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.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for matching a secondary steam supply to a main steam supply of a limited enthalpy steam generator when the limited enthalpy steam generator is operating at partial capacity to maintain a primary turbine at full capacity. The limited enthalpy steam generator is connected to the primary turbine with a main steam line. The method and apparatus of the present invention rely upon (a) a secondary steam line connected to the main steam line; wherein (b) the secondary steam is at a secondary steam thermodynamic state substantially matching a main steam thermodynamic state of the main steam as a combined steam; and (c) the combined steam is passed to the primary turbine at full capacity.

Abstract: A power generating device employing hydrogen absorbing alloy and low heat wherein two types of hydrogen absorbing alloys that can reversibly absorb and release hydrogen gas and have different thermal equilibrium hydrogen pressure characteristics are used and loaded, respectively, in a first hydrogen absorbing alloy heat exchanger container (1) and a second hydrogen absorbing alloy heat exchanger container (2) that are ventilably connected to each other, wherein at least two sets of heat generating cycles are provided that employ heat generated when hydrogen gas is moved between the first hydrogen absorbing alloy heat exchanger container (1) and the second hydrogen absorbing alloy heat exchanger container (2), wherein a low temperature side hydrogen absorbing alloy hydrogen compound that has a higher equilibrium hydrogen pressure at the same temperature is heated by low quality heat sources (8, 9, 10), wherein released hydrogen is absorbed by a high temperature side hydrogen absorbing alloy having a lower equi

Abstract: The invention comprising an apparatus for evaporating water in a mixture of water and solids derived from the organic output from a waste water treatment plant. A low cost source of gaseous heat (as the exhaust from a gas turbine driver and in combination with an auxiliary combustor) is used for evaporating the water and safe conditioning the evaporated water vapor after being combined with the exhaust from the gaseous heat source. The solids portion of the organic output from the waste water treatment plant is segregated and safe conditioned separately.

Abstract: A conventional steam power plant or a combined power plant is provided with intermediate superheating. At least part of the superheated steam in the superheater (3) and the intermediately superheated steam in the intermediate superheater (9) are subject to an indirect heat exchange. The device is characterized in that the superheater (3) and the intermediate superheater (9) are provided with at least one mutual superheater/intermediate superheater heat exchanger unit (19). The unit (19) includes, for example, a double-walled pipe (21) whose inner pipe is provided for the superheater steam flow, and whose outer pipe is provided for the intermediate superheater steam.

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.

Abstract: A large electrical power plant includes two operating units, one of which is more efficient and is run as a base load unit. The less efficient operating unit is run only during periods of peak demand or when the more efficient unit is down. Hot condensate from the more efficient unit is cooled in the condenser of the less efficient unit and then sprayed into the turbine outlet of the more efficient unit. This condenses steam more efficiently, at a lower pressure, and allows the more efficient unit to produce more electricity because there is a greater pressure differential across the turbine. In addition, cool condensate is sprayed into the duct connecting the turbine and the condenser to reduce choking flow, when it is prone to occur. In addition, cool make up water is sprayed into the condenser of the operating unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing power from a geothermal fluid that is a mixture of high pressure steam and brine comprising a separator, a steam turbine coupled to a generator, a steam condenser, the vaporized organic fluid is supplied to a superheater, an organic vapor turbine coupled to a generator, an organic vapor condenser. The apparatus further comprises a preheater which preheats the organic condensate and produces a stream of pre-heated organic fluid that is supplied to the steam condenser as well as a stream of cooled steam condensate. A recuperator is provided for transferring heat from the heat depleted organic fluid produced by the organic vapor turbine to organic condensate produced by the organic vapor condenser. The heated organic condensate produced by the recuperator is supplied to the preheater while cooled, heat depleted organic vapor produced by the recuperator is supplied to the organic vapor condenser.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for the superheating of steam is used, in particular, for converting saturated steam into hot steam in the field of nuclear energy generation. As a result of at least partial conversion of pressure energy of the steam into kinetic energy, in particular into kinetic energy of a rotational flow, the steam cools and condensate and residual steam are generated. After the condensate has been separated from the residual steam, the latter is superheated as a result of a reduction of its kinetic energy and is converted into hot steam.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for implementing a thermodynamic cycle. A heated gaseous working stream including a low boiling point component and a higher boiling point component is separated, and the low boiling point component is expanded to transform the energy of the stream into useable form and to provide an expanded relatively rich stream. This expanded rich stream is then split into two streams, one of which is expanded further to obtain further energy, resulting in a spent stream, the other of which is extracted. The lean unexpanded stream and the spent rich stream are then combined in a regenerating subsystem with the extracted stream to reproduce the working stream, which is then efficiently heated in a heater to provide the heated gaseous working stream that is separated.

