Steam And Combustion Products Patents (Class 60/39.182)
  • Publication number: 20130119667
    Abstract: A method for producing electrical power and capture CO2, where gaseous fuel and an oxygen containing gas are introduced into a gas turbine to produce electrical power and an exhaust gas, where the exhaust gas withdrawn from the gas turbine is cooled by production of steam in a boiler (20), and where cooled exhaust gas is introduced into a CO2 capture plant for capturing CO2 from the cooled exhaust gas leaving the boiler (20) by an absorption/desorption process, before the treated CO2 lean exhaust gas is released into the surroundings and the captured CO2 is exported from the plant, where the exhaust gas leaving the gas turbine has a pressure of 3 to 15 bara, and the exhaust gas is expanded to atmospheric pressure after leaving the CO2 capture plant. A plant for carrying out the method is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Inventors: Tor Christensen, Knut Børseth, Stellan Hamrin, Hermann De Meyer
  • Publication number: 20130118179
    Abstract: A method is provided for operating a combined cycle power plant having at least one gas turbine, a heat recovery steam generator (HSRG), a steam turbine and a CO2 capture system. The method includes recirculating a first partial flow of flue gases from the HRSG. The method also includes capturing CO2 from a second partial flow of flue gases from the HRSG; and operating a supplementary firing to increase the net power output of the plant and to at least partly compensate the power consumption of the CO2 capture system. A combined cycle power plant is also provided. The plant includes at least one gas turbine, at least one heat recovery steam generator, at least one steam turbine at least one CO2 capture system, and flue gas recirculation. The plant also includes a low excess air supplementary firing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventor: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
  • Publication number: 20130104519
    Abstract: A system including a primary manifold adapted to receive an ammonia feed and a distribution array coupled to the primary manifold to receive the ammonia feed from the primary manifold is provided. The distribution array includes a first supply tube extending approximately perpendicular to the primary manifold and a first plurality of injection tubes extending perpendicularly from the first supply tube. Each injection tube of the first plurality of injection tubes includes a plurality of apertures configured to expel the ammonia feed from the distribution array along a length of the first supply tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hua Zhang, Jitendra Kumar, Gilbert Otto Kraemer
  • Publication number: 20130097993
    Abstract: A heat recovery steam generator uses heat energy extracted from the exhaust gas of a gas turbine to produce steam. The steam is provided to steam turbines of a combined cycle power plant. Intermediate pressure steam generated by an intermediate pressure evaporator is routed to first and second intermediate pressure superheaters. Also, steam exhausted from a high pressure steam turbine of a combined cycle power plant is reheated by first and second reheaters within the heat recovery steam generator. The steam output by the intermediate pressure superheaters is provided to an interstage admission port of an intermediate pressure steam turbine, and steam output by the first and second reheaters is provided as the main input steam for the intermediate pressure steam turbine of the combined cycle power plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Inventors: Himanshu RAJA, Kamlesh Mundra, John Sholes, Vivekanandhan M
  • Publication number: 20130097994
    Abstract: A multi-fluid turbine engine includes a turbine, a first working fluid inlet passage, and a second working fluid inlet passage. The turbine may include a first working fluid portion and a second working fluid portion. The first working fluid passage may be configured to introduce a first working fluid to the first working fluid portion to perform work on the first working fluid portion, and the second working fluid inlet passage may be configured to introduce a second working fluid to the second working fluid portion to perform work on the second working fluid portion. The first working fluid inlet passage and the second working fluid passage may be independent of each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: WISDOM ENERGY TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD
    Inventor: Wisdom Energy Technology Co., LTD
  • Patent number: 8424281
    Abstract: A method of operating a power plant is provided. The method includes channeling saturated steam at a first pressure to a pressure control device, superheating the steam by decreasing the pressure of the saturated steam from the first pressure to a second pressure using the pressure control valve, and channeling the superheated steam towards a steam turbine component to facilitate cooling the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Nestor Hernandez Sanchez, Clifford Edward Samson
  • Patent number: 8425223
    Abstract: An apparatus, a system and a method by which fuel gas to drive a heat source is heated are provided. The apparatus includes a first gas passage by which at least a portion of the fuel gas is transported from an inlet to an outlet, the outlet being fluidly coupled to the heat source, a plurality of heat pipes in thermal communication, at respective first ends thereof, with the portion of the fuel gas transported by the first gas passage, and a heating element, fluidly coupled to the heat source to receive exhaust of the heat source, through which respective second ends of the heat pipes extend to be in position to be heated by the exhaust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Hua Zhang, Jatila Ranasinghe, Dean Matthew Erickson
  • Publication number: 20130091845
