Having Condensate Pump Patents (Class 60/692)
  • Patent number: 11591934
    Abstract: An exhaust hood (Ec) of the present invention is provided with an inner casing (21), an outer casing (30), and a diffuser (26). The inner casing (21) surrounds a rotor from the outside in a radial direction, and forms a first space (21s) in which a fluid flows in an axial direction (Da) between the rotor and the inner casing (21). The diffuser (26) is provided with a bearing cone (29) that has a diameter that gradually widens moving towards an axial downstream side (Dad) and forms a cylindrical shape extending to the axial downstream side (Dad) to be continuous with the outer circumferential surface of a rotor shaft that forms the first space (21s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Kuwamura, Hideaki Sugishita, Kazuyuki Matsumoto, Toyoharu Nishikawa, Kei Nakanishi
  • Patent number: 10907512
    Abstract: Provided is an electric power generating system which exhibits favorable energy recovery efficiency compared to the prior art and, further, can generate not only cold heat but also warm heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Nagashima
  • Patent number: 9896980
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to on-vehicle systems and methods for mixing an NOx reductant solution from a concentrated source of NOx reductant and water. The mixed DEF is then used to treat exhaust from the vehicle to reduce pollutants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: PACCAR Inc
    Inventor: Timothy Joseph Gundrum
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20150000276
    Abstract: An auxiliary steam generator system for a power plant, comprising a water-steam circuit, which has a condensate line and a feed-water line, wherein a condensate pump is connected in the condensate line and a feed-water pump is connected in the feed-water line, and wherein a pressure accumulating vessel is connected between the condensate pump and the feed-water pump, and wherein a feed-water take-off line is connected to the water-steam circuit at a branch-off point after the pressure accumulating vessel is provided. The feed-water take-off line is connected to the pressure accumulating vessel and a heating device is connected in the feed-water take-off line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Heiner Edelmann, Mark Reissig, Marc Sattelberger, Andre Schrief
  • Patent number: 8833082
    Abstract: A system for condensing steam includes a steam supply duct, a supply riser, a supply manifold, a pair of condensing panels, a return manifold, and a condensate return. The steam supply duct is configured to convey steam from a steam generator. The supply riser is configured to convey steam from the steam supply duct. The supply manifold is configured to convey steam from the supply riser. The pair of condensing panels is configured to receive steam from the supply manifold. The supply manifold bifurcates with each bifurcation being configured to supply a respective condensing panel of the pair of condensing panels. The return manifold is configured to receive condensate from the pair of condensing panels. The condensate return duct is configured to convey condensate from the return manifold to the steam generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: SPX Cooling Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gweneal Vanden Borre, Michel Vouche, Marc Cornelis, Francis Badin, Benoit Thiry
  • Publication number: 20140238023
    Abstract: A device for automatically detecting and removing air from a gas mixture of an organic gas and air includes calculating a saturation pressure value based on a temperature of the gas mixture in a reservoir 1, and obtaining a pressure threshold value by adding a margin value to the saturation pressure value. When the pressure value inside the reservoir 1 is higher than the pressure threshold value, air is detected to be in the gas mixture. After this detection, a controller 5 pressurizes and introduces the gas mixture into a pressure container 2 to condense the organic gas in the gas mixture, thus producing a diluted gas mixture. Subsequently, the diluted gas mixture is introduced to a supply side of a membrane unit 3, the organic gas in the diluted gas mixture is recovered at a permeation side thereof, and a residual gas is discharged outside of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mikiko Hatama, Kokan Kubota, Yoshitaka Kawahara, Hiroaki Sgu, Ichiro Myogan, Isamu Osawa
  • Patent number: 8794002
    Abstract: A method for converting thermal energy into mechanical energy in a thermodynamic cycle includes placing a thermal energy source in thermal communication with a heat exchanger arranged in a working fluid circuit containing a working fluid (e.g., sc-CO2) and having a high pressure side and a low pressure side. The method also includes regulating an amount of working fluid within the working fluid circuit via a mass management system having a working fluid vessel, pumping the working fluid through the working fluid circuit, and expanding the working fluid to generate mechanical energy. The method further includes directing the working fluid away from the expander through the working fluid circuit, controlling a flow of the working fluid in a supercritical state from the high pressure side to the working fluid vessel, and controlling a flow of the working fluid from the working fluid vessel to the low pressure side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Echogen Power Systems
