Serially Connected Motor With Intermotor Supply Or Withdrawal Of Motive Fluid Patents (Class 60/677)
  • Patent number: 8161724
    Abstract: Methods and systems for the generation of electrical energy through the combination of steam flows produced from different fuel sources. Steam produced from processing of a biomass fuel source is combined with steam produced from the processing of natural gas or fossil fuel and routed through a steam turbine generator to produce electrical energy. The steam is preferably reheated after partial processing in the steam turbine generator and then recirculated for further processing in the steam turbine generators. Following extraction of all available energy from the steam, the steam is condensed to water, the feedwater is then reheated and pumped to the boilers of both energy sources for conversion into steam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: EIF NTE Hybrid Intellectual Property Holding Company, LLC
    Inventors: Seth Shortlidge, Gregory J. Cahill
  • Patent number: 8091361
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for increasing the final feedwater temperature associated with a regenerative Rankine cycle, said cycle commonly used in thermal systems such as conventional power plants, whose steam generators are fired with a fossil fuel and whose regenerative Rankine cycle employs a reheating of the working fluid. This invention involves the placement of an Exergetic Heater System in the feedwater path of the regenerative Rankine cycle. The Exergetic Heater System conditions and heats feedwater such that the temperature of the cycle's final feedwater as it enters the steam generator has reached a desired value. The Exergetic Heater System receives its driving steam from an Intermediate Pressure turbine extraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Exergetic Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Fred D. Lang
  • Patent number: 8082737
    Abstract: A boiler system for producing steam from water includes a plurality of serially arranged oxy fuel boilers. Each boiler has an inlet in flow communication with a plurality of tubes. The tubes of each boiler form at least one water wall. Each of the boilers is configured to substantially prevent the introduction of air. Each boiler includes an oxy fuel combustion system including an oxygen supply for supplying oxygen having a purity of greater than 21 percent, a carbon based fuel supply for supplying a carbon based fuel and at least one oxy-fuel burner system for feeding the oxygen and the carbon based fuel into its respective boiler in a near stoichiometric proportion. The oxy fuel system is configured to limit an excess of either the oxygen or the carbon based fuel to a predetermined tolerance. The boiler tubes of each boiler are configured for direct, radiant energy exposure for energy transfer. Each of the boilers is independent of each of the other boilers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Jupiter Oxygen Corporation
    Inventors: Brian R. Patrick, Tom L. Ochs, Danylo B. Oryschyn, Cathy A. Summers
  • Patent number: 8037686
    Abstract: The invention is for a continuous-combustion, closed-cycle, gas turbine engine with a regenerator and a displacer. It has embodiments that remove heater and cooler interior volumes during gas compression, which enable it to scale well to very large sizes. Low combustion temperatures insure very low emissions. The displacer levitated by an integral gas bearing and small clearance seal and given oscillatory translational motion by electromagnetic forces operates without surface wear. The turbine blades, subjected only to warm gases, are durable and inexpensive. Thus, this engine has a very long, continuous, maintenance-free service life. This gas turbine engine also operates without back work allowing high efficiency for both low and rated output. Pressurized encapsulation permits use of low-cost ceramics for high temperature components. The invention includes a unique monolithic ceramic heater, a compact high-capacity regenerator and a constant-power gas turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Inventor: George Lasker
  • Patent number: 8015812
    Abstract: Power generation systems and methods are provided with features directed to various innovations including ones relating to the conversion of concentrated solar and biomass energy to electricity, load-shifting of electrical power supply systems, gas turbine devices and cycles, and power plant control systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Southwest Solar Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James B. Kesseli, Thomas L. Wolf
  • Patent number: 8006496
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods related to an engine for converting heat into mechanical output using a working fluid in a closed circulating system are disclosed. In some embodiments, the engine includes a pump to pressurize the working fluid, a regenerative heat exchanger to transfer heat from a first portion of the working fluid to a second portion, a heating device to heat the working fluid, and first and second scroll expanders to expand the working fluid and generate the mechanical output. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: SECCO2 Engines, Inc.
