Including Plural Distinct Boilers, Heat Supplies Or External Sources Of Vapor Patents (Class 60/676)
  • Publication number: 20140090356
    Abstract: A heat recovery steam generator has a plurality of heat exchangers, including superheaters 28, 30, an evaporator 32 and an economizer 34, disposed in a duct 27 along the flow direction of an exhaust gas 25 from a gas turbine 14, and generates steam by utilizing the exhaust gas 25 from the gas turbine 14. The heat recovery steam generator includes: auxiliary combustors 50, 52, each disposed upstream of one of the heat exchangers, for heating the exhaust gas by means of burners; and an air supply device for supplying air to the burners of the auxiliary combustor 52 from the outside of the duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Keiichi NAKAMURA, Hideaki Shimada
  • Publication number: 20140083098
    Abstract: Disclosed illustrative embodiments include modular power infrastructure networks, distributed electrical power infrastructure networks, methods for operating a modular power infrastructure network, and methods for fabricating a modular power infrastructure network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Inventors: Chal S. Davidson, Joshua C. Walter, Steven A. Wright
  • Publication number: 20140075941
    Abstract: Provided is a power generating apparatus capable of using power generated by a heat engine in combination with power of a driving source provided separately from the heat engine. In order to prevent a problem caused when activating and stopping the apparatus, the apparatus of the present invention includes a rotary machine driving source which generates a rotational driving force for a rotary machine and a heat engine which drives the rotary machine in cooperation with the rotary machine driving source, wherein the heat engine includes an expander which expands an evaporated working medium so as to generate a rotational driving force, the expander is provided with a bypass pipe which causes a working medium inlet of the expander to communicate with a working medium outlet thereof, and the bypass pipe is provided with an on-off valve which opens and closes the bypass pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho (Kobe Steel, Ltd.)
    Inventors: Shigeto Adachi, Masayoshi Matsumura, Yutaka Narukawa
  • Publication number: 20140060053
    Abstract: A steam power plant with a steam turbine with a high pressure stage and a low pressure stage is provided. A first steam source provides a motive steam, and a second steam source provides a heating steam, wherein the motive steam and the heating steam have different qualities. A reheater is arranged between the high pressure stage and the low pressure stage. The motive steam is supplied to the high pressure stage and is reheated by the reheater after leaving the high pressure stage, wherein the reheater is operated with the heating steam. Further, a method of operating a steam power plant is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventor: THORSTEN WOLF
  • Publication number: 20140060054
    Abstract: Heat flow from a steam seal header could be used in a stage, such as a low pressure stage, of a steam turbine. However, the dump steam temperature from the steam seal header can be too high requiring removal of excess heat, typically through attemperation, before the dump steam is provided to the low pressure stage. Attemperation poses reliability and life issues and lowers efficiency. To address such short comings, one or more heat pumps are used to transfer heat from the dump steam to the fluid entering a boiler. This allows the dump steam temperature to be within acceptable limits, and at the same time, increase the temperature of the fluid so that the steam cycle performance is enhanced. Preferably, solid-state heat pumps are used as they are reliable, silent and can be precisely controlled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric
    Inventors: Sanyaswara Rao GANTI, Rajasekar Natarajan, Rakesh Alamsetty
  • Patent number: 8650879
    Abstract: The present application and the resultant patent provide a waste heat recovery system. The waste heat recovery system may include a first organic rankine cycle system, a second organic rankine cycle system, and one or more preheaters. The preheaters may be one or more charge air coolers. The charge air coolers may be in communication with the first organic rankine cycle system, the second organic rankine cycle system, or both the first organic rankine cycle system and the second rankine cycle system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sebastian W. Freund, Gabor Ast, Pierre Huck, Sara Rocci Denis, Monika Muchlbauer, Albert Scharl, Wolfgang Madl
  • Publication number: 20140041387
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for utilizing waste heat to power a reconfigurable thermodynamic cycle that can be used to selectively cool or heat an environmentally controlled space, such as a room, building, or vehicle. The present invention also integrates an electric machine, which may operate as a motor or generator, or both, and an additional prime mover, such as an internal combustion engine. Different combinations of these components are preferable for different applications. The system provides a design which reasonably balances the need to maximize efficiency, while also keeping the design cost effective.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Inventor: Dwayne M. Benson
  • Publication number: 20140033676
