Motor Having Exhaust Fluid Treating Or Handling Means Patents (Class 60/685)
  • Patent number: 11674090
    Abstract: Processes involving the use of a dry sorbent injection (DSI) unit or slurry reagent injection (SRI) unit to remove sulfur compounds form flue gas are described. Flue gas from an FCC regenerator, for example, is used to make superheated steam and saturated steam. The flue gas is then sent to a DSI unit to remove the sulfur compounds, and then to an economizer (or heat exchanger) to heat boiler feed water or combustion air. Because the temperature is not reduced as much as with a wet scrubber process, additional energy can be recovered in the economizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Jan De Ren, William J. Whyman, Richard A. Johnson, II, Jeffrey M. Knight, Anil Nivrutti Pachpande, Andrew J. Craig
  • Patent number: 11560322
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for carbon dioxide removal and sequestration from ambient air or point source emissions by integration of four self-sufficient systems including a PEO renewable energy generation system, a desalination system, a pH-swing hydration or a direct hydration system, and a bicarbonate fixed, and alkalinity enhanced dense brine sequestration system, in which, the synergy between the PEO energy generation system and other three systems including provision of all needed renewable energy for operation of other three systems, the synergy between the desalination and other systems including provision of freshwater needed for the PEO energy generation system and the pH-swing system, as well as provision of a dense brine fluid from the desalination system to the pH-swing or the direct hydration system, and in the case of available freshwater supply where the desalination system can be avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Inventor: James Cheng-Shyong Lu
  • Patent number: 11480089
    Abstract: A device for capturing in-port ship exhaust gases is designed to be connected to a ship when the ship has at least one funnel that serves as an outlet for exhaust gases. The device includes at least one collection device, including a hood designed to connect to the funnel at the exhaust outlet so as to collect the exhaust gases coming out of the funnel, a handling unit designed to move the collection device and position it at the exhaust outlet, a first constraint configured to interconnect or disconnect the collection device and the handling unit by command so as to create a handling configuration in which the collection device and the handling unit are interconnected by the first constraint and can be moved as one, and a collection configuration in which the collection device collects the exhaust gases and the connection achieved by the first constraint is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Greener Process Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Enrico Festa
  • Patent number: 11098649
    Abstract: High-pressure fan duct bleed air is used to pressurize a cavity between the fan duct inner wall and the inner wall thermal insulation blankets. The cavity is pressurized to prevent hot air from the nacelle core compartment from flowing under the insulation blankets and degrading the fan duct inner wall. Pressure regulating valves (PRV) allow better control of the cavity pressure during different phases of the flight profile and under different levels of insulation blanket seal degradation by passively controlling exit area from the cavity based on an established pressure limit. Moreover, the pressurization system can be implemented as a passive cooling system by increasing the mass flow rate into the cavity and then the core compartment to a level suitable for core compartment cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert De Pau, Jr., Kimberly A. Miller
  • Patent number: 11028752
    Abstract: A reductant insertion assembly comprises a reductant bladder defining a bladder internal volume for holding a reductant. The reductant bladder comprises a bladder inlet and a bladder outlet. A pressure sensor is positioned downstream of the bladder outlet. The pressure sensor is operable to sense a pressure of the reductant downstream of the reductant bladder, and generate a pressure signal indicative of the pressure. A compression mechanism is operably coupled to the reductant bladder. The compression mechanism is configured to selectively exert a compressive force on the reductant bladder so as to expel the reductant therefrom via the bladder outlet. The compression mechanism exerts the compressive force in response to the pressure signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Cummins Emission Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick C. Hudson
  • Patent number: 10550723
    Abstract: A wheel for distributing a lubricant in a turbine engine has an axis from which an annular cavity extends, open radially towards the axis and from which first and second lubricant supply lines depart for various members to be lubricated. Parallel to the axis, the annular cavity is split into at least a first and a second annular sub-cavity, which are separated by a substantially radial partition and which communicate with the first and second lines respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Safran Transmission Systems
