Including Start Up, Shut Down, Cleaning, Protective Or Maintenance Procedure Patents (Class 60/646)
  • Patent number: 12018595
    Abstract: A method for flushing a heat recovery steam generator in a power plant having a gas turbine, having a compressor, a combustion chamber and a turbine with a rotor, and having a generator coupled to the gas turbine and a start-up converter to convert from an alternating current of random frequency into an alternating current of a specified frequency. The start-up converter is connected to an output of the generator at which the alternating current of random frequency is applied. Wherein, when the gas turbine is run down, the rotor is cushioned with the help of the start-up converter at a boiler flushing speed and the heat recovery steam generator is further flushed until the specifications for flushing the waste heat steam generator are complied with.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: Siemens Energy Global GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christian Keune, Detlef Bock
  • Patent number: 11744047
    Abstract: A system includes at least one storage tank configured to store at least one of first compressed air or liquid air. The system also includes a power supply system comprising a turbine, a generator, and a flywheel. The power supply system is configured to receive second compressed air from the at least one storage tank, wherein the second compressed air comprises either the first compressed air or the liquid air which has been heated into a gaseous state; spin the turbine and the flywheel using the second compressed air, wherein the spinning of the turbine generates electrical energy at the generator; provide the electrical energy to a data center for powering electronic devices of the data center; and provide at least a portion of the second compressed air exhausted by the turbine to the data center for cooling the electronic devices of the data center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Caeli, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Douglas Koerner, Brandon McDaniel, John A. Musilli, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11421559
    Abstract: In a method of hybrid power generation in an environment with a gas pressure below the earth's atmospheric pressure, liquid water is extracted from a subsurface water ice deposit by pumping superheated-supercritical fluid heated by a heater through an extraction well into the subsurface water ice deposit in order to form a liquid water reservoir. Liquid water is pumped from the liquid water reservoir through the extraction well to the buffer tank. The liquid water is pumped from the buffer tank into a high pressure feeder system (HPFS) and a low pressure feeder system (LPFS), which are each also heated by the heater. The HPFS outputs supercritical water and the LPFS outputs flash steam into a combined injector and the mixture is injected into a turbine at near environmental pressure. This mixture explosively expands into superheated steam and passes through the turbine, powering an electrical generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: MAREEKH DESIGN PTY LTD.
    Inventor: Muhammad Akbar Hussain
  • Patent number: 11187103
    Abstract: A steam turbine power generation facility and an operation method of such facility not only overcome the thermal elongation difference between a revolving body and a stationary body of a turbine so as to shorten start-up time but also suppress the efficiency of such facility from deterioration. The steam turbine power generation facility includes a boiler to generate steam; a high-pressure turbine into which the steam generated by the boiler flows; an intermediate-pressure turbine into which steam worked at the high-pressure turbine flows; and a low-pressure turbine into which steam worked at the intermediate-pressure turbine flows, in which the high-pressure turbine and the intermediate-pressure turbine are respectively provided with a heating section which is formed by communicating through the high-pressure turbine and the intermediate-pressure turbine, and further includes a pipe to make the steam worked at the high-pressure turbine flow into the heating section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Power, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yurika Nagai, Akimitsu Seo, Kazuya Sakakibara
  • Patent number: 11156130
    Abstract: Reduction of operation efficiency of a GTCS at a time of changing an operation using bypass stack to an operation using HRSG is suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Power, Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigeto Murata
  • Patent number: 11136898
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a sealing gas supply apparatus. In the sealing gas supply apparatus for supplying sealing gas to a turbomachine of a power generation system, a source comprises at least one low-temperature source for supplying a working fluid to the sealing gas supply apparatus and at least one high-temperature source for supplying a working fluid having a higher temperature than the low-temperature source to the sealing gas supply apparatus, and the working fluids are mixed in the sealing gas supply apparatus to be suitable for a sealing condition as a temperature condition required in a sealing system so as to be supplied to the sealing system of the turbomachine. In accordance with the present disclosure, since separate electric power is not consumed during normal operation by improving a turbine sealing gas source, it is possible to enhance power generation performance by a reduction in power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Inventor: Song Hun Cha