    Abstract: A method of integrating a supplemental steam source into a combined cycle plant comprising a gas turbine engine, generator and heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) by providing a solar steam generation subsystem that captures and transfers heat using solar radiation to produce supplemental superheated steam; providing a steam turbine operatively connected to the gas turbine; and injecting a portion of the steam formed by solar radiation into one or more intermediate stages of the high pressure section of the steam turbine. The exemplary method uses steam produced by the HRSG (having one, two or three pressure levels and with or without reheat), as well as steam produced by a solar steam generation subsystem when the plant is operating at full capacity. Significantly, the throttle pressure of the high pressure steam turbine remains substantially the same when the solar steam generation is either active or inactive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Inventors: Raymond PANG, Kamlesh Mundra, Nestor Hernandez Sanchez
  • Publication number: 20140007504
    Abstract: In a plant having integrated CO2 removal, for pig iron production or synthesizing gas, at least part of the offgas or synthesis gas is discharged as export gas from the plant, optionally collected in an export gas container and subsequently thermally utilized in a gas turbine. The offgas from the gas turbine is fed to a waste heat boiler for generation of steam. To reduce the addition of high-grade fuel gases, at least part of the tailgas from the CO2 removal plant is mixed into the export gas upstream of the gas turbine as a function of the joule value of the export gas after addition of the tailgas. The proportion of tailgas is increased when the joule value of the export gas goes above a predefined maximum joule value and the proportion of tailgas is reduced when the joule value of the export gas drops below a predefined minimum joule value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: SIEMENS VAI METALS TECHOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Robert Millner, Jan-Friedemann Plaul
  • Publication number: 20130340434
    Abstract: Work is produced from heat in a continuous cycle. A flow of first working fluid is provided to a high pressure boiler to produce a flow of first working fluid vapor. A second working fluid in vaporous form is compressed, after which a third working fluid is formed by mixing the first working fluid vapor and the second working fluid. Thermal energy is transferred directly between the first and second working fluids in the mixing chamber exclusive of any intervening structure. A refrigeration loop containing a fourth working fluid extracts thermal energy from a low grade thermal energy source and moves the thermal energy to the first working fluid and/or the second working fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: HARRIS CORPORATION
    Inventor: William R. Palmer
  • Patent number: 8596034
    Abstract: Methods and systems for the generation of electrical energy through the combination of steam flows produced from different fuel sources. Steam produced from processing of a biomass fuel source is combined with steam produced from the processing of natural gas or fossil fuel and routed through a steam turbine generator to produce electrical energy. The steam is preferably reheated after partial processing in the steam turbine generator and then recirculated for further processing in the steam turbine generators. Following extraction of all available energy from the steam, the condensed wet vapor is reheated and used for processing of both energy sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: EIF NTE Hybrid Intellectual Property Holding Company, LLC
    Inventors: Seth Shortlidge, Gregory J. Cahill
  • Publication number: 20130312414
    Abstract: Work is produced from heat in a continuous cycle. The cycle involves communicating a first flow of a first working fluid to a low pressure boiler. The low pressure boiler forms a first flow of first working fluid vapor by using a low temperature thermal source. A second flow of the first working fluid is provided to a high pressure boiler to produce a second flow of first working fluid vapor at a pressure higher than the low pressure boiler. A second working fluid in vaporous form is compressed, after which a third working fluid is formed by mixing the first flow of first working fluid vapor, the second flow of second working fluid vapor, and the second working fluid. Thermal energy is transferred directly between one or more of the working fluids in the mixing chamber exclusive of any intervening structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: HARRIS CORPORATION
    Inventor: William R. Palmer
  • Publication number: 20130305721
    Abstract: Methods and systems for implementing a thermodynamic cycle using heat source streams having initial temperatures between about 200° F. and about 500° F. and coolant stream having relatively high temperatures greater than or equal to about 80° F., where the methods and systems have overall energy extraction efficiencies that are at least 40% higher than a corresponding Rankine cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: KALEX, LLC
    Inventor: Alexander I. Kalina
  • Patent number: 8584463