    Inventors: Timothy J. Held, Stephen Hostler, Jason D. Miller, Brian F. Hume
  • Patent number: 8783034
    Abstract: A thermodynamic cycle is disclosed and has a working fluid circuit that converts thermal energy into mechanical energy on hot days. A pump circulates a working fluid to a heat exchanger that heats the working fluid. The heated working fluid is then expanded in a power turbine. The expanded working fluid is then cooled and condensed using one or more compressors interposing at least two intercooling components. The intercooling components cool and condense the working fluid with a cooling medium derived at ambient temperature, where the ambient temperature is above the critical temperature of the working fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Echogen Power Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Timothy James Held
  • Publication number: 20140190165
    Abstract: A binary power generation device is equipped with the flow path of a medium circulating through a heat exchanger, a turbine, a condenser, and a pump. A method for removing air that has intruded into the flow path of the medium includes: an air intrusion detection step of calculating, based on the pressure and temperature of a gas retaining portion communicatively connected to the flow path of the medium, a pressure threshold value obtained by adding the saturated vapor pressure of the medium and a margin value and of detecting, by comparing the pressure of a gas phase portion with the pressure threshold value, that air has intruded into the medium; a medium liquefaction step of producing a gas by pressurizing a mixed gas of the medium and air to reduce the amount of the medium in the mixed gas; and an exhaust step of exhausting the gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Inventors: Ichiro Myogan, Hiroaki Shibata, Yoshitaka Kawahara, Isamu Osawa, Kokan Kubota
  • Publication number: 20140123622
    Abstract: A combined cycle power plant utilizes an absorption heat transformer to improve plant efficiency. A heat recovery steam generator receives exhaust from a gas turbine and generates steam for input to a steam turbine. The heat recovery steam generator includes a low pressure economizer, an intermediate pressure economizer and a high pressure economizer. The absorption heat transformer is in fluid communication with the low pressure economizer. The absorption heat transformer includes a feed water circuit that draws exhaust water from the low pressure economizer for heating by the absorption heat transformer and directs heated water to at least one of the intermediate pressure economizer and the high pressure economizer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Hua Zhang, Jatila Ranasinghe, Barrett Gardiner
  • Publication number: 20140069098
    Abstract: A power-generating device using an organic Rankine cycle uses heat recovered from an exhaust gas treated in an exhaust gas treatment device, the power-generating device including a heat exchanger, an evaporator, a steam turbine, a power generator, a condenser, and a medium pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Motofumi Ito
  • 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: 20140000261
    Abstract: A waste heat recovery system is provided. The waste heat recovery system includes a Rankine cycle system for circulating a working fluid. The Rankine cycle system includes at least one first waste heat recovery boiler configured to transfer heat from a heat source to the working fluid. The Rankine cycle system also includes a first expander configured to receive the heated working fluid from the at least one first waste heat recovery boiler. Further, the Rankine cycle system includes a second expander and a third expander coupled to at least one electric generator. The waste heat recovery system also includes a condenser configured to receive the working fluid at low pressure from the first expander, the second expander and the third expander for cooling and a pump connected to the condenser for receiving a cooled and condensed flow of the working fluid from the condenser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Sebastian Walter Freund
  • Publication number: 20130312414
    Abstract: Work is produced from heat in a continuous cycle. The cycle involves communicating a first flow of a first working fluid to a low pressure boiler. The low pressure boiler forms a first flow of first working fluid vapor by using a low temperature thermal source. A second flow of the first working fluid is provided to a high pressure boiler to produce a second flow of first working fluid vapor at a pressure higher than the low pressure boiler. A second working fluid in vaporous form is compressed, after which a third working fluid is formed by mixing the first flow of first working fluid vapor, the second flow of second working fluid vapor, and the second working fluid. Thermal energy is transferred directly between one or more of the working fluids in the mixing chamber exclusive of any intervening structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: HARRIS CORPORATION