  • Patent number: 10967306
    Abstract: Improved steamblow commissioning of a steam plant with continuous filtration of particle laden condensate through dual strainer filters with backflush means operatable in parallel to enable isolation of one and backflushing while the other is backflushed and venting backflushed particles to waste to enable an uninterrupted commissioning process recycling steam with significant particulate burden relived by continuous cycling in alteration through the dual filers and removal of particles to waste with backflush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Boyle Energy Services & Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Judah Hiat
  • Patent number: 10961920
    Abstract: Control systems and methods suitable for combination with power production systems and methods are provided herein. The control systems and methods may be used with, for example, closed power cycles as well as semi-closed power cycles. The combined control systems and methods and power production systems and methods can provide dynamic control of the power production systems and methods that can be carried out automatically based upon inputs received by controllers and outputs from the controllers to one or more components of the power production systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: 8 Rivers Capital, LLC
    Inventors: Jeremy Eron Fetvedt, Rodney John Allam
  • Patent number: 10851943
    Abstract: A method and device for detecting and extracting a gaseous fluid contained in a closed loop operating on a Rankine cycle are provided. The loop includes a multiplicity of constituents with, successively, a circulation and compression pump for a working fluid, a heat exchanger associated with a hot source, an expansion machine, a cooling exchanger, a working fluid tank and circulation pipes connecting these constituents. The method and device measure the temperature (Tréelle) and the pressure (Préelle) of the working fluid at a point of the loop when this loop is at rest, and, as soon as the measured pressure (Préelle) exceeds a threshold value (Pliquide saturé) for a given ambient temperature (T), activate equipment for extracting the gaseous fluid in order to discharge it from the loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignees: IFP ENERGIES NOUVELLES, ENOGIA
    Inventors: David Serrano, Jocelyn Terver, Antonin Pauchet, Arthur Leroux
  • Patent number: 10690003
    Abstract: A turbine overspeed trip test data system is a portable system by which an operator can electronically gather and log data during a turbine overspeed test. A plurality of sensors can be affixed to various components of the turbine for gathering test data to be received by a processing unit to assess the operation of the turbine overspeed trip protection components. The test data may be compiled into a turbine test log. A method for processing the gathered sensor data is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Inventor: Thomas Revak
  • Patent number: 10690002
    Abstract: A turbine overspeed trip test data system is a portable system by which an operator can electronically gather and log data during a turbine overspeed test. A plurality of sensors can be affixed to various components of the turbine for gathering test data to be received by a processing unit to assess the operation of the turbine overspeed trip protection components. The test data may be compiled into a turbine test log. A method for processing the gathered sensor data is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Inventor: Thomas Revak
  • Patent number: 10677102
    Abstract: A method includes determining, via a processor, a commanded temperature rate for a component of a steam turbine system. The method further includes determining, via the processor, a measured temperature rate for the component of the steam turbine system. The method additionally includes determining, via the processor, a variable multiplier based at least in part on the commanded temperature rate and the measured temperature rate. The method also includes deriving, via the processor, a multiplied temperature rate command by applying the variable multiplier to the commanded temperature rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Benjamin David Laskowski, William Forrester Seely
  • Patent number: 10632489
    Abstract: A sticking elimination method and structure for the water control valve of a water spraying timer. The methodology includes: open/closed state sensing step: detect the open/closed mode of the water control valve and generate and send a signal to the electronically controlled processing unit; stuck state judging step: the detecting and computing module of the processing unit judges if the state of the component has gone beyond the preset abnormal value; reverse control step: if a stuck state is judged, the valve is driven to reverse; reverse state sensing step: detect if the valve has successfully reversed and returned to the open/closed mode; repeated reverse step: if the stuck state is not eliminated, repeat the reverse till set times; automatic shutdown step: if the reverse times reach the set times and it is judged that the valve is still in the stuck state, shut down the water spraying timer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Inventor: Cheng-Yu Wang