    Inventor: Preston Henry Carter
  • Patent number: 7997076
    Abstract: A system for converting heat from an engine into work includes a boiler coupled to a heat source for transferring heat to a working fluid, a turbine that transforms the heat into work, a condenser that transforms the working fluid into liquid, a recuperator with one flow path that routes working fluid from the turbine to the condenser, and another flow path that routes liquid working fluid from the condenser to the boiler, the recuperator being configured to transfer heat to the liquid working fluid, and a bypass valve in parallel with the second flow path. The bypass valve is movable between a closed position, permitting flow through the second flow path and an opened position, under high engine load conditions, bypassing the second flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Cummins, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy C. Ernst
  • Patent number: 7997078
    Abstract: In a nuclear power plant, thermal power in a second operation cycle of a nuclear reactor is uprated from thermal power in a first operation cycle preceding the second operation cycle by at least one operation cycle. A proportion of steam extracted from a steam system and introduced to a feedwater heater, which is in particular extracted from an intermediate point and an outlet of a high pressure turbine, with respect to a flow rate of main steam, is reduced in the second operation cycle from that in the first operation cycle such that the temperature of feedwater discharged from the feedwater heater is lowered by 1° C. to 40° C. in the second operation cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi-GE Nuclear Energy, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masao Chaki, Kazuaki Kitou, Motoo Aoyama, Masaya Ootsuka, Kouji Shiina
  • Patent number: 7993426
    Abstract: In a moisture separator, a manifold that communicates with a steam inlet is disposed in a shell. A plurality of blowout outlets for steam is provided on a side of the manifold. A first support plate and a lower support frame are fixed to a lower part in the shell to compart a steam drift space and a drain path. A moisture separating element is provided corresponding to the manifold, and steam from which moisture is removed by the moisture separating element is heated by a group of heating tubes to flow as high-temperature reheat steam to the steam outlet. The moisture is led from the drain opening through the drain path to the drain outlet. A blocking plate blocks a part of the drain opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Issaku Fujita, Nobuki Uda, Jiro Kasahara
  • Patent number: 7987676
    Abstract: A closed loop expansion system for energy recovery includes a heat exchanger for using heat from a heat source to heat a working fluid of the closed loop expansion system to a temperature below the vaporization point of the working fluid; a radial inflow expander for receiving the working fluid from the heat exchanger and for expanding and partially vaporizing the working fluid; a screw expander for receiving the working fluid from the radial inflow turbine and for further expanding and vaporizing the working fluid; and a condenser for receiving the working fluid from the screw expander and for liquefying the working fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gabor Ast, Thomas Johannes Frey, Herbert Kopecek, Michael Adam Bartlett, Pierre Sebastien Huck
  • Patent number: 7975483
    Abstract: The invention relates to a steam power plant comprising at least one steam heater for preparing compressed steam, a main turbine, which is connected downstream of the steam heater, is arranged on a main drive shaft and is a high-pressure or medium-pressure turbine, and a secondary turbine, which is interposed between the steam heater and the main turbine and is arranged on a secondary drive shaft, characterized in that the secondary turbine has an at least 50% higher operating speed when compared with a nominal speed of the main turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Kai Wieghardt
  • Publication number: 20110094228
    Abstract: A method of increasing the power of a carbonaceous fuel combusting boiler system includes the steps of (a) feeding carbonaceous fuel into a furnace of the boiler system, (b) feeding oxidant gas into the furnace for combusting fuel to produce exhaust gas, (c) discharging the exhaust gas from the furnace via an exhaust gas channel, (d) conveying a stream of feedwater from a boiler economizer arranged in the exhaust gas channel to evaporating and superheating heat exchange surfaces arranged in the furnace and in the exhaust gas channel for converting the feedwater to superheated steam, (e) expanding the superheated steam in a high-pressure steam turbine for generating power, (f) extracting steam from the high-pressure steam turbine at a decreased rate for preheating the feedwater, (g) conveying steam from the high-pressure steam turbine at an increased rate to a reheater arranged in the exhaust gas channel for generating reheated steam, (h) expanding the reheated steam in an intermediate pressure steam turbine f
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: FOSTER WHEELER ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Zhen Fan, Horst Hack, Andrew Seltzer
  • Patent number: 7900451
