Abstract: An example system includes one or more heaters configured and positioned to add thermal energy to one or more portions of a gas turbine engine after the gas turbine engine was in operation, wherein the thermal energy minimizes or prevents undesired contact or seizing of a rotor of the gas turbine engine with another component of the gas turbine engine due to warping of the rotor due to uneven cooling of the gas turbine engine after the operation. The system further includes a controller configured to control operation of the one or more heaters.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a method for controlling steam pressure within a turbine component. The method includes calculating a predicted stress on a rotor of the turbine component based on a predicted steam flow with the inlet valve in a minimum load position, a rotor surface temperature, and an inlet steam temperature, and determining whether the predicted stress exceeds a threshold. If the predicted stress exceeds the threshold, the inlet valve adjusts to a warming position. When steam in the discharge passage reaches a target pressure, the exhaust valve partially closes while maintaining the warming position of the inlet valve. If a safety parameter of the turbine component violates a boundary, the exhaust valve partially opens while maintaining the warming position of the inlet valve. When the predicted stress does not exceed the threshold, the inlet valve opens to at least the minimum load position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a closed circuit operating on a Rankine cycle, the circuit comprising at least one compression and circulation pump for a working fluid in liquid form, a heat exchanger over which a hot source is swept in order to evaporate the fluid, means for expanding the fluid in the form of a vapor, a cooling exchanger swept by a cold source to condense the working fluid, a reservoir of working fluid, and working fluid circulation pipes for circulating the fluid between the pump, the heat exchanger, the expansion means, the condenser and the reservoir. The circuit comprises a device for draining the fluid contained in the heat exchanger.

Abstract: Provided is a turbogenerator set including a boiler, a steam turbine unit, a generator unit, a superheater, and a reheater in a body of the boiler, a header connection region corresponding to a steam inlet header and a steam outlet header for the superheater and the reheater on the body of the boiler, and pipes connecting the boiler to a high-pressure cylinder and to a medium-pressure cylinder, and transmitting a high-temperature and high-pressure steam. The steam turbine unit is disposed at an outer side of the boiler body adjacent to the header connection region, and an axis of the steam turbine unit vertically point to the boiler body, vertically arranged on a high level; that is, the steam turbine unit is vertically arranged on a high level.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention provided herein include heat engine systems, methods for generating electricity, and methods for starting a turbo pump. In some configurations, the heat engine system contains a start pump and a turbo pump disposed in series along a working fluid circuit and configured to circulate a working fluid within the working fluid circuit. The start pump may have a pump portion coupled to a motor-driven portion and the turbo pump may have a pump portion coupled to a drive turbine. In one configuration, the pump portion of the start pump is fluidly coupled to the working fluid circuit downstream of and in series with the pump portion of the turbo pump. In another configuration, the pump portion of the start pump is fluidly coupled to the working fluid circuit upstream of and in series with the pump portion of the turbo pump.

Abstract: A steam turbine system including a steam turbine is provided, the steam turbine having an incoming and an outgoing steam side, and a turbine housing with a feed-through for a turbine shaft with a seal, whereby a fluid flow through the feed-through can be minimized, and a steam conducting system to the seal is present. The steam turbine includes a first sub-section a second sub-section, and a connecting line to a region of low pressure between two sub-sections. A steam supply through the steam conducting system is possible for starting up the steam turbine such that a steam flow from the outgoing steam side to the connecting line to the region of low pressure is possible, an incoming steam feed line has a shut-off that can be controlled such that a steam flow from the incoming steam side to the connecting line to the region of low pressure.

Abstract: A method for warming the rotor of a gas turbine during extended periods of downtime comprising feeding ambient air to an air blower; extracting compressed air from the air blower; feeding a portion of the compressed air to one side of a heat exchanger and steam (typically saturated) from e.g. a gas turbine heat recovery steam generator; passing the resulting heated air stream from the exchanger into and through into defined flow channels formed within the rotor; continuously monitoring the air temperature inside the rotor; and controlling the amount of air and steam fed to the heat exchanger using a feedback control loop that controls the amount of air and steam feeds to the exchanger and/or adjusts the flow rate of heated air stream into the rotor.

