Including Plural Distinct Boilers, Heat Supplies Or External Sources Of Vapor Patents (Class 60/676)
  • Patent number: 7682576
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for recovering power from an FCC product. The dry gas is combusted and combined with FCC regenerator flue gas to raise the power recovery capability of the flue gas. The flue gas can be used to generate electrical power or steam. Alternatively or additionally, dry gas from an FCC product stream is separated and delivered to an expander to recover power before combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Xin X. Zhu, Keith A. Couch, James P. Glavin
  • Publication number: 20100050654
    Abstract: In a retrofit system for hot solids combustion and gasification, a chemical looping system includes an endothermic reducer reactor 12 having at least one materials inlet 22 for introducing carbonaceous fuel and CaCO3 therein and a CaS/gas outlet 26. A first CaS inlet 40 and a first CaSO4 inlet 64 are also defined by the reducer reactor 12. An oxidizer reactor 14 is provided and includes an air inlet 68, a CaSO4/gas outlet 46, a second CaS inlet 44, and a second CaSO4 inlet 66. A first separator 30 is in fluid communication with the CaS/gas outlet 26 and includes a product gas and a CaS/gas outlet 32 and 34 from which CaS is introduced into said first and second CaS inlets. A second separator 50 is in fluid communication with the CaSO4/gas outlet 46 and has an outlet 52 for discharging gas therefrom, and a CaSO4 outlet from which CaSO4 is introduced into the first and second CaSO4 inlets 62, 66.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD.
    Inventors: John H. Chiu, Herbert E. Andrus, Gregory N. Liljedahl, Paul R. Thibeault
  • Patent number: 7665304
    Abstract: A method for generating power, comprising the steps of: a) providing a Rankine Cycle device that includes a plurality of turbo-generators, each including a turbine coupled with an electrical generator, and at least one of each of an evaporator, a condenser, and a refrigerant feed pump; b) disposing the one or more evaporators within an exhaust duct of a power plant of a marine vessel; c) operating the power plant; and d) selectively pumping refrigerant through the Rankine Cycle device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Timothy Neil Sundel
  • Publication number: 20100024424
    Abstract: A combined cycle power plant includes a steam turbine section having an inlet section and an outlet section. The steam turbine section passes steam from the inlet section toward the outlet section. The combined cycle power plant also includes a condenser fluidly connected to the outlet section of the steam turbine section. The condenser includes a plurality of heat pipes configured to extract latent heat from steam passing from the steam turbine section to form condensed water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Hua Zhang, Jatila Ranasinghe, David Wesley Ball, JR.
  • Publication number: 20100024380
    Abstract: A system for use in a combined cycle or rankine cycle power plant using an air-cooled steam condenser is provided and includes a steam turbine from which first and second steam supplies are outputted at high and low respective pressures, an air-cooled condenser configured to fluidly receive and to air-cool at least the first steam supply via a supply of air, a cooling tower from which a first water supply is cycled, a chilling coil through which a second water supply water is cycled to thereby cool the supply of air, and a vapor-absorption-machine (VAM) configured to fluidly receive the second steam supply and the first water supply by which a refrigeration cycle is conducted to thereby cool the second water supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Anil Kumar Sharma, Prakash Narayan, Shinoj Vakkayil Chandrabose
  • Patent number: 7578139
    Abstract: A controller reduces a rotational speed of a Rankine cycle from a predetermined normal rotational speed during an operation of a compressor in a predetermined state when the controller determines that a predicted refrigerant flow quantity, which is predicted by assuming that the compressor is operated in a sole operation of the Rankine cycle at the predetermined normal rotational speed of the Rankine cycle, exceeds a predetermined flow quantity. The predetermined state is a state that satisfies a predetermined condition, which relates to the sole operation of the Rankine cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION, Nippon Soken, Inc.
