US20040119291A1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for indirect catalytic combustor preheating
Assignee: Capstone Green Energy Corp
•
Filing: 2003-12-04
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2023-12-04
Abstract
Abstract A turbogenerator system including a recuperator and a catalytic combustor employs a preheater located between the turbine outlet and the recuperator low-pressure inlet to heat the low-pressure turbine exhaust. Heat from the turbine exhaust is transferred to a cool high-pressure flow in the recuperator. A recirculation loop employs valves downstream of the recuperator low-pressure outlet to divert the recuperator low-pressure exhaust into the compressor to be recirculated through the recuperator high-pressure side and the catalytic combustor. Reduced start-up times and emissions are achieved by raising the combustor catalyst to its light-off temperature in a shorter period of time.
Inventors
- 👤 Douglas Hamrin
- 👤 Harry Jensen
- 👤 Yungmo Kang
- 👤 Mark Gilbreth
- 👤 Joel Wacknov
- 👤 Simon Wall
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 11:54
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02J; H02J1/00; H02J1/14; H02J1/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 76
Claim 1
Independent Claim
70 words
1 . A method of starting a turbine engine having a compressor rotationally coupled to a turbine for compressing air, a recuperator for transferring heat from turbine exhaust to the compressed air, and a catalytic combustor to react fuel with the heated compressed air, the method comprising: rotating the compressor to pass compressed air through the recuperator and the combustor and into the turbine; and heating the turbine exhaust flow.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
70 words
1 . A method of starting a turbine engine having a compressor rotationally coupled to a turbine for compressing air, a recuperator for transferring heat from turbine exhaust to the compressed air, and a catalytic combustor to react fuel with the heated compressed air, the method comprising: rotating the compressor to pass compressed air through the recuperator and the combustor and into the turbine; and heating the turbine exhaust flow.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the turbine engine comprises a heater fluidly disposed downstream of the turbine to heat the turbine exhaust.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein heating the turbine exhaust flow comprises: discontinuing to heat the turbine exhaust flow when the combustor catalyst has reached its light-off temperature.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
4 . The method of claim 3 , comprising: monitoring the turbine exhaust temperature to determine when the combustor catalyst has reached its light-off temperature.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
5 . The method of claim 3 , wherein heating the turbine exhaust flow comprises: discontinuing to heat the turbine exhaust flow when the turbine exhaust temperature has reached a predetermined value.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein heating the turbine exhaust flow comprises: heating the turbine exhaust flow prior to the exhaust flow entering the recuperator.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the turbine engine comprises a heater fluidly disposed between the turbine outlet and the recuperator to heat the turbine exhaust.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein heating the turbine exhaust flow comprises: heating the recuperator.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the turbine engine comprises a heater coupled to the recuperator to heat the recuperator.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the heater is an electric band heater.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
11 . The method of claim 8 , wherein heating the recuperator comprises: discontinuing to heat the turbine exhaust flow when the combustor catalyst has reached its light-off temperature.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
12 . The method of claim 11 , comprising: monitoring the turbine exhaust temperature to determine when the combustor catalyst has reached its light-off temperature.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
13 . The method of claim 11 , comprising: discontinuing to heat the turbine exhaust flow when the turbine exhaust temperature has reached a predetermined value.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
14 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising: passing the turbine exhaust exiting from the recuperator through the compressor to be compressed together with air.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
42 words
15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein passing the turbine exhaust exiting from the recuperator through the compressor comprises: discontinuing to pass the turbine exhaust exiting from the recuperator through the compressor when the combustor catalyst reaches its light-off temperature.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
16 . The method of claim 15 , comprising: monitoring the turbine exhaust temperature to determine when the combustor catalyst has reached its light-off temperature.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
44 words
17 . The method of claim 15 , wherein passing the turbine exhaust exiting from the recuperator through the compressor comprises: discontinuing to pass the turbine exhaust exiting from the recuperator through the compressor when the turbine exhaust temperature has reached a predetermined value.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
18 . The method of claim 15 , wherein heating the turbine exhaust flow comprises: discontinuing to heat the turbine exhaust flow when the combustor catalyst has reached its light-off temperature.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
38 words
19 . The method of claim 1 , wherein heating the turbine exhaust flow comprises: heating the turbine exhaust flow to transfer heat through the recuperator to the compressed air prior to the compressed air entering the combustor.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