    Abstract: The present invention provides a power and regasification system based on liquefied natural gas (LNG), comprising a vaporizer by which liquid motive fluid is vaporized, said liquid motive fluid being LNG or a motive fluid liquefied by means of LNG; a turbine for expanding the vaporized motive fluid and producing power; heat exchanger means to which expanded motive fluid vapor is supplied, said heat exchanger means also being supplied with LNG for receiving heat from said expanded fluid vapor, whereby the temperature of the LNG increases as it flows through the heat exchanger means; a conduit through which said motive fluid is circulated from at least the inlet of said vaporizer to the outlet of said heat exchanger means; and a line for transmitting regasified LNG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Ormat Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Nadav Amir, Lucien Y. Bronicki, Uri Kaplan, Marat Klochko
  • Publication number: 20110030374
    Abstract: Provided is a steam turbine facility capable of suppressing the possibility of vibration occurrence and a drastic increase in facility cost, thereby realizing an increase in size of the facility, even if steam conditions of 650° C. or higher are adopted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventors: Shin Nishimoto, Yoshinori Tanaka, Tatsuaki Fujikawa, Ryuichi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7870735
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus that includes a first heat exchanger for heating a first heat transfer medium in a first form from a first temperature to a second higher temperature to provide an increased pressure gas, a first mechanical device configured to use the increased pressure gas to provide mechanical energy to one or more primary components, and one or more additional mechanical devices configured to use the increased pressure gas to provide mechanical energy to one or more secondary components. The mechanical device produces spent gas, and a conversion device is operably associated with at least one of the mechanical devices to convert the spent gas to the first form for re-use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Romanelli Energy Systems, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Pat Romanelli, Robert J. Romanelli
  • Publication number: 20110005225
    Abstract: An electric power plant, e.g., a boiling water reactor nuclear power plant supplies steam generated in a nuclear reactor to a high-pressure turbine and a low-pressure turbine. The steam discharged from the low-pressure turbine is condensed with a condenser. Water generated with the condenser, used as feed water, flows through a feed water pipe, is heated with a low-pressure feed water heater and a high-pressure feed water heater, and then supplied to the nuclear reactor. The steam extracted from the high-pressure turbine is supplied to the high-pressure feed water heater. The steam extracted from the low-pressure turbine is compressed with a steam compressor, and the steam whose temperature has been increased is then supplied to the high-pressure feed water heater. The feed water to be directed to the nuclear reactor is heated in the high-pressure feed water heater by both the steam extracted from the high-pressure turbine and the steam compressed with the steam compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: Hitachi-GE Nuclear Energy, Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Namba, Shigeo Hatamiya, Fumio Takahashi, Koji Nishida, Susumu Nakano, Takanori Shibata
  • Patent number: 7861526
    Abstract: The invention relates to a steam generation plant, comprising a steam generator (1) with a combustion chamber (8), an evaporator, a superheater (9), an intermediate superheater (12), a condenser (14), a feed water preheater (16, 19, 19?) regeneratively heated by steam, a steam turbine set (2) with a high-pressure section (4), a medium pressure section (5) and a low-pressure section (6), a flue gas line (22), connected to the combustion chamber (8), an air supply line (21), for the supply of combustion air to the burner in the combustion chamber (8) and an air preheater (3) with flue gas and combustion air passing therethrough. An air line (23) branches off from the air supply line (21) downstream of the air preheater (3) in said steam generation plant and supplies an air-fractionation unit (25). Air coolers (34, 35) are arranged in the air line (23) through which the condensate or feed water from the condensate/feed water circuit from the steam generator (1) flows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Man Turbo AG
    Inventor: Bernd Gericke
  • Patent number: 7856822
    Abstract: A heat regenerative engine uses water as both the working fluid and the lubricant. In operation, water is pumped from a collection pan and through a coil around a cylinder exhaust port, causing the water to be preheated by steam exhausted from the cylinder. The preheated water then enters a steam generator and is heated by a combustion chamber to produce high pressure super heated steam. Air is preheated in a heat exchanger and is then mixed with fuel from a fuel atomizer. An igniter burns the atomized fuel as the flames and heat are directed in a centrifuge within the combustion chamber. The speed and torque of the engine are controlled by a rocker and cam arrangement which opens a needle-type valve to inject high pressure super heated steam into a cylinder having a reciprocating piston therein. The injected steam expands in an explosive action on the top of the piston at high pressure forcing the piston down and drivingly rotating a linked crank cam and crankshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Cyclone Power Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Harry Schoell