    Inventors: Patrice Gedin, Pauline Marie Cecille Autran, Cécile Bruot, Guillaume Julien Beck, Alexis Dombek, Julie Lemoine, Jordane Peltier
  • Patent number: 10495393
    Abstract: A heat recovery steam generator includes a gas inlet for receiving a flow of exhaust gas from a gas turbine, a gas outlet opposite the gas inlet, at least one heat exchanger intermediate the gas inlet and the gas outlet, the heat exchanger having a plurality of heat transfer surfaces configured to transfer heat from the exhaust gas to a fluid within the heat exchanger, and a valve associated with the heat exchanger and configured to regulate a flow of the fluid through the heat exchanger. The valve is controllable from an open position to a closed position to decrease the flow of the fluid through the heat exchanger in order to effect an increase in a temperature of the heat transfer surfaces of the heat exchanger to clean the heat transfer surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: John Martin Nilsson, Stefano Bernero
  • Patent number: 9500101
    Abstract: A power generation apparatus of the present invention includes: a separation member that separates a lubricant from a fluid mixture flowing into an expander casing; an expander rotor that is rotationally driven by an expansion force applied from steam of a working medium from which the lubricant is separated; a power generator rotor that rotates with the rotation of the expander rotor; a first bearing holding portion that accommodates a first bearing supporting a first rotation shaft of the expander rotor; a second bearing holding portion that accommodates a second bearing supporting a second rotation shaft of the expander rotor; and a lubricant supply path which connects a lubricant accumulation position inside the expander casing to both inner spaces of the first bearing holding portion and the second bearing holding portion of which the pressures are lower than the pressure of the lubricant accumulation position inside the expander casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Noboru Tsuboi, Masayoshi Matsumura
  • Patent number: 9453428
    Abstract: A water/steam cycle includes a steam generator, a steam turbine, a water cooled condenser and a feedwater pump. The condenser includes within a condenser shell at least one tube bundle with an internal air cooler, which is connected to an external ejector/vacuum pump by means of a suction line. In order to reduce the condenser evacuation time at the start-up of the water/steam cycle without using auxiliary steam, an additional evacuation line with a motorized isolating valve connects the external ejector/vacuum pump with the condenser shell. The action of the isolating valve is controlled by means of a control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventor: Hans-Ulrich Lenherr
  • Patent number: 9243945
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for measuring a quantity of a reducing agent, preferably NH3, contained in a vessel (10; 110; 210) containing a storage material (11; 111; 211) in which the reducing agent is stored, the volume of the storage material (11; 111; 211) varying depending on the quantity of reducing agent which it contains. The measuring device comprises means (13, 14, 14?; 113, 114; 213, 214) associated with the vessel (10; 110; 210), said means being suitable for measuring the quantity of reducing agent stored in the storage material (11; 111; 211) depending on the volume of the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: AAQIUS & AAQIUS SA
    Inventor: Arnaud Audouin
  • Publication number: 20140205447
    Abstract: A turbine exhaust casing having an outer casing, an inner casing, an annular exhaust gas path defined between outer and inner flow path walls, and a turbine exhaust casing cavity located radially outward and radially inward from the gas path. A plurality of structural struts support the inner casing to the outer casing, and a fairing surrounds each of the struts in an area extending between the outer and inner flow path walls. A first purge air path extends through at least one of the struts for conducting purge cooling air radially inward to the inner casing, and a second purge air path extends through the strut for further conducting the purge cooling air radially outward to provide a flow of purge air to a location of the exhaust casing cavity radially outward from the outer flow path wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventors: Harry Patat, Cheryl A. Schopf, Jerome H. Katy, Adam Wallace, David J. Wiebe
  • Patent number: 8729719
    Abstract: A cogeneration facility for supplying buildings and facilities with thermal energy and electrical energy is located in a closed enclosure, which is permanently under negative pressure during operation, wherein the negative pressure in the enclosure is controlled by a partial exhaust-gas recirculation into an intake channel of an internal combustion engine and an additional external flow resister that is provided in the closed enclosure, and a frequency converter capable of backfeed is connected to the generator in an advantageous manner. Highly efficient heat recovery is achieved, wherein heat losses are substantially minimized and, in combination with the exhaust-gas recirculation and the frequency converter capable of backfeed, very high power modulation is achieved while the exhaust-gas pollutants such as CO, HC, and NOx are simultaneously minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Inventor: Horst Beuche
