Motor And Indirect Heat Exchanger Patents (Class 60/690)
  • Publication number: 20150068208
    Abstract: An air cooling unit is an air cooling unit used in a Rankine cycle system and includes an expander and a condenser. The expander recovers energy from a working fluid by expanding the working fluid. The condenser cools the working fluid using air. The air cooling unit includes a heat-transfer reducer that reduces heat transfer between the expander and an air path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: OSAMU KOSUDA, OSAO KIDO, ATSUO OKAICHI, TAKUMI HIKICHI, MASAAKI KONOTO, NORIYOSHI NISHIYAMA, YOSHIO TOMIGASHI, TETSUYA MATSUYAMA
  • Patent number: 8910477
    Abstract: A method of improving heat utilization in a thermodynamic cycle, the method comprising heating a working stream in a at least one distillation assembly to produce a rich stream and a lean stream; wherein the distillation assembly comprises a bottom reboiler section, a middle distillation section and a top condenser section; superheating the rich stream in at least one superheater to produce a gaseous working stream; expanding the gaseous working stream in at least one means for expansion to obtain energy in usable form and at least one spent stream; mixing the spent stream and the lean stream to produce a mixed stream; condensing the mixed stream in an absorber-condenser assembly using cooling water to obtain a condensed stream; exchanging heat between the condensed stream and the rich stream to partially condense the rich stream before step b); whereby the condensed stream on heat exchange gives a liquid working stream; exchanging heat between the liquid working stream and the lean stream in at least one hea
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Inventors: Bhagwat Sunil Subhash, Satpute Satchidanand Ramdasji, Patil Swapnil Shridhar, Shankar Ravi
  • Publication number: 20140318130
    Abstract: Cogeneration method, according to which a hot source (2) produces steam that is released in at least one turbine (3) having a low-pressure steam outlet (5) linked to a condenser; at least a fraction (Q) of the steam leaving the turbine (3) is directed towards a Venturi thermocompressor (14) into which a fluid having higher pressure and temperature than the outgoing steam is injected, resulting in a fluid having higher pressure and temperature than the outgoing steam, and this mixture is directed towards a second condenser (21) where the heat of the mixture is transferred to an auxiliary fluid of a circuit (23) external to the thermodynamic cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventor: Frederic Duong
  • Publication number: 20140116049
    Abstract: A system includes a first steam generator configured to generate a first boiler feedwater, a second steam generator configured to generate a second boiler feedwater, a common boiler feedwater configured to combine the first boiler feedwater and the second boiler feedwater to produce a common boiler feedwater, and a heater configured to receive the common boiler feedwater to heat a gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: John Caleb Wilson, Leroy Omar Tomlinson, George Frederick Frey
  • Publication number: 20140069078
    Abstract: The present application and the resultant patent provide a combined cycle system with a flow of feed water therein. The combined cycle system may include a gas turbine, a steam turbine, a heat exchanger with the flow of feed water flowing therethrough, an expansion source for expanding the flow of feed water, and a supplemental power generation system positioned between the heat exchanger and the expansion source and driven by the flow of feed water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Leslie Yung-Min Tong, Diego Fernando Rancruel, Kihyung Kim
  • Publication number: 20140060053
    Abstract: A steam power plant with a steam turbine with a high pressure stage and a low pressure stage is provided. A first steam source provides a motive steam, and a second steam source provides a heating steam, wherein the motive steam and the heating steam have different qualities. A reheater is arranged between the high pressure stage and the low pressure stage. The motive steam is supplied to the high pressure stage and is reheated by the reheater after leaving the high pressure stage, wherein the reheater is operated with the heating steam. Further, a method of operating a steam power plant is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventor: THORSTEN WOLF
  • Publication number: 20140026573
    Abstract: A flow of first working fluid (F1) is provided to a boiler (203) to produce (104) a flow of first working fluid vapor. A second working fluid (F2) in vaporous form is compressed (106), after which a third working fluid is formed by mixing (108) the first working fluid vapor and the second working fluid. Thermal energy is transferred (110) directly between the first and second working fluids in a mixing chamber (206) exclusive of any intervening structure. The third working fluid is expanded (112) to perform work, after which the first working fluid is extracted (114) as condensate, leaving a residual portion of the third working fluid. The cycle is repeated (116, 118, 120) using the condensate as the first working fluid and the residual portion as a constituent of the second working fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: HARRIS CORPORATION
    Inventor: William R. Palmer
  • Publication number: 20130327052
    Abstract: An exhaust system is provided for mitigating condensate formation in a common exhaust stack and for effecting improved heat transfer. Reduced condensate formation and improved heat transfer is achieved by inducing non-laminar flow through the common exhaust stack and a heat exchanger operatively coupled to the common exhaust stack. Heat transfer is further improved by dew point control. Non-laminar flow is induced by connecting more than one gas turbine to the common exhaust stack through non-laminar flow inducing arrangements. The various coupling arrangements also add structural rigidity to the common exhaust stack for increased stack height and improved plume dispersion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Inventors: Chris O'NEILL, Dobromir FILIP, Joseph KISS, Graham ILLINGWORTH