Abstract: An electrical power generating system has been invented, with, in one aspect, a combustion chamber for the combustion of oxygen and hydrogen and for producing hot water and hot gas, a first turbine system fired by the hot gas from the combustion chamber producing electrical power and hot water, a tank for the collection of hot water from the combustion chamber and from the first turbine system, a steam boiler receiving hot water from the tank and producing steam, a second turbine system run by the steam from the steam boiler and producing electrical power and hot water. A method for producing electrical power has been invented using such an electrical power generating system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the temperature of a flue gas stream entering a Selective Catalytic Reduction chamber in a steam generating power plant that utilizes Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) to lower NO.sub.x emissions is disclosed. The method involves the utilization of superheated steam to control the temperature of the flue gas prior to the flue gas entering the Selective Catalytic Reduction chamber such that there is a reduction in lost energy to the thermodynamic steam cycle caused by spray desuperheating.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for improving the thermal efficiency of a steam turbine power generating plant while simultaneously desalinating seawater or brine and purifying water which contains minerals, salts, and other dissolved solids. Exhaust gases from a power plant is heat exchanged against water in a secondary ecomomizer which circulates water at a temperature near, or slightly above the dewpoint of the combustion exhaust of the high-pressure boiler. The heated water is flashed to produce low-pressure steam. The low-pressure steam is condensed against the last effect of a multi-effect desalinization unit. Steam from the first effect of the desalination unit is condensed against steam condensate from the power plant turbine to preheat the condensate and thereby recover heat from the power plant's exhaust gas. Salinous water is fed to the multi-effect desalinization unit to produce fresh water and a concentrated brine.

Abstract: The system comprises providing every oven (1) used in a ceramic enamelling plant with an operative unit (3) that works with an exchanger (4) and a filter (5) that allows most of the waste products entrained by the fumes to be recovered, sent back to the oven (1) and hence be recycled. The operative units (3) of the various ovens (1), in accordance with the improvements, are in direct communication and in open circuit with an output exchanger (9) associated with a turbogenerator (10), using air as the heat transmission fluid. The turbogenerator (10) includes a secondary circuit (11) of the exchanger (9), using a vapor fluid to drive a turbine (12) that in turn drives an alternator (13) for generating electric power.

Abstract: An electric power generation system combines a gas turbine generator with a solar power plant and utilizes the gas turbine exhaust for steam superheating and feed water heating only. The solar heater is only utilized for boiling or evaporation of feed water into steam, the feed water having previously been heated by a downstream portion of the turbine exhaust. In order to balance the disparity between the specific heats of water and steam to thus optimize the system, the steam is superheated by an upstream portion of the turbine exhaust to first drive a high pressure steam turbine and then reheated by the same exhaust over the same temperature range to drive a low pressure steam turbine.

Abstract: A power plant has two fluidized beds, one of the fluidized beds being used for generating main steam and the other being used for generating reheated steam. Further, the power plant includes a control apparatus for controlling the main steam by adjusting the fuel flow for the main steam generating fluidized bed and the fuel flow for the reheated steam generating fluidized bed so that each of the main steam temperature and the reheated temperature is maintained at a respective predetermined value.

Abstract: A method for using a two-phase fluid includes separating the fluid into its two phases, one of which is a hot gas containing energy in the form of latent heat, and one of which is a hot liquid containing energy in the form of sensible heat; converting sensible heat in the liquid to sensible heat in a working fluid for producing preheated working fluid; and transferring latent heat in the gas to the preheated working fluid for vaporizing the same at substantially constant temperature and pressure.

Abstract: A hybrid biomass natural gas/oil power generator system includes a circulating fluidized bed boiler which burns, for example, wood chips, a combustion turbine driven mainly by natural gas and a steam turbine. The wood chip boiler has its hot flue gas utilized to provide both steam, hot water and hot air which is eventually used by the combustion turbine. This hot air is first humidified and then has its temperature raised to approximately the boiler temperature by passing it over or through hot solids obtained from the boiler. The filtered humid air is mixed with steam and combusted natural gas to drive the combustion turbine. Lastly the hot solids from the boiler are also used for drying the wood fed to the wood chip boiler.