  • Patent number: 8713942
    Abstract: Embodiments of an ORC system can be configured to reduce ingress of contaminants from the ambient environment. In one embodiment, the ORC system can comprise a pressure equilibrating unit that comprises a variable volume device for holding a working fluid. The variable volume device can be fluidly coupled to a condenser so that working fluid can move amongst the condenser and the variable volume device. This movement can occur in response to changes in the pressure of the working fluid in the ORC system, and in one example the working fluid is allowed to move when the pressure deviates from atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Sitaram Ramaswamy, Sean P. Breen
  • Publication number: 20140090379
    Abstract: An exhaust gas collection system for capturing the exhaust gas emitted by auxiliary engines, auxiliary boilers and other sources on an Ocean Going Vessel (OGV) while at berth or at anchor, so that these gases may be carried to an emissions treatment system for removal of air pollutants and greenhouse gases. The exhaust gas collection system includes a diverter to redirect the exhaust gas normally carried by exhaust pipes to the OGV's stack for release to the atmosphere, to an exhaust gas treatment system. The emissions treatment system may be land-based, water-based, or on the OGV. When the emissions treatment system is land-based, water-based, the exhaust gas is carried to a connection location that accessible by a ducting system to carry the exhaust gas to the emissions treatment system. The exhaust gas collection system preferably includes parallel-flow ducts and a manifold to combine the parallel-flows into a single duct for more convenient routing through the vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Inventors: John Powell, Robert Sharp
  • Patent number: 8650876
    Abstract: Ammonia sometimes present in geothermal steam increases the solubility of hydrogen sulfide in the steam condensate produced by the surface condenser in a steam cycle geothermal power generating unit by reacting with the hydrogen sulfide to produce nonvolatile ammonium bisulfide. The condenser vent gas also produced contains carbon dioxide. Contacting the steam condensate with the condenser vent gas at a pressure slightly greater than atmospheric causes carbon dioxide to dissolve in the condensate, decreasing pH and converting bisulfide ion back to hydrogen sulfide. Subsequently exposing the acidified condensate to condenser vacuum strips the hydrogen sulfide from the condensate, eliminating the need for further chemical treatment of the condensate to prevent air pollution. Hydrogen sulfide partitioning performance is further improved by converting the hydrogen sulfide in the vent gas to sulfur dioxide before contacting it with the condensate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: ChemTreat, Inc.
    Inventor: Oleh Weres
  • Patent number: 8561390
    Abstract: An energy production and pressurized exhaust gas storage system including two combustion chambers aligned in opposition to each other, each of the two combustion chambers having a reciprocating power piston. A compression chamber is situated between the two combustion chambers and it includes a reciprocating compression piston. A shaft connects all of the pistons together. A solvent tank is connected to the two combustion chambers to receive the exhaust gas carbon dioxide. The solvent is preferably water maintained at about 32 degrees Fahrenheit and with a pressure above the water surface of about 100 pounds per square inch. Upon combustion, a pressurized carbon dioxide storage chamber receives compressed carbon dioxide from the compression chamber. Check valves are used to enable inflow of carbon dioxide to the compression chamber from the solvent tank and outflow of pressurized carbon dioxide in the compression chamber to storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Inventors: Rodney L. Nelson, Margaret A. Nelson, Durwood D. Woodall
  • Patent number: 8500418
    Abstract: A compressed gas powered machine is provided. The machine includes: an outlet and a hollow member fluidly connected to the outlet and configured to receive gas expended from the machine through the outlet the hollow member defining holes oriented to allow the gas contained in the hollow member to blow on various parts of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: SPX Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Haynes, Dwight Booth
  • Patent number: 8496472
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for the clean and convenient combustion of high viscosity liquid fuels, such as glycerol, as well as an apparatus useful for carrying such processes. In certain embodiments, the invention provides a process for glycerol combustion comprising providing a combustion apparatus with a glycerol combustion chamber that facilitates reflective heating, pre-heating the glycerol combustion chamber, atomizing the reduced viscosity glycerol, and combining the atomized glycerol with air in the glycerol combustion chamber to thereby completely combust the glycerol. In one embodiment, such as when using a pressure-atomizing nozzle, the inventive method may further comprise treating the glycerol to reduce the glycerol viscosity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: North Carolina State University