    Abstract: A power plant includes a first gas turbine engine, a second gas turbine engine, a flue gas duct, a CO2 capture system for treating flue gases from the second gas turbine engine and an exhaust system. It additionally includes at least one among a direct connection between the first gas turbine engine and the exhaust system, and a damper for on-line regulating the flue gases flow through it, a direct connection between the first gas turbine engine and the CO2 capture system, and a damper for regulating the flue gases flow through it, a supply of fresh oxygen containing fluid for the second gas turbine engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventor: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD
  • Patent number: 8418467
    Abstract: A system is disclosed including a low pressure steam turbine; an air-cooled condenser (ACC) in fluid connection with the low pressure (LP) steam turbine, the ACC for receiving a portion of steam from an exhaust of the LP steam turbine; a feedwater heater in fluid connection with the low pressure steam turbine via a conduit, the feedwater heater for receiving a portion of supply steam from the LP steam turbine; and a condensate pump in fluid connection with the ACC and the feedwater heater, the condensate pump for receiving condensate fluid from the ACC and drain fluid from the feedwater heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mahendhra Muthuramalingam, Veerappan Muthaiah, Raub Warfield Smith
  • Patent number: 8408003
    Abstract: A combined cycle power plant includes at least one gas turbine, at least one steam turbine and a heat recovery boiler in combination to produce electricity and/or process steam. The heat recovery boiler has a duct for receiving and confining gas turbine exhaust gas from the gas turbine. Heat transfer tubes for heating water and steam for use in the bottoming steam cycle (steam turbine and/or process steam) are disposed within the heat recovery boiler and have exterior surfaces in fluid communication with the gas turbine exhaust gas and interior surfaces in circulatory fluid communication with water and/or steam. A cellular material is attached to the exterior surfaces of the heat transfer tubes and operates to enhance heat transfer from the gas turbine exhaust gas to the water and/or steam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Canan Uslu Hardwicke, Sal Albert Leone, Thomas Francis Taylor, Hua Zhang
  • Patent number: 8408006
    Abstract: A method is provided for operating a combined cycle power plant including a CO2 capture system and flue gas recirculation system. The method includes controlling a flue gas recirculation rate and a re-cooling temperature of the recirculated flue gases, depending on load, to optimize the overall plant efficiency including the CO2 capture system. Also provided is a combined cycle power plant including a CO2 capture system and flue gas recirculation system. The plant being configured to carry out a method in which a flue gas recirculation rate and a re-cooling temperature of recirculated flue gases is controlled depending on load to optimize the overall plant efficiency including the CO2 capture system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Hongtao Li, Jurgen Hoffmann, Holger Nagel, Francois Droux, Celine Mahieux, Christoph Ruchti, Manfred Wirsum
  • Patent number: 8402762
    Abstract: A power generation plant and a method of generating electric energy from recovered heat during an industrial process that uses steam as a means of transferring energy. The method comprises: a) generating a first saturated steam in a first heat exchanger heated by a first source of recovered heat; b) feeding the first saturated steam into a first steam turbine generator, where the first steam turbine generator outputs exhaust steam; c) removing moisture from the exhaust steam with a moisture separator; d) superheating the moisture reduced exhaust steam from step c) in a main heat exchanger with a heat source; and e) feeding the superheated exhaust steam into a second steam turbine generator. The power generation plant comprises a first source of saturated steam, a first steam turbine generator, a moisture separator, a second source of saturated steam, a heat exchanger and a second steam turbine generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Hatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Shimin Deng, Ruairi P. Hynes, William L. E. Davey
  • Patent number: 8398367
    Abstract: An extraction unit for a steam turbine includes an end plate mounted downstream of a selected stage of a steam turbine, the end plate sealing the selected stage from the atmosphere, and an extraction pipe passing through the end plate for extracting steam from the selected stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Karthik Gopal Rao Agara, Daniel Ross Predmore, Edward John Sharrow
  • Patent number: 8397509
    Abstract: A catalytic engine comprises a catalytic reformer and a turbine, and it employs the process steps of introducing a reactant mixture of fuel, air, water and recycled exhaust gas into a reaction zone, reacting said fuel mixture over oxidation catalysts in the reaction zone by adjusting the CO2/C, H2O/C, O2/C ratios and the % fuel of the reactant mixture to maintain the reactor at a temperature between 150-1100° C. and a pressure between 1 to 100 atmosphere, and feeding said refromate stream from said reaction zone to drive a downstream turbine, a turbocharger or any kind of gas turbine. This catalytic engine can be connected to an electrical generator to become a stationary or mobile power station, which can be used in transportation, industrial, utility and household applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Inventor: Herng Shinn Hwang
  • Patent number: 8393138
    Abstract: Systems and methods for exhaust gas recirculation in which at least a desired effective oxygen concentration is maintained for stable combustion at increased recirculation rates. Oxygen-enriched gas is injected into the recirculated exhaust gas to achieve the desired effective oxygen concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: American Air Liquide, Inc.