    Inventors: Michio Nishikawa, Atsushi Inaba, Hironori Asa, Hiroshi Kishita
  • Publication number: 20090094983
    Abstract: A steam turbine cycle of the present invention comprises a high pressure turbine 1, a reheating turbine 24, a boiler 4, feed heaters 6 for heating a feed water to the boiler 4 by a bleed steam from the turbines 1 and 24, a feed pump 12, and a condenser 10, the steam turbine cycle being a single-stage reheating cycle where a working fluid is water and using a Rankine cycle which is a regenerative cycle. A steam temperature at an outlet of the boiler is 590° C. or more. A temperature increase ratio between: a feed-water temperature increase in a first feed heater 7 corresponding to a bleed steam (high-pressure turbine exhaust bleed steam) 22 from an exhaust steam of the high pressure turbine 1; and an average of feed-water temperature increases in second feed heaters 8 where a pressure of the feed water is lower than that of the first feed heater 7; falls within 1.9-3.5.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Inventors: Koichi Goto, Nobuo Okita
  • Patent number: 7487601
    Abstract: This invention discloses systems and methods for conversion of high moisture waste materials to dry or low moisture products for recycle or reuse. The equipment systems comprise a gas turbine generator unit (preferred heat source), a dryer vessel and a processing unit, wherein the connection between the gas turbine and the dryer vessel directs substantially all the gas turbine exhaust into the dryer vessel and substantially precludes the introduction of air into the dryer vessel and wherein the processing unit forms the dried material from the dryer vessel into granules, pellets or other desired form for the final product. Optionally, the systems and methods further provide for processing ventilation air from manufacturing facilities to reduce emissions therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: EarthRenew, Inc.
    Inventors: Christianne Carin, Christianne Carin, legal representative, Alvin W. Fedkenheuer, John S. Jonasson, Alexander Starosud, Brian N. Gorbell
  • Publication number: 20080282701
    Abstract: An external combustion engine provided with a plurality of evaporators and stabilized in output and efficiency, that is, an engine provided with at least one main container, a plurality of evaporators heating the working medium to evaporate, condensers cooling the vapor of the working medium evaporated at the evaporators to make it condense, an output part communicated with the other end of the main container and converting displacement of a liquid part of the working medium occurring due to fluctuations in volume of the working medium accompanying evaporation and condensation of the working medium to mechanical energy for output, a single main container pressure adjusting means adjusting an internal pressure of the main container, and controlling means for controlling the main container pressure adjusting means based on a lowest temperature in the temperatures of the plurality of evaporators constituting a minimum evaporator temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicant: DENSO Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuya Komaki, Shinichi Yatsuzuka, Yasunori Niiyama
  • Publication number: 20080223044
    Abstract: Injection apparatus is provided for injecting a drive fluid, such as liquefied nitrogen, into the working chamber (50) of a cryogenic engine. Liquefied nitrogen is admitted to a housing (36) of the apparatus under the control of an inlet valve (42) and expelled from the housing (36) under the control of an outlet valve (48). In the housing (36), heat is transferred to the liquid nitrogen to cause a small volume of the liquefied nitrogen to boil and thereby inject the drive fluid into the cryogenic engine under pressure. In each of two embodiments (FIGS. 1 to 7) the liquid nitrogen is transferred to a warmed region of the housing by a moveable injection member (4, 20) and in two further embodiments the housing is formed as a heat exchanger through which the nitrogen passes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventor: Peter Dearman
  • Patent number: 7347049
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for generating energy, comprising a first heat exchanger in communication with a first heat source; wherein the first heat exchanger contacts a transfer fluid that comprises a working fluid and an associating composition; and a first energy conversion device comprising a moving surface, wherein the first heat exchanger is in communication with the moveable surface of the first energy conversion device; and wherein a dissociation of the transfer fluid in the first heat exchanger generates a vapor of the working fluid that contacts the moving surface of the first energy conversion device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Veera Palanivelu Rajendran, Chellappa Balan, Charles Max Byrd, Bahram Keramati, Todd Garrett Wetzel
  • Patent number: 7305829
    Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for implementing a closed loop thermodynamic cycle utilizing a multi-component working fluid to acquire heat from two or more external heat source streams in an efficient manner utilizing countercurrent exchange. The liquid multi-component working stream is heated by a first external heat source stream at a first heat exchanger and is subsequently divided into a first substream and a second substream. The first substream is heated by the first working stream at a second external heat source stream at a second heat exchanger. The second substream is heated by the second working stream at a third heat exchanger. The first substream and the second substream are then recombined into a single working stream. The recombined working stream is heated by the second external heat source stream at a fourth heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Recurrent Engineering, LLC
