Abstract: A mosture pre-separator for the exhaust from a steam turbine, having an exhaust nozzle, comprises three cylindrical conduits. A first cylindrical conduit is affixed to the annular wall of the nozzle and has a radially outwardly extending section adjacent the annular wall, with a second cylindrical conduit, which terminates short of the annular wall, contained therein to form a first collection chamber therebetween. A third cylindrical conduit is slidably positioned in the second cylindrical conduit and extends into the exhaust nozzle of the turbine and forms a second collection chamber between the outer wall thereof and the wall of the exhaust nozzle, with direct communication provided between the first and second chambers.

Abstract: A system for converting thermal energy into electrical energy includes a fluid reservoir, a relatively high boiling point fluid such as lead or a lead alloy within the reservoir, a downcomer defining a vertical fluid flow path communicating at its upper end with the reservoir and an upcomer defining a further vertical fluid flow path communicating at its upper end with the reservoir. A variable area nozzle of rectangular section may terminate the upper end of the upcomer and the lower end of the of the downcomer communicates with the lower end of the upcomer. A mixing chamber is located at the lower end portion of the upcomer and receives a second relatively low boiling point fluid such as air, the mixing chamber serving to introduce the low boiling point fluid into the upcomer so as to produce bubbles causing the resultant two-phase fluid to move at high velocity up the upcomer.

Abstract: In a device for degassing the feed-water line in the cycle of, for example, a nuclear heated electricity generating plant, steam bubbles are introduced into the condensate beneath the water level in the condensate collecting vessel via spray nozzles in order to solve the acute steam generator corrosion problems. For this purpose, a flow channel, in which the condensate follows a particular path to the hot well is provided in the vessel. Several spray nozzles are provided spaced out in the flow direction of the condensate. The steam/gas mixture escaping from the condensate is guided in counterflow to a steam balance opening which is located in the intermediate floor in the entry region of the flow channel the intermediate floor screening the vessel from the condensation space of the condenser.

Abstract: A geothermal steam turbine plant comprises a steam turbine operatively connected to a production well, an indirect-contact type main condenser into which a geothermal steam including non-condensed gas is introduced from the steam turbine, and a cooling water supply system for supplying cooling water to the main condenser.

Abstract: A system for storing electrical energy in the form of triple-point CO.sub.2 and then using such stored energy plus heat to generate electrical power. A reservoir of carbon dioxide liquid at about the triple point is created in an insulated vessel. Liquid carbon dioxide is withdrawn and pumped to a high pressure, which high pressure carbon dioxide is heated and expanded to create rotary power which generates electrical power. The discharge stream from the expander is cooled and returned to the vessel where carbon dioxide vapor is condensed by melting solid carbon dioxide. A fuel-fired gas turbine connected to an electrical power generator can be used to heat the high pressure carbon dioxide, and an ambient air stream flowing toward the gas turbine can be cooled by giving up heat to the high pressure carbon dioxide stream.

Abstract: An apparatus for recovering mechanical energy from the exhaust steam from a power plant is disclosed. The exhaust steam is led to a generally U-shaped sealed reservoir containing two legs filled with water. The water is driven back and forth between the legs causing the exhaust steam to condense while generating energy from the oscillating water in the reservoir.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for continuous measurement of the proportion of relatively non-condensable gases in a flow of mixed gases such as geothermal steam. The apparatus is an open system which detects the proportion of relatively non-condensable gases in a sample flow continuously. The sample flow is condensed and supplied in a tube which conditions the sample flow to consist of a series of segments of condensate and segments of uncondensed gases. The sensor senses the relative volume of the condensate and the uncondensed gases. The data processing means receives the output of the sensor and calculates the proportion of non-condensable gases in the flow of mixed gases. In the preferred embodiment, the sensor optically detects the ratio of the volume of the condensate to the volume of uncondensed gases.

Abstract: A moisture pre-separator for the exhaust portion of a high pressure steam turbine is disclosed. The pre-separator mounts in the nozzle and adjoining piping of the exhaust portion and provides a first channel for capturing moisture caused by secondary flow and a second channel for capturing moisture flowing on the exhaust hood wall. Drains are provided for both channels.

