Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the efficiency and performance of a steam driven power plant wherein addition of steam handling equipment to an existing plant results in a surprising increase in plant performance. For Example, a gas turbine electrical generation system with heat recovery boiler may be installed along with a micro-jet high pressure and a low pressure mixer superheater. Depending upon plant characteristics, the existing moisture separator reheater (MSR) can be either augmented or done away with. The instant invention enables a reduction in T.sub.hot without a derating of the reactor unit, and improves efficiency of the plant's electrical conversion cycle. Coupled with this advantage is a possible extension of the plant's fuel cycle length due to an increased electrical conversion efficiency. The reduction in T.sub.hot further allows for a surprising extension of steam generator life.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 10, 1996
Date of Patent:
August 11, 1998
Assignee:
Battelle Memorial Institute
Inventors:
Georgi V. Tsiklauri, Bruce M. Durst, Andrew W. Prichard, Bruce D. Reid, James Burritt