    Inventor: William R. Palmer
  • Publication number: 20130285379
    Abstract: Power plant systems and methods are presented. The power plant includes a steam turbine configured to release exhaust steam. The power plant further includes an electro-hydrodynamic system operatively coupled to the steam turbine. The electro-hydrodynamic system is configured to receive the exhaust steam from the steam turbine and generate auxiliary electric power using the exhaust steam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Charles Erklin Seeley, Dmytro Floriyovych Opaits, Sunilkumar Onkarnath Soni, Chiranjeev Kalra
  • Publication number: 20130187391
    Abstract: A system configured to thermally regulate exhaust portions of a power plant system (e.g. steam turbine) is disclosed. In one embodiment, a system includes: a condenser adapted to connect to and thermally regulate exhaust portions of a steam turbine; and a cooling system operably connected to the condenser and adapted to supply a cooling fluid to the condenser, the cooling system including a solar absorption chiller adapted to adjust a temperature of the cooling fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Scott Victor Hannula, Duncan George Watt
  • Publication number: 20130111902
    Abstract: A solar power system includes a steam turbine with a plurality of pressure stages, a first solar field for heating water or water steam, and a first heat exchanger. The first heat exchanger is operated with molten salt liquids. Further, with a method of operating such a solar power system, water steam from the first solar field is transferred to the first heat exchanger, where the water steam is heated by the first heat exchanger and routed to a high pressure stage of the steam turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Inventors: Mansour Maleki-Ardebili, Nishant Muley, Thorsten Wolf
  • Publication number: 20130062883
    Abstract: A boiler system including an electric power generation system having a boiler, a steam turbine for generating electric power by steams which received heat at a boiler, a condenser provided at the downstream thereof for condensing the steams, and a heater for heating condensed water by steams extracted from the steam turbine and, further, a CO2 capture system of sorbing and capturing a CO2 gas in an exhausted gas exhausted from the boiler by using a solid CO2 sorbent, and a chimney of exhausting an exhaust gas in the CO2 capture system after recovery of CO2 or an exhaust gas exhausted from the boiler, in which the temperature of a fluid concerned with the boiler system is increased by using the exhaust gas exhausted from the CO2 capture system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masato Kaneeda, Hiroki Sato, Kohei Yoshikawa, Shuichi Kanno, Hisayuki Orita
  • Publication number: 20130033037
    Abstract: Embodiments provide a heat engine system containing working fluid (e.g., sc-CO2) within high and low pressure sides of a working fluid circuit and a heat exchanger configured to transfer thermal energy from a heat source to the working fluid. The heat engine system further contains an expander for converting a pressure drop in the working fluid to mechanical energy, a shaft coupled to the expander and configured to drive a device (e.g., generator or pump) with the mechanical energy, a recuperator for transferring thermal energy between the high and low pressure sides, and a cooler for removing thermal energy from the working fluid in the low pressure side. The heat engine system also contains a pump for circulating the working fluid, a mass management system (MMS) fluidly connected to the working fluid circuit, and a supply tank fluidly connected to the MMS by a supply line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: Echogen Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Held, Jason D. Miller
  • Publication number: 20130000304
    Abstract: In a power generation apparatus, a working medium is evaporated in an evaporator using a heating medium supplied from outside, and the evaporated working medium is subsequently introduced into an expander, which is connected to an electric generator, to convert a thermal expansion force of the working medium into a rotation force inside the expander for generation of electric power. Then, the working medium exhausted from the expander is fed into a condenser in which the working medium is condensed by cooling the working medium with a coolant medium supplied from outside, and the condensed working medium is pressurized by a circulating pump to resupply the evaporator with the pressurized working medium. In the power generation apparatus, when a condensing pressure in the condenser is high, a rotational speed of the circulating pump and a suction volume of the evaporator are increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho (Kobe Steel, Ltd.)