  • Publication number: 20130318985
    Abstract: A combined cycle power plant may include a gas turbine comprising a feed forward signal generator and configured to operate in one of one or more firing modes and generate exhaust gas and a heat recovery steam generator configured to receive the exhaust gas and extract thermal energy from the exhaust gas to generate steam. The feed forward signal generator may be configured to generate a feed forward signal that is used to control the temperature of the steam generated by the heat recovery steam generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: John Petzen
  • Publication number: 20130318969
    Abstract: A system includes a heat exchanger and an organic Rankine cycle system. The heat exchanger is configured to exchange heat between extraction air from a power block and nitrogen from an air separation unit. The organic Rankine cycle system is coupled to the heat exchanger. In addition, the organic Rankine cycle system is configured to convert heat from the extraction air into work.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Qiong Zhou, Deila Peng, Arnaldo Frydman, Thomas Glen Cobb
  • Publication number: 20130241204
    Abstract: A method and system using at least two different working fluids to be supplied to an expander to cause it to do mechanical work. The expander is started by providing a compressed gaseous working fluid at a sufficient pressure to the expander. At the same time the compressed gaseous working fluid is provided to the expander, a second working fluid that is liquid at ambient temperatures is provided to a heater to be heated. The second working fluid is heated to its boiling point and converted to pressurized gas Once the pressure is increased to a sufficient level, the second working fluid is injected into the expander to generate power, and the supply of the first working fluid may be stopped. After expansion in the expander, the working fluids are is exhausted from the expander, and the second working fluid may be condensed for separation from the first working fluid. Control circuitry controls the admission of the first and second working fluids responsive to monitoring the load on the expander.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: Averill Partners, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Jeffrey Brookman, Michael Anthony Cocuzza
  • Publication number: 20130192230
    Abstract: A power plant includes a boiler, a stream turbine generator, a post combustion processing system, a feed water regeneration processing system and a heat exchanger. Heat from the heat exchanger is used to regenerate (a) a reagent that absorbs carbon dioxide from flue gas and (b) a water-lean desiccant used to increase plant operating efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: The University of Kentucky Research Foundation
    Inventor: The University of Kentucky Research Foundation
  • Patent number: 8495879
    Abstract: The efficiency of compressed air vehicle is enhanced by adapting the compressed air storage tank with a Magnus rotor that creates lift so as to reduce the effective weight of the tank during operation. A compressed air tank has an outlet in fluid communication with the inlet of a compressed air motor. Air leaving the compressed air motor is caused to flow across the Magnus rotor whereby lift is generated to counter gravitational force thereby reducing the effective weight of the system. A battery powered electric fan has an inlet disposed to draw air across the Magnus rotor thereby increasing the velocity of the air so as to maximize the Magnus effect. A thermoelectric cooler transfers heat across the compressed air motor, i.e. from air exiting the compressed air motor outlet, to the air entering the compressed air motor inlet, whereby the temperature of the air entering the compressed air motor is increased resulting in increased pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Inventor: Winston Grace
  • Publication number: 20130180228
    Abstract: A supercritical heat recovery steam generator includes a duct defining an interior area and having a gas inlet and a gas outlet. The duct is configured to convey gas from the gas inlet to the gas outlet. A portion of the duct between the gas inlet and the gas outlet defines an exhaust gas flow segment of the interior area. A supercritical evaporator is disposed in the interior area and a reheater is disposed in the interior area. The reheater and the supercritical evaporator are disposed in the exhaust gas flow segment, adjacent to each other with respect to the flow of the exhaust gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventor: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
  • Publication number: 20130086906
    Abstract: A heat-exchange architecture for exhaust of a turbine engine, including heat-exchange elements partially obstructing a hot exhaust gases stream. In an architecture built into an exhaust line for gas streams of a turbine engine, the turbine engine is a turboshaft engine including a gas generator and a free turbine supplying power to a shaft via a through-shaft and an upstream reduction gear. An annular plate-shaped exchanger is installed in the axisymmetric portion of the ejector. The exchanger includes inlet and outlet channels, connected to the inlet and outlet of a central channel wound into a helix shape or sine curve in the annular plate. The channels are connected at the other ends to mechanical or electromechanical mechanisms for recovering and recycling energy. The energy is recovered via a cold fluid heated in the central channel by transfer of heat from residual gases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: TURBOMECA
