F01K19/00

Systems and methods for generating electricity via a pumped thermal energy storage system
10883388 · 2021-01-05 · ·

Systems and methods are provided for generating electricity via a pumped thermal energy storage (PTES) system. A system may include a pump configured to circulate a working fluid within a fluid circuit, wherein the working fluid enters the pump at a first pressure and exits at a second pressure; a first heat exchanger; a second heat exchanger; a turbine positioned between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger, configured to expand a first portion of the working fluid to the first pressure; a heat rejection heat exchanger configured to remove thermal energy from a second portion of the working fluid; a high temperature reservoir connected to the first heat exchanger; and a low temperature reservoir connected to the second heat exchanger.

Systems and methods for generating electricity via a pumped thermal energy storage system
10883388 · 2021-01-05 · ·

Systems and methods are provided for generating electricity via a pumped thermal energy storage (PTES) system. A system may include a pump configured to circulate a working fluid within a fluid circuit, wherein the working fluid enters the pump at a first pressure and exits at a second pressure; a first heat exchanger; a second heat exchanger; a turbine positioned between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger, configured to expand a first portion of the working fluid to the first pressure; a heat rejection heat exchanger configured to remove thermal energy from a second portion of the working fluid; a high temperature reservoir connected to the first heat exchanger; and a low temperature reservoir connected to the second heat exchanger.

POWER PLANT
20200392874 · 2020-12-17 ·

The invention relates to a power plant (1) for generating electric energy (100) and process steam (200), comprising: a gas turbine (2) for driving a first generator (3) in order to generate electric energy (100) by combusting a fuel into flue gas (300), a steam turbine (4) for driving a second generator (5) in order to generate electric energy (100), comprising a first stage (4a) for converting fresh steam (400) into residual steam (201), which constitutes at least part of the process steam (200), and a waste heat steam generator (6) for generating the fresh steam (400) from fresh water (500) using the exhaust heat of the flue gas (300), wherein the residual steam (201) has a residual steam pressure which is lower than the pressure of the fresh steam (400), the waste heat steam generator (6) comprises a pre-heater (7) for pre-heating the fresh water (500) in order to form feed water (600) and an evaporator (8) for evaporating the feed water (600) in order to form the fresh steam (400), and the feed water (600) has a feed water pressure which is higher than the residual steam pressure. The invention is characterized by a throttle valve (9, 14) for expanding part of the feed water (600) either at the residual steam pressure in order to generate an additional steam (202) or at a drive steam pressure which is lower than the residual steam pressure in order to generate a drive steam (700) for operating a second stage (4b) of the steam turbine (4).

POWER PLANT
20200392874 · 2020-12-17 ·

The invention relates to a power plant (1) for generating electric energy (100) and process steam (200), comprising: a gas turbine (2) for driving a first generator (3) in order to generate electric energy (100) by combusting a fuel into flue gas (300), a steam turbine (4) for driving a second generator (5) in order to generate electric energy (100), comprising a first stage (4a) for converting fresh steam (400) into residual steam (201), which constitutes at least part of the process steam (200), and a waste heat steam generator (6) for generating the fresh steam (400) from fresh water (500) using the exhaust heat of the flue gas (300), wherein the residual steam (201) has a residual steam pressure which is lower than the pressure of the fresh steam (400), the waste heat steam generator (6) comprises a pre-heater (7) for pre-heating the fresh water (500) in order to form feed water (600) and an evaporator (8) for evaporating the feed water (600) in order to form the fresh steam (400), and the feed water (600) has a feed water pressure which is higher than the residual steam pressure. The invention is characterized by a throttle valve (9, 14) for expanding part of the feed water (600) either at the residual steam pressure in order to generate an additional steam (202) or at a drive steam pressure which is lower than the residual steam pressure in order to generate a drive steam (700) for operating a second stage (4b) of the steam turbine (4).

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR STEAM REHEAT IN POWER PLANTS
20200325798 · 2020-10-15 ·

Steam generators in power plants exchange energy from a primary medium to a secondary medium for energy extraction. Steam generators include one or more primary conduits and one or more secondary conduits. The conduits do not intermix the mediums and may thus discriminate among different fluid sources and destinations. One conduit may boil feedwater while another reheats steam for use in lower and higher-pressure turbines, respectively. Valves and other selectors divert steam and/or water into the steam generator or to other turbines or the environment for load balancing and other operational characteristics. Conduits circulate around an interior perimeter of the steam generator immersed in the primary medium and may have different cross-sections, radii, and internal structures depending on contained. A water conduit may have less flow area and a tighter coil radius. A steam conduit may include a swirler and rivulet stopper to intermix water in any steam flow.

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR STEAM REHEAT IN POWER PLANTS
20200325798 · 2020-10-15 ·

Steam generators in power plants exchange energy from a primary medium to a secondary medium for energy extraction. Steam generators include one or more primary conduits and one or more secondary conduits. The conduits do not intermix the mediums and may thus discriminate among different fluid sources and destinations. One conduit may boil feedwater while another reheats steam for use in lower and higher-pressure turbines, respectively. Valves and other selectors divert steam and/or water into the steam generator or to other turbines or the environment for load balancing and other operational characteristics. Conduits circulate around an interior perimeter of the steam generator immersed in the primary medium and may have different cross-sections, radii, and internal structures depending on contained. A water conduit may have less flow area and a tighter coil radius. A steam conduit may include a swirler and rivulet stopper to intermix water in any steam flow.

Method and system for transforming heat into kinetic energy
10787937 · 2020-09-29 · ·

A method and system enabling the efficient use of thermal energy to provide kinetic energy and/or electrical energy. The method uses at least two heat exchangers for heating the working medium, a heat engine and a condenser. The working medium consists of at least two substances. The working medium is partially condensed on the primary side of the first heat exchanger, wherein heat is transferred to the working medium flowing on the secondary side and, subsequently, further condensation heat is transferred to a cooling circuit in a condensation heat exchanger on the primary side of the condensation heat exchanger. Subsequently, the working medium is redirected to the secondary side of the first heat exchanger. A separation of gaseous fractions of the working medium takes place in the condensation heat exchanger on the primary side.

IMPROVING STEAM POWER PLANT EFFICIENCY WITH NOVEL STEAM CYCLE TREATMENTS

A process for improving the efficiency of a steam power generation plant, the process providing utilizing steam or water from a steam cycle of a steam power plant; and supplying a steam cycle treatment to the steam cycle, thereby generating a hydrophobic coating within the steam cycle.

IMPROVING STEAM POWER PLANT EFFICIENCY WITH NOVEL STEAM CYCLE TREATMENTS

A process for improving the efficiency of a steam power generation plant, the process providing utilizing steam or water from a steam cycle of a steam power plant; and supplying a steam cycle treatment to the steam cycle, thereby generating a hydrophobic coating within the steam cycle.

Thermal electric power generator

A thermal electric power generator includes an evaporator, an expander, an electric generator, a condenser, and a pump. A working fluid used in the thermal electric power generator is an organic working fluid. The evaporator includes a heat exchanger, a bypass channel, and a flow rate adjustment mechanism. The bypass channel allows a heat medium to bypass the heat exchanger. The flow rate adjustment mechanism adjusts a flow rate of the heat medium to be supplied to the heat exchanger and a flow rate of the heat medium to be supplied to the bypass channel.