    Inventors: Mark D. Mirolli, Lawrence Rhodes, Yakov Lerner, Richard I. Pelletier
  • Publication number: 20070266709
    Abstract: A self-contained refrigerant powered system is provided having a motor configured for receiving liquefied refrigerant and converting the liquefied refrigerant into gaseous form for powering the motor; a condenser in fluid communication with the motor for receiving gaseous refrigerant and for converting the gaseous refrigerant to liquefied form; and at least one pipe in fluid communication with the condenser and the motor for returning the liquefied refrigerant to the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Publication date: November 22, 2007
    Inventors: Marios K. Rapitis, Markos Rapitis
  • Publication number: 20070266708
    Abstract: A self-contained refrigerant powered system is provided having a plurality of boilers each for heating a liquid refrigerant to form a gaseous refrigerant; a motor in fluid communication with each of the plurality of boilers for receiving the gaseous refrigerant, wherein the gaseous refrigerant is used to power the motor; and a condenser in fluid communication with the motor for receiving the gaseous refrigerant and for converting the gaseous refrigerant to a liquid refrigerant; and a return pipe in fluid communication with the condenser and the plurality of boilers for returning the liquid refrigerant to at least one of the plurality of boilers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Publication date: November 22, 2007
    Inventors: Marios K. Rapitis, Markos Rapitis
  • Patent number: 7124587
    Abstract: The invention is a system for heating hydrocarbon flows with three heat exchangers, wherein the first heat exchanger transfers heat from compressed heated air to a pressurized heat exchange fluid; wherein the second heat exchanger transfers heat from the pressurized heat exchange fluid to a hydrocarbon flow and increases the hydrocarbon flow temperature between 50% and 900%; wherein the third heat exchanger receives the pressurized heat exchange fluid from the first heat exchanger and cools the fluid using at least one fan located in the third heat exchanger; and the system also has a vessel to accommodate thermal expansion of the pressurized heat exchange fluid and at least one pump for transporting fluid through the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Inventors: Jonathan W. Linney, Michael B. Bibb, Timothy Ray Bauer
  • Patent number: 7096665
    Abstract: Cascading Closed Loop Cycle (CCLC) and Super Cascading Closed Loop Cycle (Super-CCLC) systems are described for recovering power in the form of mechanical or electrical energy from the waste heat of a steam turbine system. The waste heat from the boiler and steam condenser is recovered by vaporizing propane or other light hydrocarbon fluids in multiple indirect heat exchangers; expanding the vaporized propane in multiple cascading expansion turbines to generate useful power; and condensing to a liquid using a cooling system. The liquid propane is then pressurized with pumps and returned to the indirect heat exchangers to repeat the vaporization, expansion, liquefaction and pressurization cycle in a closed, hermetic process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: WOW Energies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel H. Stinger, Farouk Aslam Mian
  • Patent number: 7062915
    Abstract: High-efficiency combustion engines, including Otto cycle engines, use a steam-diluted fuel charge at elevated pressure. Air is compressed, and water is evaporated into the compressed air via the partial pressure effect using waste heat from the engine. The resultant pressurized air-steam mixture then burned in the engine with fuel, preferably containing hydrogen to maintain flame front propagation. The high-pressure, steam-laden engine exhaust is used to drive an expander to provide additional mechanical power. The exhaust can also be used to reform fuel to provide hydrogen for the engine combustion. The engine advantageously uses the partial pressure effect to convert low-grade waste heat from engine into useful mechanical power. The engine is capable of high efficiencies (e.g. >50%), with minimal emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Inventor: Lawrence G. Clawson
  • Patent number: 7032384
    Abstract: Steam turbine plant includes a steam generator, a plurality of low pressure turbines being driven by steam from the steam generator, a plurality of steam condensers to condense the steam from the low pressure turbines into condensed water and a feedwater line which supplies the condensed water to the steam generator as feedwater. The feedwater line including a plurality of feedwater heating lines connected in parallel. A number of feedwater heating lines being less than a number of steam condensers. Each of the feedwater heating lines includes at least one low pressure feedwater heater provided in at least one of the steam condensers to heat the condensed water by steam bled from the low pressure turbines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kenji Kumagai, Yukihiko Sawa, Koichi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7021059
