to produce power, and a low pressure turbine module receives a combined flow of motive fluid vapor comprising the low pressure flashed vapor portion and discharge vapor from the high pressure turbine module whereby additional power is produced.

Abstract: A system for timely standby power generation supplementing a solar array during periods of cloud coverage, including a power plant comprising solar arrays for normal power production during periods of maximum or reduced solar influx, and distributed generating sets (DGS) for standby power generation to supplement the solar arrays during periods of cloud coverage. A weather station has sensors for acquiring real-time meteorological data in the vicinity of the power plant and a processor for processing the acquired meteorological data so as to generate data related to a solar influx reduction event at the power plant including an event starting time. A controller receives the event data from the processor and operating the DGS in response to the received event data.

Abstract: A system for timely standby power generation supplementing a solar array during periods of cloud coverage, including a power plant comprising solar arrays for normal power production during periods of maximum or reduced solar influx, and distributed generating sets (DGS) for standby power generation to supplement the solar arrays during periods of cloud coverage. A weather station has sensors for acquiring real-time meteorological data in the vicinity of the power plant and a processor for processing the acquired meteorological data so as to generate data related to a solar influx reduction event at the power plant including an event starting time. A controller receives the event data from the processor and operating the DGS in response to the received event data.

Abstract: The present invention provides a waste heat recovery system, comprising a closed fluid circuit through which an organic motive fluid flows, heat exchanger means for transferring heat from waste heat gases to the motive fluid, means for flashing the motive fluid which exits the heat exchanger means into a high pressure flashed vapor portion, means for flashing liquid non-flashed motive fluid producing a low pressure flashed vapor portion, a high pressure turbine module which receives said high pressure flashed vapor portion to produce power, and a low pressure turbine module which receives a combined flow of motive fluid vapor comprising the low pressure flashed vapor portion and discharge vapor from the high pressure turbine module whereby additional power is produced.

Abstract: A novel apparatus for producing sweet synthetic crude from a heavy hydrocarbon feed includes: an upgrader for receiving the heavy hydrocarbon feed and producing a distillate fraction including sour products, and high-carbon content by-products; a gasifier for receiving the high-carbon content by-products and producing synthetic fuel gas and sour by-products; a hydroprocessing unit for receiving the sour by-products and hydrogen gas, thereby producing gas and sweet crude; and a hydrogen recovery unit for receiving the synthetic fuel gas and producing further hydrogen gas and hydrogen-depleted synthetic fuel gas, the further hydrogen gas being supplied to the hydroprocessing unit.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method for processing a heavy hydrocarbon feed including: supplying the heavy hydrocarbon feed to a heater for heating the heavy hydrocarbon feed; supplying the heated heavy hydrocarbon feed to an atmospheric fractionating tower for fractionating the heated heavy hydrocarbon feed fed to the inlet of the atmospheric fractionating tower producing light atmospheric fractions and atmospheric bottoms; supplying the atmospheric bottoms to a further heater for heating the atmospheric bottoms and producing heated atmospheric bottoms; supplying the heated atmospheric bottoms to a vacuum fractionating tower for fractionating the heated atmospheric bottoms and producing light vacuum fractions and vacuum residue; supplying the vacuum residue to a solvent deasphalting (SDA) unit for producing deasphalted oil (DAO) and asphaltenes from the vacuum residue; supplying the deasphalted oil to a deasphalted oil thermal cracker for thermally cracking the deasphalted oil and producing a thermally

Abstract: Apparatus for producing pellets from hot heavy hydrocarbon or asphaltene, in accordance with the present invention, includes flow means that supplies the hot heavy hydrocarbon or asphaltene through a conduit to its outlet; and pellet producing medium or means that breaks up the liquid stream of the hot asphaltene flowing out of the outlet of the conduit and produces pellets of asphaltene. Furthermore, the apparatus includes a reservoir or container that collects the pellets of heavy hydrocarbon or asphaltene together with some fluid producing a slurry; and transporting means that transports the slurry to the required location. Preferably, the fluid is liquid water. In addition, the pellet producing medium preferably is liquid water.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing a heavy hydrocarbon feed, in accordance with the present invention, includes firstly a heater for heating the heavy hydrocarbon feed. The heated, heavy hydrocarbon feed produced is fed to an atmospheric fractionating tower for fractionating the heated heavy hydrocarbon feed fed to the inlet of the atmospheric fractionating tower producing light atmospheric fractions and atmospheric bottoms. In addition, the apparatus includes a vacuum fractionating tower for fractionating heated atmospheric bottoms heated by a further heater and producing lighter vacuum fractions and vacuum residue. Furthermore, the apparatus includes a solvent deasphalting (SDA) unit for producing deasphalted oil (DAO) and asphaltenes from the vacuum residue as well as a thermal cracker for thermally cracking the deasphalted oil and producing a thermally cracked product which is recycled to the inlet of said atmospheric fractionating tower.

Abstract: A novel apparatus for producing sweet synthetic crude from a heavy hydrocarbon feed comprising: an upgrader for receiving said heavy hydrocarbon feed and producing a distillate fraction including sour products, and high-carbon content by-products; a gasifier for receiving the high-carbon content by-products and producing synthetic fuel gas and sour by-products; a hydroprocessing unit for receiving the sour by-products and hydrogen gas, thereby producing gas and sweet crude; and a hydrogen recovery unit for receiving said synthetic fuel gas and producing further hydrogen gas and hydrogen-depleted synthetic fuel gas, said further hydrogen gas being supplied to said hydroprocessing unit.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing a heavy hydrocarbon feed, in accordance with the present invention, includes firstly a heater for heating the heavy hydrocarbon feed. The heated, heavy hydrocarbon feed produced is fed to an atmospheric fractionating tower for fractionating the heated heavy hydrocarbon feed fed to the inlet of the atmospheric fractionating tower producing light atmospheric fractions and atmospheric bottoms. In addition, the apparatus includes a vacuum fractionating tower for fractionating heated atmospheric bottoms heated by a further heater producing lighter vacuum fractions and vacuum residue. Furthermore, the apparatus includes a solvent deasphalting (SDA) unit for producing deasphalted oil (DAO) and asphaltenes from the vacuum residue as well as a thermal cracker for thermally cracking the deasphalted oil and producing a thermally cracked product which is recycled to the inlet of said atmospheric fractionating tower.