    Abstract: An exemplary system and method for storing and retrieving energy in a thermoelectric energy storage system is disclosed. The thermoelectric energy storage system includes a working fluid that is circulated through a first and second heat exchanger, and a thermal storage medium that is circulated through the first heat exchanger. The second heat exchanger is in connection with a first thermal bath during a charging cycle and with a second thermal bath during a discharging cycle. In this way roundtrip efficiency is improved through minimizing the temperature difference between the first thermal bath and the hot storage tank during charging, and maximizing the temperature difference between the second thermal bath and the hot storage tank during discharging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventors: Jaroslav Hemrle, Lilian Kaufmann, Mehmet Mercangoez
  • Patent number: 8572972
    Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus including a compressed air energy storage (CAES) system including a compression train with a compressor path, a storage volume configured to store compressed air, a compressed air path configured to provide passage of compressed air egressing from the compression train to the storage volume, and a heat recovery system coupled to at least one of the compressor path and the compressed air path and configured to draw heat from at least one of the compressor path and the compressed air path to a first liquid. The compression train is configured to provide passage of compressed air from a first compressor to a second compressor. The heat recovery system includes a first evaporator configured to evaporate the first liquid to a first gas and a first generator configured to produce electricity based on an expansion of the first gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas Johannes Frey, Matthias Finkenrath, Gabor Ast, Stephanie Marie-Noelle Hoffmann, Matthew Lehar, Richard Aumann
  • Publication number: 20130283796
    Abstract: A method for reducing NOx and recovering waste heat from a stream of exhaust gas from a fossil fuel fired turbine includes contacting the stream of exhaust gas between an economizer and an evaporator with ozone gas to convert the NO to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) thereby forming a stream of exhaust gas comprising NO2 and residual NO. The method further includes, contacting the stream of exhaust gas comprising NO2 and residual NO with water mist to create an exhaust stream comprising nitric acid (HNO3) and residual NO. The method further includes cooling the stream of exhaust gas comprising HNO3 and residual NO, collecting a first residual water film on a first condensing medium to capture the HNO3 and removing the first water film and HNO3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: ECO POWER SOLUTIONS (USA) CORP.
    Inventor: Wayne S. Littleford
  • Publication number: 20130277977
    Abstract: The technology combines a secondarily-fueled boiler with a primary-fueled Rankine steam cycle combustion system in a hybrid process. Outputs from a secondarily-fueled combustion system are fed into the feedwater heater(s), deaerators, feedwater heating lines, and/or reheat lines of a primary-fueled Rankine system. The integrated steam flow eliminates or reduces one or more extractions from the steam turbine generator, thereby allowing it to generate more electrical power using the same Rankine system input energy or generate equivalent electrical power using energy inputs from multiple fuel sources. The technology can be utilized in any type and/or configuration of secondary fuel or secondarily-fueled combustion technology and/or can utilize any type of primary-fueled steam source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventors: Alan Roger Smithe, Mackenzie Brooke Miller, Philip J. Dirkse, Seth Shortlidge
  • Patent number: 8561405
    Abstract: A waste heat recovery system includes at least two integrated rankine cycle systems coupled to at least two separate heat sources having different temperatures. The first rankine cycle system is coupled to a first heat source and configured to circulate a first working fluid. The second rankine cycle system is coupled to at least one second heat source and configured to circulate a second working fluid. The at least one second heat source includes a lower temperature heat source than the first heat source. The first and second working fluid are circulatable in heat exchange relationship through a cascading heat exchange unit for condensation of the first working fluid in the first rankine cycle system and evaporation of the second working fluid in the second rankine cycle system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gabor Ast, Michael Adam Bartlett, Thomas Johannes Frey, Matthew Alexander Lehar
  • Patent number: 8561407
    Abstract: A hybrid solar collector and geothermal system collects low grade heat energy derived from the sun. A simple heat engine converts this energy into mechanical energy, and then into electrical energy using an air-motor-generator setup, by exploiting the difference in temperature between the solar collector and the geothermal heat sinks. Waste heat trapped in an attic is directed to the solar collector to supplement the collection of low grade heat energy. In addition, cryogenic liquid is used to create the temperature difference in the geothermal heat sink when low grade heat energy is unavailable. This system does not produce any CO2 because it does not use combustion to produce electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Inventor: Eddie Sines
  • Publication number: 20130269346