  • Patent number: 10605123
    Abstract: A thermal energy recovery device includes: a circulation line having an evaporator, an expander, a condenser, and a pump; a power recovery machine; a first on-off valve; a thermal energy introduction line configured to introduce a gas phase working medium into a post-expansion space; a second on-off valve; and a control unit. Until an evaporation condition that a liquid phase working medium accumulated in the post-expansion space has reached an amount equal to or smaller than a reference amount is met, the control unit closes the first on-off valve and opens the second on-off valve, and drives the pump in a state where the expander is stopped, and when the evaporation condition is met, the control unit opens the first on-off valve and closes the second on-off valve, and drives the expander.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Noboru Tsuboi, Masayoshi Matsumura, Shigeto Adachi, Eiji Kanki, Shirohiko Okamoto
  • Patent number: 10591943
    Abstract: Disclosed is an industrial automation control system, method and apparatus and method of operation including a diagnostic domain subsystem powered by an energy storage subsystem. According to an exemplary embodiment, a diagnostic domain subsystem is configured to perform diagnostics of one or more conditions associated with a functional domain subsystem, where the energy storage subsystem powers the diagnostic subsystem during a normal mode of operation and the energy storage subsystem powers the diagnostic domain and functional domain during a power failure mode and/or power cycling mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Asia Pacific Business Ctr. Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Kian Kiat Koh
  • Patent number: 10587105
    Abstract: A utility line snow or ice removal device mounts to a support structure, such as a utility pole cross-arm. The device includes a moving support arranged to support a utility line, such that a combined weight of the utility line and any snow or ice on the utility line is borne by the moving support. A release arrangement is configured to maintain the moving support in a first position when the combined weight is below a release threshold. When the combined weight exceeds the release threshold, the release arrangement is arranged to release the moving support from the first position to allow the utility line to move under the combined weight from the supported position, creating a sudden movement of the utility line that shakes snow/ice build-up from the line. The device also includes a resetting arrangement configured to return the moving support to the first position when snow/ice has been removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Snowrid Lines System Limited
    Inventors: Bruce Lindsay Wallace, Peter Lance Wallace
  • Patent number: 10544700
    Abstract: The present application provides a method of evaluating fatigue damage in a turbine by a data acquisition system. The method may include the steps of receiving a number of operating parameters from a number of sensors and based upon the operating parameters, determining: a run time from start-up until the turbine reaches X percent load and a start-up temperature transient from start-up until the turbine reaches X percent load, and calculating: a run time ratio of the determined run time until the turbine reaches X percent load to a predetermined run time, a start-up temperature ratio of the determined start-up temperature transient to a predetermined start-up temperature transient, and a fatigue severity factor by averaging the run time ratio and the start-up temperature ratio. Based upon the determined fatigue severity factor, altering one or more of the operating parameters and/or initiating repair procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Technology GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Reigl
  • Patent number: 10495299
    Abstract: A superheater may comprise a heating element that includes carbon nanotubes, wherein the heating element is encapsulated within a thermally insulating material on a first surface of the heating element and an inert material on a second surface and sides of the heating element, a positive electrical connection and a negative electrical connection, wherein the positive electrical connection and the negative electrical connection extend through the inert material, and wherein the positive electrical connection and the negative electrical connection are configured to connect the carbon nanotubes to an electric power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Inventor: David Fortenbacher
  • Patent number: 10428669
    Abstract: A sealing bush carrier for a steam turbine, the steam turbine at least having a turbine rotor and a turbine housing, whereby the sealing bush carrier is arranged between a shaft of the rotor and the housing. The sealing bush carrier includes at least two hollow passages which extend from the rotor-facing part of the sealing bush carrier to the housing-facing part of the sealing bush carrier and are constructed such that they can be assigned to likewise hollow openings in the housing for an extraction of steam of the turbine through the passages of the sealing bush carrier into the openings of the housing. A steam turbine has a rotor with a shaft, a housing and a sealing bush carrier of this sort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ondrej Kadlec, Miloslav Prudek
