A process for energy management includes actuating a closed cyclic thermodynamic transformation, first in one direction in a charge configuration/phase and then in the opposite direction in a discharge configuration/phase, between a casing for the storage of a working fluid other than atmospheric air, in gaseous phase and in equilibrium of pressure with the atmosphere, and a tank for the storage of the working fluid in liquid or super-critical phase with a temperature close to its own critical temperature. In the charge phase, the process accumulates heat and pressure. In the discharge phase, the process generates energy. The process includes actuating, with at least one part of the working fluid, at least one closed thermodynamic cycle, even at the same time as the charge phase or as the discharge phase; and heating the working fluid by means of at least one oxy-combustion within the closed thermodynamic cycle.

A process for energy management includes actuating a closed cyclic thermodynamic transformation, first in one direction in a charge configuration/phase and then in the opposite direction in a discharge configuration/phase, between a casing for the storage of a working fluid other than atmospheric air, in gaseous phase and in equilibrium of pressure with the atmosphere, and a tank for the storage of the working fluid in liquid or super-critical phase with a temperature close to its own critical temperature. In the charge phase, the process accumulates heat and pressure. In the discharge phase, the process generates energy. The process includes actuating, with at least one part of the working fluid, at least one closed thermodynamic cycle, even at the same time as the charge phase or as the discharge phase; and heating the working fluid by means of at least one oxy-combustion within the closed thermodynamic cycle.

A hybrid powerplant can include a fuel cell cycle system configured to generate a first power using a fuel and an oxidizer. The powerplant can also include a supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO.sub.2) cycle system operatively connected to the fuel cell cycle to receive heat from the fuel cell cycle to cause the sCO.sub.2 cycle system to generate a second power.

A hybrid powerplant can include a fuel cell cycle system configured to generate a first power using a fuel and an oxidizer. The powerplant can also include a supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO.sub.2) cycle system operatively connected to the fuel cell cycle to receive heat from the fuel cell cycle to cause the sCO.sub.2 cycle system to generate a second power.

A thermal energy storage system for comprising a working fluid to store and transfer thermal energy between a heat source and a thermal load and a plurality of vessels to store the working fluid. Each vessel has an interior region and a floating separator piston in the interior region to separate a hot portion from a cold portion of the working fluid. There is a first manifold thermally coupled to an output of the heat source and to an input of the thermal load and fluidly coupled to the interior region of the vessels and a second manifold thermally coupled to an input of the heat source and an output of the thermal load and fluidly coupled to the interior region of the vessels. The vessels are arranged in parallel.

Power conversion systems for converting thermal energy from a heat source to electricity are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, the power conversion system may include a substantially sealed chamber having an inner shroud having an inlet and an outlet and defining an internal passageway between the inlet and the outlet through which a working fluid passes. The sealed chamber may also include an outer shroud substantially surrounding the inner shroud, such that the working fluid exiting the outlet of the inner shroud returns to the inlet of the inner shroud in a closed-loop via a return passageway formed between an external surface of the inner shroud and an internal surface of the outer shroud. The power conversion system may further include a source heat exchanger disposed in the internal passageway of the inner shroud, the source heat exchanger being configured to at least partially receive a heat transmitting element.

Power conversion systems for converting thermal energy from a heat source to electricity are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, the power conversion system may include a substantially sealed chamber having an inner shroud having an inlet and an outlet and defining an internal passageway between the inlet and the outlet through which a working fluid passes. The sealed chamber may also include an outer shroud substantially surrounding the inner shroud, such that the working fluid exiting the outlet of the inner shroud returns to the inlet of the inner shroud in a closed-loop via a return passageway formed between an external surface of the inner shroud and an internal surface of the outer shroud. The power conversion system may further include a source heat exchanger disposed in the internal passageway of the inner shroud, the source heat exchanger being configured to at least partially receive a heat transmitting element.

A closed-loop Brayton cycle system utilizes supercritical carbon dioxide as the working fluid for the system to achieve higher efficiencies than can be achieved with traditional open-loop gas turbine engines. A bleed channel is used to direct a flow of cooling fluid to cool the turbine blades during operation of the system, preventing damage to the turbine blades during operation of the system. The bleed channel includes a bleed inlet fluidly coupled between a first recuperator and a second recuperator and a bleed outlet fluidly coupled to the turbine blades. The bleed channel is configured to direct the flow of cooling fluid to the turbine blades at a desired temperature and pressure.

A closed-loop Brayton cycle system utilizes supercritical carbon dioxide as the working fluid for the system to achieve higher efficiencies than can be achieved with traditional open-loop gas turbine engines. A bleed channel is used to direct a flow of cooling fluid to cool the turbine blades during operation of the system, preventing damage to the turbine blades during operation of the system. The bleed channel includes a bleed inlet fluidly coupled between a first recuperator and a second recuperator and a bleed outlet fluidly coupled to the turbine blades. The bleed channel is configured to direct the flow of cooling fluid to the turbine blades at a desired temperature and pressure.

The present disclosure relates to methods for starting and rapidly decelerating a turbomachine in a power generation system that utilizes a supercritical fluid in a closed cycle.