    Inventors: William L. Roberts, Brian Metzger, Timothy L. Turner
  • Patent number: 8418457
    Abstract: A system for controlling the emission of associated gas produced from a reservoir. In an embodiment, the system comprises a gas compressor including a gas inlet in fluid communication with an associated gas source and a gas outlet. The gas compressor adjusts the pressure of the associated gas to produce a pressure-regulated associated gas. In addition, the system comprises a gas cleaner including a gas inlet in fluid communication with the outlet of the gas compressor, a fuel gas outlet, and a waste product outlet. The gas cleaner separates at least a portion of the sulfur and the water from the associated gas to produce a fuel gas. Further, the system comprises a gas turbine including a fuel gas inlet in fluid communication with the fuel gas outlet of the gas cleaner and an air inlet. Still further, the system comprises a choke in fluid communication with the air inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Energy & Enviromental Research Center Foundation
    Inventor: Darren D. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8346394
    Abstract: Power plant characteristics are operated in a flexible manner by controlling the power consumption of a CO2 capture and compression system. The impact of CO2 capture and compression on the capacity of a power plant can be minimized to maximize the electric power the plant can deliver to the power grid and the impact of CO2 capture and compression on the average plant efficiency can be reduced, by an operating method and a power plant, in which the power consumption of the CO2 capture system is used to control the net output of the plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Charles Soothill, Christian Steinbach, Allen Michael Pfeffer, Philippe Jean-Michel Paelinck, Jurgen Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 8336311
    Abstract: A low-pressure-vapor-recovery turbine generator that effectively recovers low-pressure steam emitted from a high-pressure-side steam turbine to generate electric power is provided. A low-pressure-vapor-recovery turbine that recovers low-pressure steam emitted from a high-pressure-side steam turbine and is rotationally driven, a generator that generates electric power with a rotational output of the low-pressure-vapor-recovery turbine, and a condenser that condenses into liquid exhaust steam from the low-pressure-vapor-recovery turbine are provided. The low-pressure-vapor-recovery turbine, generator, and condenser are installed in a portable outer casing that can be transported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Ogino, Keiichi Meguro, Kohei Higaki, Akira Miki
  • Patent number: 8321056
    Abstract: A power plant frequency response characteristic is implemented by controlling the power consumption of a CO2 capture and compression system. A power reserve is provided for under-frequency events without deloading the plant to part load, by an operating method, in which the power consumption of the CO2 capture system is used to control the net output of the plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Richard Blatter, Olivier Drenik, Holger Nagel
  • Publication number: 20120192546
    Abstract: The present application provides a pulse detonation turbine engine. The pulse detonation turbine engine may include one or more pulse detonation combustors to produce a flow of combustion gases, a turbine positioned downstream of the pulse detonation combustors such that the flow of combustion gases drives the turbine, and a catalytic converter positioned downstream of the pulse detonation combustors such that the flow of combustion gases passes therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Venkat Eswarlu Tangirala, Narendra Joshi, Danielle Kalitan, Fuhua Ma, Thomas Lavertu
  • Patent number: 8209985
    Abstract: Heat recovery equipment recovers heat from flue gas. The heat recovery equipment includes a power generation plant that drives a steam turbine by superheated steam produced in a boiler, and an exhaust-gas treatment line that treats flue gas output from the boiler. The exhaust-gas treatment line includes a first air preheater, a heat extractor unit, and a dry electrostatic precipitator. The power generation plant includes a condensed water line. The condensed water line includes a condenser, a condensed water heater, and a low-pressure feedwater heater. The condensed water heater heats water condensed by the condenser with the heat recovered by the heat extractor unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Takeuchi, Yoshio Nakayama, Tsuyoshi Oishi, Satoshi Nakamura, Shinji Nakamura, Tsuyoshi Dohi, Chikayuki Nagata
  • Patent number: 8196406