    Abstract: A heat exchange system is provided in which low temperature water from a supply pump (15) is split and supplied to an auxiliary evaporator (17) provided so as to cover an exhaust port (16) extending from a combustion chamber of an internal combustion chamber (E) and to a main evaporator (11) provided downstream of the exhaust port (16). The direction of water flowing through the auxiliary evaporator (17) is parallel to the direction of flow of exhaust gas, and as a result an upstream section of the exhaust port (16), which has a high temperature, can be cooled effectively with low temperature water, and the escape of heat from the upstream section of the exhaust port (16) can be suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masashi Shinohara, Tsuneo Endoh, Atsushi Baba
  • Patent number: 6964167
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a steam power installation, whereby steam produced in a boiler is condensed in a condenser after passing through at least one turbine, and the condensate obtained is preheated and redirected back to the boiler as boiler feed-water. In order to preheat the condensate, said condensate is split into a first partial current and a second partial current. Only the first partial current is preheated and the second partial current is then mixed with the preheated first partial current. The power of the turbine can thus be increased as required, up to the boiler reserve of the steam power installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Tilman Abel, Dieter Blanck, Georg Haberberger, Imke Riebeck
  • Patent number: 6962054
    Abstract: The invention is a method for operating a heat exchanger in a power plant by pumping a heat exchange fluid around a set of tubes in the first heat exchanger; increasing the heat exchange fluid temperature and cooling the compressed heated air; splitting heated fluid flow into a second and third heat exchanger and a vessel; injecting a hydrocarbon flow into the set of tubes in the second heat exchanger; flowing the heated fluid into the second heat exchanger transferring heat from the heated heat exchange fluid to the hydrocarbon flow whose temperature increases between 90% and 500%; flowing the cooled heat exchange fluid to the vessel; flowing the heated fluid from the first heat exchanger to a third heat exchanger and cooling the excess heated heat exchange fluid; and using the vessel to accommodate thermal expansion of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Inventors: Jonathan W. Linney, Michael B. Bibb, Timothy Ray Bauer
  • Patent number: 6948315
    Abstract: This invention, a waste heat recycling thermal power plant (1000), extracts heat from the environment, and concentrates this heat to produce a cfc super-ambient temperature heat source (1330) having an elevated temperature sufficient to supply a useable heat flow to an incorporated heat engine (e.g., Rankine cycle, Stirling cycle, Seebeck cycle, etc.) flow circuit (1400). Further, waste heat recycling thermal power plant (1000) produces an sfc sub-ambient temperature heat sink (1250), thus increasing the applied temperature differential, thereby permitting the thermal efficiency of ihefc pressure expansion device (1460) to be increased as well. Lastly, waste heat recycling thermal power plant (1000) captures for reuse, much of the waste heat that its own operation liberates, thus lowering its net energy utilization per unit of mechanical power produced (a.k.a., heat rate, Btu/kwhr).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Inventors: Timothy Michael Kirby, Wanda Marie Kirby
  • Patent number: 6918254
    Abstract: A two-phase thermodynamic power system includes a capillary device, vapor accumulator, superheater, an inline turbine, a condenser, a liquid pump and a liquid preheater for generating output power as a generator. The capillary device, such as a loop heat pipe or a capillary pumped loop, is coupled to a vapor accumulator, superheater, the inline turbine for generating output power for power generation, liquid pump and liquid preheater. The capillary device receives input heat that is used to change phase of liquid received from the liquid preheater, liquid pump and condenser into vapor for extra heating in the superheater used to then drive the turbine. The power system is well suited for space applications using a radioisotope, active nuclear or solar heat source. The system can use waste heat from various dynamic or static power systems as a heat source and waste heat from spacecraft components such as electronics as a heat source. These heat sources can be used separately or in any combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: The Aerospace Corporation
    Inventor: Karl William Baker
  • Patent number: 6910334
    Abstract: A new thermodynamic cycle is disclosed for converting energy from a low temperature stream, external source into useable energy using a working fluid comprising of a mixture of a low boiling component and a higher boiling component and including a higher pressure circuit and a lower pressure circuit. The cycle is designed to improve the efficiency of the energy extraction process by recirculating a portion of a liquid stream prior to further cooling. The new thermodynamic processes and systems for accomplishing these improved efficiencies are especially well-suited for streams from low-temperature geothermal sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Kalex, LLC
    Inventor: Alexander I. Kalina
  • Patent number: 6857269