Abstract: System and method for pre-startup or post-shutdown preparation for such power plants are disclosed which are subject to frequent startups and shutdowns, such as a solar operated power plant. The system and method introduces an auxiliary fluid flow to be circulated in an opposite direction to a direction of normal working fluid flow responsible for producing electricity. That is, if the working fluid flow in a first direction for operating the power plant, than the auxiliary fluid flows in a second direction, opposite to the first direction. The auxiliary fluid flows in the second direction for a predetermined time and at a predetermined conditions through a plurality of superheater panel arrangements of solar receiver former to activation of the working fluid circuit, as pre-startup preparation of the power plant, and after cessation of the working fluid circuit, as post-shutdown preparation of the power plant, to attain predetermined conditions in the superheater.

Abstract: The invention relates to a warming arrangement having a warming system for warming a steam turbine. The warming system has a makeup line and recycle line fluidly connected to the steam turbine. A gas moving device and a heater are located in either of these two lines. The warming system further includes a pressure measurement device that is configured and arranged to determine a gauge pressure in the steam turbine as well as a controller. The controller is configured to control a flow rate of the warming gas through the steam turbine, based on the pressure measurement device.

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.

Abstract: A waste recovery system for a waste-heat source made up of an ORC (Organic-Rankine Cycle) postconnected thereto is described. The waste-heat source is in connection with the heating device of the ORC as well as with an expansion machine for steam expansion in the ORC coupled to a generator. The design and operating behavior of a force-heat coupling system is optimized, a waste-heat recovery system made up of an ORC post-connected to a waste-heat source. The expansion machine for steam expansion in the ORC is therefore started up by the generator which is operating in motor mode, and brought to a minimum starting engine speed able to be specified in a control device.

Abstract: Various thermodynamic power-generating cycles are disclosed. A turbopump arranged in the cycles is started and ramped-up using a starter pump arranged in parallel with the main pump of the turbopump. Once the turbopump is able to self-sustain, 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.

Abstract: A power plant is provided which includes a gas turbine having a compressor for producing compressed air and a combustor for combusting the compressed air with a combustible fuel to produce a heated combustion gas. The power plant also includes a heat recovery steam generator for generating a flow of steam from an exhaust of the gas turbine and a steam turbine for expanding the flow of steam from the heat recovery steam generator. The steam turbine has a rotor having a rotor bore disposed axially therein. The power plant also includes a conduit for directing at least a portion of the compressed air or at least a portion of the heated combustion gas from the gas turbine to the rotor bore of the steam turbine, wherein the compressed air or the heated combustion gas may warm the rotor bore of the steam turbine.

Abstract: A run-up method for a solar steam power plant is proposed. In the run-up method an auxiliary steam is used to generate seal steam for a steam-turbine of the power plant. The auxiliary steam is produced by a heat-exchanger-system that is to provide, during a subsequent power-mode, overheated steam for driving the steam-turbine.

Abstract: Systems and methods for recovering energy from waste heat are provided. The system includes a waste heat exchanger coupled to a source of waste heat to heat a first flow of a working fluid. The system also includes a first expansion device that receives the first flow from the waste heat exchanger and expands it to rotate a shaft. The system further includes a first recuperator coupled to the first expansion device and to receive the first flow therefrom and to transfer heat from the first flow to a second flow of the working fluid. The system also includes a second expansion device that receives the second flow from the first recuperator, and a second recuperator fluidly coupled to the second expansion device to receive the second flow therefrom and transfer heat from the second flow to a combined flow of the first and second flows.

Abstract: Various thermodynamic power-generating cycles are disclosed. A turbopump arranged in the cycles is started and ramped-up using a starter pump arranged in parallel with the main pump of the turbopump. Once the turbopump is able to self-sustain, 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.

Abstract: A turbine starting controller includes: an optimum starting control unit for predicting, while taking as a variable a turbine acceleration rate/load increase rate as a directly manipulated variable, thermal stress generated in a turbine rotor over a prediction period from a current time to the future, calculating for each control cycle a manipulated variable optimum transition pattern in the prediction period which makes a turbine starting time shortest while keeping the predicted thermal stress equal to or lower than a prescribed value, and determining as an actual optimum manipulated value a value at the current time in the manipulated variable optimum transition pattern; and an rpm/load control unit to which the optimum manipulated variable from the optimum starting control unit is input, for controlling the drive of control valves.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a method of starting a powerplant machine, such as, but not limiting of, a turbomachine set to operate in a Fast Start mode. The turbomachine may include, but is not limited to, a steam turbine, a heavy-duty gas turbine, an aero-derivative gas turbine, and the like. An embodiment of the method of the present invention provides a new philosophy for controlling a starting system associated with the turbomachine. An embodiment of the present invention may be applied to a powerplant having multiple turbomachines and a starting system having multiple starting means, which may include at least one LCI system. Here, an embodiment of the present invention may eliminate the manual process of preparing and integrating a desired turbomachine with a desired starting means.

