VAPOR PLANT AND METHOD OF OPERATING A VAPOR PLANT

Abstract

In order to provide a vapor plant which is operable in an energy-efficient manner, has as high a degree of efficiency as possible and/or enables nitrogen oxide to be reduced without additives, the vapor plant includes the following: a gas turbine device which comprises a compressor, a combustion chamber and a turbine; a vapor device for the production of vapor and for the supply of vapor to the combustion chamber; an exhaust gas system for the removal of the exhaust gas produced in the combustion chamber; a heat exchanger by means of which the exhaust gas system on the one hand and the vapor device on the other are thermally coupled or couplable to one another; a condensing device by means of which the exhaust gas system on the one hand and the vapor device on the other are thermally coupled or couplable to one another.

Claims

1. A vapor plant, comprising: a gas turbine device which comprises a compressor, a combustion chamber and a turbine; a vapor device for the production of vapor and for supplying the vapor to the combustion chamber; an exhaust gas system for the removal of exhaust gas produced in the combustion chamber; a heat exchanger by means of which the exhaust gas system on the one hand and the vapor device on the other are thermally coupled or couplable to one another; a condensing device by means of which the exhaust gas system on the one hand and the vapor device on the other are thermally coupled or couplable to one another.

2. The vapor plant in accordance with claim 1, wherein the vapor device comprises a liquid supply system and in that the exhaust gas system on the one hand and the liquid supply system of the vapor device on the other are thermally coupled or couplable to one another by means of the condensing device.

3. The vapor plant in accordance with claim 1, wherein the condensing device comprises a reservoir container for accommodating and/or storing condensate of the exhaust gas.

4. The vapor plant in accordance with claim 1, wherein the condensing device comprises a feedback device by means of which condensate of the exhaust gas is suppliable as a liquid to a liquid supply system of the vapor device.

5. The vapor plant in accordance with claim 1, wherein, taken with respect to a direction of flow of the exhaust gas in the exhaust gas system, the condensing device is arranged downstream of the heat exchanger by means of which the exhaust gas system on the one hand and the vapor device on the other are thermally coupled or couplable to one another.

6. The vapor plant in accordance with claim 1, wherein the vapor plant comprises a catalytic device for purifying the exhaust gas, wherein, taken with respect to a direction of flow of the exhaust gas in the exhaust gas system, the catalytic device is arranged upstream of the heat exchanger by means of which the exhaust gas system on the one hand and the vapor device on the other are thermally coupled or couplable to one another.

7. The vapor plant in accordance with claim 1, wherein the vapor plant comprises a catalytic device for purifying the exhaust gas, wherein, taken with respect to a direction of flow of the exhaust gas in the exhaust gas system, the catalytic device is arranged between the condensing device and the heat exchanger by means of which the exhaust gas system on the one hand and the vapor device on the other are thermally coupled or couplable to one another.

8. The vapor plant in accordance with claim 1, wherein the vapor plant comprises a recuperating device by means of which heat contained in the exhaust gas is transferable at least in part to a gas flow which is to be supplied to the combustion chamber.

9. A method of operating a vapor plant, in particular a vapor plant in accordance with claim 1, wherein the method comprises the following: conversion of fuel and oxidizer in a combustion chamber of a gas turbine device of the vapor plant; supplying vapor to the combustion chamber; removing the exhaust gas produced in the combustion chamber from the combustion chamber; transferring heat from the exhaust gas to a vapor device for the purposes of producing vapor by means of a heat exchanger; condensing at least a portion of the vapor contained in the exhaust gas by means of a condensing device.

10. The method in accordance with claim 9, wherein the temperature of the exhaust gas after the transferal of heat from the exhaust gas to the vapor device by means of the heat exchanger lies above the dew point of water.

11. The method in accordance with claim 9, wherein the temperature of the exhaust gas is lowered below the dew point of water by means of the condensing device.

12. The method in accordance with claim 9, wherein impurities contained in the exhaust gas are chemically converted by means of a catalytic device.

13. The method in accordance with claim 9, wherein condensate of the exhaust gas that is produced by means of the condensing device is at least partly re-vaporized and supplied to the combustion chamber.