Abstract: An electric power generation system combines a gas turbine generator with a solar power plant and utilizes the gas turbine exhaust for steam superheating and feed water heating only. The solar heater is only utilized for boiling or evaporation of feed water into steam, the feed water having previously been heated by a downstream portion of the turbine exhaust. In order to balance the disparity between the specific heats of water and steam to thus optimize the system, the steam is superheated by an upstream portion of the turbine exhaust to first drive a high pressure steam turbine and then reheated by the same exhaust over the same temperature range to drive a low pressure steam turbine.

Abstract: A device and method of operating a diaphragm pump having at least three chambers is used in a vapor compression refrigeration system. Each chamber contains a fluid having a different set of pressure and temperature characteristics. Adjacent chambers are separated by movable barriers, such as flexible diaphragms or pistons, that are sequentially moved by pressure changes resulting from heating and cooling the fluids. The fluids are chosen so that driving fluids operate in a substantially narrower temperature range than a working fluid but have the same operating pressure range permitting use of a thermal energy source having a selected temperature to power the pump. Optimal selection of both driving fluids and the working fluid permits use of a low grade heat source for thermal energy.

Abstract: An energy recovery, pressure reducing system for reducing high pressure gas in a transmission pipeline to a low pressure gas in a consumer pipeline includes an expander system having at least one expander for expanding the high pressure gas and producing work and low pressure gas that is supplied to the consumer pipeline, and a generator coupled to said expander for converting the work to electricity which is supplied to an electrical load. The system further includes apparatus including an on/off valve serially connected to a pressure regulating valve, the apparatus being connected in parallel with the expander system. The on/off valve has an open state for effecting transmission of gas through the pressure regulating valve which has an adjustable flow control opening for throttling high pressure gas and producing low pressure gas when the on/off valve is in its open state; and a closed state for preventing transmission of gas through the pressure regulating valve.

Abstract: A method for using a two-phase fluid includes separating the fluid into its two phases, one of which is a hot gas containing energy in the form of latent heat, and one of which is a hot liquid containing energy in the form of sensible heat; converting sensible heat in the liquid to sensible heat in a working fluid for producing preheated working fluid; and transferring latent heat in the gas to the preheated working fluid for vaporizing the same at substantially constant temperature and pressure.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for desalinating seawater or brine and purifying water which contains minerals, salts, and other dissolved solids while simultaneously generating power. The salinous water is heated in a boiler to form steam and a concentrated brine. The concentrated brine is removed from the boiler, the steam produced in the boiler is washed with fresh water to remove trace salts and inorganic materials, and water bearing trace salts and inorganic materials are returned to the boiler. The washed steam is expanded across a turbine to generate electrical or mechanical power which is utilized as a product. The steam exhausted from the turbine is collected and condensed, and one portion of the condensed water is utilized as a fresh water product and another portion of the condensed water is used as the wash water to wash the steam produced in the boiler. Energy efficiency is improved by heat exchanging the hot concentrated brine against the salinous feed water or by flashing the brine to produce steam.

Abstract: Conversion of heat from high-temperature off-gases into useful work is accomplished with a process having first and second stages. The first stage comprises preheating feed water with heat from the off-gases, converting this into steam, passing the steam into a steam expander which drives a first machine, condensing the low pressure exhaust from the expander, and returning the condensate to the preheater to repeat the cycle. The second stage comprises preheating liquid fluorocarbon working fluid, passing the working fluid through a separator and then through the steam condenser, from which a liquid/gas mixture of the working fluid is routed back to the separator, superheating the gaseous working fluid by off-gases, passing the gaseous working fluid into an expander which drives a second machine, condensing the low pressure exhaust from the expander, and returning the liquid fluorocarbon working fluid to the preheater to repeat the cycle.

