Apparatus for extracting useful work or electricity from low grade thermal sources comprising a chamber, a source of heated dense heat transfer fluid in communication with the chamber, a source of motive fluid in communication with the chamber, wherein the motive fluid comprises a liquid phase, a flow control mechanism cooperating with the source of heated dense heat transfer fluid and with the source of motive fluid to deliver said fluids into the chamber in a manner that said fluids come into direct contact with each other in the chamber to effect a phase change of the motive fluid from liquid to gas to increase the pressure within the chamber to yield pressurized fluids, and a work extracting mechanism in communication with the chamber that extracts work from the pressurized fluids by way of pressure let down.

A heat exchanger and method for producing such a heat exchanger which during operation in a flow direction is flown through by a medium to be cooled and by two different cooling media. A power plant has a generator cooled by means of a generator cooling gas and a heat exchanger cooling the generator cooling gas.

The combined cycle power device of the present invention belongs to the field of energy and power technology. A combined cycle power device comprises an expander, the second expander, a compressor, the third expander, a pump, a high-temperature heat exchanger, the second high-temperature heat exchanger, a condenser and an evaporator. A condenser connects a pump and an evaporator, an evaporator connects the second expander, the second expander connects the second high-temperature heat exchanger and a high-temperature heat exchanger, a compressor connects the high-temperature heat exchanger, the high-temperature heat exchanger connects an expander, the expander connects the evaporator, the third expander connects the condenser, the evaporator connects compressor and the third expander. The high-temperature heat exchanger and the second high-temperature heat exchanger have the heat source medium, the condenser has the cooling source medium. The expander, the second expander and the third expander connect the compressor and transmit power.

The combined cycle power device of the present invention belongs to the field of energy and power technology. A combined cycle power device comprises an expander, the second expander, a compressor, the third expander, a pump, a high-temperature heat exchanger, the second high-temperature heat exchanger, a condenser and an evaporator. A condenser connects a pump and an evaporator, an evaporator connects the second expander, the second expander connects the second high-temperature heat exchanger and a high-temperature heat exchanger, a compressor connects the high-temperature heat exchanger, the high-temperature heat exchanger connects an expander, the expander connects the evaporator, the third expander connects the condenser, the evaporator connects compressor and the third expander. The high-temperature heat exchanger and the second high-temperature heat exchanger have the heat source medium, the condenser has the cooling source medium. The expander, the second expander and the third expander connect the compressor and transmit power.

A system may include a turbine and a recuperative heat exchanger system. The recuperative heat exchanger system is configured to receive exhaust gases from the turbine. The recuperative heat exchanger system may include a precool section to cool the exhaust gases, a major heating section to receive the cooled the exhaust gases, and a minor heating section to receive the cooled the exhaust gases.

Embodiments of the present disclosure include a method for controlling a power generation system, the method including: calculating, during operation of the power generation system, a target water level within a pressure vessel of the power generation system, the pressure vessel receiving a feedwater input and generating a steam output; calculating a flow rate change of the steam output from the pressure vessel; calibrating the target water level within the pressure vessel based on the output from mass flux through the pressure vessel, the mass flux through the pressure vessel being derived from the at least the feedwater input and the steam output; and adjusting an operating parameter of the power generation system based on the calibrated target water level within the pressure vessel.

A method of generating syngas as a primary product from renewable feedstock, fossil fuels, or hazardous waste with the use of a cupola. The cupola operates selectably on inductive heat alone, chemically assisted heat, or plasma assisted heat. Additionally, the operation of the cupola is augmented by the use of direct acting carbon or graphite rods that carry electrical current for additional heat generation into the metal bath that is influenced by the inductive element. The method includes the steps of providing a cupola for containing a metal bath; and operating an inductive element to react with the metal bath. Feedstock in the form of a combination of fossil fuel, a hazardous waste, and a hazardous material is supplied to the cupola. A plasma torch operates on the metal bath selectably directly and indirectly. Steam, air, oxygen enriched air, and oxygen are supplied in selectable combinations.

Methods and systems for generating power (and optionally heat) from a high value heat source using a plurality of circulating loops comprising a primary heat transfer loop, several power cycle loops and an intermediate heat transfer loop that transfers heat from the high-temperature heat transfer loop to the several power cycle loops. The intermediate heat transfer loop is arranged to eliminate to the extent practical the shell and tube heat exchangers especially those heat exchangers that have a very large pressure difference between the tube side and shell side, to eliminate shell and tube, plate type, double pipe and similar heat exchangers that transfer heat directly from the primary heat transfer loop to the several power cycle loops with very high differential pressures and to maximize the use of heat transfer coils similar in design as are used in a heat recovery steam generator commonly used to transfer heat from gas turbine flue gas to steam or other power cycle fluids as part of a combined cycle power plant.

The hybrid desalination and energy production system includes a desalination system for separating seawater into purified water and brine, an electrodialysis system for treating the brine and outputting low salinity water, a hypersaline brine solution, and H.sub.2 gas; an evaporator for treating the hypersaline brine solution and outputting salt and water vapor; a superheater for treating the water vapor and outputting a superheated water vapor; a turbine for receiving the superheated water vapor to generate energy; a gas scrubber for receiving the H.sub.2 gas from the electrodialysis system and producing dry hydrogen; and a hydrogen cell for receiving the dry hydrogen and outputting energy. A condenser converts the vapor into condensate and low salinity water. A desalinated water collection tank receives the desalinated or low salinity water. A pressure retarded osmosis system receives the brine, the low salinity water, and condensate from the condenser to produce dilute brine.

An offshore power generation structure comprising a submerged portion having a first deck portion comprising an integral multi-stage evaporator system, a second deck portion comprising an integral multi-stage condensing system, a third deck portion housing power generation equipment, cold water pipe; and a cold water pipe connection.