Abstract: A power generating assembly in which a portion of the heat energy in a stream of fluid such as warm or hot air is extracted and transformed to rotary power as a body of low boiling liquid is recirculated through a closed path. Vapor of the liquid liquifies when subjected to a pressure greater than a first pressure and a temperature lower than a first temperature. The vapor is superheated by the heat energy above-identified to a high pressure at which it actuates a reciprocating mechanism to produce rotary power. Vapor discharging from the reciprocating mechanism is allowed to expand adiabatically in a first confined space, and be cooled. A compressor draws vapor from the first confined space and discharges the same into a second confined space at a pressure greater than the first pressure. The temperature of the vapor in the second confined space is lowered below that of the first temperature whereupon the vapor assumes the liquid form.

Abstract: Disclosed is a concentration difference energy operated power plant comprising an aqueous solution tank containing an aqueous solution of slats, a pure water boiler disposed within the tank and completely immersed in the aqueous solution therein, preheater means for preheating the aqueous solution in the tank to a temperature very close to the boiling temperature thereof, and a steam engine which is operated by the steam generated in the pure water boiler, the steam discharged from the steam engine being injected through nozzles into the aqueous solution in the tank, dissipating the latent heat to the aqueous solution. Also disclosed is the compositions of the aqueous solutions used in conjunction with the above power plant.

Abstract: A solar collector system uses a hexagonal field module of heliostatic mirrors with each heat receptor tower being located outside of its associated module. Each mirror includes a reflecting film held down electrostatically (for easy replacement) and protected by wind guards.

Abstract: The integration of a petroleum refinery, or a petrochemical complex, with an off-site power facility in which the latter provides a vaporizable coolant for vaporization in the former. Vaporization is effected through indirect contact with one or more waste heat streams; the resulting vapors are expanded through a turbine, to a lower pressure, from the resulting motion of which power is generated. In most instances, the process generates more power than its connected load. Preferably, the coolant is indirectly contacted, at elevated pressure, with a plurality of refinery process streams in series and in the order of increasing temperature. Resulting vaporized coolant phases are passed through individual turbines, or through different stages of a multiple-stage turbine.

Abstract: Heat energy from hot geothermal fluids supplied by different temperature wells is transferred by heat exchange into a power fluid cycle, preferably of the dual fluid type, at different points in the cycle, which both enables an increase in peak cycle temperature to be achieved and allows more heat energy to be transferred into lower temperature points in the cycle. The result is an increase in the amount of power which can be developed per unit of geothermal fluid supplied.

Abstract: An energy transport and conversion system for conducting geothermal energy over extended distances without loss of the geothermal energy so as to permit efficient conversion of geothermal energy at a central thermal power station. The energy transport system includes multiple, geographically dispersed wells for preheating a fluid medium, multiple separate conduits for conducting the fluid medium to a common, central thermal power station separated from the geothermal wells by an extended distance and multiple concentrating solar collectors associated respectively with the separate conduits for heating the fluid medium as it moves through the conduits toward the central thermal power station and thereby preventing loss of geothermal energy during such movement despite the extended distance.

Abstract: A method is described for storing the offpeak electrical output of an electricity generating plant in the form of heat by using it to raise the temperature level of a quantity of stored heat retention material and recalling said stored heat during periods of peak power demand in the form of electrical power. During low power demand periods hot water is drawn from a hot water storage means and cooled by flashing it at successively lower pressures. The cold condensate is sent to a cold water storage means while the various flash vapors are fed to appropriate stages of a steam compressor driven by excess power drawn from the electricity generating station. The steam which has been compressed by means of the excess electrical power is directed to heat exchanger means where it is used to heat a low vapor pressure (LVP) thermal energy retention material flowing from cold to hot storage means through the heat exchanger means.

Abstract: A boiler feedpump turbine (BFPT) control system for controlling the rotating speed of a boiler feedpump turbine in a selected one of at least three control modes is disclosed. The boiler feedpump turbine is mechanically coupled to a boiler feedpump for governing the flow of feedwater pumped by the feedpump to a boiler. A boiler control turbine speed signal which represents the feedwater requirement of the boiler is provided to the BPFT control system from a conventional boiler feedwater control system. The flow of feedwater pumped by the feedpump is a function of the rotating speed of the boiler feedpump turbine which is controlled in a selected one of three modes in accordance with the adjustment of a speed set point.

Abstract: A steam power plant is disclosed in which superheaters for the various turbine stages include heat exchange coils located in the bed portion of high temperature fluidized beds. Improved heat transfer and reduced corrosion of the superheater coils are achieved. A method of producing superheated steam without high temperature corrosion is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of optimizing the performance of a multi-unit power plant which produces both electrical and steam energy by determining the incremental efficiency of power boilers with various fuel inputs and thereafter determining the index of performance by taking into account cost factors and reallocating in the most optimum manner.

Abstract: A steam turbine-generator power plant is described wherein solar energy is used to preheat feedwater to a steam generator. Two parallel feedwater supply branches are proposed for preheating the feedwater upstream from the steam generator. A first preheater branch utilizes extraction steam from the steam turbine for preheating feedwater and is called an extraction branch. A second preheater branch utilizes solar energy for preheating feedwater and is called a solar branch. The two branches are joined upstream from the steam generator and the proportion of flow from each branch is based on the temperature difference between the extraction branch and the solar branch. A variable speed pump is used to pump feedwater from the solar branch at a rate proportional to the temperature difference between the two branches.