    Abstract: A combined cycle power plant with a gas turbine, steam turbine, and first HRSG comprises a CO2 capture plant for the at least partial capture of CO2 from the exhaust gases from the gas turbine. It comprises in particular a second HRSG or boiler arranged to receive a portion of the exhaust gases and transfer its heat to steam and feedwater. Steam generated in the second HRSG or boiler is used for the operation of the CO2 capture plant and/or to operate a steam turbine that drives a generator and optionally a CO2 compressor. The power plant according to the invention allows for greater flexibility in power plant part load control and power plant efficiency. A method to operate the power plant is also claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: Hongtao Li, Francois Droux, Christoph Ruchti, Karl Reyser
  • Publication number: 20130269347
    Abstract: A combined power and water production system includes a steam generator, a water production facility, and a heater to heat water and to provide the heated water to the steam generator to generate steam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Mahendhra Muthuramalingam
  • Patent number: 8544274
    Abstract: A thermodynamic system for waste heat recovery, using an organic rankine cycle is provided which employs a single organic heat transferring fluid to recover heat energy from two waste heat streams having differing waste heat temperatures. Separate high and low temperature boilers provide high and low pressure vapor streams that are routed into an integrated turbine assembly having dual turbines mounted on a common shaft. Each turbine is appropriately sized for the pressure ratio of each stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Cummins Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy C Ernst
  • Patent number: 8528333
    Abstract: A system for controlled recovery of thermal energy and conversion to mechanical energy. The system collects thermal energy from a reciprocating engine, specifically from engine jacket fluid and/or engine exhaust and uses this thermal energy to generate a secondary power source by evaporating an organic propellant and using the gaseous propellant to drive an expander in production of mechanical energy. A monitoring module senses ambient and system conditions such as temperature, pressure, and flow of organic propellant at one or more locations; and a control module regulates system parameters based on monitored information to optimize secondary power output. A tertiary, or back-up power source may also be present. The system may be used to meet on-site power demands using primary, secondary, and tertiary power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Inventor: Victor Juchymenko
  • Publication number: 20130227949
    Abstract: A self-contained energy converter, suitable for powering a vehicle for example, includes an assembly for gasification of a liquid fuel to produce a combustible gas. A number of burners are provided burn the combustible gas in order to heat a heat exchanger for heating water from a tank to produce wet steam. A superheated steam generator is provided in communication with the heat exchanger and includes a number of heating assemblies arranged to heat cylindrical surfaces for converting the wet steam into a superheated steam. Nozzles are provided to direct the superheated steam to a turbine to produce mechanical motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Inventor: Edward Robnik
  • Patent number: 8516817
    Abstract: An electrogenerating device comprises a steam boiler, a hydrogen plant for steam conversion of natural gas into hydrogen, an oxygen plant for production of oxygen from air, a high-temperature H2/O2 steam superheater, a steam turbine provided with an electric power generator and a condenser, and a heat recovery boiler. Inlets of the high-temperature steam superheater are connected to an outlet of the steam boiler and outlets of the hydrogen and oxygen plants at a ratio of hydrogen to oxygen flow rates close to a stoichiometric ratio. The total noncondensable gas impurities in hydrogen and oxygen are less than 0.5% by volume at a temperature of 20 to 100° C. An outlet of the high-temperature steam superheater is connected to an inlet of the steam turbine, an outlet of the hydrogen plant is exhaust-gas connected to a gas path of the heat recovery boiler. In addition, an outlet of the heat recovery boiler is steam connected to an intermediate inlet of the steam turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Inventors: Vladimir Alekseevich Fedorov, Oleg Nikolaevich Favorskiy, Alexander Ivanovich Leontiev, Oleg Osherevich Milman
  • Publication number: 20130213041
    Abstract: In a method for increasing power plant efficiency during periods of variable heat input or at partial loads, a motive fluid is cycled through a Rankine cycle power plant having a vaporizer and a superheater such that the motive fluid is delivered to a turbine at a selected inlet temperature at full admission. A percentage of a superheated portion of the motive fluid during periods of variable heat input or at partial loads is adjusted while substantially maintaining the inlet temperature and a power plant thermal efficiency. A Rankine Cycle power plant includes a conduit circuit extending from a heat source to each of a vaporizer section and a superheater section for regulating flow therethrough of source heat fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: Ormat Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Lucien Y. Bronicki
  • Publication number: 20130205782
