There is provided a drain recovery system with which power for driving a feedwater pump can be reduced and the feedwater pump can be driven at low costs. The drain recovery system includes: a buffer tank; an assist tank disposed below the buffer tank; a first drain supply line that connects a load device and the buffer tank; a second drain supply line that connects the buffer tank and the assist tank; a drain supply valve; a communication line that establishes communication between the assist tank and the buffer tank; a communication valve; a steam supply line that supplies steam from a boiler to the assist tank; a steam supply valve; a feedwater line that supplies drain from the assist tank to the boiler; and a feedwater pump.

A gasifier start-up method for a gasifier capable of preventing or inhibiting a temporary occurrence of black smoke when a gasifier is started-up. A gasifier start-up method for a gasifier, in which a gasifying agent and a solid carbonaceous fuel are supplied and gasified, includes a start-up burner igniting step of supplying a start-up fuel and oxygen-containing gas to a start-up burner and igniting the start-up fuel and oxygen-containing gas, under an inert atmosphere in which an inside of the gasifier around the start-up burner is filled with inert gas; and an oxygen-containing-gas supply adjusting step of adjusting the supply of the oxygen-containing gas such that combustion gas obtained after the combustion reaction of the start-up fuel and the oxygen-containing gas becomes the inert gas, which contains little oxygen.

A gasifier start-up method for a gasifier capable of preventing or inhibiting a temporary occurrence of black smoke when a gasifier is started-up. A gasifier start-up method for a gasifier, in which a gasifying agent and a solid carbonaceous fuel are supplied and gasified, includes a start-up burner igniting step of supplying a start-up fuel and oxygen-containing gas to a start-up burner and igniting the start-up fuel and oxygen-containing gas, under an inert atmosphere in which an inside of the gasifier around the start-up burner is filled with inert gas; and an oxygen-containing-gas supply adjusting step of adjusting the supply of the oxygen-containing gas such that combustion gas obtained after the combustion reaction of the start-up fuel and the oxygen-containing gas becomes the inert gas, which contains little oxygen.

Systems and methods are provided for incorporating molten carbonate fuel cells into a heat recovery steam generation system (HRSG) for production of electrical power while also reducing or minimizing the amount of CO.sub.2 present in the flue gas exiting the HRSG. An optionally multi-layer screen or wall of molten carbonate fuel cells can be inserted into the HRSG so that the screen of molten carbonate fuel cells substantially fills the cross-sectional area. By using the walls of the HRSG and the screen of molten carbonate fuel cells to form a cathode input manifold, the overall amount of duct or flow passages associated with the MCFCs can be reduced.

Systems and methods are provided for incorporating molten carbonate fuel cells into a heat recovery steam generation system (HRSG) for production of electrical power while also reducing or minimizing the amount of CO.sub.2 present in the flue gas exiting the HRSG. An optionally multi-layer screen or wall of molten carbonate fuel cells can be inserted into the HRSG so that the screen of molten carbonate fuel cells substantially fills the cross-sectional area. By using the walls of the HRSG and the screen of molten carbonate fuel cells to form a cathode input manifold, the overall amount of duct or flow passages associated with the MCFCs can be reduced.

Connected in parallel to an expander and a condenser of a Rankine cycle are n sets each including a different expander and a different condenser. Devices are provided for stopping operations of the expanders in sets connected in parallel, and a pressure sensor and a temperature sensor are installed respectively in an inlet and outlet of an evaporator. An electronic control unit sets or releases at least one of the operation stopping devices such that a measured value of the temperature sensor reaches a prescribed temperature value which is equal to or less than a thermal decomposition temperature of a refrigerant and which is set in advance, and the electronic control unit controls a rotational speed of a refrigerant pump such that a measured value of the pressure sensor reaches a prescribed pressure value set in advance.

Connected in parallel to an expander and a condenser of a Rankine cycle are n sets each including a different expander and a different condenser. Devices are provided for stopping operations of the expanders in sets connected in parallel, and a pressure sensor and a temperature sensor are installed respectively in an inlet and outlet of an evaporator. An electronic control unit sets or releases at least one of the operation stopping devices such that a measured value of the temperature sensor reaches a prescribed temperature value which is equal to or less than a thermal decomposition temperature of a refrigerant and which is set in advance, and the electronic control unit controls a rotational speed of a refrigerant pump such that a measured value of the pressure sensor reaches a prescribed pressure value set in advance.

The invention offers a steam turbine forced air cooling system, its method, and a steam turbine provided with the system, the system being of an inexpensive and simple device configuration and improving a cooling effect by the use of an easy-to-get device. Suction is applied to the steam introduction side of an HP turbine 4 or an IP turbine 9 by the use of cooling air suction ejectors 27, 28 which use a compressed medium other than steam as a drive source. The cooling air is then introduced from the steam exhaust portion of the steam turbine into the inside of the steam turbine and is discharged from the ejectors 27, 28 to the atmosphere.

The invention offers a steam turbine forced air cooling system, its method, and a steam turbine provided with the system, the system being of an inexpensive and simple device configuration and improving a cooling effect by the use of an easy-to-get device. Suction is applied to the steam introduction side of an HP turbine 4 or an IP turbine 9 by the use of cooling air suction ejectors 27, 28 which use a compressed medium other than steam as a drive source. The cooling air is then introduced from the steam exhaust portion of the steam turbine into the inside of the steam turbine and is discharged from the ejectors 27, 28 to the atmosphere.

A steaming device (1) is operable in a cordless mode and has a steaming body (2) having a first water chamber (6), a second water chamber (7), a steam generator (8), a first fluid path (20) between the first water chamber (6) and the second water chamber (7), and a second fluid path (26) between the second water chamber (7) and the steam generator (8). The first fluid path (20) is configured to prevent water flow from the first water chamber (6) to the second water chamber (7) when the steaming body (2) is orientated in a normal operating position. The first fluid path (20) is also configured to allow water flow from the first water chamber (6) to the second water chamber (7) when the steaming body is orientated in a rest position in which the steaming body is inclined at an angle to the normal operating position.