  • Publication number: 20100300100
    Abstract: The coolant in the cooling jacket of a dual cycle internal combustion steam engine is intentionally maintained at an elevated temperature that may typically range from about 225° F.-300° F. or more. A non-aqueous liquid coolant is used to cool the combustion chamber together with a provision for controlling the flow rate and residence time of the coolant within the cooling jacket to maintain the temperature of the coolant at a selected elevated temperature that is substantially above the boiling point of water but below the boiling point of the coolant. The coolant is passed from the jacket through a heat exchanger in a first circuit to transfer heat to a vaporizable working fluid such as water and is then returned. An optional second intrajacket perturbation circuit within the engine can be used to disrupt and disperse pockets of vapor that may tend to form before damaging hot spots can develop around the combustion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventors: James V. Harmon, SR., Jerry A. Peoples
  • Patent number: 7827791
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are various systems and methods for producing mechanical power from a heat source. The system may include a heat recovery heat exchanger, a turbine, a condenser heat exchanger, and a liquid circulating pump, etc. In other embodiments, a desuperheater or an economizer, or both, may be employed. In one illustrative embodiment, the system comprises a first heat exchanger adapted to receive a fluid from a heat source and a working fluid, wherein, when the working fluid is passed through the first heat exchanger, the working fluid is converted to a vapor via heat transfer with the fluid from the heat source, at least one turbine adapted to receive the vapor, and an optional economizer heat exchanger adapted to receive exhaust vapor from the turbine and the working fluid, wherein a temperature of the working fluid is adapted to be increased via heat transfer with the exhaust vapor from the turbine prior to the introduction of the working fluid into the first heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: TAS, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tom L. Pierson, John David Penton
  • Publication number: 20100252028
    Abstract: In some implementations, there is provided an apparatus. The apparatus may include a first steam engine, an intermediate storage, and a second steam engine. The first steam engine may include a first inlet and a first exhaust, wherein the first inlet receives steam from a source of thermal energy. The intermediate storage may be coupled to the first exhaust, wherein the intermediate storage stores thermal energy provided by steam from the first exhaust. The second steam engine may include a second inlet coupled to the intermediate storage. Moreover, at least one of the first steam engine and the second steam engine may produce work. Furthermore, the first steam engine may be driven by the steam received from the source of thermal energy, and the second steam engine may be driven by steam from at least one of the intermediate storage and the first exhaust. Related apparatus and methods are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventors: Robert Charles Mierisch, Stephen James Bisset
  • Publication number: 20100146971
    Abstract: LNG is regasified with concurrent power production in systems and methods where the refrigeration content of the LNG condenses a low pressure working fluid vapor and in which the combined refrigeration content of the warmed LNG and low pressure working fluid condensate condenses an intermediate pressure working fluid vapor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: FLUOR TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: John Mak
  • Publication number: 20100146972
    Abstract: In a cement burning plant waste heat power generation system, an AQC boiler comprises an economizer, an evaporator and a superheater, and a PH boiler comprises a first evaporator and a superheater. A part of hot water heated by the economizer of the AQC boiler is fed through a flasher to the low pressure stage of a stream turbine, another part is superheated by the evaporator and the superheater of the AQC boiler, and further one part is superheated by the evaporator and the superheater of the PH boiler and these high pressure steams are fed to the high pressure stage of the stream turbine. The PH boiler is provided with a second evaporator on the outlet side of PH waste gas in addition to the evaporator and the superheater, and return hot water of the flasher is introduced into the second evaporator through a steam drum. Hot water heated by the second evaporator is introduced into the steam drum and its steam is fed to the low pressure stage of the stream turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: KAWASAKI PLANT SYSTEMS KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Katsushi Sorita, Tatsuo Ino, Yukihiro Takenaka, Masao Shirai
  • Publication number: 20100132360