    Inventors: Tailai Hu, Pavol Pranda
  • Patent number: 8387356
    Abstract: A method of increasing output of a combined cycle power plant with supplemental duct firing from a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) during select periods includes guiding a reheat steam flow to at least one reheat attemperator fluidly connected to the HRSG during the select period. The method further includes increasing reheat attemperation water flow through the at least one reheat attemperator, decreasing a set point temperature of the at least one reheat attemperator for the select period to a lower set point temperature, and raising power output of the combined cycle power plant during the select period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Virginia Wen-Chi Yang, Gordon Raymond Smith
  • Patent number: 8387355
    Abstract: A gas turbine exhaust gas cooling system includes a conduit for a primary gas turbine exhaust gas extending from the primary gas turbine to an inlet of a desired industrial process apparatus, a work producing thermodynamic cycle in which a working fluid is heated and expanded, and at least one heat exchanger by which heat is sufficiently transferred from the primary gas turbine exhaust gas to the working fluid to produce a low temperature heating medium downstream of the heat exchanger at a predetermined temperature and energy level which are sufficient for effecting a desired industrial process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Ormat Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Lucien Y. Bronicki
  • Publication number: 20130047576
    Abstract: A method is provided for operating a gas turbine power plant with flue gas recirculation, in which the flue gases are split into a first flue gas flow for recirculation into an intake flow of the gas turbine and into a second flue gas flow for discharging to the environment. The first flue gas flow is cooled in a recooler before its mixing with ambient air for forming the intake flow. The recirculation flow, after being recooled, is reheated in order to avoid condensation of vaporous water contained in the recycled flue gases during cooling as a result of the mixing with the ambient air. A gas turbine power plant is provided with flue gas recirculation, which includes a heat exchanger for reheating the recirculation flow after being recooled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Frank SANDER, Felix Guethe, Frank Graf
  • Patent number: 8375725
    Abstract: A process for the co-production of hydrogen and power through the integration of a hydrogen production unit and a power generation unit is provided. The hydrogen production unit comprises a gas heated reformer, a water gas shift reactor, and a hydrogen separator which produces a low-BTU hydrocarbon fuel stream and a purified hydrogen stream. The low-BTU hydrocarbon fuel stream, along with a compressed oxygen-containing stream extracted from the power generation unit, is combusted to provide heat to the reformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Phillips 66 Company
    Inventors: Arnold P. Keller, Subbaraman Viswanathan
  • Patent number: 8371100
    Abstract: A split heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) arrangement including a first HRSG coupled to a turbine and thereby receptive of a portion of the exhaust gases to deliver the portion of the exhaust gases to a compressor, a second HRSG coupled to the turbine and thereby receptive of a remaining portion of the exhaust gases, which includes an NOx catalyst and a CO catalyst sequentially disposed therein to remove NOx and CO from the exhaust gases and an air injection apparatus to inject air into the second HRSG between the NOx catalyst and the CO catalyst to facilitate CO consumption at the CO catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Samuel David Draper
  • Patent number: 8371099
    Abstract: A power generation system (100) and a method of generating power. In one embodiment of the system shown in FIG. 1, a gasification subsystem (1) is configured to convert a carbonaceous fuel to fuel suitable for combustion in a gas turbine (48). A first power generation cycle (2) includes the gas turbine (48) coupled to receive fuel from a gasifier (24). A first Rankine cycle (3) is coupled to receive thermal energy from at least the first power generation cycle (2) and generate power with a first vapor turbine (58). A second Rankine cycle (4) is coupled to receive thermal energy from the gasification subsystem (1) or the first power generation cycle (2) and generate power with a second vapor turbine (82). In an associated method, syngas (26) is generated and processed to remove components therein. Power is generated in a first turbine (48) with the processed syngas (33). Power is generated in a second turbine (58) with heat recovered from exhaust produced by the first turbine (48).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Juan P. Gutierrez, Terrence B. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 8365537