Abstract: A system for generating electricity from steam power, which includes a steam source communicated with a steam load, the steam load requiring steam at a load pressure lower than the steam source; a pressure reduction valve communicated between the steam source and the steam load, and adapted to reduce steam pressure to the load pressure; and a pressure reduction valve bypass circuit including a steam turbine for converting steam to electric power, the turbine being communicated with an electric power load to provide power to the load. The turbine is advantageously positioned vertically above a motor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for starting a steam turbine installation which comprises at least one steam turbine and at least one steam-generating installation for generating steam for driving the steam turbines, the steam turbine installation having at least one casing component, which has an initial starting temperature of more than 250° C., the temperature of the steam and of the casing component being continually measured, and the casing component of the steam turbine installation being supplied with steam from the starting time point onwards. The starting temperature of the steam is lower than the temperature of the casing component and the temperature of the steam is increased with a start transient and the staring temperature is chosen such that the change in temperature per unit of time of the casing component lies below a predefined limit. The temperature of the casing component initially decreases, until a minimum is reached and then increases.

Abstract: A micro-hybrid system (27) is connected to an on-board electrical network (V+) of a first heat engine (28) of a vehicle, whereby the first heat engine having a first cubic capacity which is greater than or equal to a first predetermined value. The system (27) comprises a number equal to two or more of identical starter-alternator devices (1) which are mechanically coupled to the first heat engine (28). The torque and power characteristics of each of the starter-alternator devices (1, 16), while not being adapted to the first heat engine (28), are adapted to a second heat engine having a second cubic capacity which is less than or equal to a second predetermined value equal to a fraction of the first predetermined value. The system is adapted to an application to large heat engines and allows a certain degree of standardization of starter-alternator devices.

Abstract: A power plant is provided which includes a gas turbine having a compressor for producing compressed air and a combustor for combusting the compressed air with a combustible fuel to produce a heated combustion gas. The power plant also includes a heat recovery steam generator for generating a flow of steam from an exhaust of the gas turbine and a steam turbine for expanding the flow of steam from the heat recovery steam generator. The steam turbine has a rotor having a rotor bore disposed axially therein. The power plant also includes a conduit for directing at least a portion of the compressed air or at least a portion of the heated combustion gas from the gas turbine to the rotor bore of the steam turbine, wherein the compressed air or the heated combustion gas may warm the rotor bore of the steam turbine.

Abstract: In a waste heat recovery system wherein an organic rankine cycle system uses waste heat from the fluids of a reciprocating engine, provision is made to continue operation of the engine even during periods when the organic rankine cycle system is inoperative, by providing an auxiliary pump and a bypass for the refrigerant flow around the turbine. Provision is also made to divert the engine exhaust gases from the evaporator during such periods of operation. In one embodiment, the auxiliary pump is made to operate simultaneously with the primary pump during normal operations, thereby allowing the primary pump to operate at lower speeds with less likelihood of cavitation.

Abstract: A method is provided for cooling a seal located in a wall of a chamber and through which a movable shaft passes, the seal being heated by hot pressurized vapor that leaks through the seal into the chamber and internal friction. The method comprises the steps of: providing a chamber in which the seal is located and into which the hot pressurized vapor leaks; injecting cool liquid into the chamber in which the seal is located; and cooling and condensing the hot pressurized vapor in the chamber thus cooling the seal.

Abstract: A combined cycle power system is provided which can convert an open combined cycle gas turbine into a reduced or zero emissions power system. The system includes a compressor which compresses air and combusts the air with a hydrocarbon fuel. The products of combustion and the remaining portions of the air form the exhaust which is expanded through a turbine. The turbine drives the compressor and outputs power. The exhaust exits the turbine and then is routed through a heat recovery steam generator. A bottoming cycle portion of the system includes a gas generator which combusts a hydrocarbon fuel with oxygen. Water is also entered into the gas generator where it is heated and combined with the products of combustion, before entering a bottoming turbine. The water is then separated and routed back to the gas generator after preheating within the heat recovery steam generator.