    Inventor: Rainer Thomas
  • Patent number: 8386147
    Abstract: In a heating apparatus for heating the air sucked into a gas turbine by a heat exchanger, the temperature fluctuation of the heated air is suppressed even in the period, for which a steam source to be fed to the heat exchanger is changed. For suppression, a heat exchanger is fed with both a self-can steam, the feed rate of which is controlled by a self-can steam control valve, and the auxiliary-steam, the feed rate of which is controlled by an auxiliary-steam control valve. At starting time, the quantity of the auxiliary-steam is reduced at a constant rate, and that of the self-can steam is increased while a feedback control and a feedforward control are being made. At stopping time, the quantity of the self-can steam is reduced at a constant rate, and that of the auxiliary-steam is increased while the feedback control and the feedforward control are being made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Tanaka, Shoichi Harada
  • Publication number: 20130014505
    Abstract: A waste heat regeneration system includes a pump, a coolant boiler, an exhaust gas boiler, an expander, a first condenser, a gas/liquid separator, and a supercooler. A first flow control valve adjusts the amount of an operating fluid circulating in a first bypass flow path by controlling its opening degree based on a pressure difference P1?P2 corresponding to a temperature difference T1?T2 between the temperature T1 of the operating fluid on the upstream side of the supercooler and the temperature T2 of the operating fluid on the downstream side thereof, thereby maintaining the temperature difference T1?T2 so as to be larger than or equal to a predetermined value necessary for preventing the generation of cavitation in the pump, and ensuring the degree of supercooling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI
    Inventors: Fuminobu Enokijima, Hidefumi Mori, Masao Iguchi
  • Publication number: 20130000302
    Abstract: A method of improving heat utilization in a thermodynamic cycle, the method comprising heating a working stream in a at least one distillation assembly to produce a rich stream and a lean stream; wherein the distillation assembly comprises a bottom reboiler section, a middle distillation section and a top condenser section; superheating the rich stream in at least one superheater to produce a gaseous working stream; expanding the gaseous working stream in at least one means for expansion to obtain energy in usable form and at least one spent stream; mixing the spent stream and the lean stream to produce a mixed stream; condensing the mixed stream in an absorber-condenser assembly using cooling water to obtain a condensed stream; exchanging heat between the condensed stream and the rich stream to partially condense the rich stream before step b); whereby the condensed stream on heat exchange gives a liquid working stream; exchanging heat between the liquid working stream and the lean stream in at least one hea
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: Institute of Chemical Technology
    Inventors: Bhagwat Sunil Subhash, Satpute Satchidanand Ramdasji, Patil Swapnil Shridhar, Shankar Ravi
  • Publication number: 20120324893
    Abstract: A coal-fired power plant having a control unit including a first flow rate control valve for regulating a water flow rate of a water feed bypass system, a second flow rate control valve installed in an extraction pipe for extracting steam from a steam turbine, a first temperature sensor on a downstream side of a heat recovery device, and a second temperature sensor on a downstream side of a heat exchanger and the control unit regulates opening of the first and second flow rate control valves on the basis of an exhaust gas temperature detected by the first temperature sensor and a feed water temperature detected by the second temperature sensor. Accordingly, even when a recovery heat quantity of the heat recovery device installed on a gas duct is changed due to deterioration with age of a boiler, a reduction in plant reliability and plant efficiency can be suppressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshiharu Hayashi
  • Publication number: 20120240589
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided a power plant operating method. The method includes calculating by a turbine output calculating unit a turbine output based on an exponential value of a steam pressure measured at an arbitrary point downstream from the repeater, calculating by a power generator output calculating unit a power generator output generated by the power generator, detecting by an output deviation detecting unit a deviation between the turbine output and the power generator output, detecting by a power load unbalance detecting unit power load unbalance when the deviation exceeds a preset value, and outputting by a control unit a rapid close command to regulator valves of the steam turbine when the power load unbalance is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Inventors: Manabu TATEISHI, Takahiro MORI, Masayuki TOBO, Kouichi KITAGUCHI
  • Patent number: 8250848
    Abstract: A method of assembling a steam turbine power system with a coolant source is provided. The method includes providing a first steam turbine train including a first high pressure turbine assembly, a first low pressure turbine assembly coupled in flow communication with the first high pressure turbine assembly, and a first condenser coupled in flow communication with the first low pressure turbine assembly. The method also includes providing a second steam turbine train including a second high pressure turbine assembly, a second low pressure turbine assembly coupled in flow communication with the second high pressure turbine assembly, and a second condenser coupled in flow communication with the second low pressure turbine assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Edward Sholes, Jr., Raub Warfield Smith
  • Publication number: 20120192564