    Abstract: The invention relates to a steam generation plant, comprising a steam generator (1) with a combustion chamber (8), an evaporator, a superheater (9), an intermediate superheater (12), a condenser (14), a feed water preheater (16, 19, 19?) regeneratively heated by steam, a steam turbine set (2) with a high-pressure section (4), a medium pressure section (5) and a low-pressure section (6), a flue gas line (22), connected to the combustion chamber (8), an air supply line (21), for the supply of combustion air to the burner in the combustion chamber (8) and an air preheater (3) with flue gas and combustion air passing therethrough. An air line (23) branches off from the air supply line (21) downstream of the air preheater (3) in said steam generation plant and supplies an air-fractionation unit (25). Air coolers (34, 35) are arranged in the air line (23) through which the condensate or feed water from the condensate/feed water circuit from the steam generator (1) flows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2006
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: MAN TURBO AG
    Inventor: Bernd Gericke
  • Publication number: 20100122533
    Abstract: Methods and systems for converting waste heat from cement plant into a usable form of energy are disclosed. The methods and systems make use of two heat source streams from the cement plant, a hot air stream and a flue gas stream, to fully vaporize and superheat a working fluid stream, which is then used to convert a portion of its heat to a usable form of energy. The methods and systems utilize sequential heat exchanges stages to heat the working fluid stream, first with the hot air stream or from a first heat transfer fluid stream heated by the hot air stream and second with the flue gas stream from a second heat transfer fluid stream heated by the hot air stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Inventor: Alexander I. Kalina
  • Publication number: 20100050637
    Abstract: A carbon-dioxide-capture-type steam power generation system 1 according to the present invention comprises a boiler 6 producing an exhaust gas 5 by combusting a fuel 2 and having a flue 8; an absorbing unit 40 being configured to absorb the carbon-dioxide contained in the exhaust gas 5 into an absorbing solution; and a regenerating unit 44 being configured to release the carbon dioxide gas from the absorbing solution absorbing the carbon dioxide and discharge the released carbon dioxide gas. Further, in this system, a reboiler 49 is provided for receiving a heating-medium as heat source, producing a steam 43 and supplying the produced steam 43 to the regenerating unit 44. Additionally, in the flue 8 of the boiler 6, a boiler-side heat exchanger 61 is provided for heating the heating-medium by the exhaust gas 5 passing therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventors: Katsuya Yamashita, Asako Inomata, Yukio Oohashi, Takashi Ogawa, Kazutaka Ikeda, Takeo Suga
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7658073
    Abstract: A cooling system for a turbine with a first section and a second section. The first section may include a first line for diverting a first flow with a first temperature from the first section, a second line for diverting a second flow with a second temperature less than the first temperature from the first section, and a merged line for directing a merged flow of the first flow and the second flow to the second section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Nestor Hernandez, Clement Gazzillo, Michael J. Boss, William Parry, Karen J. Tyler
  • Patent number: 7640746
    Abstract: A method to integrate collected solar thermal energy into the feedwater system of a Rankine cycle power plant is disclosed. This novelty uses a closed loop, single phase fluid system to collect both the solar heat and to provide the heat input into the feedwater stream of a regenerative Rankine cycle. One embodiment of this method of integrating solar energy into a regenerative Rankine power plant cycle, such as a coal power plant, allows for automatic balancing of the steam extraction flows and does not change the temperature of the feedwater to the boiler. The concept, depending on the application, allows for the spare turbine capacity normally available in a coal plant to be used to produce incremental capacity and energy that is powered by solar thermal energy. By “piggybacking” on the available components and infrastructure of the host Rankine cycle power plant, considerable cost savings are achieved resulting in lower solar produced electricity costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Markon Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Joseph Skowronski, Ronald Farris Kincaid
  • Patent number: 7640750
    Abstract: A spent liquor recovery boiler in the pulp and paper industry including a water/steam circulation system having superheaters, the circulation system connected to a steam turbine comprising a high-pressure part, and a furnace for burning spent liquor to produce flue gases, and including an upper portion through which the flue gases flow, wherein the steam/water circulation system of the recovery boiler is provided with a reheater for reheating steam from the high-pressure part of the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Andritz Oy
    Inventors: Kari Saviharju, Jorma Simonen, Olli Arpalahti, Lasse Koivisto
  • Publication number: 20090288418
    Abstract: In a moisture separator, a manifold that communicates with a steam inlet is disposed in a shell; a plurality of blowout outlets for steam is provided on a side of the manifold; a first support plate and a lower support frame are fixed to a lower part in the shell to compart a steam drift space and a drain path; a moisture separating element is provided corresponding to the manifold; steam from which moisture is removed by the moisture separating element is heated by the group of the heating tubes to flow as high-temperature reheat steam to the steam outlet; the moisture is led from the drain opening through the drain path to the drain outlet; and a blocking plate that blocks a part of the drain opening is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Inventors: Issaku Fujita, Nobuki Uda, Jiro Kasahara