    Abstract: A method is provided for operating a combined cycle power plant having at least one gas turbine, a heat recovery steam generator (HSRG), a steam turbine and a CO2 capture system. The method includes recirculating a first partial flow of flue gases from the HRSG. The method also includes capturing CO2 from a second partial flow of flue gases from the HRSG; and operating a supplementary firing to increase the net power output of the plant and to at least partly compensate the power consumption of the CO2 capture system. A combined cycle power plant is also provided. The plant includes at least one gas turbine, at least one heat recovery steam generator, at least one steam turbine at least one CO2 capture system, and flue gas recirculation. The plant also includes a low excess air supplementary firing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Hongtao Li, Holger Nagel, Tjiptady Nugroho, Celine Mahieux
  • Patent number: 8359824
    Abstract: A combined cycle power plant includes a gas turbomachine system including a compressor and a gas turbine that extracts work from gases at a first temperature. The combined cycle power plant also includes a steam turbomachine system including at least one steam turbine that extracts work from gases at a second temperature. The combined cycle power plant further includes a heat recovery steam generator having a main housing fluidly connected to the gas turbine. The heat recovery steam generator includes a plurality of heat pipes that extend within the main housing in fluid communication with the gases at the first temperature. The plurality of heat pipes are also in fluid communication with the gases at the second temperature. The plurality of heat pipes absorb heat from the gases at the first temperature and pass the heat into the gases at the second temperature to form gases at a third temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Hua Zhang, Jatila Ranasinghe
  • Patent number: 8359868
    Abstract: Duct burner systems include a primary duct configured to receive a primary flow stream of exhaust gases from an exhaust duct and a secondary duct configured to receive a secondary flow stream of exhaust gases from the exhaust duct. Primary and secondary variable geometry diverters may be configured to allow and restrict the primary and secondary flow streams, respectively. A combustion system may receive the secondary flow stream, combine it with at least one low BTU fuel source, combust for heating the secondary flow stream, and re-inject the heated secondary flow stream into the primary duct. A blower may be used to blow the secondary flow stream through the combustion system. In addition, a system controller may be used to control the stoichiometric flow ratio between the low BTU fuel flow source and the secondary flow stream by actuating the primary and secondary variable geometry diverters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: John Anthony Conchieri
  • Publication number: 20130019751
    Abstract: A separation apparatus for carbon dioxide is provided which includes an absorption unit for absorbing flue gas from a fossil-fueled power station, a desorption unit and a heat exchanger which on the primary feed side is connected via an inlet-side feedback line to the desorption unit, and on the discharge side is connected via an outlet-side feedback line to the absorption unit. On the secondary feed side, the heat exchanger is connected via an inlet-side feed line to the absorption unit, and on the discharge side is connected via an outlet-side feed line to the desorption unit. A first bypass line connects the inlet-side feedback line to the outlet-side feed line so that a mostly closed first circuit with the desorption unit is formed, and a second bypass line connects the inlet-side feed line to the outlet-side feedback line so a mostly closed second circuit with the absorption unit is formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Inventors: Mike Rost, Ruediger Schneider, Henning Schramm
  • Patent number: 8356466
    Abstract: A heating and cooling system for inlet air of a gas turbine engine in a combined cycle power plant having a steam turbine. The heating and cooling system may include a fluid coil positioned about the gas turbine engine, a heat exchanger in communication with the fluid coil, and a condenser in communication with the steam turbine and the heat exchanger such that waste heat from the steam turbine is forwarded to the fluid coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Abbas Motakef, Peter Feher
  • Patent number: 8356485
    Abstract: An integrated gasification combined cycle power generation system (100). In one embodiment, shown in FIG. 1, a gasifier (108) is configured to generate synthetic gas (117) from a carbonaceous material (106) and an oxygen supply (109) with a cleaning stage (120) positioned to receive synthetic gas (117) from the gasifier (108) and remove impurities therefrom. A gas turbine combustion system (2) including a turbine (123) is configured to receive fuel (128) from the gasifier (108) and a first air supply (131) from a first air compressor (130). A steam turbine system (4) is configured to generate power with heat recovered from exhaust (140) generated by the gas turbine system (2) and an ion transport membrane air separation unit (110) includes a second air compressor (114) for generating a second air supply (113).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Terrence B. Sullivan, David J. Huber