    Abstract: A two-phase thermodynamic power system includes a capillary device, an inline turbine, and a condenser for generating output power as a generator or receiving input power as a refrigerator. The capillary device, such as a heat loop pipe or a capillary pumped loop, is coupled to the inline turbine for generating output power for power generation or for receiving input power for powered refrigeration. The capillary device receives input heat that is used to change phase of liquid received from the condenser into vapor for driving the turbine. The power system is well suited for space applications using a radioisotope heat source, using waste heat from a radioisotope power system as a heat source, waste heat from spacecraft components such as electronics as a heat source or solar energy as a heat source. The heat source is useful for driving the capillary wick as well as a superheater for increased power efficiency and lifetime operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: The Aerospace Corporation
    Inventor: Karl William Baker
  • Patent number: 6834503
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the operation of a steam thermal engine, whereby the hot steam from a working medium is converted into kinetic energy, by means of a pressure-releasing device (1). The working medium is heated in a boiler (6) to a low temperature, preferably boiling point at a low pressure, steam is taken from the boiler (6) to a pressure chamber (7, 8), in which the steam is heated to a higher temperature. Liquid working medium (or condensate) is injected from the boiler (6) into the pressure chamber (7, 8) whereupon the working medium is instantaneously evaporated, such that the pressure in the pressure chamber (7, 8) rises markedly and the steam is fed from the pressure chamber (7, 8) to the pressure-releasing device (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Raymond Freymann
  • Patent number: 6829895
    Abstract: A new system and method for extracting useful work from geothermal streams is disclosed. The systems and methods of this invention can achieve an estimated 20 to 30% improvement in output efficiency. The increased efficiency is derived from a secondary energy conversion step involving a low pressure vapor stream of variable composition and a low pressure turbine, which expands the vapor stream to produce the improved efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Kalex, LLC
    Inventor: Alexander I. Kalina
  • Patent number: 6820423
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a method for retrofitting a power plant that reduces the consumption of fossil fuel using compressed heated air by retrofitting the power plant by adding at least three heat exchangers, a vessel, a pump, and a control system to the power plant, wherein the first heat exchanger receives compressed heated air from a power source and produces heated heat exchange fluid and a second heat exchanger heats a hydrocarbon flow that drives a turbine coupled to a generator in the power plant, wherein the generator produces power and exhaust gases, wherein the method entails pumping a heat exchange fluid through a first heat exchanger; exchanging heat with compressed heated air; splitting heated fluid flow into a second heat exchanger and a vessel; flowing the heated fluid through a second heat exchanger exchanging heat with a hydrocarbon flow; flowing the heated fluid from the vessel to a third heat exchanger; and using the vessel to accommodate fluid thermal expansion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Inventors: Jonathan W. Linney, Michael B. Bibb, Timothy Ray Bauer
  • Patent number: 6817182
    Abstract: High-efficiency combustion engines, including Otto cycle engines, use a steam-diluted fuel charge at elevated pressure. Air is compressed, and water is evaporated into the compressed air via the partial pressure effect using waste heat from the engine. The resultant pressurized air-steam mixture then burned in the engine with fuel, preferably containing hydrogen to maintain flame front propagation. The high-pressure, steam-laden engine exhaust is used to drive an expander to provide additional mechanical power. The exhaust can also be used to reform fuel to provide hydrogen for the engine combustion. The engine advantageously uses the partial pressure effect to convert low-grade waste heat from engine into useful mechanical power. The engine is capable of high efficiencies (e.g. >50%), with minimal emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Inventor: Lawrence G. Clawson
  • Patent number: 6751959
    Abstract: A simple, compact, and relatively efficient thermodynamic power cycle system and process for extracting heat from a heat source stream and converting a portion of the heat to mechanical power. The system and process are composed of the same series of four processing units or steps found in the most basic form of a Rankine power cycle: (1) heating (means) of a pressurized working fluid to produce a superheated gas, (2) expansion (means) to a lower pressure to produce power, (3) condensation (means) of the low pressure gas to a liquid, and (4) pumping (means) of the liquid to high pressure to complete the cycle. The working fluid is heated under pressures above critical. The working fluid must have a critical temperature more than 40° F. lower than the temperature of the heat source stream and a normal boiling point less than 32° F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Tennessee Valley Authority
    Inventors: Timmons S. McClanahan, Michael C. Crim
  • Publication number: 20040107700