    Inventors: Noboru Tsuboi, Masayoshi Matsumura
  • Publication number: 20120312021
    Abstract: A power generation apparatus that suppress cavitation includes a first on/off valve provided between a steam generator and an expander in a circulating channel; a bypass channel connected between an area between the steam generator and the first on/off valve and an area between the expander and a condenser; a second on/off valve provided in the bypass channel; a third on/off valve provided between a pump and the steam generator; and a controller. When stopping the pump, the controller outputs a control signal that stops the pump, a control signal that closes the first on/off valve, a control signal that opens the second on/off valve, and a control signal that closes the third on/off valve. In the case where a predetermined condition has been met, the controller outputs a control signal that closes the second on/off valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho (Kobe Steel, Ltd.)
    Inventors: NOBORU TSUBOI, MASAYOSHI MATSUMURA
  • Publication number: 20120266596
    Abstract: A steam turbine plant of one embodiment includes a boiler to change water into steam, an upstream turbine including plural stages of rotor vanes and plural stages of stator vanes and to be driven by the steam from the boiler, a downstream turbine including plural stages of rotor vanes and plural stages of stator vanes and to be driven by the steam from the upstream turbine, a condenser to change the steam exhausted from the downstream turbine into water, a collector to collect water from, for example, the steam which exists upstream of an inlet of the final-stage rotor vane in the upstream turbine, and a collected matter path to cause collected matter in the collector to flow into, for example, the steam between an outlet of the final-stage rotor vane of the upstream turbine and an inlet of the final-stage rotor vane of the downstream turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventors: Koichi GOTO, Nobuo Okita
  • Publication number: 20120266598
    Abstract: A steam turbine plant of one embodiment includes a boiler to change water into steam, a high pressure turbine including plural stages of rotor and stator vanes and to be driven by the steam from the boiler, a reheater to heat the steam from the high pressure turbine, a reheat turbine including plural stages of rotor and stator vanes and to be driven by the steam from the reheater, a condenser to change the steam from the reheat turbine into water, a collector to collect water from, for example, the steam existing upstream of an inlet of the final-stage rotor vane in the high pressure turbine, and a path to cause collected matter in the collector to flow into, for example, the steam between an outlet of the final-stage rotor vane of the high pressure turbine and an inlet of the final-stage rotor vane of the reheat turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventors: Koichi Goto, Nobuo Okita
  • Publication number: 20120222423
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to a thermoelectric energy storage system (TEES) and method for converting electrical energy into thermal energy to be stored and converted back to electrical energy with an improved round-trip efficiency are disclosed. The TEES includes a working fluid circuit for circulating a working fluid through a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger, a thermal storage medium circuit for circulating a thermal storage medium, the thermal storage medium circuit having at least one hot storage tank coupled to a cold storage tank via the first heat exchanger. The arrangement maximizes the work performed by the cycle during charging and discharging for a given maximum pressure and maximum temperature of the working fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: ABB RESEARCH LTD
    Inventors: Mehmet MERCANGOEZ, Jaroslav Hemrle, Lilian Kaufmann
  • Publication number: 20120216539
    Abstract: A boiler system for producing steam from water includes a plurality of serially arranged oxy fuel boilers. Each boiler has an inlet in flow communication with a plurality of tubes. The tubes of each boiler form at least one water wall. Each of the boilers is configured to substantially prevent the introduction of air. Each boiler includes an oxy fuel combustion system including an oxygen supply for supplying oxygen having a purity of greater than 21 percent, a carbon based fuel supply for supplying a carbon based fuel and at least one oxy-fuel burner system for feeding the oxygen and the carbon based fuel into its respective boiler in a near stoichiometric proportion. The oxy fuel system is configured to limit an excess of either the oxygen or the carbon based fuel to a predetermined tolerance. The boiler tubes of each boiler are configured for direct, radiant energy exposure for energy transfer. Each of the boilers is independent of each of the other boilers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: Jupiter Oxygen Corporation