Abstract: In order to evacuate a turbine condenser, air contained in the turbine condenser is suctioned using propellant steam from a starting jet pump. The propellant steam and the air are guided into an auxiliary condenser which is arranged downstream from turbine condenser.

Abstract: A boiler scale collecting device enables collecting and recovery of most boiler scale particulates (p) in a steam flow line (f) in a steam pipe (02) extending from a power generation steam boiler to an inlet (01′) of a power generation steam turbine (01). The steam pipe (02), of constant inner diameter (d), extends from the boiler side to the inlet (01′) of the steam turbine (01), and turns at direction turning portion (e) from a vertical steam pipe (02′) to a lateral steam pipe (02″) near the inlet (01″) of the steam turbine (01). The vertical steam pipe (02′) is elongated beyond the direction turning portion (e) to form an elongated portion (02′a) having a lower end (02″a). The direction turning portion (e), including the vertical steam pipe (02′) and the lateral steam pipe (02″), and the elongated portion (02′a) are made in an integral unit of forged steel.

Abstract: A drum-type heat-recovery boiler (2) forms, together with the feedwater tank/deaerator (6) and condenser/hot well (4), the steam system of a combined-cycle power station. This steam system has a plurality of containers (10, 16, 22, 6, 4) working at different pressure stages. Some of the containers are formed by steam drums (10, 16, 22). The container of the lowest pressure stage is the condenser/hot well (4). The high-pressure steam drum (10) is connected directly to the intermediate-pressure steam drum (16) via a water line (25) and a steam line (39). The intermediate-pressure steam drum (16) is connected directly to the low-pressure steam drum (22) via a water line (27) and a steam line (41), and the low-pressure steam drum (22) is connected directly to the feedwater tank/deaerator (6) via a water line (29) and a steam line (43).

Abstract: In a process for preheating and deaerating make-up water in a power generation plant by steam, the required make-up water is initially heated up to the saturation temperature without substantial deaeration and is subsequently deaerated. The steam used for heating and deaerating is expanded steam from a condenser, which steam is almost fully condensed during the heating of the make-up water and is recycled to the steam circulation of the power generation plant.

Abstract: A continuous-flow steam generator includes a combustion chamber having a number of burners for a fossil fuel and a gas-tight containment wall formed from at least approximately vertically disposed evaporator tubes through which a flow passes upwards from below on the feed-water side. A method and a system for starting up the continuous-flow steam generator avoid start-up losses by setting a water level in the evaporator tubes and a ratio of the fuel stream to the feedwater stream in such a way that the water evaporates completely during passage through the evaporator tubes, so that water is no longer present at the evaporator outlet. A start-up system having a setting device for setting the water level in the evaporator and for setting the ratio of the fuel stream to the feed-water stream, is used for this purpose.

Abstract: A seal heated by hot pressurized vapor is cooled by providing a chamber in which the seal is located and for containing vapor that leaks thereinto. The pressure in the chamber is reduced by connecting it to a source of low pressure; and liquid is supplied to the chamber at a pressure above the reduced pressure of the chamber and at a temperature below the temperature of vapor leaking into the chamber. The liquid is introduced into the chamber as droplets for contacting vapor that leaks thereinto thereby cooling the vapor and thus cooling the seal. The flow rate of the liquid is adjustable in accordance with the temperature of the liquid in the chamber.

Abstract: In a feed water supply system for a power plant, feed water is supplied into a steam generator to generate steam, the steam is fed to a main turbine to drive an electric generator, and a feed water pump for supplying feed water into the steam generator is arranged so as to be driven by a feed water pump turbine driven with steam. The system is provided with main turbine extraction steam pipings for passage of main turbine extraction steam, high pressure auxiliary steam pipings for passage of high pressure steam, and low pressure auxiliary steam pipings for passage of low pressure steam, as pipings for steam supply for driving the feed water pump turbine.

Abstract: A steam turbine has a rotor-stress reducing steam system coupled to the rotor bore of the rotor shaft so as to introduce steam in the rotor bore. The rotor-stress reducing steam system has a radial steam supply device in which steam is introduced via radial channels through the rotor core, or alternatively, an axial steam supply device has a steam supply tube coaxially disposed within the rotor bore. The surface of the rotor core that is the boundary of the rotor bore typically has rifled grooves so that condensate from the warming steam is collected and directed to a bore condensate drain apparatus coupled to the rotor bore.