    Abstract: A thermal power plant includes carbon dioxide capture scrubbing equipment that suppresses reductions in the efficiency and output of a steam turbine, and, at the same time, reduces variations in the amount of steam supplied from a solar heat collection apparatus to a reboiler and variations in the temperature and pressure of reboiler generated steam, and stably carries out reactions for separating carbon dioxide from an absorbent by heating. The thermal power plant includes the carbon dioxide capture scrubbing equipment for capturing carbon dioxide from a boiler exhaust gas and the solar heat collection apparatus. Steam generated by the solar heat collection apparatus is supplied to the reboiler provided for a regeneration tower of the carbon dioxide capture scrubbing equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyoshi Mishima, Takashi Sugiura, Toshihiko Sakakura
  • Patent number: 8220266
    Abstract: A condenser is provided and includes a body into and through which steam turbine discharge is able to flow, and first and second cooling members disposed in the body, wherein the first and second cooling members are each independently receptive of first and second coolant, respectively, the first cooling member, being receptive of the first coolant, is configured to cool the discharge during at least a first cooling operation, and the second cooling member, being receptive of the second coolant, is configured to cool the discharge during a second cooling operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Gordon Raymond Smith
  • Publication number: 20120096861
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a carbon-dioxide-recovery-type steam power generation system comprises a boiler that generates steam and an exhaust gas, an absorption tower that allows carbon dioxide contained in the exhaust gas to be absorbed in an absorption liquid, a regeneration tower that regenerates discharges a carbon dioxide gas from the absorption liquid, a reboiler that heats the absorption liquid of the regeneration tower, a turbine that is rotationally driven by the steam, a condenser that generates condensate by cooling steam exhausted from the turbine, a compressor that compresses the carbon dioxide gas, and a cooler that cools the carbon dioxide gas, which has been compressed by the compressor, while using a part of the condensate as cooling water. The reboiler is supplied with steam from the turbine and steam generated by the cooling of the carbon dioxide gas at the cooler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Takeshi SASANUMA, Nobuo Okita, Takeo Takahashi, Mikio Takayanagi, Takeo Suga, Yuya Murakami, Toshihisa Kiyokuni, Hideo Kitamura
  • Patent number: 8161749
    Abstract: Cooled exhaust hood plates are provided in areas of high velocity steam flow within an exhaust steam flow of a steam turbine. Coolant is directed within double walled exhaust hood plates to cool plate surfaces adjacent to the high velocity exhaust steam flow. The cooled exhaust hood plates cool and condense the exhaust steam in proximity. Condensation will occur in low velocity area near the exhaust hood plate to reduce the boundary layer and improve the flow through the hood, improving overall turbine performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Boss, William T. Parry
  • Publication number: 20110259012
    Abstract: A working vehicle has a cooling fan provided on a first side of an engine to blow air to the engine; a muffler main body provided on a second side thereof in a position lower than an upper surface of a head cover of the engine; and an exhaust pipe exposed in a position facing an air blowing path of the cooling fan higher than the upper surface of the head cover of the engine to discharge exhaust from the muffler main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki TADA, Masato ASAHARA, Yoshihiro UEDA, Eiji SATO, Akira MINOURA
  • Publication number: 20110203280
    Abstract: A method for operating a power plant is disclosed. The power plant includes a power machine and a flue gas flow path following downstream of the power machine. A flue gas flow path is scavenged with fresh air before the flue gas flow path is acted upon with flue gas. To carry out the scavenging operation, air is extracted from a pressure accumulator and the air is introduced into the flue gas flow path downstream of the power machine. The power machine can be an exhaust gas heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventor: ROLF ALTHAUS
  • Publication number: 20110146282
    Abstract: A system and method for reducing sulfur compounds within a fuel stream for a turbomachine is presented. The system comprises: a turbomachine; a combustion system for burning a fuel including sulfur compounds, the burned fuel delivered to the turbomachine; and a sulfur compound reduction (SR) system positioned to reduce a level of the sulfur compounds in the fuel upstream of the combustion system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: James Easel Roberts
  • Publication number: 20110131999
    Abstract: A device for producing electrical power. A thermoelectric device is coupled to an aircraft bleed system for generating electrical power using temperature differentials between ram air and bleed air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: LIJUN GAO, Shengyi Liu, Chin-Hsi Chien
  • Publication number: 20110107763
    Abstract: A micro gas turbine engine for use in a turbo heater or co-generation application is described. The micro gas turbine engine includes a fuel delivery system which minimizes the development of deposits in the air-fuel passageway. To this end, a fuel delivery channel formed between a fuel deflector and a slinger body is formed with a contoured or undulating surface. A fuel deflector ring is interposed between the fuel delivery channel and the slinger impeller to facilitate the flow of the air-fuel mixture into the combustion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: JETHEAT INC.