  • Patent number: 10428695
    Abstract: In a combined cycle plant, a device for controlling a combined cycle plant, and a method for starting up a combined cycle plant, the time for starting up the combined cycle plant can be shortened by providing: a gas turbine having a compressor, a combustor, and a turbine; a heat recovery steam generator for generating steam by means of the exhaust heat of exhaust gas from the gas turbine. A steam turbine is driven by the steam generated by the heat recovery steam generator; and a control device is configured to set a standby load for the gas turbine during a start-up continuously to change in accordance with a change in metal temperature of the steam turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HITACHI POWER SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Masayuki Kayahara, Elvio Rubio, Pablo Ratia, Daniel Carlos Mora
  • Patent number: 10330008
    Abstract: A compressed-air storage and power generation method according to the present invention is provided with: a first air-compression step; a first air-storage step; a first air-supply step; a first power-generation step; a first heat-exchange step; a heat-medium storage step; a second heat-exchange step; and an air-discharge step. In the air-discharge step, when the amount of compressed air stored in a pressure-accumulation tank (12) exceeds a prescribed amount in the first air-storage step, the air compressed by a first compressor (10) is discharged outside without being stored in the pressure-accumulation tank (12). Therefore, it is possible to provide a compressed-air storage and power generation method by which fluctuating electrical power can be smoothed efficiently even after compressed air is stored up to the storage capacity of the storage space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaki Matsukuma, Hiroki Saruta, Kanami Sakamoto, Masatake Toshima, Yohei Kubo
  • Patent number: 10309258
    Abstract: A method is presented and described for compensating load peaks during the generating of electrical energy and/or for the generating of electrical energy by utilizing the heat of heated carrier gas (2) for the electricity generation, and/or for the utilization of the heat of heated carrier gas (2) for hydrogen generation, comprising the steps: heating of carrier gas (2), especially hot air, in at least one gas heater (4a-d), wherein hot carrier gas (2) with a specified target charge temperature exits from the gas heater (4a-d), thermal charging of at least one heat storage module (5a-d) of a plurality of heat storage modules (5a-d) of the storage power station (1) by releasing heat from the hot carrier gas (2) from the gas heater (4a-d) to a heat storage material of the heat storage module (5a-d), time-delayed thermal discharge of at least one heat storage module (5a-d), preferably of a plurality of heat storage modules (5a-d), wherein colder carrier gas (2), especially cold air, flows through at least one
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: CARBON-CLEAN TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Klaus Knop, Robert Joseph Pfab, Lars Zoellner
  • Patent number: 10174638
    Abstract: A device for expanding steam, whereby this device comprises an expander with an inlet that is connected to an inlet pipe and an outlet that is connected to an outlet pipe, whereby the inlet pipe is provided with an inlet valve and the outlet pipe is provided with an outlet valve for isolating the space between the valves, by closing these valves when the expander is not operating, whereby the device is provided with a steam supply that conditions the space between the valves when the expander is not operating, such that no air can penetrate into the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: ATLAS COPCO AIRPOWER, NAAMLOZE VENNOOTSCHAP
    Inventors: Kris Van Campfort, Kristof Pascal Hubin
  • Patent number: 10151220
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide methods and apparatus for using a controllable heat source to generate electricity. One embodiment provides an energy generation module comprising a controllable heat source, one or more jackets of thermoelectric devices, and heat conducting fluids surrounding or otherwise thermally coupled to the jackets. The energy generation module can be used to convert heat from a heat source such as a gas combustion chamber into electricity. Embodiments of the invention are particularly useful for generating electricity when electrical power is not existent, cost prohibitive or otherwise in short supply. The generated electricity can be used by the user, stored in an electrical storage battery or sold to a local or remote power grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: InCube Labs, LLC
    Inventors: Mir A. Imran, Matthew Harrison
  • Patent number: 10113536
