A method for operating a steam turbine, wherein the pressure of the cooling medium in the generator is changed not only for cooling but also for increasing or decreasing the torque of the generator on the steam turbine, this being utilized for the purpose of the start-up or shut-down process.

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 recovery turbines can be used debottlenecking of an existing plant, as well as recover electric power when revamping a plant. A process for recovering energy in a petroleum, petrochemical, or chemical plant is described. A fluid stream having a first control valve thereon is identified. A first power-recovery turbine is installed at the location of the first control valve, and at least a portion of the first fluid stream is directed through the first power-recovery turbine to generate electric power as direct current therefrom. The electric power is then recovered.

The present application provides an energy control computing device for adjusting one or more steam flow parameters delivered to a steam turbine from a heat recovery steam generator via a number of control devices. The energy control computing device includes a processor in communication with a memory. The processor is programmed to receive a number of measured operating values, identify steam turbine operating limits, identify a number of candidate operating modes meeting steam turbine operating limits, selecting the candidate operating mode maximizing the steam flow parameters while not exceeding the steam turbine operating limits, and directing the control devices to meet the selected candidate operating mode.

A method for synchronising a turbine with an AC network having a network frequency, having the following steps: A) accelerating the turbine up to a stated rotational speed, without taking into consideration a difference angle between the turbine and the AC network; B) detecting a difference angle between the turbine and the AC network; C) accelerating or decelerating the turbine in such a way that the differential speed follows a target trajectory, wherein the target trajectory is a trajectory that indicates a target rotational speed depending on the detected difference angle, such that a target angular position that is suitable for a synchronous supply is achieved between the turbine and AC network.

In one embodiment, a plant control apparatus controls a power plant that includes a combustor to burn fuel with oxygen introduced from an inlet guide vane to generate gas, a gas turbine driven by the gas from the combustor, a heat recovery steam generator to generate steam using heat of an exhaust gas from the gas turbine, and a steam turbine driven by the steam from the heat recovery steam generator. The apparatus controls an angle of the inlet guide vane before a start of the steam turbine to a first angle, controls the angle of the inlet guide vane after the start of the steam turbine to a second angle larger than the first angle, and reduce the angle of the inlet guide vane from the second angle to the first angle or more during the predetermined period.

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.

The present application provides an energy control computing device for adjusting one or more steam flow parameters delivered to a steam turbine from a heat recovery steam generator via a number of control devices. The energy control computing device includes a processor in communication with a memory. The processor is programmed to receive a number of measured operating values, identify steam turbine operating limits, identify a number of candidate operating modes meeting steam turbine operating limits, selecting the candidate operating mode maximizing the steam flow parameters while not exceeding the steam turbine operating limits, and directing the control devices to meet the selected candidate operating mode.

A water-injection system for power plants and for injecting water into a steam system includes a supply unit, a metering unit and an injection unit. The supply unit is configured to make water available to the metering unit. The metering unit is in the form of an electrically actuable system and is configured to meter a quantity of water to be injected into the steam system and to make it provide to the injection unit. The injection unit is configured to introduce the water into the steam system.