    Abstract: A feed water storage and recirculation system for a steam turbine power plant having a post-combustion carbon capture plant which uses steam from the power plant as a heat source for regeneration of absorbent and returns condensate from the post-combustion carbon capture plant to the steam turbine power plant, and a plant with post-combustion carbon capture are described, comprising: a feed water storage tank; a deaerator integral to or fluidly in series with the feed water storage tank; a steam extraction conduit to convey water/steam to the feed water storage tank and deaerator after extraction from a turbine of a steam turbine power plant; a feed water supply conduit to supply feed water from the feed water storage tank to a boiler of a steam turbine power plant; a low pressure condensate conduit comprising at least a PCC condensate conduit to return condensate from an associated post-combustion carbon capture plant to a location upstream of the deaerator, together with the condensate returning through the
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Inventor: Pramurtta Shourjya Majumdar
  • Patent number: 8505300
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a steam boiler/combuster and gasifier that uses a primary dirty fuel, such as waste materials, or high-polluting fossil fuels, and a secondary low-polluting fuel, such as biomass fuels for co-generation of electricity while reducing harmful emissions. The primary fuel is burned in the combuster to create steam in the steam boiler. The steam turns a steam turbine thereby powering a first generator. The dirty exhaust from the combuster is scrubbed by a gasifier. The secondary fuel and oxygen are added to the dirty exhaust in the gasifier creating gas and ash. The gas powers an engine that turns a second generator and releases a cleaner exhaust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Inventor: Randall J. Thiessen
  • Patent number: 8495878
    Abstract: The technology combines a secondarily-fueled boiler with a primary-fueled Rankine steam cycle combustion system in a hybrid process. Outputs from a secondarily-fueled combustion system are fed into the feedwater heater(s), deaerators, feedwater heating lines, and/or reheat lines of a primary-fueled Rankine system. The integrated steam flow eliminates or reduces one or more extractions from the steam turbine generator, thereby allowing it to generate more electrical power using the same Rankine system input energy or generate equivalent electrical power using energy inputs from multiple fuel sources. The technology can be utilized in any type and/or configuration of secondary fuel or secondarily-fueled combustion technology and/or can utilize any type of primary-fueled steam source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: EIF NTE Hybrid Intellectual Property Holding Company, LLC
    Inventors: Alan Roger Smithe, Mackenzie Brooke Miller, Philip J Dirkse, Seth Shortlidge
  • Patent number: 8474261
    Abstract: A steam generation system comprises a main steam generator and a back-up steam generator (20) which are both in fluid communication with a super heater (3) for superheating the generated steam. The superheater comprises a main heat source (6) for heating up a flow of heating gas. A back-up evaporator (2) is provided as a back-up steam generator for evaporating supplied water into steam. The back-up evaporator is connected in parallel to the main steam generator. An auxiliary heat source is provided for heating up the back-up evaporator. By controlling the auxiliary heat source (9), it is possible to supply more or less heat energy to the back-up evaporator to compensate for fluctuations in steam production of the main steam generator. The back-up evaporator is positioned away from the flow of heating gasses departing from the main heat source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: NEM Energy B.V.
    Inventor: Peter Simon Rop
  • Publication number: 20130153400
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for the regeneration of absorbed gas rich capture medium such as an absorption solution and the recovery of absorbed gas therefrom, an apparatus and method for the removal and recovery of a target gas from a gas stream, and the use of the same for post combustion carbon capture on a thermal power plant are described. The apparatus and method make use of a regenerative heating process. The apparatus and method are distinctly characterized by the use of CRH steam as a source of thermal energy for the heating process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventors: Scott Alexander Hume, Agnieszka Magdalena Kuczynska
  • Patent number: 8464533
    Abstract: The technology combines a secondarily-fueled boiler with a primary-fueled Rankine steam cycle combustion system in a hybrid process. Outputs from a secondarily-fueled combustion system are fed into the feedwater heater(s), deaerators, feedwater heating lines, and/or reheat lines of a primary-fueled Rankine system. The integrated steam flow eliminates or reduces one or more extractions from the steam turbine generator, thereby allowing it to generate more electrical power using the same Rankine system input energy or generate equivalent electrical power using energy inputs from multiple fuel sources. The technology can be utilized in any type and/or configuration of secondary fuel or secondarily-fueled combustion technology and/or can utilize any type of primary-fueled steam source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: EIF NTE Hybrid Intellectual Property Holding Company, LLC
    Inventors: Alan Roger Smithe, Mackenzie Brooke Miller, Philip J Dirkse, Seth Shortlidge