    Inventors: Brian R. Patrick, Tom L. Ochs, Danylo B. Oryschyn, Cathy A. Summers
  • Publication number: 20120151919
    Abstract: The invention concerns a steam circuit process device comprising a reservoir for a liquid working medium; a feed pump for supplying working medium from the reservoir to an evaporator, in which the working medium is evaporated; an expander, to which vaporised working medium is fed by the evaporator, which expands by way of performing mechanical work in the expander; a condenser, which follows the expander and is in fluid connection with the reservoir, whereas the working medium is liquefied in the condenser; The invention is characterised in that the steam circuit process device includes an emptying pump for the working medium which is arranged in a by-pass line between the reservoir and a switchable valve system in fluid communication with at least one further component of the steam circuit process device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: VOITH PATENT GMBH
    Inventors: Stephan Bartosch, Andreas Wegmann
  • Publication number: 20120144838
    Abstract: A combined cycle power plant includes a gas turbine having a first compressor, a second compressor downstream of the first compressor, and a regenerative heat exchanger between the first and second compressors. A steam generator is downstream of the gas turbine and receives exhaust from the gas turbine. A closed loop cooling system through the regenerative heat exchanger and the steam generator transfers heat from the regenerative heat exchanger to the steam generator. A method for operating a combined cycle power plant includes compressing a working fluid in a compressor and cooling the compressed working fluid with a regenerative heat exchanger so as to create a cooled compressed working fluid. The method further includes transferring heat from the regenerative heat exchanger to a steam generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Joseph John, Jegadeesan Maruthamuthu, Sudhahar Rajan, Venugopala Durwasula Raju
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20120085096
    Abstract: Heat recovery systems and methods for producing electrical and/or mechanical power from heat by-product of an overhead stream from a process column are provided. Heat recovery systems and methods include a process heat by-product stream for directly or indirectly heating a working fluid of an organic Rankine cycle. The organic Rankine cycle includes a heat exchanger, a turbine-generator system for producing electrical or mechanical power, a condenser heat exchanger, and a pump for recirculating the working fluid to the heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: John David Penton, Leonore R. Rouse, Jerry M. Rovner
  • Publication number: 20120031096
    Abstract: Methods are described for generating electrical power from low grade heat sources from refining and petrochemical processes, including overhead vapors from vapor-liquid contacting apparatuses such as distillation columns, absorbers, strippers, quenching towers, scrubbers, etc. In many cases, these overhead vapors exit the apparatuses at a temperature from about 90° C. (194° F.) to about 175° C. (347° F.). Rather than rejecting the low temperature heat contained in these vapors to cooling air and/or cooling water, the vapors may instead be used to evaporate an organic working fluid. The vapors of the working fluid may then be sent to a turbine to drive a generator or other load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Saadet ULAS ACIKGOZ, Richard K. HOEHN, Xin X. ZHU
  • Publication number: 20120006024
    Abstract: A multi-component apparatus characterized as performing a two-phase thermodynamic cycle, for conversion of heat energy to useful power comprises: fluid means consisting to two or more chemical components to absorb heat energy, the fluid means providing an increasing temperature and increasing fraction of gas phase as increasing amounts of heat are absorbed, expander means operating to convert the enthalpy in a received mixture of gas and liquid, formed in said fluid means, as a result of the said heat energy absorbed by the fluid means, to mechanical, shaft power, heat exchanger means operating to transfer the heat energy to be absorbed by the fluid means, condenser means operating to reject the unconverted enthalpy, by the expander means, in the fluid means, thereby condensing any gas to convert the fluid means to liquid, and pump means operating to pressurize liquid fluid means leaving the condenser means, in order to return the fluid means to the heat exchanger means, closing the thermodynamic cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Inventors: Lance G. Hays, Phillip R. Welch