Abstract: A combined cycle gas turbine power plant uses compressed air bleed from the gas turbine compressor discharge air as a source of warming air for the steam turbine at start-up by incorporating a bypass line from the compressor discharge to the steam chest. During this time period, the steam produced by the heat recovery steam generator is dumped to the condenser. After warming the steam turbine, the compressed air is directed to the heat recovery steam generator for discharge to atmosphere. Once the heat recovery steam generator is capable of generating steam at sufficient temperature and pressure for introduction into the steam turbine, a control valve in the bypass line is closed, thereby eliminating the warming air, and a control valve in the steam supply line from the heat recovery steam generator to the steam turbine is opened so that the steam turbine can be brought on line.

Abstract: In a power plant having a boiler for heating a fluid to form a gaseous phase, a power generator for generating electrical power from the gaseous phase, a condenser for condensing the gaseous phase after the gaseous phase has passed through the power generator, a liquid ring pump for evacuating uncondensed gaseous phase from the condenser, and a chiller for cooling seal liquid discharged from the liquid ring pump for re-use in the liquid ring pump, apparatus is provided for utilizing the heat generated during the operation of the chiller to heat a predetermined portion of the fluid supplied to the boiler, thereby reducing the amount of heat which must be provided by the boiler to form a gaseous phase of the fluid so that electricity can be generated. The efficiency of the power plant is thereby increased.

Abstract: In a steam turbine system including a high pressure turbine section, a reheat turbine section and a low pressure turbine section coupled to a generator, and wherein a boiler supplies steam to the high pressure turbine and wherein a condenser is arranged to receive spent steam from the low pressure turbine and to return the spent steam to the boiler, a process including the steps of: a) during cold start-up, bypassing a portion of the steam generated by the boiler around the high pressure turbine section, reheat turbine section and low pressure turbine section and feeding the bypass portion directly to the condenser, accelerating the turbine to a predetermined speed less than approximately 1000 rpm utilizing control valves at an inlet side of the high pressure turbine section while keeping closed a plurality of intercept valves at an inlet side of the reheat turbine section; and wherein steam pressure to the high pressure turbine section is controlled by a high pressure bypass valve; and b) upon reaching said

Abstract: A method and apparatus wherein, during time periods when a turbine is off-line and in a restart-ready condition, residual steam is circulated in the turbine between the cover and base of the turbine such that the cover and base are maintained at generally equal temperatures.

Abstract: There is provided by the present invention an accumulator system for turb engine start-ups that has comparable weight and bulk to a conventional auxiliary power unit system but which has instantaneous second start capability.

Abstract: Start-up particulate separating apparatus for the inlet steam flow to a steam turbine, where particulate material can be a cause of internal damage and erosion, comprising a steam inlet pipe to the turbine, a centrifugal separator, and means for directing the inlet steam from the inlet pipe to the separator for removing particulate therefrom.

Abstract: A method and device for generating steam and electric power for the start-up and/or auxiliary operation of a steam power station include at least one start-up gas turbine, a generator driven by the start-up gas turbine for generating power, and a start-up or auxiliary steam generator being fed by condensate from a main circuit of the steam power station. The exhaust or exit gas from the start-up gas turbine is fed to the start-up or auxiliary steam generator and heating of the start-up or auxiliary steam generator is effected by waste heat in the exhaust or exit gas stream from the start-up gas turbine.

Abstract: A closed loop solar collector system (10) includes a fluid receiver (12) for collecting solar heat to vaporize a working fluid therein. A uniflow engine (15), connected to the receiver (12), is powered by the vaporized fluid to power a water wheel (19). The engine (15) includes a single piston (37) acting directly upon a pair of normally closed intake valves (50) projecting into the engine cylinder (35). Under low boiler pressure conditions, a spring loaded connecting rod (62) having depending arms (64) each engaging one of the intake valve rods (54b) when in a normally raised position coordinates simultaneous opening or closing of the valves (50) with a detent mechanism (63), enabling the piston (37) to operate in a nonexpanding state.

Abstract: Inefficiencies in charging a closed cycle Rankine apparatus with working fluid and removing non-condensibles from the system are avoided in a Rankine cycle system which includes a source of pressurized fluid 60 and an ejector 64 having a pressure fluid inlet 66, an ejection fluid inlet 68 and an outlet 70, the latter being connected to a reservoir 46 for working fluid. A selectively operable valve 62 interconnects the source 60 and the pressure fluid inlet 66 while the ejection fluid inlet 68 is connected to the remainder of the system. When the valve 62 is operated, the reservoir 46 is pressurized by the pressure fluid as well as non-condensibles in the system entrained therewith withdrawn via the ejection system inlet 68 to charge the system with working fluid.