  • 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: 20090205338
    Abstract: A high efficiency combined cycle internal combustion and steam engine includes a cylinder having a piston mounted for reciprocation therein with an internal combustion chamber outward of the piston, a fixed cylinder cap sealingly and slideably mounted within the piston and a steam expansion/recompression chamber inside the piston adjacent the cylinder cap. The cylinder cap can be unheated or heated externally to reduce condensation of steam entering the steam chamber from a steam generator fired by waste combustion heat. Steam remaining in the cylinder when a steam exhaust valve closes at the top center position is recompressed during an inward stroke of the piston up to admission pressure prior to admitting the next charge of steam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Inventors: James V. Harmon, SR., James V. Harmon, JR., Stephen C. Harmon
  • Patent number: 7568342
    Abstract: A supply pump actuating turbine, in particular for a power plant, that includes at least two jet sectors for introducing a working gas into the turbine, a line system for connecting the at least two jet sectors to at least two different sources of working gas, and a valve arrangement for setting the supply of the jet sectors with the working gas from at least one of the sources. The valve arrangement and the line system are designed in such a way that at least three operating states can be set: a first operating state, in which all the jet sectors are supplied with the working gas of the first source, a second operating state, in which all the jet sectors are supplied with the working gas of the second source, and a third operating state, in which at least one of the jet sectors is supplied with the working gas of the first source and at least one other of the jet sectors is supplied with the working gas of the second source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Reinhard Johannes Severin Cloppenburg, Dirk Hartmann, Stefan Klatt, Karsten Mueller
  • Patent number: 7546732
    Abstract: A system for converting potential energy into heat including a tower configured to contain a fluid and to permit the formation of a substantially nitrogen-free combustion chamber defined by the tower and the surface of the fluid in the tower and at a pressure less than ambient, a first tower outlet in fluid communication with a first fuel valve configured to regulate a flow of the fluid out of the tower, an oxygen source in fluid communication with an oxygen valve in fluid communication with an oxygen inlet in fluid communication with the tower, a source of combustible fuel including hydrogen in fluid communication with a fuel valve in fluid communication with a fuel inlet in fluid communication with the tower, and an ignition source positioned so that it resides within the combustion chamber and is configured to initiate a reaction between oxygen and fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: SOG Partners
    Inventors: Carl W. Glasgow, Robert C. Olson, Edward J. Stockton
  • Patent number: 7516620
    Abstract: A boiler system for producing steam from water includes a plurality of serially arranged oxy fuel boilers. Each boiler has an inlet in flow communication with a plurality of tubes. The tubes of each boiler form at least one water wall. Each of the boilers is configured to substantially prevent the introduction of air. Each boiler includes an oxy fuel combustion system including an oxygen supply for supplying oxygen having a purity of greater than 21 percent, a carbon based fuel supply for supplying a carbon based fuel and at least one oxy-fuel burner system for feeding the oxygen and the carbon based fuel into its respective boiler in a near stoichiometric proportion. The oxy fuel system is configured to limit an excess of either the oxygen or the carbon based fuel to a predetermined tolerance. The boiler tubes of each boiler are configured for direct, radiant energy exposure for energy transfer. Each of the boilers is independent of each of the other boilers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Jupiter Oxygen Corporation
    Inventors: Brian R. Patrick, Tom L. Ochs, Danylo B. Oryschyn, Cathy A. Summers
  • Patent number: 7426832
    Abstract: A closed-cycle gas turbine power generator system with a combined cycle system with a neutral gaseous primary motive medium and a secondary phase change medium with a lower pressure sub-system having a counter-rotating compressor module in combination with a counter-rotating gas turbine module, and with a higher pressure sub-system having a counter-rotating compressor module and a counter-rotating gas turbine module wherein the phase change medium in liquid form is injected into the compressor modules during compression of the primary motive medium with the phase change medium changing to a gas to form a compressed gaseous mixture that is heated by the heat source and supplied to the gas turbine module of the higher pressure sub-system for partial expansion and combining with a heated portion of the compressed gaseous mixture from the compressor module for final expansion in the lower pressure gas turbine modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Inventor: Marius A. Paul