  • Publication number: 20110289922
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an electric generator having a stator and a rotor. A first turbine wheel is coupled to a first end of the rotor to rotate at the same speed as the rotor. A second turbine wheel is coupled to a second end of the rotor opposite the first end, and configured to rotate at the same speed as the rotor. The first and second turbine wheels may rotate in response to expansion of a working fluid flowing from an inlet side to an outlet side of the turbine wheels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: Calnetix, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott R. Myers, David J. Huber
  • 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: 20110167826
    Abstract: Disclosed is a steam power cycle device wherein a part of a working fluid in a high-temperature liquid phase separated from a gas phase by a gas-liquid separator is mixed with a working fluid in a high-temperature gas phase extracted from an expansion machine, and is heat-exchanged with a working fluid in a low-temperature liquid phase discharged from a condenser, so that the heat stored in the working fluid can be efficiently recovered, and the heat efficiency of an entire cycle can be improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventor: Haruo Uehara
  • Publication number: 20110061387
    Abstract: A waste heat recovery system, method and device executes a thermodynamic cycle using a working fluid in a working fluid circuit which has a high pressure side and a low pressure side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Inventors: Timothy J. Held, Stephen Hostler, Jason D. Miller, Brian F. Hume
  • 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: 20100139273
    Abstract: The invention relates to a working fluid for a steam circuit process carried out in a device comprising a steam generator, an expander, a condenser, and a reservoir for the working fluid, comprising a working medium that evaporates by the addition of heat in a steam generator, performs mechanical work by expanding in the expander during the steam phase, and condenses in the condenser; an ionic fluid serving as an antifreeze component and having a melting point in the reservoir below the freezing point of the working medium, wherein the decomposition temperature of the ionic fluid is above the evaporating temperature of the working medium in the steam generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Christian Bausch, Jens Grieser, Jurgen Berger
  • Publication number: 20100132360
    Abstract: The invention relates to a steam generation plant, comprising a steam generator (1) with a combustion chamber (8), an evaporator, a superheater (9), an intermediate superheater (12), a condenser (14), a feed water preheater (16, 19, 19?) regeneratively heated by steam, a steam turbine set (2) with a high-pressure section (4), a medium pressure section (5) and a low-pressure section (6), a flue gas line (22), connected to the combustion chamber (8), an air supply line (21), for the supply of combustion air to the burner in the combustion chamber (8) and an air preheater (3) with flue gas and combustion air passing therethrough. An air line (23) branches off from the air supply line (21) downstream of the air preheater (3) in said steam generation plant and supplies an air-fractionation unit (25). Air coolers (34, 35) are arranged in the air line (23) through which the condensate or feed water from the condensate/feed water circuit from the steam generator (1) flows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2006
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: MAN TURBO AG
    Inventor: Bernd Gericke
  • Publication number: 20100037611
    Abstract: According to the invention, in order to prevent a film from forming which obstructs the transfer of heat in heat exchanger pipes, the heat exchanger pipe comprises an external side which is adjacent to the external surface and which is impinged upon by a steam medium, and an inner side which is adjacent to an inner surface and which is impinged upon by a coolant, such that the outer surface is provided with a first layer which reduces the adhesion of the steam on the outer surface and/or the inner surface is provided with a second layer which reduces the adhesion of a coolant to the inner surface and which is embodied as a biocidal layer. The invention relates to a heat exchanger and to the use thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventor: Friedhelm Schmitz
  • Publication number: 20100031656