    Abstract: Methods of arranging and operating a molten salt solar thermal energy system are disclosed. Molten salt flows from a set of cold storage tanks to solar receivers which heat the molten salt to a maximum temperature of about 850° F. The heated molten salt is sent to a set of hot storage tanks. The heated molten salt is then pumped to a steam generation system to produce steam for process and/or power generation. Lower salt temperatures are useful in processes that use lower steam temperatures, such as thermal desalination. Lower salt temperatures and low chloride molten salt reduce the corrosion potential, permitting the use of lower cost alloys for the solar receivers, hot storage tanks, salt pumps, piping and instrumentation and steam generation system. Multiple sets of modular, shop assembled storage tanks are also used to reduce the amount of salt piping, simplify draining, and reduce field assembly and plant cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: THE BABCOCK & WILCOX COMPANY
    Inventors: David T Wasyluk, Kiplin C Alexander, Kenneth L Santelmann, Jason M Marshall
  • Patent number: 10103737
    Abstract: Control systems and methods suitable for combination with power production systems and methods are provided herein. The control systems and methods may be used with, for example, closed power cycles as well as semi-closed power cycles. The combined control systems and methods and power production systems and methods can provide dynamic control of the power production systems and methods that can be carried out automatically based upon inputs received by controllers and outputs from the controllers to one or more components of the power production systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: 8 Rivers Capital, LLC
    Inventors: Jeremy Eron Fetvedt, Rodney John Allam
  • Patent number: 9863283
    Abstract: A steam turbine power plant includes a life consumption amount calculator configured to calculate life consumption amounts of a turbine rotor based on a value measured by a measurer, a thermal stress limit update timing determining device configured to determine a time when thermal stress limits are updated, an accumulated life consumption amount calculator configured to calculate accumulated life consumption amounts of the turbine rotor when the thermal stress limits are updated, a planned life consumption amount setting device configured to set planned life consumption amounts of the turbine rotor based on the accumulated life consumption amounts of the turbine rotor, a thermal stress limit calculator configured to calculate and update the thermal stress limits based on the planned life consumption amounts of the turbine rotor, and a plant command value calculator configured to calculate a plant command value based on the thermal stress limits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuro Yashiki, Yukinori Katagiri, Takuya Yoshida, Miyuki Kawata, Yasuhiro Yoshida, Eunkyeong Kim, Kenichiro Nomura, Kazunori Yamanaka, Fumiyuki Suzuki, Norihiro Iyanaga
  • Patent number: 9863281
    Abstract: In a power generation facility (10) wherein a fluidized bed combustion unit (12) produces steam to power a steam turbine generator (32), a heat recovery steam generator (20) produces steam for the steam turbine generator. Electrical power from the steam turbine generator is conducted to a motor (40) that drives and air compressor (36). The air compressor provides pressurized air back to the fluidized bed combustion unit (12) to promote fuel combustion. Flue gas from the heat recovery steam generator is selectively conducted to a CO2 capture unit (18) and then to a gas expander (42) that assists the motor in driving the air compressor (36). A heat exchanger (46) that is upstream of the CO2 Capture Unit and a heat exchanger (56) that is downstream of the CO2 Capture Unit and upstream of the air expander have thermal fluid sides that are connected in a closed circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Inventor: Esko Olavi Polvi
  • Patent number: 9828942
    Abstract: A thermal energy recovery system. The system includes a Stirling engine having a burner thermal energy output. Also, a superheater mechanism for heating the thermal energy output and an expansion engine coupled to a generator. The expansion engine converts the thermal energy output from the burner to mechanical energy output. The generator converts mechanical energy output from the expansion engine to electrical energy output. The expansion engine may also includes vapor output. Some embodiments of the system further include a condenser for condensing the vapor output, a pump for pumping the vapor output and a boiler in fluid communication with the pump. The pump pumps the vapor output to the boiler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: New Power Concepts LLC
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Christopher C. Langenfeld
  • Patent number: 9714581
    Abstract: A Rankine cycle apparatus (1A) of the present disclosure includes a main circuit (10), a heat exchange portion (HX), a bypass flow path (20), a flow rate-adjusting mechanism (3), and a pair of temperature sensors (7A). The main circuit (10) is formed by an expander (11), a condenser (13), a pump (14), and an evaporator (15) that are circularly connected in this order. The heat exchange portion (HX) is located in the main circuit (10) at a position between an outlet of the expander (11) and an inlet of the pump (14). The bypass flow path (20) branches from the main circuit (10) at a position between an outlet of the evaporator (15) and an inlet of the expander (11), and joins to the main circuit (10) at a position between the outlet of the expander (11) and an inlet of the heat exchange portion (HX). The flow rate-adjusting mechanism (3) adjusts the flow rate of the working fluid in the bypass flow path (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Atsuo Okaichi, Osao Kido, Takumi Hikichi, Osamu Kosuda, Masaya Honma, Masanobu Wada