Abstract: A closed Rankine-cycle power unit 10 for powering a turbine 16. The unit comprises a single closed loop in which a working fluid is circulated. The fluid, in liquid phase, is brought to gaseous phase by passing it through a heat exchanger 14 and the gas is used to drive a turbine 16. The gas is then passed through supersonic condenser 20 of supersonic condenser-radiator 18. Supersonic condenser 20 comprises a supersonic DeLaval nozzle 30 connected to a long barrel 38 which converts the gas stream into liquid droplets. The droplets are formed into a droplet beam 22 by a spray nozzle 40, the droplets radiating away a large amount of their heat energy. The beam 22 is collected as a liquid by a collector 24 and pumped through a compressor 26 which raises its pressure. The liquid from the compressor 26 is then circulated through the heat exchanger 14 again.

Abstract: Arrangement for a thermal, steam-powered engine in a submarine vehicle, for example a torpedo. A condenser is so arranged as to separate the exhaust from the engine into a condensable exhaust fraction and into a non-condensable exhaust fraction. A compressor, which is connected to the engine for the purpose of silencing, is so arranged as to compress only the non-condensable exhaust fraction which, after compression, is discharged through an exhaust outlet into the surrounding sea water. The condenser is in the form of a sleeve which for silencing purposes encloses both the engine and the compressor. A sound-deadening gap is arranged between the condenser and the hull of the vehicle.

Abstract: A steam turbine exhaust pipe erosion prevention system is disclosed. The system is particularly adaptable to the exhaust system of a high pressure steam turbine of a nuclear power plant. The system includes a moisture pre-separator to remove damaging water droplets prior to exhausting through the exhaust nozzles of the exhaust hood of the turbine. The system also includes an erosion prevention device strategically positioned in close proximity to pipe bends between the exhaust hood and the moisture separator reheater. The erosion prevention device removes the water film formed by damaging water droplets near pipe bends.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for deaerating condensate in a power generating steam turbine plant of the type having deaeration system making use of the deaeration function of the condenser of the plant. The non-deaerated condensate in the condenser of the steam turbine plant to be started is substituted by deaerated condensate supplied from an equipment containing deaerated condensate such as the condenser of another plant under operation and deaerated condensate storage tank. The non-deaerated condensate can be deaerated in a short period to the level required for the feedwater supplied to the boiler, of the steam turbine plant.

Abstract: A low pressure double flow stream turbine is connected to a condenser and partition plates are disposed within the condenser and turbine to flow to two separate chambers and cooling water flows in series through tubes in the separate chambers producing different back pressures, the last row of rotating blades which discharge into the lower pressure chamber are longer than the last row of blades which discharge into the higher pressure chamber resulting in an improvement in the heat rate of the turbine.

Abstract: A moisture separator which incorporates an inner cylinder disposed in coaxial relation with an exhaust pipe of a steam turbine utilizes the spiral secondary flow of a gas stream to remove liquids which are entrained therein. The moisture separator incorporates an inner cylinder which has one or more apertures through its wall. The inner cylinder is placed in coaxial relation with the exhaust pipe of a steam turbine with means for sealing the axial ends of an annular chamber formed between the cylinder and the exhaust pipe. Means are provided for dividing the annular chamber into a plurality of arcuate spaces and for removing liquid which collects within each of the arcuate spaces. The moisture separator utilizes the characteristic of gas streams which creates spiral secondary flows when forced to turn around a bend. The spiral flows cause liquid, which is entrained in a gas stream, to migrate to the inner surface of a pipe or cylinder and coalesce on the walls thereof.

Abstract: An air cooled vacuum producing condenser is disclosed for condensing vapors containing non-condensible gases, i.e. air. The condenser includes a condenser chamber with a bundle of condenser tubes across the chamber. Inlet and outlet headers are disposed at opposite ends of the chamber. Water is directed downwardly onto the bundle of condenser tubes, and air is discharged from the interior of the chamber to create a downward flow of air through the chamber across the bundle of condenser tubes.

Abstract: An air cooled vacuum producing condenser is disclosed for condensing vapors containing non-condensible gases, i.e. air. The condenser includes a condenser chamber with a bundle of condenser tubes across the chamber. Inlet and outlet headers are disposed at opposite ends of the chamber. Water is directed downwardly onto the bundle of condenser tubes, and air is discharged from the interior of the chamber to create a downward flow of air through the chamber across the bundle of condenser tubes.