    Abstract: A method for converting heat energy into mechanical, electrical and/or thermal energy, includes two circuits which are connected one common subsection. The first circuit has an expansion apparatus, and the common subsection is connected to the first and second circuit via a jet compressor. A working medium is routed in the first circuit and a propellant is routed in the second circuit and a mixture of working medium and propellant is routed in the common subsection. The mixture is separated into a working medium stream and a propellant stream in a separation apparatus. The working medium is recirculated into the first circuit and is supplied to an evaporator unit. The evaporated working medium is supplied to the expansion apparatus and subsequently to the jet compressor. The separated propellant is recirculated into the second circuit and is supplied to a collector and is then supplied to the jet compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Ecoenergy Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Erwin Oser, Hubert Hamm, Michael Rannow
  • Publication number: 20120111007
    Abstract: A steam power plant having at least one steam turbine unit and a process steam consumer is provided. The process steam consumer includes a heat exchanger. The steam turbine unit is connected to a heat exchanger by means of a extraction steam line, and a desuperheater is connected in the primary side of the extraction steam line, so that process steam extracted through the extraction steam line of the turbine system may be conditioned by the desuperheater to the process conditions of the process steam consumer, and the heat energy removed in the desuperheater can be fed back into the steam power plant system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Tilman Früh, Carsten Graeber, Mike Rost
  • Patent number: 8146363
    Abstract: A method of substantially preventing contaminants from entering a condenser adapted for use within a steam generating system. A condenser is provided. Steam or a combination of water and steam is passed into the condenser, the condenser operating in a normal mode if a pressure in a control area is equal to or greater than a predefined pressure and operating in a non-normal mode if the pressure in the control area is less than the predefined pressure. An inert gas is injected into the condenser if a pressure in the control area is less than a holding pressure, the holding pressure being equal to or greater than the predefined pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: James C. Bellows
  • Patent number: 8112997
    Abstract: A power generating system including a working fluid circuit. The power generating system includes a condenser system in the working fluid circuit and a condensate polisher circuit. The condenser system receives a working fluid that includes steam or a combination of water and steam and condenses at least a portion of the working fluid into a condensate. The condensate has a temperature above a predetermined upper operating temperature. The condensate polisher circuit is branched off from the working fluid circuit and receives and treats said condensate from the working fluid circuit and returns treated condensate to the working fluid circuit. The condensate polisher circuit includes a heat exchanger that reduces the temperature of the condensate at least to the upper operating temperature and a condensate polisher that removes contaminants from the condensate to bring the condensate to a predetermined purity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: James C. Bellows
  • Patent number: 8099959
    Abstract: Heat recovery equipment recovers heat from flue gas. The heat recovery equipment includes a power generation plant that drives a steam turbine by superheated steam produced in a boiler, and an exhaust-gas treatment line that treats flue gas output from the boiler. The exhaust-gas treatment line includes a first air preheater, a heat extractor unit, and a dry electrostatic precipitator. The power generation plant includes a condensed water line. The condensed water line includes a condenser, a condensed water heater, and a low-pressure feedwater heater. The condensed water heater heats water condensed by the condenser with the heat recovered by the heat extractor unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Takeuchi, Yoshio Nakayama, Tsuyoshi Oishi, Satoshi Nakamura, Shinji Nakamura, Tsuyoshi Dohi, Chikayuki Nagata
  • Publication number: 20120007370
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell with a cathode region and an anode region. The fuel cell system also includes at least one device, which is flown through by an intake air flow flowing to the cathode region and by a used air stream discharged from the cathode region. It also includes catalytic material for the thermal conversion of fuel-containing gas. A first unit with catalytic material is arranged in the flow direction of the intake air flow upstream the at least one device. An exhaust gas from the anode region can be fed to this first unit as a fuel-containing gas. A second unit with catalytic material is arranged in the flow direction of the used air flow downstream of the at least one device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: DAIMLER AG
    Inventors: Gerhard Konrad, Felix Sterk
  • Publication number: 20120006026
    Abstract: A steam turbine apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment, the steam turbine apparatus comprises: an exhaust shell portion including: a first section having a semi-circular cross-section; an exhaust section contiguous with the first section, the exhaust section including an intermediate-pressure exhaust outlet; and a second section having an oblate spherical cross-section including a substantially flattened portion, the second section configured to fluidly connect with the first section, wherein the first section and the second section form a continuous steam flow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Yuexi Xiong, Edward Leo Kudlacik, Norman Douglas Lathrop, Christopher Walter Sullivan, David Ernest Welch
