Configurations and related processing schemes of specific direct or indirect inter-plants integration for energy consumption reduction synthesized for grassroots medium grade crude oil semi-conversion refineries to increase energy efficiency from specific portions of low grade waste heat sources are described. Configurations and related processing schemes of specific direct or indirect inter-plants integration for energy consumption reduction for integrated medium grade crude oil semi-conversion refineries and aromatics complex for increasing energy efficiency from specific portions of low grade waste sources are also described.

A technique increases the round-trip efficiency (RTE) of a pumped thermal energy storage system by changing the coefficient of performance (COP) and efficiency of the cycles by changing the temperature ratios of each, which is accomplished by using two separate low temperature reservoirs (LTRs) that are at different temperatures. More particularly, the disclosed technique accomplishes this by using a low-temperature thermal reservoir during the charging process that is at a higher temperature than the generating cycle's low-temperature thermal reservoir. The low-temperature thermal reservoirs are decoupled and independently existing, in that their temperature and utilization are independent of one another. In general, decoupled and independently existing reservoirs may also be different in their independent reservoir media, reservoir location, and heat exchangers.

A dispatchable storage combined cycle power plant comprises a combustion turbine generator, a steam power system, a heat source other than the combustion turbine generator, 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 combustion turbine 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 data center includes computing devices, an air handling system, a heat engine, and a generator. Air moved by the air handling system flows across heat-producing components in the computing devices in the data center. Heat from air that has flowed over the heat-producing components heats a hot section of the heat engine. The heat engine generates mechanical work based on a temperature differential between a hot section of the heat engine and a cold section of the heat engine. The generator generates electricity from the mechanical work generated by the heat engine.

A method and arrangement for utilizing waste heat that includes a waste heat exchanger, at least two turbines, at least two recuperators, at least two cooler units, and at least two pumps and/or compressors as components, wherein all components are arranged in a single fluid cycle, where the waste heat exchanger heats up a fluid with heat from a waste heat source, the heated fluid flows through a first set of the at least one turbine, the at least one recuperator, the at least one cooler unit, and the at least one pump and/or compressor, and then flows through at least a second set the at least one turbine, the at least one recuperator, the at least one cooler unit, and the at least one pump and/or compressor with the same components arranged in series downstream of the first set.

Configurations and related processing schemes of specific inter-plants and hybrid, intra- and inter-plants waste heat recovery schemes for thermal energy consumption reduction in integrated refining-petrochemical facilities synthesized for grassroots medium grade crude oil semi-conversion refineries to increase energy efficiency from specific portions of low grade waste heat sources are described. Configurations and related processing schemes of specific inter-plants and hybrid, intra- and inter-plants waste heat recovery schemes for thermal energy consumption reduction in integrated refining-petrochemical facilities synthesized for integrated medium grade crude oil semi-conversion refineries and aromatics complex for increasing energy efficiency from specific portions of low grade waste sources are also described.

The present invention provides methods and system for power generation using a high efficiency combustor in combination with a CO.sub.2 circulating fluid. The methods and systems advantageously can make use of a low pressure ratio power turbine and an economizer heat exchanger in specific embodiments. Additional low grade heat from an external source can be used to provide part of an amount of heat needed for heating the recycle CO.sub.2 circulating fluid. Fuel derived CO.sub.2 can be captured and delivered at pipeline pressure. Other impurities can be captured.

The present disclosure provides pumped thermal energy storage systems that can be used to store electrical energy. A pumped thermal energy storage system of the present disclosure can store energy by operating as a heat pump or refrigerator, whereby net work input can be used to transfer heat from the cold side to the hot side. A working fluid of the system is capable of efficient heat exchange with heat storage fluids on a hot side of the system and on a cold side of the system. The system can extract energy by operating as a heat engine transferring heat from the hot side to the cold side, which can result in net work output. Systems of the present disclosure can employ solar heating for improved storage efficiency.

A steam turbine system including a steam source for generating a steam flow, a high pressure turbine providing a first steam exhaust, a low pressure turbine fluidly coupled to the high pressure turbine, and, a steam storage system having an inlet for receiving a portion of the first steam exhaust from the high pressure steam turbine and storing in the steam storage system, the steam storage system having an output with a pressure relief valve for discharging a second steam exhaust to the low pressure turbine.

A combined cycle power plant and heating and cooling system and method for the power plant is disclosed as having a liquid natural gas supply and a vaporizer configured to vaporize the liquid natural gas into natural gas that is supplied to a gas performance heater before entering a combustion section of a gas turbine. A closed cooling water circuit is in fluid communication with at least one power plant component such as a gas turbine inlet heating/cooling coil, a heat recovery heat exchanger, the vaporizer, and mixtures thereof. An open cooling water circuit is in fluid communication with at least one power plant component such as at least one steam turbine condenser, the heat recovery heat exchanger, and mixtures thereof.