    Inventors: Richard W. Gordon, Nancy Ann Gordon
  • Publication number: 20110088399
    Abstract: A method and system for augmenting the output of a combined cycle power plant having a gas turbine driving a generator, a heat recovery steam generator that recovers exhaust heat from the gas turbine to drive a steam turbine also driving a generator, and a refrigeration element that is powered by available energy in steam exhausted from the steam turbine to cool water. The refrigeration element employs a substantially closed cycle refrigeration system that, in a preferred embodiment, is either an absorption chilling system or a thermal compression chilling system. The refrigeration element provides cool water to an inlet chiller arranged to chill inlet to the gas turbine to augment the power output of the gas turbine and the water is recirculated to be chilled and used again. Since the refrigeration cycle is substantially closed, little or no additional plant water consumption is imposed on the power plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventors: Michael S. Briesch, Keith B. McLaurin
  • Publication number: 20100263840
    Abstract: An air cooled steam condenser for condensing exhaust steam from a steam turbine including a steam delivery manifold, first and second bundles of aligned elongated tubes extending downwardly at an angle to the axis of the steam delivery manifold, each bundle containing a plurality of elongated tubes having exterior aluminum fins, an exterior coating of aluminum and an interior cladding of stainless steel having a thickness between about 45 and 125 microns, wherein a height measured between the rounded ends of the tubes is greater than 220 mm or between 220 and 280 mm and the length of the tubes is greater than 11 m, preferably between 12 and 14 m or greater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: RESEARCH COTTRELL DRY COOLING, INC.
    Inventor: Arie M. Nobel
  • Publication number: 20100251716
    Abstract: Cooled exhaust hood plates are provided in areas of high velocity steam flow within an exhaust steam flow of a steam turbine. Coolant is directed within double walled exhaust hood plates to cool plate surfaces adjacent to the high velocity exhaust steam flow. The cooled exhaust hood plates cool and condense the exhaust steam in proximity. Condensation will occur in low velocity area near the exhaust hood plate to reduce the boundary layer and improve the flow through the hood, improving overall turbine performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventors: Michael J. Boss, William T. Parry
  • Publication number: 20100229553
    Abstract: A condenser is provided and includes a body into and through which steam turbine discharge is able to flow, and first and second cooling members disposed in the body, wherein the first and second cooling members are each independently receptive of first and second coolant, respectively, the first cooling member, being receptive of the first coolant, is configured to cool the discharge during at least a first cooling operation, and the second cooling member, being receptive of the second coolant, is configured to cool the discharge during a second cooling operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Gordon Raymond Smith
  • Publication number: 20100199673
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine comprises: a combustor with an aft end exhaust nozzle that discharges along an axis of the combustor; an eductor with a housing that circumscribes the combustor that has a sideward eductor inlet that intakes generally normal to the combustor axis and an aft end eductor outlet that circumscribes the combustor exhaust nozzle and exhausts along the combustor axis; and an eductor distribution shield mounted within the eductor housing between the eductor inlet and the combustor with a deflection surface that deflects the intake of the eductor inlet around the combustor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventors: Brian C. DeDe, David Lau, Nagamany Thayalakhandan
  • Publication number: 20090260362
    Abstract: A gas turbine combined power generation system using, as a fuel, gas (c) generated by decomposition of gas hydrate (h). The system includes a pump (19) for circulating condensate (n) produced by a condenser (10) to the vapor inlet side of the condenser, a heat exchanger (11) for exchanging heat between the circulating condensate (r) and circulating water (i) supplied to decompose the gas hydrate (h), and a pump (26) for circulating the circulating water to a decomposition tank (32) for the gas hydrate (h).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2006
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: MITSUI ENGINEERING & SHIPBUILDING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takeshi Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20090229268
    Abstract: A cogeneration system is preferably provided with a Stirling engine that has a pillar-shaped heated head, a burner that faces an end surface of the heated head of the Stirling engine, a first exhaust passage that extends along the side surface of the heated head of the Stirling engine, a second exhaust passage that continues from the first exhaust passage and extends along a side of the first exhaust passage opposite to the Stirling engine, and a first heat exchanger that is arranged on a side of the second exhaust passage opposite to the Stirling engine. This cogeneration system can recover more heat energy from combusted gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventors: Hideyuki Jinno, Hatsuhiko Kawamura