  • Publication number: 20120007371
    Abstract: A fuel cell system comprises a fuel cell with a cathode region and anode region. The fuel cell system includes an exchanging device, which is flown through by an intake air flow flowing to the cathode region and by a used air flow discharged from the cathode region. In the exchanging device, heat is transferred from the intake air flow to the used air flow, and water vapor is simultaneously transferred from the used air flow to the intake air flow. At least part of the exchanging device is provided with a catalytic material at the intake air side. Furthermore, an exhaust gas from the anode region is fed to the exchanging device at the intake air side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Gerhard Konrad, Felix Sterk
  • Publication number: 20110277479
    Abstract: A method and corresponding apparatus for separation of carbon dioxide from an exhaust gas of a fossil-fired power are provided. In an absorption process, the exhaust gas containing carbon dioxide is brought into contact with an absorption medium so that the absorption medium is laden with carbon dioxide. In a desorption process, vapor from a water/steam circuit of the fossil-fired power plant is heated, wherein a laden absorption medium is regenerated. In a subsequent expansion process, the regenerated absorption medium is expanded so that a vapor and an expanded absorption medium are formed, wherein the vapor is recirculated into the desorption process. The laden absorption medium is divided into a first part stream and a second part stream. Only the second part stream is brought into heat-exchanging contact with the expanded absorption medium. The first and second part streams are supplied to the desorption process at different process stages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventors: Peter Richter, Rüdiger Schneider, Henning Schramm
  • Publication number: 20110265480
    Abstract: Turbine exhaust steam, axially fed between counter-rotating radial flow disk turbines, separates into: (1) a radially inward flow of low enthalpy dry steam, and (2) a radially outward flow of high enthalpy steam, noncondensibles, and condensate. The radially inward flow goes to a conventional condenser. The radially outward flow loses enthalpy turning the disk turbines as it passes in the boundary layers against the disks, thus becoming low enthalpy dry steam, and the counter-rotation of the disks by impinging mass flow of condensate, high enthalpy steam, and noncondensibles sustains a cascade of dynamic vortex tubes in the shear layer between the boundary layers. The low enthalpy dry steam resulting from work being done flows into the condenser through the vortex cores of fractal turbulence. Condensate exits the periphery of the workspace, ready to be pumped back into the Rankine cycle. More condensate is recovered from the low enthalpy vapor in the condenser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: MCCUTCHEN CO.
    Inventor: Wilmot H. McCutchen
  • Publication number: 20110265445
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for reducing CO2 emissions in an exhaust stream, and industrial plants utilizing the same. In one embodiment, a method for reducing emissions in a combustion stream, comprises: generating an exhaust stream, and compressing the stream. A first flow of the compressed exhaust stream is recycled to the generating step, and a second flow is provided to a CO2 separation system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Cristina Botero, Matthias Finkenrath, Miguel Angel Gonzalez Salazar
  • Publication number: 20110259010
    Abstract: The present invention provides a waste heat recovery system, comprising a closed fluid circuit through which an organic motive fluid flows, heat exchanger means for transferring heat from waste heat gases to the motive fluid, means for flashing the motive fluid which exits the heat exchanger means into a high pressure flashed vapor portion, means for flashing liquid non-flashed motive fluid producing a low pressure flashed vapor portion, a high pressure turbine module which receives said high pressure flashed vapor portion to produce power, and a low pressure turbine module which receives a combined flow of motive fluid vapor comprising the low pressure flashed vapor portion and discharge vapor from the high pressure turbine module whereby additional power is produced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: Ormat Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Lucien Y. Bronicki, Yoram Bronicki
  • Publication number: 20110247336
    Abstract: Systems and methods for lowering levels of carbon dioxide and other atmospheric pollutants are provided. Economically viable systems and processes capable of removing vast quantities of carbon dioxide and other atmospheric pollutants from gaseous waste streams and sequestering them in storage-stable forms are also discussed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventors: Kasra Farsad, Robert W. Elliott, Richard P. O'Connor, William Randall Seeker, Kyle Self, Justin Wall
