Abstract: A power system for converting waste heat from exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine to electrical energy includes an aftertreatment assembly positioned within a first housing. The power system includes an evaporator assembly positioned within a second housing. The evaporator assembly is positioned directly adjacent the aftertreatment assembly. The evaporator assembly includes a first portion of a working fluid loop in thermal communication with a first length of an exhaust conduit that extends from the aftertreatment assembly into the second housing. The power system includes a power pack positioned longitudinally forward of the aftertreatment assembly. The power pack includes a tank, a condenser, a pump and an expander fluidly connected by a second portion of the working fluid loop. The second portion is fluidly connected to the first portion of the working fluid loop.

Abstract: Computer systems attempt to manage resource pools of a dynamic number of similar resources and work tasks in order to optimize system performance. Work requests are received into the resource pool having a dynamic number of resources instances. An instance-throughput curve is determined that relates a number of resource instances in the resource pool to throughput of the work requests. A slope of a point on the instance-throughput curve is estimated with stochastic gradient approximation. The number of resource instances for the resource pool is selected when the estimated slope of the instance-throughput curve is zero.

Abstract: A plant operation support system of one embodiment includes a condition setting unit, a characteristic data storage unit, and a predicting unit. The condition setting unit sets a power supply amount to be supplied from the plant to an outside, and a target recovery rate of carbon dioxide to be generated by the thermal power generation facility. The characteristic data storage unit stores characteristic data representing a capability of recovering carbon dioxide by the carbon dioxide recovery facility, which varies according to operating output of the thermal power generation facility. The predicting unit predicts a fuel consumption amount in the thermal power generation facility and a recovery amount of carbon dioxide in the carbon dioxide recovery facility based on contents set by the condition setting unit and contents stored in the characteristic data storage unit.

Abstract: A system includes a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) including a plurality of evaporator sections. At least one evaporator section includes a natural circulation evaporator configured to generate a saturated steam, a once-through evaporator configured to generate a first superheated steam, a first superheater configured to receive the saturated steam from the natural circulation evaporator, and a second superheater configured to receive the first superheated steam from the once-through evaporator.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a waste heat recovery system includes multiple organic Rankine cycle (ORC) systems arranged in a cascade configuration. Each ORC system includes a heat exchanger that transfers heat to the working fluid to vaporize the working fluid. Each ORC system also includes an integrated power module that expands the working fluid to generate electricity.

Abstract: A optimized organic thermodynamic cycle system and method include temperature sensors measuring an initial temperature of a coolant medium and a final temperature of a heat source stream to computer control valves to continuously adjust a pressure and a flow rate of a working fluid stream to be vaporized so that a heat utilization of the system is about 99% increasing output by approximately 3% to 6% on a sustained and permanent yearly basis.

Abstract: In a power generation apparatus, a working medium is evaporated in an evaporator using a heating medium supplied from outside, and the evaporated working medium is subsequently introduced into an expander, which is connected to an electric generator, to convert a thermal expansion force of the working medium into a rotation force inside the expander for generation of electric power. Then, the working medium exhausted from the expander is fed into a condenser in which the working medium is condensed by cooling the working medium with a coolant medium supplied from outside, and the condensed working medium is pressurized by a circulating pump to resupply the evaporator with the pressurized working medium. In the power generation apparatus, when a condensing pressure in the condenser is high, a rotational speed of the circulating pump and a suction volume of the evaporator are increased.

Abstract: The various embodiments herein provide a method and a system for maintaining a constant power output from the low pressure stages of an extraction-condensing type steam turbine under the large variations of extraction or bleed. The method comprises of keeping the flow of working fluid to the low pressure stages constant for a wide range of variations in extraction. The embodiments herein utilizes a pressure reducing and de-superheating stations (PRDS) and an Auxiliary Quick Start™ turbine to maintain the constant flow of working fluid or alternatively two pressure reducing and de-superheating stations (PRDS) for the same. The Auxiliary Quick Start™ turbine or PRDS is used to maintain the constant power output from the low pressure stages of the extraction-condensing type steam turbine.