    Abstract: A simple, compact, and relatively efficient thermodynamic power cycle system and process for extracting heat from a heat source stream and converting a portion of the heat to mechanical power. The system and process are composed of the same series of four processing units or steps found in the most basic form of a Rankine power cycle: (1) heating (means) of a pressurized working fluid to produce a superheated gas, (2) expansion (means) to a lower pressure to produce power, (3) condensation (means) of the low pressure gas to a liquid, and (4) pumping (means) of the liquid to high pressure to complete the cycle. The working fluid is heated under pressures above critical. The working fluid must have a critical temperature more than 40° F. lower than the temperature of the heat source stream and a normal boiling point less than 32° F.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Applicant: TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY
    Inventors: Timmons S. McClanahan, Michael C. Crim
  • Patent number: 6725663
    Abstract: The invention relates to a power plant (1), with at least one turbo group (2) comprising at least one turbine (3) and at least one main burner (5) which is arranged upstream of the turbine (3), with at least one recuperator (11) which is arranged, on the one hand, in a first flow path (15) leading gas toward the turbo group (2) and, on the other hand, in a second flow path (12) leading the gas away from the turbo group (2), with at least one auxiliary burner (19) which is arranged outside the second flow path (12) and which is connected on the outlet side, at or upstream of the recuperator (11), to the second flow path (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Alstom Technology LTD
    Inventors: Velimir Bakran, Peter Keller-Sornig, Ilja Tuschy
  • Patent number: 6688106
    Abstract: A waste-to-energy incineration system, in which the amount and heat value of exhaust gas largely changes in long and short periods, comprises an incinerator for burning waste, a boiler in the incinerator for generating steam with exhaust heat generated by the incinerator, a superheater for superheating steam generated in the boiler, a steam turbine driven by steam superheated by the superheater, a generator driven by the steam turbine, a fuel reformer for reforming source fuel, and a combustor burning fuel gas reformed by the fuel reformer and at least a part of exhaust gas led from the incinerator which is able to stably decompose generated dioxin in waste incineration exhaust gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Okusawa, Kazuhito Koyama, Masahiko Yamagishi, Shigeo Hatamiya, Taiko Ajiro, Megumi Sunou, Yukio Ishigaki, Kenji Tokunaga
  • Patent number: 6637206
    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: January 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Inventor: Randall J. Thiessen
  • Publication number: 20030192315
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing energy is provided for generating renewable energy. Captive compressed fluid cycles between two coupled containers through a motive power source. The captive compressed fluid flows between the containers in response to a difference in the pressure of the compressed fluid within the first container compared to the pressure of the compressed fluid within the second container. This pressure differential develops as the compressed fluid within the first container experiences a temperature change of a differing percentage magnitude or direction than the compressed fluid within the second container over the same period of time. The differing percentage temperature fluctuations result as the containers are provided dissimilar exposure to natural renewable or man-made energy sources or are insulated therefrom. A continuous supply of additional compressed fluid is not required, nor is fluid routinely vented to the atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventor: Craig C. Corcoran
  • Publication number: 20030167769
    Abstract: A power generating system (110) comprising a heat source (116) and an incremental vapor generator system (112) operatively associated with the heat source (116). The incremental vapor generator system (112) includes a first heating section (136) and a second heating section (138). The first heating section (136) receives a mixed working fluid (114) and generates a first heated working fluid stream comprising a vapor portion (120) and a liquid portion. The second heating section (138) is operatively associated with the first heating section (136) and receives the liquid portion from the first heated working fluid stream. The second heating section (138) generates a second heated working fluid stream comprising a vapor portion (122). An energy conversion device (126) operatively associated with the incremental vapor generator system (112) converts into useful work heat energy contained in the vapor portions (120, 122) of the first and second heated working fluid streams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Inventors: Desikan Bharathan, Vahab Hassani
  • Patent number: 6601391
    Abstract: A waste heat recovery system incorporates a contactor for counter current direct heat exchange between a non-condensible gas and a liquid, typically hot water. The water is from a heat source available at the site such as a solar source, a geothermal source, an industrial plant or the like. Hot mainly saturated gas exits from the contactor and drives a motor, typically a turbine. The turbine drive a work consuming device, normally an electric generator. A condenser/separator downstream from the turbine condenses the water vapor and separates the non-condensible gas from the liquid. The liquid from the condenser is preferably recycled or may be discarded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: GeoSol, Inc.