  • Publication number: 20130014484
    Abstract: A system for separating CO2 from combustion exhaust gas by means of MCFC multistacks comprises: a first MCFC unit (10) and a second MCFC unit (20), having respective cells (11, 21) with respective cathodic compartments (12, 22) and respective anodic compartments (13, 23); at least one CO2-capture unit (31, 32); and a connection network (30) that connects the units (10, 20) to one another and to the CO2-capture unit (31, 32); the first unit (10) is formed by one or more MCFC cells (11) without active direct internal reformer; and the second unit (20) is formed by one or more MCFC cells (21) with active direct internal reformer; the units (10, 20) are connected in such a way that the exhaust gas to be treated are supplied to the cathodic compartments (12) of the cells (11) of the first unit (10), and the cathodic compartments (22) of the cells (21) of the second unit (20) are supplied with cathodic exhaust of the first unit (10), either alone or with additions that do not include portions of exhaust gas that ha
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Inventors: Luciano Caprile, Biagio Passalacqua, Arturo Torazza
  • Publication number: 20130008173
    Abstract: A method of starting a gas turbine cycle including a gas turbine and a heat recovery steam generator, the method including: heating water in a steam cycle with a base load heat source; powering one or more steam turbines with steam from said steam cycle; and diverting a portion of the steam from the steam cycle to the gas turbine cycle. Also disclosed is a power generation assembly connectable to a base load heat source arranged to heat water in a steam cycle and power a steam turbine, the power generation assembly including: a gas turbine cycle including a gas turbine and a heat recovery steam generator; and diverting apparatus configured to selectively divert a portion of steam from the steam cycle to the gas turbine cycle on start up of the gas turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Paul Fletcher, Andrew C Graham, Daniel Robertson, Anthony J Donaldson
  • Patent number: 8347598
    Abstract: A method for assembling a combined cycle power generation system includes coupling a gas turbine in flow communication with a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG). The method also includes coupling a steam turbine in flow communication with the HRSG via at least one steam conduit. The method further includes coupling at least one heating element to a portion of the at least one steam conduit. The method also includes operatively coupling at least one controller to the at least one heating element. The method further includes programming the at least one controller to vary a rate of temperature change in the portion of the at least one steam conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Rahul Chillar, David L. Rogers, Vijay Nenmeni, Julio Mestroni
  • Patent number: 8347600
    Abstract: At least one main air compressor makes a compressed ambient gas flow. The compressed ambient gas flow is delivered to both master and slave turbine combustors at a pressure that is greater than or substantially equal to an output pressure delivered to each turbine combustor from each turbine compressor as at least a first portion of a recirculated gas flow. A fuel stream is delivered to each turbine combustor, and combustible mixtures are formed and burned, forming the recirculated gas flows. A master and slave turbine power are produced, and each is substantially equal to at least a power required to rotate each turbine compressor. At least a portion of the recirculated gas flow is recirculated through recirculation loops. At least a second portion of the recirculated gas flow bypasses the combustors or an excess portion of each recirculated gas flow is vented or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Lisa Anne Wichmann, Daniel David Snook, Noémie Dion Ouellet, Scott Allen Rittenhouse
  • Patent number: 8347634
    Abstract: A combined cycle power plant with a gas turbine engine integrated with a dirty fuel combustor in the turbine exhaust and the hot gas stream from the dirty combustor is mixed together and then passed through a heat recovery steam generator to produce steam, the steam being passed through a steam turbine to drive a second electric generator. Some of the turbine exhaust is passed directly into the HRSG while the remaining turbine exhaust is passed into the combustor and burned with the dirty fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Florida Turbine Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph D. Brostmeyer
  • Publication number: 20130000272
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention may provide to a gas turbine a fuel gas saturated with water heated by a fuel moisturizer, which receives heat form a flash tank. A heat source for the flash tank may originate at a heat recovery steam generator. The increased mass flow associated with the saturated fuel gas may result in increased power output from the associated power plant. The fuel gas saturation is followed by superheating the fuel, preferably with bottom cycle heat sources, resulting in a larger thermal efficiency gain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventors: Seyfettin Can Gulen, Jatila Ranasinghe