Abstract: A Rankine cycle device includes a heat exchanger for supplying heat to a working fluid and an expansion device for expanding the working fluid. A valve is disposed between the heat exchanger and the expansion device and a cooling device is reduces a temperature of the working fluid. A pump moves the working fluid through the Rankine cycle device and a sensor is used to sense a pressure of the working fluid. A controller is operable to open the valve based upon the sensed pressure of the working fluid.

Abstract: In a power generation apparatus, a working medium is evaporated in an evaporator using a heating medium supplied from outside, and the evaporated working medium is subsequently introduced into an expander, which is connected to an electric generator, to convert a thermal expansion force of the working medium into a rotation force inside the expander for generation of electric power. Then, the working medium exhausted from the expander is fed into a condenser in which the working medium is condensed by cooling the working medium with a coolant medium supplied from outside, and the condensed working medium is pressurized by a circulating pump to resupply the evaporator with the pressurized working medium. In the power generation apparatus, when a condensing pressure in the condenser is high, a rotational speed of the circulating pump and a suction volume of the evaporator are increased.

Abstract: A method of reducing the concentration of pollutants in a combustion flue gas having a first temperature is provided. The method includes the step of providing an organic Rankine cycle apparatus utilizing a working fluid and including at least one heat exchanger is arranged in thermal communication with the flue gas. The method further includes the step of reducing the temperature of the flue gas to a second temperature less than the first temperature by vaporizing the working fluid within the heat exchanger utilizing thermal energy derived from the flue gas. The method further includes the step of filtering the flue gas through at least one filter disposed downstream of the heat exchanger to remove pollutants from the flue gas. An associated system configured to reduce the concentration of pollutants in the combustion flue gas is also provided.

Abstract: A method of controlling a power generating unit or other process equipment with a slow reaction time includes creating a feedforward control signal to selectively include a fast response rate component or a slow response rate component based on the average rate at which a load demand set point signal has changed during a particular previous period of time. The method then uses the developed feedforward control signal to control the power generating equipment or other slowly reacting process equipment. In particular, a control method switches between introducing a fast or a slow response component within a feedforward control signal based on whether the change in the load demand set point over a particular period of time in the past (e.g., an average rate of change of the load demand set point signal) is greater than or less than a predetermined threshold. This method is capable of providing a relatively fast control action even if the expected load demand set point change is in a small range.

Abstract: A floating combined cycle power plant includes a plurality of watertight bulkheads placed in a hull, having a structure suitable for being moved at sea, to the height of the freeboard deck; a power generating means for generating electricity, and a duct arranged to pass over the freeboard deck. The floating combined cycle power plant further includes: a fuel tank provided in the rear part of the hull and to supply the stored fuel to the power generating means; a carburetor unit provided in front of the fuel; and a loading unit provided in back of the fuel tank to receive fuel from a source and to store it in the fuel tank.

Abstract: When a flow of a working medium stagnates in an expander or evaporator of a Rankine cycle apparatus including a closed working medium circulation circuit, a high pressure exceeding an allowable maximum pressure level of the expander or evaporator is produced within the closed working medium circulation circuit. In such a case, the water-phase working medium is first discharged via relief valves out of the circulation circuit, so that the pressure within the circulation circuit can be lowered. Then, once vapor within the evaporator, having been lowered in temperature and pressure, flows backward within the closed working medium circulation circuit, the vapor is also discharged via the relief valves out of the circulation circuit. In this way, the pressure within the expander or evaporator can be reliably prevented from exceeding the allowable maximum pressure level.

Abstract: In the control of feedwater to the steam generator in a power plant comprising one steam generator and a plurality of turbine plants, the water level in the steam generator and the flow rate balance between the steam flow rate and the feedwater flow rate of each turbine plant will be stabilized. In the power plant comprising one steam generator and a plurality of turbine plants combined, the control in the feedwater controller of the first turbine plant (main turbine plant) is normal control, that is, to control the feedwater control valve through the use of detection signals from the steam generator level detecting unit, the main steam flow detecting unit and the feedwater flow detecting unit of the first turbine plant, and the control in the feedwater controller of the second turbine plant (duplicate turbine plant) is to control the feedwater control valve through the use of a detection signal from the condenser level detecting unit of the first turbine plant.