50 words
20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein heating the turbine exhaust flow comprises: heating the turbine exhaust flow to transfer heat through the recuperator to the compressed air prior to the compressed air entering the combustor for the heated compressed air to heat the catalyst in the combustor.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
31 words
21 . The method of claim 20 , wherein heating the turbine exhaust flow comprises: discontinuing to heat the turbine exhaust flow when the combustor catalyst has reached its light-off temperature.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
22 . The method of claim 21 , comprising: monitoring the turbine exhaust temperature to determine when the combustor catalyst has reached its light-off temperature.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
32 words
23 . The method of claim 21 , wherein heating the turbine exhaust flow comprises: discontinuing to heat the turbine exhaust flow when the turbine exhaust temperature has reached a predetermined value.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
38 words
24 . The method of claim 21 , further comprising: discontinuing to pass the turbine exhaust exiting from the recuperator through the compressor to be compressed together with air when the combustor catalyst has reached its light-off temperature.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
25 words
25 . The method of claim 24 , comprising: monitoring the turbine exhaust temperature to determine when the combustor catalyst has reached its light-off temperature.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
44 words
26 . The method of claim 24 , wherein passing the turbine exhaust exiting from the recuperator through the compressor comprises: discontinuing to pass the turbine exhaust exiting from the recuperator through the compressor when the turbine exhaust temperature has reached a predetermined value.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
27 . The method of claim 1 , comprising: providing fuel to the combustor when the catalyst has reached its light-off temperature.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
25 words
28 . The method of claim 27 , comprising: monitoring the turbine exhaust temperature to determine when the combustor catalyst has reached its light-off temperature.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
24 words
29 . The method of claim 27 , comprising: providing fuel to the combustor when the turbine exhaust temperature has reached a predetermined value.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
19 words
30 . The method of claim 1 , comprising: providing fuel to the combustor together with the compressed air.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
22 words
31 . The method of claim 30 , wherein heating the turbine exhaust flow comprises: combusting fuel in the turbine exhaust flow.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
28 words
32 . The method of claim 31 , wherein the turbine engine comprises a heater fluidly disposed downstream of the turbine to combust fuel in the turbine exhaust.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
74 words
33 . A turbine engine, comprising: a turbine; a compressor rotationally coupled to the turbine for compressing air; a recuperator fluidly coupled to the compressor and to the turbine for transferring heat from turbine exhaust to the compressed air; a catalytic combustor fluidly coupled to the turbine and to the recuperator for reacting fuel with the heated compressed air; and a heater fluidly coupled to the turbine outlet for heating the turbine exhaust flow.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
74 words
33 . A turbine engine, comprising: a turbine; a compressor rotationally coupled to the turbine for compressing air; a recuperator fluidly coupled to the compressor and to the turbine for transferring heat from turbine exhaust to the compressed air; a catalytic combustor fluidly coupled to the turbine and to the recuperator for reacting fuel with the heated compressed air; and a heater fluidly coupled to the turbine outlet for heating the turbine exhaust flow.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
29 words
34 . The engine of claim 33 , wherein the heater comprises: a heater for heating the turbine exhaust flow until the combustor catalyst has reached its light-off temperature.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
32 words
35 . The engine of claim 34 , comprising: a controller connected to the engine for monitoring the turbine exhaust temperature to determine when the combustor catalyst has reached its light-off temperature.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
30 words
36 . The engine of claim 34 , wherein the heater comprises: a heater for heating the turbine exhaust flow until the turbine exhaust temperature has reached a predetermined value.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
25 words
37 . The engine of claim 33 , wherein the heater is fluidly disposed downstream of the turbine and upstream of the recuperator exhaust side.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
20 words
38 . The engine of claim 33 , wherein the heater is coupled to the recuperator to heat the recuperator.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
27 words
39 . The engine of claim 38 , wherein the heater comprises: a heater for heating the recuperator until the combustor catalyst has reached its light-off temperature.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
32 words
40 . The engine of claim 39 , comprising: a controller connected to the engine for monitoring the turbine exhaust temperature to determine when the combustor catalyst has reached its light-off temperature.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
28 words
41 . The engine of claim 39 , wherein the heater comprises: a heater for heating the recuperator until the turbine exhaust temperature has reached a predetermined value.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