  • Patent number: 7984566
    Abstract: An air drying system and process employs a turbofan jet engine for producing high quality dried products. The air drying system uses both thermal and non-thermal air drying. The turbofan jet engine is housed within an air distribution chamber for directing exhaust air and bypass air from the jet engine into a product drying tube, where it is dried through a combination of thermal drying from heat content in an engine exhaust, and by the kinetic energy of air flowing past the product traveling through the drying tube, that may include a physical impediment for retarding retard the speed of the product solids flowing in the air stream through the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Inventor: Wesley A. Staples
  • Publication number: 20110146281
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for managing sulfur are disclosed. In some embodiments, the method comprise the following: obtaining material containing sulfur; refining the material to develop a high sulfur content heavy fraction fuel oil and a low sulfur content light fraction fuel oil; burning the low sulfur content light fraction fuel oil in apparatus that emit to the atmosphere; burning the high sulfur content heavy fraction fuel oil to produce energy thereby generating flue gas containing sulfur oxide; and removing and disposing of sulfur in the flue gas using a sulfur sequestration system that includes utilizing sulfur removed from the flue gas to form a brine material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Klaus S. Lackner, Tim A. Rappold
  • Publication number: 20110126541
    Abstract: A method of controlling a discharge of an exhaust gas from a pneumatic device includes directing the exhaust gas from an exhaust port of the pneumatic device into proximity with a heated portion of the pneumatic device, expanding the exhaust gas in proximity with the heated portion of the pneumatic device to heat the exhaust gas, and discharging the exhaust gas to atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: LONGYEAR TM, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Lee Case, Tolulope Kayode Ajibola, Shakeel Khalfan
  • Patent number: 7926277
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for operating a condenser of the type having a housing inside of which is disposed a bundle of water tubes, a steam inlet for steam to flow inside the housing for contacting the tube bundle for cooling, and having a stagnant air zone during operation wherein any air in-leakage preferentially collects and condensate in the air zone becomes subcooled. A trough or drain is placed beneath the stagnant air zone for collecting subcooled condensate from the stagnant air zone. Collected subcooled condensate is transported from the trough or drain in a pipe to said steam inlet. The transported condensate is injected with an injector for contacting with steam entering the condenser, whereby the injected condensate is heated by the steam for expelling dissolved oxygen in the injected condensate. Advantageously, the condenser is fitted with an array of temperature sensors at the stagnant air zone for determination of its presence and/or size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Inventor: Joseph W. C. Harpster
  • Publication number: 20110067410
    Abstract: A reformation power plant generates clean electricity from carbonaceous material and high pressure CO2 which can be easily sequestered or utilized for a beneficial purpose, such as fuel production. The reformation power plant design utilizes a reformation process that reforms carbonaceous fuel with super-heated steam into a high-pressure gaseous mixture that is rich in carbon dioxide and hydrogen gas. This high-pressure gas exchanges excess heat with the incoming steam from a boiler and continues onward to a condenser. Once cooled, the high-pressure gas goes through a methanol separator, after which the CO2-rich gas is sequestered underground or beneficially re-used. The remaining hydrogen-rich gas is combusted through a gas turbine. The gas turbine provides power to a generator and also regenerative heat for the boiler. Finally, the generator converts mechanical energy into electricity, which is transferred to the electric grid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventors: Robert M. Zubrin, Mark H. Berggren
  • Patent number: 7895839
    Abstract: A combined circulation condenser for a steam cycle apparatus is disclosed. The steam cycle apparatus includes a steam generator with a port for receiving a fluid. The steam generator presents heat to the fluid to generate steam that is directed out another port, which presents the steam to a turbine to generate electrical power. The turbine has an outlet that directs an exhaust steam into a condenser. A fluid flow system is inside the condenser, which directs cooling water along a pathway through the condenser so that the cooling water cools the exhaust steam, forming condensate. A condensate pump collects and pumps the condensate along another pathway through the condenser so that the condensate can additionally cool the exhaust steam. Simultaneously, the exhaust steam warms the condensate. This pathway directs the condensate to a feed pump, which pumps the condensate back to the steam generator through the generator's input port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Inventor: Steven Richard Miller