  • Publication number: 20120324861
    Abstract: A compressor plant with at least one gas turbine having a gas turbine compressor and with a steam turbine is disclosed, wherein a steam generation plant which is assigned to the gas turbine is operated with exhaust gases of the gas turbine, such that the steam generated in the steam generation plant drives the stream turbine. There is assigned at least one additional compressor for compressing a process medium. The compressor is connected directly to the gas turbine and/or the steam turbine such that the assigned compressor is driven in each case directly by the gas turbine and/or the steam turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventors: Hans-Gerd Kölscheid, Klaus Peters
  • Publication number: 20120324862
    Abstract: The present application provides a steam turbine system. The steam turbine system may include a high pressure section, an intermediate pressure section, a shaft packing location positioned between the high pressure section and the intermediate pressure section, a source of steam, and a cooling system. The cooling system delivers a cooling steam extraction from the source of steam to the shaft packing location so as to cool the high pressure section and the intermediate pressure section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Vishwas Kumar Pandey, Debabrata Mukhopadhyah, Manikandan Srinivasan, Santhosh Donkada
  • Publication number: 20120317988
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving the efficiency of a power generation facility utilize heat energy to preheat inlet-air that is supplied to the compressor of a turbine or to preheat fuel that is burned in the turbine. The heat energy used to preheat the inlet-air can be drawn from a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) that produces steam using at least part of the exhaust gas of the turbine. The heat energy can be obtained from one or more predetermined points within the HRSG, such as a feed water line exiting a drum of the HRSG or a feed line connecting an economizer of the HRSG to a drum of the HRSG. The fluid drawn from the predetermined point passes through a heat exchanger or a preheater to remove the heat energy used for preheating. The fluid is then returned to the HRSG immediately downstream from the point from which it was drawn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Inventors: Barrett GARDINER, Brett THOMPSON, Aaron VOREL, Kihyung KIM, Ricky CONARD
  • Publication number: 20120317973
    Abstract: A combined cycle power plant includes a first engine, a second engine, a first heat recovery steam generator, a second heat recovery steam generator, and a steam turbine. The second engine is relatively more productive but less efficient than the first engine. The first engine generates a first exhaust gas, and the second engine generates a second exhaust gas. The first heat recovery steam generator transfers excess energy from the first exhaust gas to a first flow of water, creating a first flow of steam. The second heat recovery steam generator transfers excess energy from the second exhaust gas to a second flow of water, creating a second flow of steam. The second heat recovery steam generator further transfers excess energy from the second exhaust gas to the first flow of steam and the second flow of steam, creating a flow of superheated steam. The steam turbine receives the flow of superheated steam from the second heat recovery steam generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Seyfettin Can Gülen
  • Patent number: 8327615
    Abstract: A combined cycle power generating plant that can realize a reduction in the start-up time includes a gas turbine, a steam turbine, a steam supplying section that supplies steam to the gas turbine, a first steam pipe that directs steam from the steam supplying section to the gas turbine, a second steam pipe that directs steam from the gas turbine to the steam turbine, a first release section that carries out control such that the supply destination of steam that is directed to the first steam pipe is one of either the outside of the gas turbine or the outside of the first steam pipe, a second release section that carries out control such that the supply destination of steam that is directed to the second steam pipe is one of either the outside of the steam turbine or the outside of the second steam pipe, and a bypass pipe that directs at least a portion of the steam inside the first steam pipe to the second steam pipe between the gas turbine and the second steam pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshinori Kitaguchi
  • Patent number: 8327647