Abstract: In a method for feed water control in waste heat steam generators, in particular drum boilers with a circulating pump (9) and drum boilers with natural circulation employed in combination power plants, wherein, by a three-component control by means of a superordinated level regulator (13) and a flow-through regulator (14) subordinated to the level regulator (13), the set value (S.sub.in) of the flow-through regulator (14) is displaced by the level regulator (13) in such a way that the level in the drum (6) is always regulated to the set value (S), regardless of interfering effects, the flow-through regulator (14) for the feed water flow (m.sub.s) is guided by the heat amount (Q.sub.AG) in the exhaust gas flow. The output signal of the flow-through regulator (14) for the feed water flow (m.sub.s) is limited, wherein as the function of the heat amount (Q.sub.AG) in the exhaust gas flow a selection is made between a limit value (m.sub.1) for the start-up operation and a limit value (m.sub.

Abstract: A system based on a refrigeration cycle for converting low grade heat into useful work. A plurality of pressure vessels are interconnected with a common high pressure feed manifold and a common low pressure return manifold, A fluid pressure driven motor is connected across the manifolds. The system is charged with a volatile refrigerant. By sequentially heating and cooling the pressure vessels and directing the flow with a series of valves, a pressure differential is maintained across the manifolds to drive the fluid pressure motor.

Abstract: In a plant for which process control is made, a margin of an operation allowable limit for a process variable is variably established according to situations for each apparatus constituting the plant. In addition, allowable upper limits of operation considering a life consumption state and an operation schedule of each apparatus are established for respective apparatus on the basis of a life of the whole plant. The life of each apparatus and the life of the whole plant are controlled with a goal to expire all equipment substantially at the same time by reflecting the allowable operating conditions of the apparatus constituting the plant on the plant control. Therefore, it is possible to realize rational and useful plant operation.

Abstract: Control systems (or controllers) for once through, unfired steam generators (or boilers) which control a single parameter--the feedwater flow to the boiler--in accord with an energy or enthalpy balance between the hot gases supplied to the boiler and the steam generated in it. These control systems have a predictive mode of feedwater control and, optionally, an operator selectable, feedback mode to compensate for drifts in the predictive mode. Other corrections may also be made, and predictive and corrective flow splits can be provided to obtain maximum efficiency when the control system is utilized to regulate the operation of a dual pressure boiler.

Abstract: The production of water vapor is controlled in a plant for combusting fine-grained and dustlike solid fuels together with air in a combustion zone of a heat exchanger in the upper region of the combustion zone, a water vapor accumulator, which communicates with the heat exchanger, and a water vapor feed line leading from the water vapor accumulator to a turbine. The rate at which water vapor is produced is continually calculated and is compared with the desired value which is required by the turbine and the rates at which fuel and combustion air are supplied to the combustion zone are adjusted in accordance therewith. The combustion plant may comprise a fluidized bed cooler for cooling a part of the part of the combustion residue. That cooler may comprise a plurality of chambers provided with heat exchangers for an evaporation of feed water or for a super heating of water vapor.

Abstract: In the operation of a turbine system composed of apparatus (6,12,14,16) for generating steam and a turbine first stage (4) having inlet nozzles connected to be supplied with steam from the steam generating apparatus (6,12,14,16), the steam generating apparatus (6,12,14,16) being composed of a cascade arrangement of a boiler (6) producing steam at a selected pressure which has an assigned lower limit value, a primary superheater section (12), one or more division valves (14) presenting a steam flow passage having a controllable cross-sectional area, and a secondary superheater section (16) connected between the division valves (14) and the inlet nozzles, a method for reducing the output of the system at low load levels comprising: reducing the cross-sectional area of the steam flow passage presented by the division valves (14); and increasing the rate at which heat is supplied to the steam in the secondary superheater section (16) by an amount coordinated with the reduction imparted to the cross-sectional area

Abstract: The steam plant is operated so that the temperature of the steam entering the water separator is compared with the saturation temperature of the steam in the separator in order to produce a temperature difference signal for control of a changeover element. When the temperature difference is less than or equal to zero, the changeover element is activated to deliver a signal corresponding to the level of water in the separator for the control of the plant. When the temperature difference signal is greater than a critical value, the changeover element is actuated to deliver a signal corresponding to the temperature of the steam downstream of the separator for the control of the plant. When the temperature difference is greater than zero and less than the critical value, the changeover element is retained in the previously activated state.