Abstract: In a combustion gas heat recovery plant having a plurality of ovens, each oven is provided, at an exhaust passage thereof, with an operative filtering unit. Each operative filtering unit has a heat exchanger receiving fumes from the oven, cooling the same and thereby heating water or any other suitable fluid flowing therein. A filter receives the cooled waste products from the heat exchanger and filters the same to recover the waste products which are sent back to the oven and thus recycled. The hot water from the heat exchangers is fed into a heat transmitting circuit which is connected with another heat exchanger positioned at an output thereof and connected to an organic cycle power plant which has a secondary circuit using a high molecular mass organic fluid flowing therethrough to drive a turbine which drives an alternator which generates electric power.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for supplying heat to an externally fired power system by using a multistage system having two or more combustion zones. Each combustion zone has an associated heat exchanger that conveys a respective working fluid stream from the externally fired power system. Each combustion zone receives a portion of the total amount of combustion fuel, and the amount of fuel and air supplied to each combustion zone is adjusted to control the temperature to a predetermined value.

Abstract: A heat recovery method is disclosed suitable for combined gas turbine/steam turbine cycles including at the exhaust of a gas turbine a waste heat boiler in which water is first treated in a degassing unit connected to a first evaporator and comprising a certain number of heat exchangers. The boiler uses an ultrasupercritical steam cycle with four pressure levels with subcritical fluid intermediate evaporator stages.

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

Abstract: A Rankine cycle power plant includes a pair of multistage turbine modules each of which has an input for receiving vaporized working fluid and an output shaft, and each of which is responsive to vaporized working fluid applied to its input for expanding the working fluid and producing work at the output shaft and heat depleted working fluid that is superheated. An electrical generator is located between the modules and directly coupled to their output shafts. Superheated, heat depleted working fluid from one of the modules is supplied to the input of the other of the modules.

Abstract: An apparatus for introducing feed water into a steam generator, preferably into a waste-heat boiler of a combined-cycle power station having at least one waste-heat boiler, includes at least one feed-water container and a high-pressure system and a low-pressure system to be fed from the at least one feed-water container. The high-pressure and low-pressure systems each have respective feed-water pump lines, pumps connected in the feed-water pump lines, and an electrical drive motor. Each of the drive motors drive one of the pumps for the low-pressure system and one of the pumps for the high-pressure system in common.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for recovering energy from low-grade fuels such as industrial, municipal and agricultural waste, low-grade carbonaceous fuels such as lignite and similar solid fuels in which the fuel is comminuted into small particles and slurried in water. The alkali content of the slurry is adjusted to be at least about equal to the chemical equivalent of the halogen content of the slurry and, following pressurization of the slurry, it is heated sufficiently so that the substantial portion of chemically bound oxygen in the fuel separates therefrom as carbon dioxide, leaving a slurry including char particles and dissolved impurities such as halogen salts. The char particles are removed from the slurry and reslurried with just enough halogen-free water to provide the slurry with the needed viscosity to maximize the energy density thereof.

Abstract: Multiple steam powered cylinders reciprocate to pivot arms back and forth connected to output drive shafts through one way clutches with the output drive shafts being interconnected through gears such that when one shaft is powered, the other is coasting. The inlet and outlet valves for each cylinder chamber are controlled by an actuator which instantaneously snaps the valves between open and closed positions. The power cylinders may be operated individually, in parallel or in series and as required, a valve passageway through the piston may be operated to equalize pressure. A pair of O-rings on the piston engage the cylinder wall only when the adjacent chamber is pressurized, thereby reducing drag in operation of the piston.

Abstract: A multi-stage combustion apparatus and method for use with externally fired power plants that allows the temperature of the heat released at any stage to be matched to the thermal characteristics of the working fluid from the power plant.

Abstract: A method for producing power comprises compressing gas from an ambient source during a first period of time; storing the compressed gas in a storage reservoir; and supplying said compressed gas from the storage reservoir to a gas turbine during a second period of time to produce electric power. The first period of time may coincide with periods of off-peak demand for electricity, such as at night. In such case, the said second period of time is during the day. The compressed gas supplied to the gas turbine may be heated in a combustion chamber wherein fuel is burned, and/or a solar collector. The solar collector may comprise a receiver positioned at the top of a tower for receiving the compressed gas, and tracking reflectors for focusing solar on said receiver and heating the gas therein. The solar radiation receiver may comprise a rotatable ceramic member for transferring heat from solar radiation to the gas.