    Abstract: A condenser comprises a high pressure side condenser, a high pressure side cooling tube bank, a high pressure side hot well, a low pressure side condenser, a low pressure side cooling tube bank, a pressure shroud provided inside the low pressure side condenser, a low pressure side hot well, high pressure steam introducing portion, low pressure side condensate introducing portion, a flash box which communicates with at least one of the high pressure side hot well and the low pressure side hot well, flashes a heater drain from a feed water heater, and urges at least one of the high pressure side hot well and the low pressure side hot well to recover the flashed heater drain, and a flash steam path which introduces flash steam generated inside the flash box into at least one of the high pressure side hot well and the low pressure side hot well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Inventors: Akira NEMOTO, Naoki SUGITANI, Yoshio MOCHIDA
  • 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: 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: 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: 6755023
    Abstract: In order to evacuate a turbine condenser, air contained in the turbine condenser is suctioned using propellant steam from a starting jet pump. The propellant steam and the air are guided into an auxiliary condenser which is arranged downstream from turbine condenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Koenig, Wolfgang Lehmann
  • Patent number: 6490863
    Abstract: A condensation apparatus comprising a fluid and means for changing said fluid from a liquid to a pressurized gas. Means are provided for condensing a portion of said pressurized gas to a first quantity of said liquid, and for deriving work from said pressurized gas as said pressurized gas condenses to said first quantity of said liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Thermal Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward L. Simonds
  • Patent number: 6419448
    Abstract: A flow by-pass system is provided in a downward-discharging exhaust hood of a steam turbine to by-pass a small percentage of the total steam flow from the top portion of the exhaust hood to the vicinity of the condenser and in that way relieve excess pressure in the top portion incident to the more convoluted path of the main portion of steam passing from the top to the bottom and to decrease energy loss caused by friction and thus to improve turbine efficiency. The flow by-pass system includes by-pass conduits within the front portion of the exhaust hood extending from the top portion to the vicinity of the condenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Inventor: Jerzy A. Owczarek
  • Patent number: 6233941
    Abstract: A condensation system for the condensation of turbine exhaust steam has a condenser installation (25) in which a surface condenser (30) and a direct-contact condenser (35) work in combination. In this case, the two condensers (30, 35) are either arranged in a single common housing or are each arranged in a separate housing. In one embodiment, the condenser installation (25) is connected in a circulation circuit for the cooling media to a wet-dry cooling tower or hybrid cooling tower (40). In this case, the cooling water of the surface condenser (30) is recooled in the wet part (42) and the cooling condensate of the direct-contact condenser (35) is recooled in the dry part (41) of the hybrid cooling tower (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Asea Brown Boveri AG
    Inventor: Mustafa Youssef
  • Patent number: 6145315
    Abstract: In a process for preheating and deaerating make-up water in a power generation plant by steam, the required make-up water is initially heated up to the saturation temperature without substantial deaeration and is subsequently deaerated. The steam used for heating and deaerating is expanded steam from a condenser, which steam is almost fully condensed during the heating of the make-up water and is recycled to the steam circulation of the power generation plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Asea Brown Boveri AG
    Inventors: Francisco Blangetti, Hans Eberle
  • Patent number: 5779435
    Abstract: The object of the invention is to increase the efficiency of a low-pressure steam turbine connected to a condenser and to reduce its cost of manufacture.According to the invention this is achieved when the dividing plane (8) of the top and bottom part (6, 7) of the outer casing (1) of the low-pressure steam turbine lies at the level of the axis (9) of the turbine rotor (4) and the concrete foundation (14) reaches up to the dividing plane (8). Both the bottom part (7) of the outer casing (1) and the bearing points (10) of the turbine rotor (4) are secured in the concrete foundation (14). The outer casing (1) is designed to be open at least on one side at right angles to and horizontally to the axis (9) of the turbine rotor (4). A condenser (16) is attached to each lateral opening (17) in the outer casing (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Asea Brown Boveri AG
    Inventors: Heinrich Lageder, Urs Ritter