  • Patent number: 9702268
    Abstract: In a device for controlling a working fluid with low freezing point circulating in a closed loop working on a Rankine cycle, the loop includes a compression/circulation pump for the fluid in liquid form, a heat exchanger swept by a hot source for evaporation of the fluid, expansion machine for the fluid in vapour form, a cooling exchanger swept by a cold source for condensation of the working fluid, a working fluid tank and working fluid circulation lines. The working fluid tank is connected to a depression generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: IFP ENERGIES NOUVELLES
    Inventors: Pascal Smague, Pierre Leduc, Richard Levesque
  • Patent number: 9605564
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a steam power plant, particularly a combined cycle power plant, which includes a gas turbine an a steam/water cycle with a heat recovery steam generator, through which the exhaust gases of the gas turbine flow, a water-cooled condenser, a feedwater pump and a steam turbine. A cooling water pump is provided for pumping cooling water through said water-cooled condenser. Evacuating means are connected to the water-cooled condenser for evacuating at least said water-cooled condenser. The method relates to a shut down and start-up of the power plant after the shutdown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Franz Dietrich Mohr, Hamid Olia, Miguel Angel Carrillo Rubio, Juergen Reinhard
  • Patent number: 9534539
    Abstract: A device for a turbomachine chamber injector, including a conduit having at least a first opening, and a second opening (4), a blocking system for blocking the conduit, making it possible to regulate the passage of fluids into the conduit, the blocking system being configured to allow fuel to flow from the first opening to the second opening only from a first pressure of the fuel, for the passage of a supply of fuel, and allow air to flow from the second opening to the first opening only from a second pressure of the air, for the passage of purge air, the second pressure being greater than the first pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: TURBOMECA
    Inventor: Bernard Joseph Jean Pierre Carrere
  • Patent number: 9476361
    Abstract: A system includes a gas turbine system including a compressor, a combustor, and a turbine. The system also includes a controller communicatively coupled to the gas turbine system and configured to control operations of the gas turbine system. The system further includes a life consumption model configured to determine an operating life of the gas turbine system based on both a health status of one or more components of the gas turbine system and operating conditions of the gas turbine system. The controller is configured to utilize at least the life consumption model to derive a control action for the gas turbine system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Rex Allen Morgan, Lewis Berkley Davis, Jr., Harold Lamar Jordan, Scott Richard Baker
  • Patent number: 9410449
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure generally provide a heat engine system with a working fluid circuit and a method for starting a turbopump disposed in the working fluid circuit. The turbopump has a main pump and may be started and ramped-up using a starter pump arranged in parallel with the main pump of the turbopump. Once the turbopump reaches a self-sustaining speed of operation, a series of valves may be manipulated to deactivate the starter pump and direct additional working fluid to a power turbine for generating electrical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Echogen Power Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy James Held, Michael Vermeersch, Tao Xie
  • Patent number: 9354621
    Abstract: A control system for an adaptive-power thermal management system of an aircraft having at least one adaptive cycle gas turbine engine includes a real time optimization solver that utilizes a plurality of models of systems to be controlled, the plurality of models each being defined by algorithms configured to predict changes to each system caused by current changes in input to each system. The real time optimization solver is configured to solve an open-loop optimal control problem on-line at each of a plurality of sampling times, to provide a series of optimal control actions as a solution to the open-loop optimal control problem. The real time optimization solver implements a first control action in a sequence of control actions and at a next sampling time the open-loop optimal control problem is re-posed and re-solved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Eric Richard Westervelt, Benjamin Paul Breig, Mustafa Tekin Dokucu, Neil Richard Garrigan, William Dwight Gerstler, Javier Armando Parrilla
  • Patent number: 9334758