Abstract: A combined cycle power system is disclosed in which condensate from a steam turbine is reheated in at least one heat recovery steam generator by exhaust gas from at least one gas turbine, and wherein at east one heat recovery steam generator includes at least one superheater and at least one reheater. In a preferred arrangement, the high temperature section of the superheater is located within the heat recovery steam generator so as to present first heat exchange surfaces to exhaust gas entering the heat recovery steam generator from at least one gas turbine, to thereby lower the exhaust gas temperature at the inlet to the reheater.

Abstract: A boiler plant, comprising at least a first boiler and a second boiler. The first boiler comprises a first superheater and a first reheater for generation and heating of steam. The second boiler comprises a second superheater and a second reheater for generation and heating of steam. A first high-pressure turbine is driven by steam generated by the first superheater and fed to the first high-pressure turbine. The steam is delivered to the first reheater after having been expanded in the first high-pressure turbine. A second high-pressure turbine is driven by steam generated by the second superheater and fed to the second high-pressure turbine. The steam is delivered to the second reheater after having been expanded in the second high-pressure turbine. An intermediate-pressure/low-pressure turbine is driven by reheated steam generated by the first and second reheaters fed to the intermediate-pressure/low-pressure turbine.

Abstract: A rotary Stirling cycle engine which has a pair of hollow chambers (20) each having an elliptical rotor (30) positioned inside and rotatably sealed to the chambers inner walls. A crankshaft (40) connects the rotors in tandem to transmit rotational energy when the rotors revolve around the chambers. A cooling and a heating heat exchanger (44) and (48) are each connected through ports (26) and (28) in the chambers sidewalls one to the other. Working fluid (60) is present at a constant volume within the chambers and heat exchangers, revolving the rotors as the volume in each chamber changes due to the cyclic expansion and contraction of the working fluid as it sweeps around the chambers through the ports while being alternately heated and cooled by the heat exchangers.

Abstract: A pyrolyzer unit and two-staged furnaces are provided in a compact furnace assembly for combusting coal to generate power. Coal is reacted in the pyrolyzer to produce a clean hot fuel gas and char. The hot fuel gas is combusted in the first-stage furnace, which contains a high-temperature heat exchanger utilized to heat a pressurized air stream for expansion in a gas turbine and a heat exchanger for superheating steam for expansion in a steam turbine to produce power. Char is combusted in the second-stage furnace and the resulting combustion products are mixed with primary combustion gas from the first-stage furnace to product a secondary combustion gas and preheat the pressurized air stream, and also to superheat steam. The heated air stream is expanded in a gas turbine to produce shaft power to drive an air compressor and an electric power generator.

Abstract: A power generating system for processing and converting low grade coal to electrical power comprises apparatus for grinding a stream of coal into fine powder, separating the coal into high grade coal and low grade coal, a suspension burner for burning the high grade coal and generating heat for powering a gas turbine, a circulating fluidized burner for burning the low grade coal for generating heat, and a combination of heat exchangers combining a portion of the heat from the suspension burner with the heat from the circulating bed burner for generating steam for powering a steam turbine.

Abstract: A new hybrid electric power production cycle is revealed, which utilizes hot, dry-rock, geothermal energy to produce dry, saturated steam, and utilizes natural gas or other fossil fuel to superheat the produced steam to a desired temperature. The superheated steam would then be used in a conventional Rankine cycle to produce large-scale electric power and energy. For a preferred steam pressure of 1800 pounds per square inch and a temperature of 1000 degrees Fahrenheit, the total energy consumed in the hybrid cycle would be 78% geothermal and 22% fossil-fuel.

Abstract: A geothermal power system utilizes a fluid refrigerant capable of changing phase between liquid and gaseous states. The system includes a heat exchanger exposed to a heat source such as earth, water, air, or industrial waste for vaporizing the fluid in the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger includes at least two compartmentalized heat exchanger cells. Each of the heat exchanger cells is disposed in a portion of the naturally occurring heat source, the portions being sufficiently spaced apart such that a temperature of any one portion is substantially unaffected by a temperature of any other portion. The vaporized fluid is directed to a turbine or energy extraction means wherein the gas is expanded and energy is re)eased in the form of mechanical rotation of a shaft. The turbine shaft may be coupled to a generator for converting the mechanical rotational energy to electrical power.

Abstract: The apparatus is a low-temperature solar to electric power conversion system. A solar collector directs solar insolation to a cavity receiver which heats primary thermal transport fluid to approximately 700.degree. F. An auxiliary fossil or biomass heater may be used to replace or supplement the solar-powered cavity receiver. The primary thermal transport fluid is provided to a Stirling engine which provides electric power and hot water heated to approximately 160.degree. F.