  • Publication number: 20130133324
    Abstract: A solar power plant includes a first solar reflective system configured to heat a first heat transfer fluid to a temperature within a first temperature range and at least a second solar reflective system coupled to the first solar reflective system, the second solar reflective system having a second heat transfer fluid configured to be heated to a temperature within the first temperature range by the first heat transfer fluid, the second solar reflective system configured to heat the second heat transfer fluid to a temperature within a second temperature range. The solar power plant may also include a power generation system coupled to the first solar reflective system and the second solar reflective system and configured to generate electricity by receiving heat from the first heat transfer fluid and the second heat transfer fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: GOSSAMER SPACE FRAMES
    Inventor: GOSSAMER SPACE FRAMES
  • Patent number: 8448440
    Abstract: A high order of thermal efficiency is achieved in a steam engine or steam expander having a piston clearance that approximates zero together with a negligible amount of compression, such that pressure in the clearance volume approximates ambient pressure, i.e. atmospheric or condenser pressure as the case may be at the end of the piston return stroke when the clearance is essentially zero and constitutes a new engine apparatus and Rankine operating cycle that can be referred to as “zero clearance with zero compression”. The steam admission valve assembly can be operated either automatically responsive to piston contact or by means of a cam shaft or electrically by means of a solenoid. A normally open exhaust valve permits residual steam to be exhausted through the piston return stroke, closed by the piston or cam then held closed by a fresh charge of steam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Thermal Power Recovery LLC
    Inventors: Jerry A. Peoples, James V. Harmon, Sr.
  • Patent number: 8443606
    Abstract: An enhanced steam cycle utilizing a dual pressure recovery boiler with reheat. A dual pressure designed recovery boiler furnace is provided with a lower furnace and an upper furnace. The lower furnace is operated at a lower temperature to prevent or reduce corrosion of the lower furnace wall tubes. The lower furnace can be either a low pressure natural circulation steam generating (drum) system or economizer. The upper furnace operates as a high pressure natural circulation steam generating (drum) system, or as a once-through supercritical steam generating system at higher temperatures and pressures permitting implementation of higher efficiency reheat steam cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Babcock & Wilcox Power Generation Group, Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Monacelli, Timothy E. Hicks, Larry A. Hiner, Steven L. Osborne
  • Patent number: 8438849
    Abstract: A waste heat recovery system includes a high pressure turbine and a low pressure turbine, in which the high pressure turbine receives high pressure working fluid vapor, the low pressure turbine receives low pressure working fluid vapor and the high pressure turbine also supplies low pressure working fluid vapor to the low pressure turbine. A recuperator receives working fluid vapor from the low pressure turbine. The recuperator produces heated condensate, at least a portion of which is provided to a high pressure vaporizer. The high pressure vaporizer is configured to receive from a high temperature heat source and produces high pressure working vapor used to power the high pressure turbine. The remaining condensed fluid is provided to a low pressure vaporizer which is configured to receive heat from a low-temperature heat source, thereby producing low pressure working fluid vapor used to power the low pressure turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Ormat Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Uri Kaplan, Joseph Sinai, Lucien Y. Bronicki
  • Publication number: 20130097993
    Abstract: A heat recovery steam generator uses heat energy extracted from the exhaust gas of a gas turbine to produce steam. The steam is provided to steam turbines of a combined cycle power plant. Intermediate pressure steam generated by an intermediate pressure evaporator is routed to first and second intermediate pressure superheaters. Also, steam exhausted from a high pressure steam turbine of a combined cycle power plant is reheated by first and second reheaters within the heat recovery steam generator. The steam output by the intermediate pressure superheaters is provided to an interstage admission port of an intermediate pressure steam turbine, and steam output by the first and second reheaters is provided as the main input steam for the intermediate pressure steam turbine of the combined cycle power plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Inventors: Himanshu RAJA, Kamlesh Mundra, John Sholes, Vivekanandhan M
  • Patent number: 8424309
    Abstract: A first and any further number of pipe steamer devices are provided. Each pipe steamer device may include a ring which has a steam pipe connection opening, a steam pipe, a water pipe, and a heating element. Each steam pipe may have a proximal end which is connected to the appropriate steam pipe connection opening and a distal end which is connected to a proximal end of the appropriate water pipe. Each water pipe may have a distal end which is located closer to the appropriate heating element than its proximal end. Each of the first steam pipe and the first water pipe may have a spiral shape. The apparatus also include a first power reinforcer device which may include a first sack and a second sack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Inventor: George Uh-Schu Liau