  • Publication number: 20070137205
    Abstract: This invention reduces the fuel consumption of the modern day power plant by lowering the main steam condenser operating pressure. The main steam condenser is a heat exchanger located in the power plant steam system for condensing steam. The main steam enters the main steam condenser, flowing around the tubes with the coolant flowing thru the tubes, condensing the steam. This invention replaces the present condenser once thru cooling water system with a refrigerant cooling system. The much lower normal temperature and greater high heat absorption rate of the refrigerant, lowers the main steam condenser operating pressure much below that of the present cooling water system. The lower condenser pressure increases steam flow, extracting more energy from the steam, increasing the plant-operating efficiency. This invention combines the conventional steam cycle with the conventional refrigeration cycle. The refrigerant compressor is driven by the main steam turbine which creates the binary cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Publication date: June 21, 2007
    Inventor: Joseph Francis Brown
  • Patent number: 7096666
    Abstract: An air-cooled condenser has a first stage comprising both a K and a D section with fin tubes fed with steam at both ends, and a second stage comprising a D section. Each core tube in the first stage has at least one extraction channel at the trailing edge of the core tube located in an unfinned section of the core tube and separated from the main section of the core tube by a rib or baffle. Extraction channels may be provided at both the leading and trailing edges or rounded ends of the core tube, or at the trailing edge only. Openings in the rib connect at least a central portion of the main section to the extraction channel. The upper end of each extraction channel of each core tube is connected via an extraction passageway and transfer duct to the lower ends of the D-section fin tubes. The D-section creates a strong suction action to draw steam and non-condensibles out of the first stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Gea Power Cooling Systems, LLC
    Inventor: H Peter Fay
  • Patent number: 7065970
    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: November 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Inventor: Joseph W. C. Harpster
  • Patent number: 7010920
    Abstract: A method for producing power to drive a load (17) using a working fluid circulating through a system that includes a prime mover (12) having an inlet and an accumulator (20) containing discharge fluid exiting the prime mover. A stream of heated vaporized fluid is supplied at relatively high pressure to the prime mover inlet and is expanded through the prime mover (12) to a lower pressure discharge side where discharge fluid enters an accumulator (20). The discharge fluid is vaporized by passing it through an expansion device (28) across a pressure differential to a lower pressure than the pressure at the prime mover discharge side. Latent heat of condensation in the discharge fluid being discharged from the prime mover is transferred by a heat exchanger (14) to discharge fluid that has passed through the expansion device (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Terran Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore Charles Saranchuk, Donald Edward Marksberry
  • Patent number: 6844054
    Abstract: The present invention provides thermal devices, materials and methods for use in transferring heat from heat sources. One embodiment comprises a thermal transfer body that has first and second end portions and includes a thermally anisotropic material that conducts more thermal energy in a longitudinal direction than in a direction transverse thereto, wherein at least one of the first and second end portions includes a projection having a surface area oriented obliquely to the longitudinal direction. Multiple projections may be provided of various geometries, such as pyramids, cones, triangular prismoids and domes. The thermally anisotropic material may include an ensemble of longitudinally thermally conductive fibers, such as carbon fibers derived from precursors such as petroleum or coal pitch, which may be embedded in a support matrix of various materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Thermo Composite, LLC
    Inventor: Bradford L. Whatley
  • Patent number: 6729137
    Abstract: A closed loop vapor cycle generated by a special device formed by heat transfer and a vapor expander means it is utilized to convert waste heat from conventional power systems into additional thermodynamic work, thereby improving the overall power system efficiency. Superheated vapor (i.e. steam) is instantaneously produced inside special energy transfer means where waste heat is converted into fluid energy with desired thermodynamic properties. The superheated vapor is then converted into mechanical energy through special work-producing units (expanders), thereby returning a significant fraction of the energy contained in the waste heat to the power system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Inventor: Claudio Filippone