Abstract: A power plant having multiple steam boilers for supplying steam for processing and for powering a turbine generator comprises a steam turbine having first and second stages, a steam powered processing unit, a plurality of steam boilers, each having a primary steam generator and a reheater, a system of steam lines for conducting primary steam from the steam boilers to said turbine, and to the process unit, return lines for returning cold steam from the first stage of the turbine to the reheaters for reheating, and lines for conducting reheated steam from the reheaters to the second stage of the turbine; and isolating valves in the lines with pressure relief valves on each side of the isolating valves for selectively isolating each of the boilers from the turbine and conducting primary steam through the reheaters of the boiler and to the processing unit.

Abstract: In a gas/steam power station plant, which consists essentially of at least one fossil-fired internal combustion engine (2), at least one steam circuit (1) and at least one heat exchanger (3), the heat exchanger (3) connected downstream of the internal combustion engine (2) is fed with exhaust gases (27) from the internal combustion engine (2). Together with a number of steam turbines (12, 13), the steam circuit 1 has a generator (14), a series of other auxiliary units (15, 16) and a water-cooled reactor (11) which produces an amount of saturated steam (B) from an amount of preheated feed water (C) treated in the heat exchanger (3) and fed to it. This amount of saturated steam is thereupon fed to a superheat stage (A) in the heat exchanger (3), where the actual final treatment of the steam takes place.

Abstract: A waste heat recovery boiler system has a plurality of waste heat recovery boilers each having a main steam generator and a reheater capable of generating main steam and reheat steam by heat derived from a hot waste gas introduced into the waste heat recovery boiler. The flows of main steam from the main steam generators are joined to form a single flow of main steam to be used in an external installation, and the flows of reheat steam from the reheaters are joined to form a single flow of reheat steam to be used in the external installation. The steam discharged from the external installation is distributed to the reheaters. Flow rate controllers are provided for controlling the flow rates of the steam through the reheaters in relation to the hot waste gas supplied to the respective waste heat recovery boilers.

Abstract: A method for using a two-phase fluid includes separating the fluid into its two phases, oen of which is a hot gas containing energy in the form of latent heat, and one of which is a hot liquid containing energy in the form of sensible heat; converting sensible heat in the liquid to sensible heat in a working fluid for producing preheated working fluid; and transferring latent heat in the gas to the preheated working fluid for vaporizing the same at substantially constant temperature and pressure.

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

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of and apparatus for producing power from solar energy wherein a solar collector heats gas supplied to a gas turbine; compressors compress the gas, the gas being compressed and stored gas during a first period of time, with the stored compressed gas being supplied to the gas turbine during a second period of time to produce power by driving an electric generator. Preferably, the first period of time is during periods of off-peak electricity, which normally occur at night. The second period of time is during the day. The solar collector preferably comprises tracking reflectors for focusing solar radiation and a receiver for receiving the focused solar radiation and also heating the gas. The solar radiation receiver preferably comprises a rotating ceramic member.

Abstract: A solar power system includes a solar concentrator and a power conversion unit for converting direct solar energy from the concentrator to electrical energy to power appropriate loads. The power conversion unit operates through the medium of a working fluid, such as a turbo-generator. An integrated combustor/heat exchanger is coupled to the power conversion unit for heating the working fluid during periods of solar eclipse and giving off a water combustion product in the form of water vapor. An electrolyzer receives the water combustion product and regenerates the product to gaseous hydrogen and oxygen. The electrolyzer is coupled to the power conversion unit as to be powered thereby during the periods of excess electrical energy. The regenerated hydrogen and oxygen is used in the integrated combustor/heat exchanger during periods of solar eclipse.

Abstract: A heater for use with a Stirling engine and a method for heating a working fluid for a Stirling engine is disclosed. The heater has a burner, heater tubes disposed in the burner, a space formed around the heater tubes which is filled with heat-storing material, and a high-temperature heat source. The heat-storing material is sealed by a seal member. Heat produced by the high-temperature heat source is supplied to the heater tubes via the heat-storing material; hence the heat-storing material acts as a secondary heat source. Heat is stored in the heat-storing material in the form of sensible heat or latent heat, or a chemical reaction is employed.