Abstract: A drain recovery system for the condensate feedwater system of a nuclear power plant having condensate pumps for boosting the condensate from a condenser, and feedwater heaters for heating the condensate from the condensate pumps.

Abstract: A system for the automatic and continuous determination of the efficiency of a fossil fuel-fired vapor generator for utilization by an automatic load control (88) to control the distribution of the system load among a plurality of generators, wherein various heat losses from various combustion sources are separately determined, the individual losses summed (80) and subtracted (86) from 100 percent to obtain a measure of the vapor generator efficiency.

Abstract: An automatic control system for a thermal power plant comprises a master controller controlling a turbine in response to an externally applied load command signal, and producing a boiler input command signal by correcting the load command signal on the basis of the detected pressure of main steam generated from a boiler, and a water/steam process controller, a fuel process controller, a combustion process controller and a draft process controller to all of which the boiler input command signal is applied from the master controller. The process controllers apply control signals to equipments controlling a water/steam process, a fuel process, a combustion process and a draft process respectively among the terminal actuating equipments of the various parts of the boiler.

Abstract: A boiler for a heat sensitive working fluid in which there are three systems, first, a stream of hot combustion gas system, second, a heat transfer fluid system and lastly, a heat sensitive working fluid system. The heat transfer fluid is at the interface between the hot combustion gas and the working fluid so as to prevent the formation of hot spots.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an operation of a turbine plant on a reduction of the load on a turbine operates to compute a saturation pressure corresponding to the temperature in the downcomer pipe by using the detected values representing the conditions of the plant, and to control the reduction of the turbine to maintain the pressure in the downcomer pipe higher than the computed saturation pressure so as to prevent an occurrence of flashing.

Abstract: Steam generating apparatus and methods wherein a liquid is recirculated within a boiler by use of a constant speed dynamic feed water pump acting both to feed the boiler and to effect recirculating therein by a jet pump with its jet nozzle in liquid flow series with the dynamic pump. The jet pump also receives water from a steam drum for recirculation through the boiler. In the event of excess feed water supply to the boiler a step-function level control for the steam drum bypasses liquid to a condenser. A second jet pump acts to utilize excess feed water to supply cool water from the condenser well under pressure to the dynamic pump so that no water is bypassed to the condenser under on-design operating conditions. For waste heat recovery to provide shaft power automatically with simplified controls.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for controlling a steam turbine system for a combined cycle power plant using measured parameters to control the position of dampers regulating heat flow to steam generating equipment so as to limit thermal stresses, drum level surge and to provide load-following capabilities.

Abstract: A convertor for a hot gas engine whereby such an engine may be more economically operated. The invention comprises an improvement to a standard hot gas engine including at least one combustion chamber and conduits for supplying a mixture of fuel and air to the combustion chamber comprising a heat sink disposed above the piston head, a fuel iris operatively mounted above the heat sink and a fuel flow controller connected to the heat sink and to the fuel iris for regulating the flow of fuel to the engine in response to the temperature of the heat sink. The improvement of this invention permits operation of the invention on residual heat, thereby permitting increased fuel economy. The invention further contemplates using the engine to power an alternator whereby electrical energy may be derived, stored and used for work.

Abstract: A boiler feed pump turbine system wherein the feed pump turbine speed is controlled by a signal locally generated by an operator up to a certain minimum speed and thereafter by a signal automatically commanded by a boiler feedwater control system. During operation within a certain speed range in which the signal from the boiler feedwater control system is controlling, a locally generated signal in the feedpump turbine control signal is caused to track the boiler control system signal so that in the event of failure thereof, the feed pump turbine may be controlled by the locally generated signal as opposed to reducing its speed to zero as would normally be dictated by the failed signal.

Abstract: A system and method for the adaptive control of a process in which a feed forward control signal corresponding to a process demand is calculated according to a predetermined algebraic function, while a feedback correction signal is calculated on the basis of an error of a process feedback signal indicative of an error of a controlled variable from a predetermined setting, and the controlled variable of the process is controlled on the basis of the sum of these two signals. The adaptive control is such that, when a set point of the function deviates from the actual process demand, a value corresponding to the error appears in the feedback correction signal, and this value is used for automatically modifying the function itself to ensure the adaptive control of the process. A determination is made whether or not the process is in the steady state and when steady state operation is determined, the function of the feed forward control signal is modified.