  • Patent number: 7392656
    Abstract: A steam turbine plant includes an extraction system and a control system for controlling the steam extraction. The extraction system includes an extraction steam flowmeter and a stop valve. The control system sets a warning flow and an extracted steam stop flow for the extracted steam. When the extracted steam flow reaches the warning flow, a warning is issued and after a lapse of a predetermined time period, the stop valve is opened to restrict the extracted steam flow. When the extracted steam flow reaches the extracted steam stop flow, the stop valve is closed to stop steam extraction. A steam turbine plant can thus exercise extraction control to stably supply extracted steam while avoiding turbine trip, even if not equipped with a high-performance and expensive valve device such as an extraction steam control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masanori Onuma, Naoto Koizumi
  • Patent number: 7325401
    Abstract: Power generation systems and methods are provided with features directed to various innovations including ones relating to the conversion of concentrated solar and biomass energy to electricity, load-shifting of electrical power supply systems, gas turbine devices and cycles, and power plant control systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Brayton Energy, LLC
    Inventors: James B. Kesseli, Thomas L. Wolf
  • Publication number: 20080016867
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for converting thermal to motive energy. Said system comprises at least one pressure vessel, having at least one upper injection orifice for a warm and/or cold fluid, and at least one liquid piston pump inside the pressure vessel which is coupled with a working cycle. The pressure vessel has a horizontal partition that is provided with a bore. Above said partition, a gas or gas mixture is present, and below the partition, the liquid piston pump is located.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2005
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Inventor: Gerhard Stock
  • 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: 6912263
    Abstract: At least one injector condenser (20) is used to supply secondary feedwater to the steam generator (1) during a phase in the course of which the temperature and the pressure of the coolant of the reactor coolant system (2) of the nuclear reactor are varied between hot shutdown conditions of the nuclear reactor and conditions making it possible to bring into service the residual heat cooling system (RRA). The injector condenser (20) is fed with steam withdrawn from an upper part of the steam generator (1), at a first inlet, and with feedwater from a storage tank (10), at a second inlet. High-temperature pressurized feedwater is supplied to the steam generator (1) by means of one injector condenser (20) outlet. The steam generator (1) is fed without using an additional pump for withdrawing feedwater from the storage tank (10) and for injecting feedwater into the secondary part (3) of the steam generator (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Framatome ANP
    Inventor: Philippe Dagard
  • Patent number: 6820422
    Abstract: The invention is 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 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, a second heat exchanger heats a hydrocarbon flow that drives a turbine coupled to a generator, 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 and third heat exchanger; flowing the heated fluid through a second heat exchanger exchanging heat with a hydrocarbon flow; flowing the heated fluid from the first to third heat exchanger; and using the vessel to accommodate fluid thermal expansion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Inventors: Jonathan W. Linney, Michael B. Bibb, Timothy Ray Bauer
  • Patent number: 6782638
    Abstract: A method for increasing the drying capacity of a steam group (6) in a drying section of a pulp or paper machine. According to the method, a main steam flow (3) having a first steam pressure is fed to the steam group (6), the main steam flow (3) is conducted to at least one thermocompressor (9), which is driven by motive steam (4) having a second steam pressure, which is driven by motive steam (4) having a second steam pressure, which is higher than the first steam pressure, and the output steam (13) of said at least one thermocompressor (9) is fed to the steam group (6), the steam pressure of the steam that is fed to the steam group (6) being higher than the first steam pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Stora Enso AB
    Inventor: Torsten Svenland
  • Publication number: 20030101726
    Abstract: Steam generation apparatus and methods are presented that are dedicated to oxygen-enriched air combustion of a fuel, wherein the oxygen concentration of the oxygen-enriched air may range from just above 21 percent to 100 percent. One apparatus comprises an oxygen-enriched air preheater through which oxygen-enriched air flows and exchanges heat indirectly with flue gas, creating a preheated oxygen-enriched air stream. The apparatus further comprises a boiler having a radiant section and a convection section, and other heat transfer units adapted to handle reduced flue gas flow rate and higher temperature flue gases than comparable air/fuel combustion boilers, thus allowing a smaller heat transfer surface area, a more compact design and a higher efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Applicant: American Air Liquide, Inc.