    Abstract: A drain system (10) for connection to a steam turbine (14). The drain system comprises a main drain line (20) providing a main flow path and a bypass drain line (28) providing a bypass flow path parallel to the main flow path. The main drain line and the bypass drain line are external to the steam turbine. The drain system further comprises a drain orifice assembly (22) within the main drain line, with the drain orifice assembly accessible during operation of the steam turbine. The main drain line and the bypass drain line are connected to a drain path (24) for carrying condensate and contaminants from the steam turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Archambeault, Donald R. Leger
  • Patent number: 9328668
    Abstract: A reliable and flexible black start network restoration for a combined cycle power plant can be achieved by synchronizing a steam turbine and ramping that steam turbine up to an operating point where a maximum power increase is achieved. The resulting steam turbine load change can be compensated by the gas turbine. The increase in the demanded load can be provided by the steam turbine. The load of the steam turbine can also be gradually reduced to increase its load-increasing capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventors: Jan Schlesier, Hamid Olia, Martin Schoenenberger, Martin Liebau
  • Patent number: 9255569
    Abstract: In a startup period for a solar thermal electricity generating system, a non-solar source of steam heats a downstream receiver (for example, a superheating receiver) prior to insolation being available. Insolation, once available, heats an upstream receiver (for example, an evaporator). The upstream receiver can be arranged in a recirculation loop with a steam separation drum, which may be bypassed during the initial heating of the upstream receiver by insolation. Once sufficient temperature and pressure have been reached, steam from the upstream receiver is directed to the downstream receiver by way of the steam separation drum to replace the non-solar source of steam. Heating of the downstream receiver using steam from the upstream receiver continues until a threshold temperature and pressure are reached. Insolation is then directed at both the upstream and downstream receivers to generate steam for electricity production by a turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: BRIGHTSOURCE INDUSTRIES (ISRAEL) LTD.
    Inventors: Gabriel Kaufmann, Leon Afremov, Yona Magen
  • Patent number: 9222410
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: 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: 9208905
    Abstract: An auxiliary feedwater valve control apparatus of a steam generator that operates an auxiliary feedwater valve in an auxiliary feed water system provided as a protective system of a main feed water system that feeds secondary cooling water to a steam generator, includes a water-level detection means that detects a water level of secondary cooling water in the steam generator, a water-level-deviation calculation means that calculates a deviation between a preset target water level and a water level detected by the water-level detection means, a valve-operation setting means that sets an aperture of the auxiliary feedwater valve corresponding to a deviation of the water level, and a valve drive means that outputs a signal for driving the auxiliary feedwater valve corresponding to setting by the valve-operation setting means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Kimio Akazawa, Susumu Utsumi, Kiyohiko Tsubouchi, Satoshi Hanada
  • Patent number: 9089802
    Abstract: A system includes a processing system in which a liquid is used in processing such that at least a portion of the liquid becomes suspended in a gas and a liquid collection system in fluid connection with the processing system to decrease the amount of liquid in the suspension of the liquid in the gas. The liquid collection system includes a centrifugal pump (or blower) including a housing and a rotatable impeller within the housing. The housing also includes an inlet port and an outlet port in fluid connection therewith. The liquid collection system further includes a liquid collection device in fluid connection with the outlet port. The liquid collection device includes a gas outlet channel in fluid connection with the outlet port and a liquid outlet port spaced from the gas outlet channel and adjacent an inner surface of the housing of the centrifugal pump. The system may further include a container in fluid connection with the liquid outlet port to contain liquid (separated from the gas).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Inventor: Gregory S. Antoun
  • Patent number: 9057275
    Abstract: The present application provides a steam turbine driven by a flow of steam. The steam turbine may include a rotor, a number of nozzles positioned about the rotor, and a number of nozzle diaphragms. One or more of the nozzle diaphragms may include an inducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: GENEAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Sanjay Chopra, Michael Joseph Boss, Tai Joung Kim, Jason Paul Mortzheim, Nestor Hernandez Sanchez, Howard Michael Brilliant
  • Patent number: 9032733