  • Patent number: 8408000
    Abstract: Pendular and differential periodic heat engines with theoretical efficiencies of ONE, and industrial efficiencies close to ONE, exclusively subordinate to the physical constraints inherent in any material device under ordinary conditions of use, operating with recirculation of the gases in closed loops between a thermodynamic pendulum (2/2, 2/4) made up of a chamber (1/2, 1/4) fitted with a piston (2/2, 2/4) connected to a free flywheel (3/2), and a regulated supply of heat (10/4, 10/4, etc.) positioned some distance away from the chamber of the thermodynamic pendulum (FIG. 2), with extension to turbine engines (FIG. 5) thanks to phase changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Inventor: Albert Cohen
  • Publication number: 20130019599
    Abstract: A solar thermal power plant using indirect evaporation is provided. The solar power plant includes a primary circuit having a heat transfer medium conduction system and at least one solar thermal subassembly for heating the heat transfer medium by means of solar energy, a steam secondary circuit having a steam turbine system, and a generator coupled to the steam turbine system. The system includes a specific interconnection in the heat exchanger in order to improve the overall efficiency of the power plant. A method for operating such a solar thermal power plant using indirect evaporation is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Inventors: Juergen Birnbaum, Markus Fichtner
  • Patent number: 8341960
    Abstract: For operating a multi-heat source power plant, including a thermal collector having access to heat from a solar collector as a first heat source for heating a first fluid to a first temperature, a topping power generation cycle using the first fluid as a motive fluid, and a geothermal second heat source for heating a second motive fluid, which is different from said first motive fluid, to a second temperature lower than the first temperature, a heat exchanger transfers heat from the first fluid to the second fluid to raise the temperature of the second fluid to a higher temperature. A bottoming power generation cycle uses said second fluid, heated to the higher temperature, as a motive fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Ormat Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dov Berger, Joseph Shinai, Lucien Y. Bronicki
  • Publication number: 20120317973
    Abstract: A combined cycle power plant includes a first engine, a second engine, a first heat recovery steam generator, a second heat recovery steam generator, and a steam turbine. The second engine is relatively more productive but less efficient than the first engine. The first engine generates a first exhaust gas, and the second engine generates a second exhaust gas. The first heat recovery steam generator transfers excess energy from the first exhaust gas to a first flow of water, creating a first flow of steam. The second heat recovery steam generator transfers excess energy from the second exhaust gas to a second flow of water, creating a second flow of steam. The second heat recovery steam generator further transfers excess energy from the second exhaust gas to the first flow of steam and the second flow of steam, creating a flow of superheated steam. The steam turbine receives the flow of superheated steam from the second heat recovery steam generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Seyfettin Can Gülen
  • Publication number: 20120297771
    Abstract: A structure, system, and method for controlling a power output and flue gas temperature of a power plant by adjusting final feedwater temperature are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, a turbine having a plurality of valved steam extraction ports is provided. Each steam extraction port is fluidly connected with a feedwater heater. Each of the plurality of valves in the valved steam extraction ports may be opened and closed to the passage of steam therethrough, in order to vary a final feedwater temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Nestor Hernandez Sanchez, Richard Eugene Kehl, Kamlesh Mundra, James Michael Stagnitti
  • Publication number: 20120299297
    Abstract: Methods and systems for the generation of electrical energy through the combination of steam flows produced from different fuel sources. Steam produced from processing of a biomass fuel source is combined with steam produced from the processing of natural gas or fossil fuel and routed through a steam turbine generator to produce electrical energy. The steam is preferably reheated after partial processing in the steam turbine generator and then recirculated for further processing in the steam turbine generators. Following extraction of all available energy from the steam, the steam is condensed to water, the feedwater is then reheated and pumped to the boilers of both energy sources for conversion into steam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: EIF NTE Hybrid Intellectual Property Holding Company, LLC
    Inventors: Seth Shortlidge, Gregory J. Cahill
  • Patent number: 8312703