  • Patent number: 6694740
    Abstract: The present invention comprises, in one embodiment, a process for producing energy through a thermodynamic cycle comprising transforming a first working fluid having at least two components into usable energy and a first exhaust stream; diverting at least a portion of the first exhaust stream to form a diverted first exhaust stream; transferring heat from the diverted first exhaust stream to the first working fluid, thereby partially condensing the diverted first exhaust stream to form a partially condensed diverted first exhaust stream; separating the partially condensed diverted first exhaust stream into a vapor stream and a liquid stream; and transforming the vapor stream into usable energy. The present invention also comprises a system for producing energy through novel implementation of a thermodynamic cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventor: Ramesh C. Nayar
  • Patent number: 6658851
    Abstract: An apparatus for subliming or condensing a water-containing fluid, which apparatus is provided with a tubular holder (1) having a longitudinal direction and at east one tube (2) extending in that longitudinal direction at least within the holder (1), wherein the holder is provided with at least one inlet (5) and at least one outlet (6), there being further provided at least one supply (3) and at least one discharge (4), which are in communication with the interior of the at least one tube (2), which on one side extends through a wall of the holder an is sealingly secured therein an don the other side within the holder terminates with a free end, closed with respect to the interior of the holder, which free end is guided so as to be slidable in longitudinal direction, by guide means which are located at a distance from the wall in which the tube is scalingly secured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Solutherm B.V.
    Inventors: Pieter Jellema, Jelle Luutzen Nijdam
  • Patent number: 6655144
    Abstract: Water quality detecting points for detecting sea water leakage are provided at a portion in a hot well zone right under a tube bundle of heat exchange tube forming a steam condensing zone and at a condenser outlet allowing the condensate to be led out of the condenser or in the vicinity thereof, and a difference between detection values at both detecting points is monitored. Further, when leakage of sea water occurred, a feed water stop valve or a condensate stop valve is stopped for separating the system in which the sea water is mixed, and at same time, make-up water is supplied to a steam generator. Further, chemical or chemical dilution water is injected into the condensate mixed with sea water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Kangai, Kazuhiro Ohtomo, Mitsuru Sudo
  • Publication number: 20030097841
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a device for cooling the inflow area (37) of the shaft of a steam turbine (10). According to the invention, a partial mass flow m1 is branched off upstream of a feed device (23) that supplies the steam to the steam turbine (10). Said partial mass flow is cooled and then guided to the feed device (23), from where it is supplied to the steam turbine (10)t together with the remaining mass flow m2. The inventive method and device allow for a simplified control and design of the turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2002
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Inventors: Hans-Joachim Endries, Udo Gande, Volker Taubitz, Michael Wechsung
  • Publication number: 20030061814
    Abstract: A power plant apparatus comprising a condenser for condensing turbine exhaust steam having a steam dome, a steam inlet, a tube bundle, a hot well for collecting condensate, an air removal section, an internal makeup water heater bundle. An internal makeup water header which includes a pipe having spray nozzles arranged counter-current to the flow of steam introduced by the steam inlet is used to introduce heated makeup water into the exhaust stream from the turbine within the condenser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Inventor: Ranga Nadig
  • Patent number: 6526755
    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 is placed beneath the stagnant air zone for collecting subcooled condensate from the stagnant air zone. Collected subcooled condensate is transported in the trough 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: May 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Inventor: Joseph W. C. Harpster
  • Patent number: 6481208
    Abstract: A system and method for reducing the damaging effects of bypass steam in a cylindrical steam surface condenser in a steam turbine/bypass power plant application consisting of a hat-like steam admission chamber located external to the condenser shell having a header with orifices and dummy rods or tubes arranged between the bypass header and the condensing tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Holtec International
    Inventor: Ranga Nadig