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.

Device for expanding a fluid, wherein the device (1) is provided with an expander element (2) for expanding the fluid, a generator (3) and a transmission (4) between the two, characterized in that the generator (3) is a liquid-cooled generator and the expander element (2) is heated using liquid, wherein the device (1) is further provided with a common liquid circuit (8) for the generator (3) and the expander element (2), wherein the liquid circuit (8) comprises a liquid pump (10) which can pump up liquid from a liquid reservoir (11), wherein the liquid circuit (8) also comprises a liquid line (9) which runs from the liquid reservoir (11) and which incorporates the liquid pump (10), the generator (3) and the expander element (2).

The present disclosure provides pumped thermal energy storage systems that can be used to store and extract 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.

A segmented augmented turbine assembly for generating electricity from a fluid in motion, the assembly comprising a segmented annular ducted channel extending between an inlet receiving the fluid and an outlet, the channel comprising a convergent accelerating the fluid, a segmented turbine-rotor section comprising blades and guide vanes rotating about a central shaft coupled to a generator, and a diffuser section configured to decelerate the fluid, wherein the channel comprises solid inserts attached to an outside face of the turbine-rotor section, the flow stream passing through open flow-through segments positioned between the solid inserts.

A system for using excess energy of a power generation system and an sCO2 (supercritical carbon dioxide) stream to store and generate power. An air separation unit uses the excess energy to cool and liquify ambient air into liquid nitrogen (L-N2) and liquid oxygen (L-O2). The L-O2 and L-N2 are stored until energy is desired. An L-O2 energy discharge path has an oxygen heat exchanger that vaporizes and heats the oxygen, a combustor that combusts the oxygen and fuel to produce exhaust, and a first turbine is driven by the exhaust to produce energy. An L-N2 energy discharge path has a nitrogen heat exchanger that vaporizes and heats the L-N2, thereby providing expanded nitrogen, and a second turbine is driven by the expanded nitrogen to produce energy. Heat for the heat exchangers on both discharge paths is provided by the sCO2 stream.

Extra heat in a closed cycle power generation system, such as a reversible closed Brayton cycle system, may be dissipated between discharge and charge cycles. An extra cooling heat exchanger may be added on the discharge cycle and disposed between a cold side heat exchanger and a compressor inlet. Additionally or alternatively, a cold thermal storage medium passing through the cold side heat exchanger may be allowed to heat up to a higher temperature during the discharge cycle than is needed on input to the charge cycle and the excess heat then dissipated to the atmosphere.

Solid-state thermoclines with internal baffle structures are in used in place of heat exchangers in a closed thermodynamic cycle power generation or energy storage system, such as a closed Brayton cycle system. The baffles limit the conductive and/or radiative transfer of heat between a solid thermal medium within different zones defined by the baffle structures.

Solid-state thermoclines with internal baffle structures are in used in place of heat exchangers in a closed thermodynamic cycle power generation or energy storage system, such as a closed Brayton cycle system. The baffles limit the conductive and/or radiative transfer of heat between a solid thermal medium within different zones defined by the baffle structures.

A tesla-type turbine for converting the enthalpy of a gas volume flow into mechanical energy, a method for operating the Tesla-type turbine, and an apparatus for converting thermal energy into mechanical energy, a method for converting thermal energy into mechanical energy, and a method for converting thermal energy into electrical energy. The Tesla-type turbine has at least one disc which is positioned on an axis of rotation and is set into rotation by a gas volume flow flowing substantially tangentially, so that mechanical energy can be collected at a shaft coupled to the disc. A disc body that forms the disc has at least one cavity in which, for the purpose of cooling the disc body, a cooling medium, in particular a cooling liquid, is received or can be received.

Gas turbine engines are described. The gas turbine engines include a compressor section, a combustor section, a turbine section, and a nozzle, wherein the compressor section, the combustor section, the turbine section, and the nozzle define a core flow path that expels through the nozzle. A waste heat recovery system is operably connected to the gas turbine engine, the waste heat recovery system having a working fluid. An auxiliary cooling system is configured to provide cooling to a working fluid of the waste heat recovery system.