  • Publication number: 20110023490
    Abstract: The invention relates to a machinery arrangement, which comprises a combus-tion unit (3) arranged in an engine room (11), and an exhaust gas duct assem-bly (4) connected to the combustion unit (3) for receiving an exhaust gas flow and for leading the exhaust gas flow to the atmosphere through an exhaust gas cleaning system (5) provided with an exhaust gas pipe (52). In order to condi-tion the exhaust plume, the exhaust gas pipe (52) is arranged in an enclosure (114), whereby the enclosure (114) is arranged in flow connection with the en-gine room (11) in order to provide heat for the exhaust gas pipe (52) by means of a heated air flow from the engine room.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventors: Torbjörn Henriksson, Marko Lehikoinen
  • Publication number: 20100300101
    Abstract: An exhaust system for a double flow steam turbine providing a separate external exhaust path from an upper section of a turbine outlet of a first turbine section to a first condenser and a separate external exhaust path from a lower section the turbine outlet of the first turbine section to the first condenser. A separate external exhaust path from an upper section of a turbine outlet of a second turbine section and a separate external exhaust path from a lower section of the turbine outlet of the second turbine section is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventors: Roy P. Swintek, Dale W. Ladoon, James E. Olson
  • Publication number: 20100236242
    Abstract: Systems and methods for lowering levels of carbon dioxide and other atmospheric pollutants are provided. Economically viable systems and processes capable of removing vast quantities of carbon dioxide and other atmospheric pollutants from gaseous waste streams and sequestering them in storage-stable forms are also discussed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Inventors: Kasra Farsad, Robert W. Elliott, Richard P. O'Connor, William Randall Seeker, Kyle Self, Justin Wall
  • Publication number: 20100219805
    Abstract: An electrical power boosting apparatus includes a metal substrate having a monomolecular carbon-based film on first and second surfaces, a conductive core, a positive electrode at one end, and a negative electrode an opposite end and magnets positioned adjacent and in a spaced-apart relationship to the metal substrate, the magnets are oriented so that north and south poles of each magnet are matched with opposite poles of an adjacent magnet. Electrical power is boosted by passing an initial electric current having an initial voltage through the conductive core of the metal substrate and causing or allowing an interaction between the metal substrate, the monomolecular carbon-based film, and the magnets to produce a modified electric current having a final voltage that is greater than the initial voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Inventor: Thomas C. Maganas
  • Publication number: 20100173358
    Abstract: A process for obtaining a starch and a protein or both from grain flour, the process steps comprising: providing grain flour; mixing the grain flour with processed or fresh water to form a slurry; separating the slurry into it at least two fractions, the at least two fractions including two or more of a heavy A-starch fraction, a protein and B-starch fraction, and a pentosan fraction; and generating a biogas from at least one of the fractions from the separating step, the biogas being used for generating energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: WESTFALIA SEPARATOR GMBH
    Inventors: Willi Witt, Joachim Ringbeck, Conny Seemann, Dirk Lang
  • Patent number: 7748210
    Abstract: A system is provided and includes a first condenser configured to fluidly receive a first steam supply and tower water and to output a first water supply, a second condenser configured to fluidly receive a first portion of a second steam supply and the first water supply and to output a second water supply, and a vapor-absorption-machine (VAM) configured to fluidly receive a second portion of the second steam supply and the second water supply by which a refrigeration cycle is conducted to thereby cool at least one of the tower water and a third water supply used to cool the tower water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Shinoj Vakkayil Chandrabose, Diego Fernando Rancruel, Prakash Narayan Govindan, Anil Kumar Sharma
  • Patent number: 7730712
    Abstract: A system for use in a combined cycle or rankine cycle power plant using an air-cooled steam condenser is provided and includes a steam turbine from which first and second steam supplies are outputted at high and low respective pressures, an air-cooled condenser configured to fluidly receive and to air-cool at least the first steam supply via a supply of air, a cooling tower from which a first water supply is cycled, a chilling coil through which a second water supply water is cycled to thereby cool the supply of air, and a vapor-absorption-machine (VAM) configured to fluidly receive the second steam supply and the first water supply by which a refrigeration cycle is conducted to thereby cool the second water supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Anil Kumar Sharma, Prakash Narayan, Shinoj Vakkayil Chandrabose