    Inventor: Donnie W. Alexander
  • Publication number: 20030110773
    Abstract: A closed loop Rankine bottoming cycle including a heat exchanger coupled to an exhaust port of a first turbogenerator for heating a pressurized refrigerant into a gaseous phase, and a second turbogenerator (e.g., a turbo expander) coupled to the heat exchanger for expanding the gaseous phase so as to create power. Also included is a cooling mechanism coupled to an exhaust of the second turbogenerator for cooling the gaseous phase exhausted by the second turbogenerator into a liquid phase, and a pumping mechanism for pressurizing the liquid phase into the pressurized refrigerant heated by the heat exchanger. A computer program product and method for operating and synchronizing the generator included in the closed loop, so as to optimize the overall system efficiency is also included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2003
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Applicant: Capstone Turbine Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory C. Rouse, Bill Treece, Jeff Willis, David Calta
  • Publication number: 20030106316
    Abstract: A waste heat recovery system for an internal combustion engine is provided, which is configured as follows. The internal combustion engine (1) generates first and second raised temperature portions (202, 204) by operation thereof. A degree of raised temperature is higher at the first raised temperature portion (202) than at the second raised temperature portion (204). A first evaporating portion (205) of evaporating device (3) generates a first vapor with raised temperature by using the first raised temperature portion (202). A second evaporating portion (206) generates a second vapor with raised temperature by using the second raised temperature portion (204) and with a lower pressure than the first vapor. A first energy converting portion (207) of a displacement type expander (4) converts an expansion energy of the first vapor into a mechanical energy. A second energy converting portion (208) converts an expansion energy of the second vapor into a mechanical energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Inventors: Tsuneo Endoh, Haruhiko Komatsu, Masahiko Minemi, Tsuyoshi Baba, Kensuke Honma
  • Publication number: 20030097840
    Abstract: The invention relates to an integrated power plant, which burns fuel using an oxygen-enriched stream in a combustion furnace and converts emissions of air pollutants and carbon dioxide into byproducts. The combustion flue gas stream, after leaving an economizer of a steam generation system, splits into stream A and stream B. Stream A recirculates back to the combustion furnace through the first flue gas recirculation fan for combustion temperature control. Stream B, after passing through a dust collector for fly ash removal, a series of condensers for byproduct recovery, and the second flue gas recirculation fan, mixes with an oxygen-enriched stream from an air separation unit and flows back to the combustion furnace. The plant does not need an exhaust stack and does not discharge combustion flue gases into the atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2001
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Inventor: Justin Chin-Chung Hsu
  • Publication number: 20030097841
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a device for cooling the inflow area (37) of the shaft of a steam turbine (10). According to the invention, a partial mass flow m1 is branched off upstream of a feed device (23) that supplies the steam to the steam turbine (10). Said partial mass flow is cooled and then guided to the feed device (23), from where it is supplied to the steam turbine (10)t together with the remaining mass flow m2. The inventive method and device allow for a simplified control and design of the turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2002
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Inventors: Hans-Joachim Endries, Udo Gande, Volker Taubitz, Michael Wechsung
  • Patent number: 6526754
    Abstract: A combined cycle power plant includes a gasifier for converting biomass material, low grade coal, etc., to combustible gases and producing heat, an internal combustion engine coupled to a generator for burning the combustible gases and driving said generator which produces power. The internal combustion engine rejects heat and produces hot exhaust gases. A vaporizer containing an organic fluid is responsive to the hot exhaust gases for vaporizing the organic fluid and producing vaporized organic fluid which is supplied to an organic vapor turbine coupled to a generator. The turbine expands the vaporized organic fluid driving the generator and producing expanded vaporized organic fluid which is condensed in a condenser. The condensate produced by the condenser is returned to the vaporizer. At least some of the heat rejected by the internal combustion engine is transferred the condensate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Ormat Industries Ltd.
    Inventor: Lucien Y. Bronicki
  • Publication number: 20030033807
    Abstract: The invention relates to a power plant (1),
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventors: Velimir Bakran, Peter Keller-Sornig, Ilja Tuschy
  • Publication number: 20030024248
    Abstract: In a method for controlling a steam turbine installation having a reheater (7) arranged between high-pressure turbine (2) and medium-pressure turbine (3) or low-pressure turbine (4), a low-pressure bypass (18) with a low-pressure bypass valve (19) also being present, which bypass leads from the reheater outlet into a condenser (5), a flexible and optimum control with respect to variable high-pressure turbine exhaust steam temperature (THD) is achieved in that characteristic curves for the required value of the reheater pressure are used for controlling the low-pressure bypass valve (19) during run-up, during (partial) load rejection procedures or during idling, which characteristic curves depend on the load (L) applied to the installation, and/or on the pressure (P) before the high-pressure turbine blading and/or on the reheater steam flow (M), and also on the high-pressure turbine exhaust steam temperature (THD), and/or on the temperature (TFD) and/or on the pressure (pFD) of the live steam introduced into t