Abstract: A turbine generator unit comprises a turbine (1) and condenser (2) with fible joint (33) between them. A table (4) supporting the turbine generator unit rests on springs (47). In conjunction with a baseplate (7) supporting the condenser (2) and supported on springs (67), it forms a cradle. The table (4) and baseplate (7) are linked together by means of columns (47).

Abstract: It is possible to extract mechanical energy from lower temperature heat sources than the flames of burning fuel by substituting driving fluids having lower boiling points than water and using an abentropic engine of the type described in my U.S. Pat. No. 4,109,470, both to condense the fluid for recycling and to obtain mechanical energy from the latent heat of the vapor. Thus, valuable energy sources now going to waste such as geothermal heat, solar heat, factory and power house smoke stack heat, and nuclear-waste heat are made to produce electricity via mechanical energy, virtually a reversal of the second law of thermodynamics, by use of an abentropic engine whose operational principle is that the latent heat of vapor is in fact potential energy which can be converted to mechanical energy during its condensation.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for producing electricity utilizing the enthalpy released by a rising foam in a plurality of closed environments to generate power to drive a turbine. The closed environments are interconnected in a manner to permit the effluent from each closed environment to be used in an adjacent closed environment.

Abstract: A gas-operated motor system of the stored energy type--as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,092,830--in which the gas exhausted from the motor is ducted to a chamber during operation of the motor and thereafter compressed back into the gas reservoir vessel. Recompression may be achieved e.g. by providing the exhaust gas chamber with a movable piston, or by running the motor in the reverse mode as a compressor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing an improved regenerative turbine driven by a liquid or gaseous fluid. The turbine has a housing with a primary inlet and an auxiliary inlet. The driving fluid in the primary inlet is maintained at near stagnation pressure conditions. As the primary driving fluid passes through the regenerative turbine motor channel, it describes a helical path, imparting energy from the fluid to the rotor. The auxiliary fluid inlet feeds fluid to the exhaust part of the rotor channel tangential to the helical path of the primary fluid and increases the rotational motion of the exhaust fluid. The pressure ratio between the fluid inlet and the fluid exhaust is thereby increased and results in improved turbine efficiency. Secondary sources of energy for driving the turbine provide alternative driving fluids.

Abstract: Apparatus for reheating the exhaust steam or other working fluid from an external combustion engine, e.g., a turbine, comprises two contra-rotating drums, each containing conduit means arranged in a spiral through which the exhaust fluid flows in succession, the drums being located in a cylindrical housing which is divided into four quadrants through which the drums rotate, two of the quadrants being supplied with heat from an external source, one quadrant being neutral and one quadrant being cooled.

Abstract: A method and means for economically producing boiling hot condensate plus mechanical energy from spent steam whereby energy waste and thermal pollution from power stations is greatly lessened. Herein, a combination abentropic engine and hot condenser is interposed between the main turbine exhaust port and a vacuum condenser for the purpose of making the steam do work and thus bringing about condensation at its boiling point. Since the latent energy of spent steam is enthalpic as well as thermic by nature, its extraction as mechanical energy greatly lessens heat release upon condensation.The mechanical work produced by such an engine depends not upon expansion, as in a main turbine, but upon continuous force exerted by vapor pressure operating on one side of a piston having a vacuum on the other. The pressure is maintained by the operation of Dalton's Law - that vapor pressure depends on temperature alone and not upon volume. The temperature is maintained by the balanced heat release upon condensation.

Abstract: In conjunction with a heat engine such as a turbine in which the medium expands and is cooled while giving up energy, which uses a closed system in which the medium is cooled so that the vaporized medium condenses to fluid, a heat pump is used in which the medium is transported by a compressor utilizing an ejector, particularly an ejector having at least two nozzles for injection of liquid working medium, with the temperature of the working medium fed to the two nozzles being different from each other.

Abstract: The invention applies to a liquid/vapor energy cycle having a boiler for heating a liquid to produce a vapor for driving a transducer and a way of returning the transducer output to the boiler. A vortex tube receives the output from the transducer and divides the transducer output into relatively hot and cold portions, and an injector is powered by the vapor and arranged for pumping the cold portion of the transducer output back into the boiler. The hot portion of the transducer output is preferably used for powering the injector, and a portion of the vapor from the boiler can assist in this.