Abstract: A power generation system in which one or more vapor generators are provided for driving a turbine having a relatively high pressure section and at least one relatively low pressure section. A reheater is disposed between the high pressure turbine section and the low pressure turbine section and its outlet is connected to the latter section. The steam outlet of the vapor generator is connected directly to the high pressure turbine section and directly to the reheater, and the outlet of the reheater is connected directly to the low pressure turbine section and directly to the condenser.

Abstract: In a nuclear-reactor power-generating installation having a main and an auxiliary steam-generating boiler, both arranged to receive heat from the reactor core (for example by circulation of reactor coolant gas), and having a turbogenerator which includes a multistage steam turbine through whose stages the steam from the main boiler passes in sequence, there being a steam reheater unit connected between two of the stages to provide reheating of the steam from the main boiler, the invention provides that the auxiliary boiler is connected to supply to the reheater unit steam which reheats the said steam from the main boiler.

Abstract: Heat from an exothermic chemical reaction(s) is employed to superheat and/or reheat steam generated by a light water nuclear reactor (LWR). The use of such a source of heat enables the selection of a temperature for the heating limited by thermodynamic considerations that eliminates equipment failures due to overheating the heater tubes.

Abstract: A system of generating electric power derived from the energy of the sun, the atmosphere, the ground or the heat stored in ground water, whichever provides the greatest temperature differential with another adjacent source of energy. During the daytime when the sun is shining, a solar absorber composed of a plurality of black pipes may provide the heat necessary to generate power. At night when the air temperature is lowered, a set of pipes in the ground or in a lake may provide the heat necessary to extract power by using the low temperature of the environment. A third source of heat such as geothermal heat, stored heat or a heat pump may be part of the system. Switching means are used to convert from one system to another depending upon which system has the greatest temperature differential.

Abstract: A portion of the steam produced in a nuclear power plant at relatively low pressure is substantially adiabatically compressed, and the compressed, heated steam is employed for superheating the steam supplied to one or both stages of a steam turbine which drives the generator. The energy gained by superheating may be greater than that spent in compressing a portion of the steam.

Abstract: Steam generation means utilizing first and second boilers, the first of which is a high pressure boiler located within or in very intimate heat transfer contact with the second boiler. The steam generated in the high pressure boiler is used to drive continuously or intermittently, a turbine and an associated electrical generator whose output activates electrical resistance units located in the boilers. These heating units supplement an external heat source to maintain steam pressure in the high pressure boiler. The exhaust steam from the turbine at reduced pressure is used to supply heat in any closed steam consuming device such as a space heating system. The condensate is returned to the second boiler which acts as a preheater for water to be pumped from said second boiler to said first boiler as needed.

Abstract: A vapor generator organization arranged for operation in a marine reheat power plant is described in which the reheater tube bundle is disposed in the rear gas pass section of the unit where it is subjected only to low temperature combustion gas during periods of ship maneuvering when no vapor flow occurs through the reheater tubes. A separately fired burner arrangement is operably disposed in the rear gas pass and adapted to be fired at times when the reheater is operative in the system.

Abstract: Specifically disclosed is a method of operating a vapor cycle engine wherein a vaporizable fluid is circulated in a closed loop serially through a first heat source, a second heat source, an expansion vapor engine, a condenser, and back to the first heat source. The method of operation specifically comprises the steps of heating the fluid in the first heat source to a relatively low temperature t, super-heating the fluid in the second heat source to a temperature T, passing the fluid through the expansion vapor engine and then exhausting the fluid from the engine at a temperature T.sub.2 which is greater than the temperature t. Also disclosed is apparatus for specifically accomplishing the method as disclosed.

Abstract: Supplementary means for heating liquid in a steam producing boiler comprising an electrical heating unit located in the boiler, the current for which is produced by an electric generator driven by a steam operated turbine. The turbine may utilize all or only part of the steam output of the boiler. Where the turbine uses substantially all of the steam, the generator driven by the turbine will have excess capacity to be used to drive a motor. Where the turbine uses only enough steam to drive a generator sized to meet the needs of the heating unit, the balance of the steam will ordinarily be used to drive some major prime mover or to supply heat to a heating system.

Abstract: A coordinated control system for a power producing unit consisting of two, single reheat steam generators supplying steam to a single turbine-generator.

Abstract: A control rod driven in correspondence with another regulating device may be independently extended to different positions corresponding to a selected condition while the other control arm remains at a fixed length and moves in correspondence with the driving means.

Abstract: The small temperature differential between a warmer zone and a colder zone is exploited to produce work. A brightly volatile fluid is confined within a substantially closed air-free, air emptied chamber in the warmer zone so as to drive the fluid by its own vapor pressure up a tube into an air-free upper end of an air emptied vertical duct in the colder zone to its lower end at the warm zone. As the fluid descends in the duct it passes over and drives a turbine so as to create mechanical work and then flows into another ductward opened chamber. Once all of the fluid has flown out of the one chamber and into the other a pair of conduits between the lower and upper regions of the other chamber and the lower and lower ends of the duct are closed and the corresponding conduits of the first chamber are opened so that the same process can occur in this other chamber.

Abstract: In a turbine powered generating system the rate of fuel flow for auxiliary firing of a steam turbine is automatically controlled to control the generation of steam for the turbine in accordance with turbine operating parameters and system power demands. Fuel flow rates are controlled within program selected limits to minimize stresses on the steam turbine, thus increasing the performance and life expectancy of the turbine.