14. The method in accordance with claim 9, wherein the supply of vapor to the combustion chamber is controlled and/or regulated in such a way that a water content of the exhaust gas amounts to at least approximately 6 Vol %, preferably to at least approximately 8 Vol %, for example, to at least approximately 10 Vol %.

15. The method in accordance with claim 9, wherein vapor produced by means of a vapor device of the vapor plant is partly supplied to the combustion chamber and partly to a vapor turbine of the vapor plant.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0071] FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a vapor plant in which provision is made for the recovery of the heat of the exhaust gas by the use of a heat exchanger and a condensing device, wherein a catalytic device is arranged between the heat exchanger and the condensing device;

[0072] FIG. 2 a schematic illustration corresponding to FIG. 1 of a second embodiment of a vapor plant in which the catalytic device is arranged upstream of the heat exchanger taken with respect to the direction of flow of the exhaust gas; and

[0073] FIG. 3 a schematic illustration corresponding to FIG. 1 of a third embodiment of a vapor plant in which an additional recuperating device is provided.

[0074] Similar or functionally equivalent elements are provided with the same reference symbols in all of the Figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0075] A first embodiment of a vapor plant which is illustrated in FIG. 1 and designated therein as a whole by 100 is, for example, a power station and in particular a gas and steam turbine power station for the production of heat and/or electrical energy.

[0076] The vapor plant 100 comprises in particular a gas turbine device 102.

[0077] The gas turbine device 102 comprises a compressor 104, a combustion chamber 106 and a turbine 108.

[0078] An air supply inlet 110 of the gas turbine device 102 serves for the supply of air to the combustion chamber 106.

[0079] A fuel supply inlet 112 of the gas turbine device 102 serves for the supply of fuel to the combustion chamber 106.

[0080] The air being supplied by way of the air supply inlet 110 is compressible by means of the compressor 104 in order to eventually enable air at increased pressure to be supplied to the combustion chamber 106.

[0081] For this purpose, the compressor 104 is driven by the turbine 108 via a shaft 114 of the gas turbine device 102.

[0082] Furthermore, the shaft 114 preferably couples the turbine 108 and/or the compressor 104 to a generator 116 of the vapor plant 100. The generator 116 serves for the transformation of mechanical energy into electrical energy.

[0083] However, as an alternative to or in addition to the shaft 114, other means of coupling the compressor 104, the turbine 108 and/or the generator 116 could also be provided.

[0084] The turbine 108 is arranged in an exhaust gas system 118 of the vapor plant 100 whereby the exhaust gas from the combustion chamber 106 that is being fed into the exhaust gas system 118 is able to flow therethrough in order to eventually cause rotation of the turbine 108, the compressor 104, the shaft 114 and parts of the generator 116.

[0085] Furthermore, the vapor plant 100 comprises a vapor device 120 for the production of vapor and in particular water vapor.

[0086] The vapor device 120 comprises a liquid supply system 122 for the supply of liquid, in particular, water.

[0087] Furthermore, the vapor device 120 comprises a vapor supply system 124 in which the liquid that is initially being fed through the liquid supply system 122 and is subsequently vaporized is conveyable in the vaporous state.

[0088] The vapor plant 100 preferably comprises a heat exchanger 126 by means of which the exhaust gas system 118 and the vapor device 120 are thermally coupled or couplable to one another.

[0089] Thus in particular, the heat from the exhaust gas of the combustion chamber 106 is transferable to the fluid being fed through the vapor device 120 and in particular the liquid being fed through the liquid supply system 120 and/or the vapor being fed through the vapor supply system 124 by means of the heat exchanger 126.

[0090] Furthermore, the vapor plant 100 comprises a condensing device 128 by means of which the exhaust gas system 118 and the liquid supply system 122 of the vapor device 120 are thermally coupled or couplable to one another.

[0091] In particular, the vapor contained in the exhaust gas can be condensed by means of the condensing device 128 in order to utilize the enthalpy of vaporization available therein for heating the liquid being fed through the liquid supply system 122.