    Abstract: A solar-thermal gas turbine generator is equipped with a compressor, a heat receiver, and a turbine. Additionally, there is a generator that is driven by the solar-thermal gas turbine to generate power; and a steam power generation cycle in which high-temperature air exhausted from the turbine is introduced into a steam generator and in which a steam turbine that is operated with steam generated at the steam generator drives a generator to generator power, wherein a solar-thermal steam generator that generates steam by being heated with heat collected by the light collector is provided upstream of the steam turbine of the steam power generation cycle, and a distribution ratio for distributing the sunlight collected by the light collector to the heat receiver and the solar-thermal steam generator is adjusted in accordance with the sunlight intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuniaki Aoyama, Kei Inoue, Kazuta Kobayashi, Masashi Tagawa, Toshiyuki Osada, Manabu Maeda
  • Publication number: 20120272650
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a power generating system which can recover exhaust heat from a working fluid of a fluid coupling and utilize the recovered exhaust heat to generate power. In the power generating system, water is supplied to a boiler (1) by a feed pump (BP) to generate steam, a steam turbine (2) is driven by using the generated steam to generate power, the steam discharged from the steam turbine (2) is condensed in a condenser (4), and then the condensed water is resupplied to the boiler (1) by the feed pump (BP). The power generating system includes a fluid coupling (10) provided between the feed pump (BP) and a motor (M) to transmit a torque from the motor (M) to the feed pump (BP) by a working fluid, and the condensed water supplied from the condenser (4) is heated by the working fluid discharged from the fluid coupling (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventor: Hiroshi Ogata
  • Publication number: 20120272648
    Abstract: An expansion system is presented. One embodiment of the expansion system that includes a pump configured to pressurize a condensed working fluid received from a condenser. The expansion system further includes a heat exchanger coupled to the pump and configured to vaporize the condensed working fluid received from the pump. The expansion system also includes an expander coupled to the heat exchanger and configured to expand the vaporized working fluid flowing from an inlet side of the expander to an outlet side of the expander. In addition, the expansion system includes a generator coupled to the expander and configured to generate energy in response to the expansion of the vaporized working fluid. Further, the expansion system includes an integrated cooling unit configured to convey at least a portion of the condensed working fluid from an inlet side of the generator to an outlet side of the generator to dissipate heat generated by the generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Gabor Ast, Herbert Kopecek, Sebastian Walter Freund, Pierre Sebastien Huck
  • Publication number: 20120266597
    Abstract: The present application and the resultant patent provide a waste heat recovery system. The waste heat recovery system may include a first organic rankine cycle system, a second organic rankine cycle system, and one or more preheaters. The preheaters may be one or more charge air coolers. The charge air coolers may be in communication with the first organic rankine cycle system, the second organic rankine cycle system, or both the first organic rankine cycle system and the second rankine cycle system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Sebastian W. Freund, Gabor Ast, Pierre Huck, Sara Rocci Denis, Monika Muehlbauer, Albert Scharl, Wolfgang Madl
  • Publication number: 20120260668
    Abstract: A combined cycle power plant is provided and includes a gas turbine engine to generate power, a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) to produce steam from high energy fluids produced from the generation of power in the gas turbine engine, a steam turbine engine to generate additional power from the steam produced in the HRSG and a thermal load reduction system to reduce thermal loading of components of the HRSG and/or the steam turbine engine during at least startup and/or part load operations, which includes an eductor by which a mixture of compressor discharge air and entrained ambient air is injectable into the HRSG and/or an attemperator to cool superheated steam to be transmitted to the steam turbine engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: David Lee Rogers, Rahul Jaikaran Chillar, Robert Frank Hoskin, Julio Enrique Mestroni, Vijay Raghavendran Nenmeni
  • Publication number: 20120255309
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus by which steam and/or hot water generated using solar energy may be utilized to generate electricity or work are disclosed herein. A method in one instance may involve driving a first turbine using a fluid having energy obtained from a main energy source other than solar energy, and using solar energy-generated hot water and/or steam as an auxiliary energy input to drive the first turbine. An apparatus in one instance may include (1) a first turbine in fluid communication with and driven by a fluid heated by a main energy source other than solar energy in fluid communication with (2) a solar steam and/or hot water generator that utilizes solar energy to generate hot water and/or steam or other working fluid as an auxiliary energy input source for the first turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Inventors: MILTON VENETOS, William Martin Conlon