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.

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.

Systems and methods for variable pressure inventory control of a closed thermodynamic cycle power generation system or energy storage system, such as a reversible Brayton cycle system, with at least a high pressure tank and an intermediate pressure tank are disclosed. Operational parameters of the system such as working fluid pressure, turbine torque, turbine RPM, generator torque, generator RPM, and current, voltage, phase, frequency, and/or quantity of electrical power generated and/or distributed by the generator may be the basis for controlling a quantity of working fluid that circulates through a closed cycle fluid path of the system.

Systems and methods for variable pressure inventory control of a closed thermodynamic cycle power generation system or energy storage system, such as a reversible Brayton cycle system, with at least a high pressure tank and an intermediate pressure tank are disclosed. Operational parameters of the system such as working fluid pressure, turbine torque, turbine RPM, generator torque, generator RPM, and current, voltage, phase, frequency, and/or quantity of electrical power generated and/or distributed by the generator may be the basis for controlling a quantity of working fluid that circulates through a closed cycle fluid path of the system.

A system for reheating a power generation system including a boiler having a waterwall and a steam drum with an input fluidly coupled to the waterwall and an auxiliary heat source to provide heated fluid. The system also includes a first flow control valve connected to the auxiliary heat source and the boiler to control a flow of heated fluid from the auxiliary heat source to the waterwall; a first isolation valve disposed at a waterwall, to isolate circulation of heated fluid from the steam drum to the waterwall; and a sensor to monitor at least one operating characteristic in the boiler. The system also includes a controller to control at least one of the flow control valve, the isolation valve, and the auxiliary heat source to control the amount of heated fluid supplied to the waterwall when the boiler is not generating steam.

A dispatchable storage combined cycle power plant comprises a topping cycle that combusts fuel to generate electricity and produce hot exhaust gases, a steam power system, a heat source other than the topping cycle, and a thermal energy storage system. Heat from the heat source, from the thermal energy storage system, or from the heat source and the thermal energy storage system is used to generate steam in the steam power system. Heat from the topping cycle may be used in series with or in parallel with the thermal energy storage system and/or the heat source to generate the steam, and additionally to super heat the steam.

A dispatchable storage combined cycle power plant comprises a topping cycle that combusts fuel to generate electricity and produce hot exhaust gases, a steam power system, a heat source other than the topping cycle, and a thermal energy storage system. Heat from the heat source, from the thermal energy storage system, or from the heat source and the thermal energy storage system is used to generate steam in the steam power system. Heat from the topping cycle may be used in series with or in parallel with the thermal energy storage system and/or the heat source to generate the steam, and additionally to super heat the steam.

The present invention relates to a system for eliminating the presence of droplets in a first medium of a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger has an inlet port and an outlet port for the first medium as well as an inlet port and an outlet port for a second medium. The system comprises (a) a device for regulating the flow of the first medium into the heat exchanger, (b) a first temperature sensor array for measuring the temperature of the first medium exiting the heat exchanger, and (c) a controller for regulating flow of the first medium into the heat exchanger. The system further comprises a second temperature sensor array for measuring the temperature of the second medium entering the heat exchanger. The controller regulates the flow of the first medium into the heat exchanger based on data received from the first temperature sensor array and second temperature sensor array.

An arrangement for storing energy, the arrangement comprising a heat-charging mass (4) and a heat-transfer channeling (3), the arrangement also comprising a heating member (11) adapted to heat up the heat-charging mass (4). The arrangement comprises a boiler belonging to a discarded combustion power plant and converted to a thermal energy storage (2) by at least partly filling the boiler with the heat-charging mass (4).

An arrangement for storing energy, the arrangement comprising a heat-charging mass (4) and a heat-transfer channeling (3), the arrangement also comprising a heating member (11) adapted to heat up the heat-charging mass (4). The arrangement comprises a boiler belonging to a discarded combustion power plant and converted to a thermal energy storage (2) by at least partly filling the boiler with the heat-charging mass (4).