Abstract: A reflux condensing start-up system comprises a steam generator, a start-up vessel connected parallel to the steam generator, a main steam line connecting steam outlets of the steam generator and start-up vessel to a steam turbine, a condenser connected to an outlet of the turbine and a feedwater return line connected between the condenser and inlets of the steam generator and start-up vessel. The start-up vessel has one or more heaters at the bottom thereof for heating feedwater which is supplied over a start-up line to the start-up vessel. Steam is thus generated to pressurize the steam generator before the steam generator is supplied with a heat transfer medium, for example liquid sodium, in the case of a liquid metal fast breeder reactor. The start-up vessel includes upper and lower bulbs with a smaller diameter mid-section to act as water and steam reservoirs.

Abstract: A closed loop solar collector system (10) includes a fluid receiver (12) for collecting solar heat to vaporize a working fluid therein. A uniflow engine (15), connected to the receiver (12), is powered by the vaporized fluid to power a water wheel (19). The engine (15) includes a single piston (37) acting directly upon a pair of normally closed intake valves (50) projecting into the engine cylinder (35). Under low boiler pressure conditions, a spring loaded connecting rod (62) having depending arms (64) each engaging one of the intake valve rods (54b) when in a normally raised position coordinates simultaneous opening or closing of the valves (50) with a detent mechanism (63), enabling the piston (37) to operate in a nonexpanding state.

Abstract: A restart temperature maintenance system and method for a steam turbine system is disclosed. The restart system utilizes a plurality of electric heating blankets maintained over an air gap to maintain the temperature of the turbine rotor at a desired initial start-up temperature thereby greatly decreasing the time required for warm-up.

Abstract: In a combined steam generator-turbine system, a drain type is provided in front of the stop valve to drain the first steam supply with the stop valve closed until the temperature of the valve and/or the temperature of the steam exceeds the temperature of saturation by a predetermined amount, and logic circuitry is provided to generate permissive signals which combine to allow successive admission of steam to the gland seal and to the steam turbine.

Abstract: A method of employing the thermal energy from essentially limitless sources, such as the ocean or the atmosphere, to produce mechanical work or electricity by power plants wherein; the fluid from the limitless heat source is used to heat the working fluid of a prime mover through a heat exchanger; the effluent cooled fluid from the said heat exchanger may be employed directly or indirectly to extract the exhaust heat of the prime mover; and the said effluent cooled fluid from the said heat exchanger may also be used simultaneously or successively for the conversion of saline water into fresh water, or dirty water into usable water.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for warming high-pressure feed water heaters for power plants provided with a boiler having a circulation system, in which a part of high-temperature water flowing in the circulation system is separated therefrom to introduce the resulting feed water into a high-pressure feed water heater from the portion of a feed water system which is on the side of an inlet portion thereof, with the feed water flowing out from the heater returned to the boiler, during a period of time which is between an instant, at which the boiler is ignited, and an instant, at which the heater is put in service, the heater being thereby warmed, a flow rate of the feed water introduced from the boiler to the heater being controlled in accordance with the temperature of the feed water flowing down in the same heater, whereby the occurrence of an excessively high thermal stress in the heater can be prevented when the heater is put in service.

Abstract: In an air storage power station heat is withdrawn from the compression process via a heating element (18) and passed into a heat storage device (15). During turbine operation the cold compressed air taken from the air reservoir (1) is first pre-heated with the stored heat in an air heater (21) and then passes via the recuperator (14) to the gas turbine (12',12"). In this way low-temperature corrosion at the exchange surfaces of the recuperator (14) on the flue gas side is avoided, especially during start-up of the gas turbine.

Abstract: A method to draw the thermal energy from essentially limitless heat sources, such as the ocean or the atmosphere and limited heat sources such as the combustion of fossil fuels, is provided for the production of mechanical work. The fluid from the heat sources gives heat to the working medium of the prime mover of the power plant through a first heat exchanger. The effluent cooled fluid from the first heat exchanger is used for removing the exhaust heat from the prime mover through a second heat exchanger either directly or indirectly through a heat pump and can also be used for the conversion of saline water into fresh water.