    Inventors: Ovidiu Marin, Olivier Charon, Erwin Penfornis
  • Patent number: 6516617
    Abstract: The aim of the invention is to reduce exhaust steam losses and thus efficiency losses in condensation power stations such that the steam does not expand to the attainable vacuum (as is the case in the prior art) but, after extraction from a turbine or the like, is elevated in the caloric content thereof to a higher pressure stage in a heat transformer by means of pumps, which are connected upstream therefrom and which are provided for the secondary circuit, in order to effect a renewed expansion at said heat transformer. This is repeated as often as possible until the quantity of heat which otherwise escapes through the cooling tower is largely converted into electric energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Inventor: Joachim Schwieger
  • Patent number: 6497099
    Abstract: A method for controlling a steam turbine with a steam bleed for various operational tasks is provided. The operational tasks are each characterized by the type of the controlled variables used for controlling the steam turbine. A control structure is used for deriving actuating signals for actuating elements for valves. The actuating signals are derived from control signals of the regulators which are used. Only a single control structure is used for all the operational tasks. As a result, the configuration of the control is simplified, the control signals are decoupled, and a smooth changeover between the operational tasks is achieved. A device for controlling a steam turbine is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Rainer Junk
  • Publication number: 20020066271
    Abstract: A method for controlling a steam turbine with a steam bleed for various operational tasks is provided. The operational tasks are each characterized by the type of the controlled variables used for controlling the steam turbine. A control structure is used for deriving actuating signals for actuating elements for valves. The actuating signals are derived from control signals of the regulators which are used. Only a single control structure is used for all the operational tasks. As a result, the configuration of the control is simplified, the control signals are decoupled, and a smooth changeover between the operational tasks is achieved. A device for controlling a steam turbine is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Inventor: Rainer Junk
  • Patent number: 6145317
    Abstract: A steam turbine with a steam inlet region, an exhaust-steam region and a blading region surrounded by a turbine housing and disposed axially therebetween. Furthermore, a cooling-fluid inlet is provided which can be closed and opened by a closing member and through which cooling fluid can be introduced into the turbine housing. The introduced cooling fluid can be conducted out of the turbine housing again via a suction device for sucking out the cooling fluid. The invention relates, furthermore, to a steam turbine plant and to a method for cooling the steam turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Edwin Gobrecht, Michael Wechsung
  • Patent number: 6134891
    Abstract: A quick power regulation for a power station system is achieved by activating energy storage mechanisms of the power station system process. The energy storage mechanisms are used to increase the generator power. At least the generator power and a thermal power extracted from the power station system process are determined as process variables. The process variables characterize the current operating state and determine position setpoint values of actuators. A device for a quick power regulation receives at least values of the generator power and a thermal power extracted from the power system process. The control device determines position setpoint values for a number of actuators connected to a steam turbine of the power station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Oldrich Zaviska, Reinhold Ackenheil