Abstract: The operation of an electric power plant is controlled by generating a control signal in response to the pressure at the throttle valves, the load demand signal and the megawatt output of the power plant. During the start-up, before the pressure ramp ends, the control signal varies in accordance with the difference between the pressure at the throttle valves and the pressure required at the throttle valves to produce the load represented by the load demand signal and, after the pressure ramp ends, the control signal is varied in accordance with the difference between the load represented by the load demand signal and the megawatt output of the power plant. Integral separators are employed during start-up to separate the water from the steam and a bypass system is provided to collect the water from the separators and recirculate it. The firing rate of the furnace is controlled in accordance with the control signal.

Abstract: Solar collectors are supported for accurate alignment with the sun through all daylight hours, as guided by a tracking system employing a sensor for light level and subordinate sensors for two axis tracking, each of the subordinate sensors having a relatively long and thin band of view parallel to the axis of motion. Special coatings on the heat gathering element of the collector efficiently convert infrared, ultraviolet and, to some extent, gamma and cosmic rays into heat. In a system for generating electricity, collectors feed a heat transfer fluid to a heat transfer manifold where collector and fluid temperatures are monitored to control the rate of fluid flow. The fluid also circulates between the manifold and a plurality of heat storage containers. Heat from the containers is removed by another fluid that circulates through an electrical generating system employing a prime mover powered by the second fluid.

Abstract: Method of regulation of the water level in boilers or steam generators, in which the inlet flow of feedwater is regulated in response to a deviation signal proportional to the difference between the real measured water level and a reference level, the proportionality factor being a linear function of the power level of the boiler with respect to the nominal power, modified by a non-linear function of .xi. which preserves very low values for .xi. close to zero and increases very rapidly for higher values of .xi. so that the total gain is increased for low power levels and high values of .xi. within a restricted range.

Abstract: A once-through boiler is provided with integral separators with which drain valves are associated. Boiler inlet and outlet flows are balanced throughout startup first by drain valve control in response to separator level and then by drain valve control in response to throttle pressure.

Abstract: The regulator having a P-member and an I-member uses a timing means to delay the desired value signal prior to subtraction of the delayed signal from the received actual value signal. The resultant signal is then delivered to the I-member. A further P-member is also used to receive the desired value signal and to deliver the signal for addition to the superimposed signals from the first-named P-member and I-member in order to produce a load-control signal.

Abstract: In a vehicle steam engine having a steam generating unit, a condenser, fluid pumps for supplying the condensed liquid and fuel to the steam generating unit, a plurality of bypass passages are connected between the input and output sides of each pump. An electromagnetic on-off valve is provided in each bypass passage. Sensors are connected to the steam generating unit to detect variations in temperature and pressure of the steam to provide corresponding electrical signals. Each of the sensed signals is compared with different critical levels to produce output signals at one of two discrete levels to open the bypass passages in stages to thereby regulate the flow rate of the fluid to the steam generating unit.

Abstract: An external combustion engine, such as the vapor cycle engine, produces power by the expansion of a working fluid vapor. A vapor generator vaporizes a suitable working fluid which is fed to an expander. The vaporized working fluid expands and is subsequently fed back to the vapor generator. A burner provides energy for the vapor generator. The fuel and air supply for the burner is controlled by a system responsive to operating conditions of the engine. That is, the power input to the vapor generator is correlated by a control system with the demand on the engine. The control system disclosed involves a servomechanism which may suitably respond, for example, to either the working fluid flow rate or the input from an accelerator which commands a change in the working fluid flow rate.

Abstract: An automatic control system for a thermal power plant comprises a master controller controlling a turbine in response to an externally applied load command signal, and producing a boiler input command signal by correcting the load command signal on the basis of the detected pressure of main steam generated from a boiler, and a water/steam process controller, a fuel process controller, a combustion process controller and a draft process controller to all of which the boiler input command signal is applied from the master controller. The process controllers apply control signals to equipments controlling a water/steam process, a fuel process, a combustion process and a draft process respectively among the terminal actuating equipments of the various parts of the boiler.