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: Stefan Klatt, Kurt Schnaithmann
  • Publication number: 20020148225
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for recovering work from a gas turbine and providing a cooled inlet air, a refrigeration capacity and that may use a common working fluid in both systems . More importantly the system provides a working fluid for more efficient heat transfer by maintaining a supercritical working fluid in an energy recovery system, for example, recovery of waste heat from a gas turbine exhaust.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventor: Larry Lewis
  • Patent number: 6460338
    Abstract: An absorption waste-heat recovery system includes a high temperature generator for directly receiving a heat medium fluid containing waste heat for recovering heat therefrom and concentrating a solution having an absorbent dissolved therein and generating steam, a low temperature generator for re-concentrating the concentrated solution after reduction of its temperature by heat recovering means in the system by using the steam from the high temperature generator as heat source, an auxiliary generator for introducing the heat medium fluid after its heat recovery at the high temperature generator and again recovering heat therefrom, a condenser capable of condensing steam from the auxiliary generator and steam after the re-concentration of the concentrated solution at the low temperature generator, an evaporator for evaporating the condensed water condensed at the condenser, and an absorber for receiving the concentrated solution from the low temperature generator and the concentrated solution from the auxiliar
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Takuma Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masatoshi Katayama, Takafumi Origane, Kenji Matsuda
  • Patent number: 6442938
    Abstract: A waste-to-energy incineration system, in which the amount and the heat value of exhaust gas largely changes in long and a short periods, comprises an incinerator for burning waste, a boiler in the incinerator for generating steam with exhaust heat generated by the incinerator, a superheater for superheating steam generated in the boiler, a steam turbine driven by steam superheated by the superheater, a generator driven by the steam turbine, a fuel reformer for reforming source fuel, and a combustor burning fuel gas reformed by the fuel reformer and at least a part of exhaust gas led from the incinerator which is able to stably decompose generated dioxin in waste incineration exhaust gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Okusawa, Kazuhito Koyama, Masahiko Yamagishi, Shigeo Hatamiya, Taiko Ajiro, Megumi Sunou, Yukio Ishigaki, Kenji Tokunaga
  • Publication number: 20020062647
    Abstract: An absorption waste-heat recovery system includes a high temperature generator for directly receiving a heat medium fluid containing waste heat for recovering heat therefrom and concentrating a solution having an absorbent dissolved therein and generating steam, a low temperature generator for re-concentrating the concentrated solution after reduction of its temperature by heat recovering means in the system by using the steam from the high temperature generator as heat source, an auxiliary generator for introducing the heat medium fluid after its heat recovery at the high temperature generator and again recovering heat therefrom, a condenser capable of condensing steam from the auxiliary generator and steam after the re-concentration of the concentrated solution at the low temperature generator, an evaporator for evaporating the condensed water condensed at the condenser, and an absorber for receiving the concentrated solution from the low temperature generator and the concentrated solution from the auxiliar
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Applicant: TAKUMA CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masatoshi Katayama, Takafumi Origane, Kenji Matsuda
  • Patent number: 6298665
    Abstract: A power generating device employing hydrogen absorbing alloy and low heat and further comprising: two types of hydrogen absorbing alloys which are able to reversibly absorb and release hydrogen gas and which have different thermal equilibrium hydrogen pressure characteristics; said two types of hydrogen absorbing alloys loaded respectively in a first determined hydrogen absorbing alloy heat exchanger container (1) and a second determined hydrogen absorbing alloy heat exchanger container (2) which are connected ventably to each other; at least two sets of heat generating cycles which employ heat generated when hydrogen gas is moved between said first hydrogen absorbing alloy heat exchanger container (1) and second hydrogen absorbing alloy heat exchanger container (2) provided; a hydrogen compound of one of said hydrogen absorbing alloys at a low temperature side having a higher equilibrium pressure at the same temperature is heated by at least one low quality heat sources (8)(9)(10) having a temperature from 1
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: World Fusion Limited
    Inventor: Yasuaki Osumi
  • Patent number: 6282900
    Abstract: A calcium carbide based power system for stationary and mobile power plants. The carbide is reacted with water to create heat and acetylene, with the acetylene then being burned to heat a boiler for providing steam to a steam expander. The exhaust of the steam expander is condensed and pumped back into the boiler, first being pre-heated by a heat exchanger using the heat in burner exhaust gas and then in the carbide-water reactor to further pre-heat the boiler makeup water (steam) and to cool the reactor. The system may limit the excess water required for the carbide-water reactor, and provides recovery of the heat given off in the generation and combustion of the acetylene for maximum system efficiency. The system may further provide for preheating the combustion air with waste heat from the exhaust of the steam expander. The system may further provide for preheating the combustion air with heat from the acetylene produced by the reactor, thereby removing moisture from the acetylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Inventor: Ealious D. Bell