    Abstract: A low carbon emissions, combined cycle power plant utilizes vortex nozzles (38) operative at cryogenic temperatures to separate out carbon dioxide (39) from the flue gases. Complexity of the plant is minimized by operating a gas turbine engine component (10) of the plant at a turbine exhaust pressure of at least 2 bar, so that downstream components of the plant, including a heat recovery steam generator (19A), a gas cooling system (30, 33, 36), and the inlets of the vortex nozzles, all operate at the same pressure of at least two bar. To increase carbon dioxide concentration in the flue gases (37) that pass through the vortex nozzles (38), and thereby increase efficiency of carbon dioxide removal from the flue gases, up to 50% of the flue gases that exit the heat recovery steam generator (19A) may be recirculated to a location (L, FIG. 4)) in the compressor of the gas turbine engine where the pressure of the compressor air matches the flue gas pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Gianfranco Guidati, Camille Pedretti
  • Publication number: 20120304617
    Abstract: A combined cycle power plant for a railway locomotive is disclosed. In one embodiment, the power plant comprises two prime movers operating independently of one another. The waste energy of one prime mover is used as the energy source of the other prime mover. The shaft work of each prime mover is connected to a common load. The shaft work of the first prime mover is directly connected to the load, whereas the shaft work of the second prime mover is selectively coupled or decoupled to the load using a clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Inventor: John KIPPING
  • Publication number: 20120291445
    Abstract: An exemplary method is disclosed for operating a gas turbine power plant with exhaust gas recirculation, in which the exhaust gas recirculation is, for example, disengaged during starting and shutting down of the gas turbine, and in which the engaging or disengaging of the exhaust gas recirculation can be carried out in dependence upon an operating state of the gas turbine. An exemplary gas turbine power plant with exhaust gas recirculation is also disclosed which can include a control element, the closing speed of which is such that the control element can be closed within a time which is less than a time for exhaust gases to flow from the turbine through an HRSG.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: ALSTOM Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Stefan Rofka, Jürgen Hoffmann, Eribert Benz, Frank Sander, Martin Nicklas
  • Patent number: 8312703
    Abstract: A solar-thermal gas turbine generator is equipped with a compressor, a heat receiver, and a turbine. Additionally, there is a generator that is driven by the solar-thermal gas turbine to generate power; and a steam power generation cycle in which high-temperature air exhausted from the turbine is introduced into a steam generator and in which a steam turbine that is operated with steam generated at the steam generator drives a generator to generator power, wherein a solar-thermal steam generator that generates steam by being heated with heat collected by the light collector is provided upstream of the steam turbine of the steam power generation cycle, and a distribution ratio for distributing the sunlight collected by the light collector to the heat receiver and the solar-thermal steam generator is adjusted in accordance with the sunlight intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuniaki Aoyama, Kei Inoue, Kazuta Kobayashi, Masashi Tagawa, Toshiyuki Osada, Manabu Maeda
  • Publication number: 20120274078
    Abstract: A hybrid concentrated solar combined cycle (CSCC) power plant based on solar reforming technology, method of generating electricity using the system and a solar reformer for use in the system are provided. The system enables integration of a concentrated solar power plant (CSP) and a combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plant, resulting in a hybrid system that corrects known issues related to large-scale concentrated solar power generation. The solar reformer provides for the storage of solar energy in a reformate fuel during the reforming reaction and subsequent release through a gas turbine combustion reaction. Fuels directed into the gas turbine power plant can be alternated between hydrocarbon fluid and the reformate fuel dependent upon available solar thermal energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Wei Wei, Lingzhi Zhang, Parag Prakash Kulkarni
  • Publication number: 20120260668
    Abstract: A combined cycle power plant is provided and includes a gas turbine engine to generate power, a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) to produce steam from high energy fluids produced from the generation of power in the gas turbine engine, a steam turbine engine to generate additional power from the steam produced in the HRSG and a thermal load reduction system to reduce thermal loading of components of the HRSG and/or the steam turbine engine during at least startup and/or part load operations, which includes an eductor by which a mixture of compressor discharge air and entrained ambient air is injectable into the HRSG and/or an attemperator to cool superheated steam to be transmitted to the steam turbine engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: David Lee Rogers, Rahul Jaikaran Chillar, Robert Frank Hoskin, Julio Enrique Mestroni, Vijay Raghavendran Nenmeni