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention include a system including: at least one computing device operably connected with a steam turbomachine and an extraction conduit fluidly connected with the steam turbomachine and a steam seal header fluidly coupled with the steam turbomachine, the at least one computing device configured to modify an output of the steam turbomachine by performing actions including: determining a pressure within the steam turbomachine; comparing the pressure within the steam turbomachine with a pressure threshold range; and instructing the extraction conduit to extract steam seal header steam from the steam seal header and provide the extracted steam seal header steam to the steam turbomachine in response to determining the pressure within the steam turbomachine deviates from the pressure threshold range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Prakash Bavanjibhai Dalsania, Nestor Hernandez Sanchez
  • Publication number: 20150121871
    Abstract: A turbine plant (3), in particular a steam turbine plant, and a method (100) for cooling the turbine plant (3). The turbine plant (3) has a turbine (29) through which a process gas (15) flows in a flow direction (27) during operation. A cooling medium (7) is drawn or blown (120) through the turbine (29) either in or counter to the process gas flow direction (27) respectively, cooling the turbine (29). A fan (6) may be coupled to either a turbine inlet (4) or to a turbine outlet (5). The fan acts on the cooling medium (7, 110) which is drawn into the turbine (29) through the turbine inlet (4) or through the turbine outlet (5) to be blown (120) through the turbine (29) in or counter to the process gas flow direction (27).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Stefan Riemann, Klaus Rothe
  • Publication number: 20150121872
    Abstract: Providing a steam turbine power plant that can be safely activated at a high speed while maintaining thermal stress at a level equal to or lower than a limit in consideration of operational results of the plant, and a method for activating the steam turbine power plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Tatsuro YASHIKI, Yukinori KATAGIRI, Takuya YOSHIDA, Miyuki KAWATA, Yasuhiro YOSHIDA, Eunkyeong KIM, Kenichiro NOMURA, Kazunori YAMANAKA, Fumiyuki SUZUKI, Norihiro IYANAGA
  • Publication number: 20150113988
    Abstract: A start-up method of a steam turbine plant includes a first step and a second step. The first step is performed at an aeration start time. In the first step, a reheat steam pressure of an aeration boiler is set to be a reheat steam pressure required by a steam turbine or less. Besides, a reheat steam pressure of a standby boiler is set to be a reheat steam pressure required for the standby boiler or more. The second step is performed when a load of the steam turbine becomes a predetermined value. In the second step, the reheat steam pressure of the aeration boiler is increased to the same degree as the reheat steam pressure of the standby boiler. After that, steam from the aeration boiler and steam from the standby boiler are merged to be supplied to the steam turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Mai Ichinose, Hiroyuki Tao, Atsuo Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 9010318
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for transferring heat using a variable composition organic heat transfer fluid that remains liquid over a wide operating temperature range useful for solar heating applications. Variable composition heat transfer fluids of the present invention comprise a miscible mixture, optionally a completely miscible mixture, of a high boiling point component selected for its beneficial high temperature physical properties, and a low freezing point component selected for its beneficial low temperature physical properties. In some embodiments, the low freezing point component is removed from the heat transfer fluid as the heat transfer fluid is heated, for example by being removed in the vapor phase, thereby selectively varying the composition and physical properties (e.g., vapor pressure, boiling point, etc.) of the heat transfer fluid as a function of temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventor: Thatcher W. Root
  • Patent number: 8991180
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for the recovery of waste heat from an internal combustion engine (2), according to which a feed pump (6), a heat exchanger (8), an expansion engine (10) and a capacitor (12) are arranged in a circuit (4) containing a circulating working medium. A bypass connection (14) is mounted in parallel to the expansion engine (10), in the circuit (4), the expansion engine (10) being coupled to the circuit (4), or decoupled therefrom, according to an operating situation of the internal combustion engine (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Gregory Rewers, Nadja Eisenmenger, Achim Brenk, Dieter Seher, Hans-Christoph Magel, Andreas Wengert
  • Patent number: 8984854
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for rapidly counteracting a transient low-pressure condition, that can occur intermittently in the exhaust section of a power plant or other such industrial facility upstream of exhaust fans as a result of an event that interrupts the generation and/or flow of exhaust gases, using jet nozzles disposed in the exhaust section and connected to a source of pressurized air or other suitable momentum material. By orienting the jet nozzles in a direction generally opposite to the flow of exhaust gas and actuating the system to release a burst of compressed air, for example in the event of a power plant interruption, the low-pressure condition can be ameliorated preventing damage to the exhaust section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Aecom
    Inventor: Frederick Robert Rosse