[0092] The condensate obtained in the condensing device 128 can be stored in particular by means of a reservoir container 130 of the vapor plant 100 and/or be supplied to the liquid supply system 122 of the vapor device 120 by means of a feedback device 132 of the vapor plant 100.

[0093] Furthermore, the vapor plant 100 preferably comprises a catalytic device 134.

[0094] The catalytic device 134 is preferably arranged in the exhaust gas system 118 and exhaust gas is passable therethrough.

[0095] In particular, purification of the exhaust gas is effectible by means of the catalytic device 134. For example, catalytic oxidation of carbon mono-oxide is feasible by means of the catalytic device 134. As an alternative or in addition thereto, provision may be made for further or other constituents and in particular impurities in the exhaust gas to be chemically convertible by means of the catalytic device 134. The chemical conversion of constituents of the exhaust gas preferably takes place exothermically so that, in particular, heat is released and used for heating the exhaust gas.

[0096] The catalytic device 134 is preferably arranged between the heat exchanger 126 and the condensing device 128 taken with respect to a direction of flow 136 of the exhaust gas in the exhaust gas system 118.

[0097] The vapor produced by means of the vapor device 120 can be supplied, in particular, via the vapor supply system 124 to the combustion chamber 106 in order to increase the moisture content of the exhaust gas in and/or from the combustion chamber 106.

[0098] Furthermore for example, the vapor obtainable by means of the vapor device 120 can be supplied to a vapor turbine 138 of the vapor plant 100 in order to eventually run the generator 116 or a (not illustrated) further generator.

[0099] As an alternative or in addition thereto, provision can also be made for some other use of the vapor. For example, the vapor can be used in and/or for a district heating network, one or more industrial manufacturing processes and/or one or more purification processes.

[0100] The first embodiment of the vapor plant 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 functions as follows:

[0101] Air for example is sucked in from the surroundings of the gas turbine device 102 by means of the air supply inlet 110, then compressed by means of the compressor 104 and supplied to the combustion chamber 106.

[0102] Fuel is supplied to the combustion chamber 106 by means of the fuel supply inlet 112.

[0103] In addition, vapor is supplied to the combustion chamber 106 by means of the vapor supply system 124.

[0104] The fuel is chemically converted exothermically in the combustion chamber 106 by the oxygen contained in the air. Hereby, apart from carbon dioxide and water, unwanted pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NO.sub.x) for example can also be produced. The temperatures occurring in the combustion chamber 106 can preferably be reduced by the supply of vapor to the combustion chamber 106, something which can eventually result, in particular, in a reduced production of nitrogen oxide.

[0105] The supply of vapor thus preferably enables the gas turbine device 102 to operate in a particularly nitrogen-oxide-lean manner.

[0106] The energy that is released in the combustion chamber 106 is partly converted into mechanical energy by means of the turbine 108 in order to drive the shaft 114 and eventually the compressor 104 as well as parts of the generator 116. The supply of vapor thereby preferably leads to an increase in the mechanical performance of the turbine 108 (compared with operating the gas turbine device 102 without a supply of vapor).

[0107] The exhaust gas being fed into the exhaust gas system 118 downstream of the turbine 108 still contains large amounts of heat which should be re-used for an energy-efficient operation of the vapor plant 100.

[0108] Preferably thereby, the major part of the heat contained in the exhaust gas is transferred to the fluid being fed through the vapor device 120 by means of the heat exchanger 126.

[0109] Downstream of the heat exchanger 126, the exhaust gas is then fed through the catalytic device 134 and thereby purified by virtue of the exothermic reactions taking place therein as well as being at least slightly reheated.

[0110] The exhaust gas is then cooled down further by means of the condensing device 128 in that the heat contained therein is transferred to the liquid being fed through the liquid supply system 122. In particular, the exhaust gas is cooled down in the condensing device 128 to such an extent that the vaporous constituents contained therein, in particular water vapor, condense out. This thereby results in a yet more efficient use of the heat contained in the exhaust gas.

[0111] The exhaust gas is then preferably released to the surroundings of the vapor plant 100 downstream of the condensing device 128.