  • Publication number: 20120261922
    Abstract: A fossil-fueled power station including a steam generator is provided. A steam turbine is mounted downstream of the steam generator via a hot intermediate superheater line and a carbon dioxide separation device. The carbon dioxide separation device is connected to the hot intermediate superheater line via a process steam line and a backpressure steam turbine is mounted into the process steam line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Inventors: Ulrich Grumann, Ulrich Much, Andreas Pickard, Mike Rost
  • Publication number: 20120260621
    Abstract: A combined cycle power plant is provided and includes a gas turbine engine to generate power from combustion of a fuel and air mixture, a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) disposed downstream from the gas turbine engine to receive heat energy from the gas turbine engine from which steam is produced, the HRSG including a superheating element and a drum element, and a steam turbine engine to be receptive of the steam produced in the HRSG and to generate power from the received steam, the HRSG further including a valve operably disposed to isolate the superheating element from the drum element when a risk of condensate formation in the HRSG exists.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Joel Donnell Holt, Gordon Raymond Smith
  • Publication number: 20120260667
    Abstract: A power plant is provided and includes a gas turbine engine to generate power, a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) to produce steam from high energy fluids produced from the generation of power in the gas turbine engine, a steam turbine engine to generate additional power from the steam produced in the HRSG and a thermal load reduction system to reduce thermal loading of components of the HRSG and/or the steam turbine engine during at least startup and/or part load operations, which includes an eductor by which a mixture of compressor discharge air and entrained ambient air is injectable into the HRSG and/or an attemperator to cool superheated steam to be transmitted to the steam turbine engine and a detector disposed within the HRSG to facilitate identification of hot spots therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Rahul Jaikaran Chillar, Wulang Edwien Chriswindarto, Sanji Ekanayake, Julio Enrique Mestroni, Vijay Raghavendran Nenmeni, Achalesh Kumar Pandey, David Lee Rogers, Morgan Carthledge Salter, Ajit Srivastava
  • Patent number: 8286429
    Abstract: A solar hybrid combined cycle gas-steam power plant and method including a solar unit, a gas turbine unit and a steam turbine unit. The solar unit includes a receiver. The gas turbine unit includes a gas turbine with a waste heat boiler arranged downstream, and a steam turbine with a feed water heater. The power plant includes a heat transfer medium cycle for transferring solar heat. The heat transfer medium cycle is coupled to the gas turbine unit through a gas turbine heat exchanger and to the steam turbine unit through a solar boiler. Alternatively to the gas turbine unit and the steam turbine unit, the solar hybrid combined cycle power plant includes an integrated gas-steam turbine having a waste heat boiler arranged downstream, wherein the heat transfer medium cycle is coupled to the integrated gas-steam turbine through the gas turbine heat exchanger and through the solar boiler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Technische Universitaet Dresden
    Inventors: Stephan Heide, Uwe Gampe, Manfred Freimark
  • Patent number: 8286431
    Abstract: A method and system for augmenting the output of a combined cycle power plant having a gas turbine driving a generator, a heat recovery steam generator that recovers exhaust heat from the gas turbine to drive a steam turbine also driving a generator, and a refrigeration element that is powered by available energy in steam exhausted from the steam turbine to cool water. The refrigeration element employs a substantially closed cycle refrigeration system that is either an absorption chilling system or a thermal compression chilling system. The refrigeration element provides cool water to an inlet chiller arranged to chill inlet to the gas turbine to augment the power output of the gas turbine and the water is recirculated to be chilled and used again. Since the refrigeration cycle is substantially closed, little or no additional plant water consumption is imposed on the power plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Briesch, Keith B. McLaurin
  • Publication number: 20120256421
    Abstract: A fossil-fueled power station including a steam turbine is provided. A steam generator is mounted downstream of the steam turbine via a steam return line and a carbon dioxide separation device. The carbon dioxide separation device is connected to the steam return line via a process steam line and a backpressure steam turbine is mounted into the process steam line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Inventors: Ulrich Grumann, Jens Keyser, Ulrich Much, Andreas Pickard, Mike Rost