An expansion turbine configured such that even when pressure of process gas steeply changes, the amount of process gas leaking from a gap between an impeller and a cover is made small. The expansion turbine includes a gas supply passage which is connected to any one of a gas supply passage and a gas discharge passage and through which gas is supplied to a region located between a rotor member and a casing member.

An expansion turbine configured such that even when pressure of process gas steeply changes, the amount of process gas leaking from a gap between an impeller and a cover is made small. The expansion turbine includes a gas supply passage which is connected to any one of a gas supply passage and a gas discharge passage and through which gas is supplied to a region located between a rotor member and a casing member.

A compressed gas energy harvesting system (CGEHS) for use in a gas delivery system is disclosed herein. The CGEHS comprises a gas control device connected to a compressed gas container and in fluid communication with a fluid within the compressed gas container. The gas control device comprising one or more electrical components. The CGEHS further includes a power storage device for providing power to the one or more electrical components and a potential energy converter coupled to the one or more electrical components, the potential energy converter for supplying power to at least one of the one or more electrical components and the power storage device by converting the potential energy retained by the compressed gas container into electrical energy.

A compressed gas energy harvesting system (CGEHS) for use in a gas delivery system is disclosed herein. The CGEHS comprises a gas control device connected to a compressed gas container and in fluid communication with a fluid within the compressed gas container. The gas control device comprising one or more electrical components. The CGEHS further includes a power storage device for providing power to the one or more electrical components and a potential energy converter coupled to the one or more electrical components, the potential energy converter for supplying power to at least one of the one or more electrical components and the power storage device by converting the potential energy retained by the compressed gas container into electrical energy.

A system includes a generator using a fluid mixture obtained via a generator inlet, a compressor having a compressor inlet that is connected to a generator outlet by a first set of conduits, a second set of conduits connected to the compressor outlet and the generator inlet, and a sensor in communication with the second set of conduits, where a portion of the fluid mixture includes gas from a hydrocarbon well, and where exhaust fluid of the generator is provided to the compressor. A process includes obtaining a target fluid property and a fluid measurement using the sensor and modifying a parameter of a fluid control device to modify a first flow rate of the flow of the exhaust fluid through the second set of conduits relative to a second flow rate of the flow of the gas provided by the hydrocarbon well through the first set of conduits.

A system includes a generator using a fluid mixture obtained via a generator inlet, a compressor having a compressor inlet that is connected to a generator outlet by a first set of conduits, a second set of conduits connected to the compressor outlet and the generator inlet, and a sensor in communication with the second set of conduits, where a portion of the fluid mixture includes gas from a hydrocarbon well, and where exhaust fluid of the generator is provided to the compressor. A process includes obtaining a target fluid property and a fluid measurement using the sensor and modifying a parameter of a fluid control device to modify a first flow rate of the flow of the exhaust fluid through the second set of conduits relative to a second flow rate of the flow of the gas provided by the hydrocarbon well through the first set of conduits.

A supercritical CO2 turbo-generator system is disclosed. The turbo-generator system comprises: a plurality of turbine generator units (200A-200C), a direct current bus (410), a plurality of active rectifiers (290A-290C), and a voltage controller (280). Each of plurality of turbine generator units comprises: a turbine (312) with a supercritical CO2 input and a supercritical CO2 output, a generator (326) with an electrical input and power output, a shaft (314) connecting the turbine and generator, and a speed sensor (327) for determining a speed of the associated shaft. The plurality of turbine generator units are connected in the form of a cascading series with the input of a first turbine generator unit (200A) connected to a source of heated supercritical CO2. The input of a second turbine generator unit (200B) is connected to the output of the first turbine generator unit. The input of a third turbine generator unit (200C) is connected to the output of the second turbine generator unit. The voltage controller (280) is configured to monitor the speed sensor (327) of each of the plurality of turbine generator units and vary the load on each generator (230A-230C) to control shaft (314) speed. Each of the plurality of active rectifiers (290A-290C) then converts the power output of a generator (230A-230C) to direct current, and the power from the plurality of active rectifiers then combined by the direct current bus.

A supercritical CO2 turbo-generator system is disclosed. The turbo-generator system comprises: a plurality of turbine generator units (200A-200C), a direct current bus (410), a plurality of active rectifiers (290A-290C), and a voltage controller (280). Each of plurality of turbine generator units comprises: a turbine (312) with a supercritical CO2 input and a supercritical CO2 output, a generator (326) with an electrical input and power output, a shaft (314) connecting the turbine and generator, and a speed sensor (327) for determining a speed of the associated shaft. The plurality of turbine generator units are connected in the form of a cascading series with the input of a first turbine generator unit (200A) connected to a source of heated supercritical CO2. The input of a second turbine generator unit (200B) is connected to the output of the first turbine generator unit. The input of a third turbine generator unit (200C) is connected to the output of the second turbine generator unit. The voltage controller (280) is configured to monitor the speed sensor (327) of each of the plurality of turbine generator units and vary the load on each generator (230A-230C) to control shaft (314) speed. Each of the plurality of active rectifiers (290A-290C) then converts the power output of a generator (230A-230C) to direct current, and the power from the plurality of active rectifiers then combined by the direct current bus.

Various embodiments of the teachings herein include a method for the compression of a gas comprising: introducing the gas into a compression chamber; pumping a liquid from an intermediate container into the compression chamber; and pumping at least part of the liquid from the compression chamber to a sprinkling system through a sprinkling circuit. The sprinkling system distributes the liquid within the compression chamber.

This invention is about a set of common features that will characterize any machine of the new type to be produced within the set of pumps, turbines and blowers. The machines in this new category, as will be here described, will be told apart from those already in use by one main peculiarity. They will feature a stationary (non-rotating) axle for the rotation of the impeller around it but the impeller will be a solid part of the housing which will be the rotating part. Firmly, on or through the hollow core of the axle, ducts will be fitted for the intake and discharge of the powering or pumped fluid. So the housing of the machine will deliver or receive power from the body in which it will be incorporated or connected (that is torque times angular velocity). An implementation of this invention is shown in the accompanying drawings. Here the rim of a wheel of an aircraft is the rotating body. Part of the rim will serve as the housing (containing shell) of an air-driven turbine (or pump as the case may be). Accordingly, the normal stationary hub of the (formerly idle) wheel will serve as the axle of rotation for the impeller born by the rotating housing. This turbine within the rim will be powered by compressed air from the fuselage to make torque for prespinning the wheel just before touchdown. During landing, this air may be redirected to the brakes for early cooling. The rim already transformed into an air-driven turbine can be utilized to taxi or pull-out the aircraft without a tractor. In this case the turbine of this invention can be made as a two-stage regenerative machine. Research on the capabilities of the just invented turbine at the phase of development will determine the feasibility of taxiing without the main engines at least partially, using pneumatic power from the Auxiliary Power Unit.