[0112] The condensate produced in the condensing device 128 is, for example, supplied to a reservoir container 130 for the purposes of storage thereof and/or supplied by way of a feedback device 132 to the liquid supply system 122 of the vapor device 120.

[0113] The condensate can thus be supplied, in particular, together with the liquid being supplied via the liquid supply system 122, in particular water, for renewed usage in the vapor device 120.

[0114] The liquid being fed through the liquid supply system 122 is firstly supplied to the condensing device 128 and heated up and in particular preheated therein by absorption of heat from the exhaust gas. Thereby, the liquid preferably still remains in the liquid state.

[0115] Further heating of the liquid which leads in particular to evaporation and/or superheating preferably takes place in the heat exchanger 126.

[0116] In particular, superheated vapor is produced by means of the heat exchanger 126.

[0117] The vapor is then supplied in part to the combustion chamber 106 by way of the vapor supply system 124 and is partly used in other ways. For example, vapor is partly supplied to the vapor turbine 138 for the purposes of electrical energy and/or is partly passed on for other possibilities of use.

[0118] Due to the fact that the vapor plant 100 comprises a combination of a heat exchanger 126 and a condensing device 128 as well as preferably a catalytic device 134, the vapor plant 100 preferably enables the energy in the exhaust gas to be extensively recovered whereby the energy efficiency and/or the degree of efficiency of the vapor plant 100 can ultimately be increased.

[0119] In particular, the combination of the processes of supplying vapor to the combustion chamber 106 on the one hand and condensing constituents of the exhaust gas on the other makes it possible to operate the vapor plant 100 in an energy-efficient and efficiency-optimized manner whereby an after-treatment of the exhaust gases for reducing the nitrogen oxide content can preferably be dispensed with and/or is superfluous.

[0120] A second embodiment of a vapor plant 100 which is illustrated in FIG. 2 differs from the first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 substantially in that the catalytic device 134 is arranged upstream of the heat exchanger 126 for the purposes of coupling the exhaust gas system 118 to the vapor device 120.

[0121] Consequently, in the embodiment of the vapor plant 100 that is illustrated in FIG. 2, the exhaust gas flowing through the catalytic device 134 is hotter. This can be advantageous for the operation of the vapor plant 100 in dependence on the type of catalyst selected and/or the design.

[0122] In all other respects, the embodiment of the vapor plant 100 that is illustrated in FIG. 2 corresponds in regard to the construction and functioning thereof with the first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 and so to that extent, reference should be made to the previous description thereof.

[0123] A third embodiment of a vapor plant 100 which is illustrated in FIG. 3 differs from the first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 substantially in that the gas turbine device 102 is provided with a recuperating device 140. The recuperating device 140 comprises a heat exchanger 142 by means of which the exhaust gas system 118 is thermally coupled to or couplable to the air supply inlet 110.

[0124] Hereby, the heat exchanger 142 is arranged downstream of the compressor 104 and/or upstream of the combustion chamber 106 taken with respect to a direction of flow 144 of the air flow in the air supply system 110.

[0125] The heat exchanger 142 is preferably arranged directly downstream of the turbine 108 taken with respect to the direction of flow 136 of the exhaust gas in the exhaust gas system 118.

[0126] The partial volume of the stream of exhaust gas that is supplied to the recuperating device 140 or that is fed past it and supplied directly to the heat exchanger 126 is preferably adjustable and in particular controllable and/or regulatable by means of a valve device 146 of the exhaust gas system 118.

[0127] In particular, the efficiency of the gas turbine device 102 can be optimized by the use of a recuperating device 140.

[0128] In all other respects, the embodiment of the vapor plant 100 that is illustrated in FIG. 3 corresponds in regard to the construction and functioning thereof with the first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 and so to that extent, reference should be made to the previous description thereof.

[0129] In a not illustrated further embodiment, any combination of features of the embodiments described above can be provided.

[0130] For example, in one embodiment of a vapor plant 100 which substantially corresponds to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 and therefore comprises a recuperating device 140, the position of the catalytic device 134 could also be selected differently, for example, in correspondence with the second embodiment of the vapor plant 100 that is illustrated in FIG. 2.