16 words
42 . The engine of claim 38 , wherein the heater is an electric band heater.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
43 words
43 . The engine of claim 33 , comprising: a passage disposed fluidly between the outlet of the recuperator exhaust side and the compressor inlet for passing the turbine exhaust exiting from the recuperator through the compressor to be compressed together with air.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
39 words
44 . The engine of claim 43 , comprising: a controller connected to the engine for controlling the passage to pass the turbine exhaust exiting from the recuperator through the compressor until the combustor catalyst reaches its light-off temperature.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
35 words
45 . The engine of claim 44 , wherein the controller comprises: a controller connected to the engine for monitoring the turbine exhaust temperature to determine when the combustor catalyst has reached its light-off temperature.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
44 words
46 . The engine of claim 44 , wherein the controller comprises: a controller connected to the engine for controlling the passage to pass the turbine exhaust exiting from the recuperator through the compressor until the turbine exhaust temperature has reached a predetermined value.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
29 words
47 . The engine of claim 44 , wherein the heater comprises: a heater for heating the turbine exhaust flow until the combustor catalyst has reached its light-off temperature.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
38 words
48 . The engine of claim 33 , wherein the heater comprises: a heater for heating the turbine exhaust flow to transfer heat through the recuperator to the compressed air prior to the compressed air entering the combustor.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
50 words
49 . The engine of claim 48 , wherein the heater comprises: a heater for heating the turbine exhaust flow to transfer heat through the recuperator to the compressed air prior to the compressed air entering the combustor for the heated compressed air to heat the catalyst in the combustor.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
29 words
50 . The engine of claim 49 , wherein the heater comprises: a heater for heating the turbine exhaust flow until the combustor catalyst has reached its light-off temperature.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
32 words
51 . The engine of claim 50 , comprising: a controller connected to the engine for monitoring the turbine exhaust temperature to determine when the combustor catalyst has reached its light-off temperature.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
30 words
52 . The engine of claim 50 , wherein the heater comprises: a heater for heating the turbine exhaust flow until the turbine exhaust temperature has reached a predetermined value.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
52 words
53 . The engine of claim 49 , comprising: a passage disposed fluidly between the outlet of the recuperator exhaust side and the compressor inlet for passing the turbine exhaust exiting from the recuperator through the compressor to be compressed together with air until the combustor catalyst has reached its light-off temperature.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
32 words
54 . The engine of claim 53 , comprising: a controller connected to the engine for monitoring the turbine exhaust temperature to determine when the combustor catalyst has reached its light-off temperature.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
36 words
55 . The engine of claim 53 , wherein the heater comprises: a heater for passing the turbine exhaust exiting from the recuperator through the compressor until the turbine exhaust temperature has reached a predetermined value.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
31 words
56 . The engine of claim 33 , comprising: a fuel pump fluidly connected to the combustor for providing fuel to the combustor when the catalyst has reached its light-off temperature.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
32 words
57 . The engine of claim 56 , comprising: a controller connected to the engine for monitoring the turbine exhaust temperature to determine when the combustor catalyst has reached its light-off temperature.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
33 words
58 . The engine of claim 56 , comprising: a fuel pump fluidly connected to the combustor for providing fuel to the combustor when the turbine exhaust temperature has reached a predetermined value.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
28 words
59 . The engine of claim 33 , comprising: a fuel pump fluidly connected to the combustor for providing fuel to the combustor together with the compressed air.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
22 words
60 . The engine of claim 59 , wherein the heater comprises: a heater for combusting fuel in the turbine exhaust flow.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
143 words
61 . A turbogenerator system, comprising: a turbine; a compressor rotationally coupled to the turbine for rotating therewith to compress air; a recuperator fluidly coupled to the compressor and to the turbine for transferring heat from turbine exhaust to the compressed air; a catalytic combustor fluidly coupled to the turbine and to the recuperator for reacting fuel with the heated compressed air; a heater fluidly coupled to the turbine outlet for heating the turbine exhaust flow; a motor/generator rotationally coupled to the turbine for rotating therewith to produce power; a DC output bus for providing the power to a load; and a bi-directional motor/generator power converter connected between the motor/generator and the DC bus to automatically control system speed by varying the flow of power, after system startup, from the motor/generator to the DC bus and from the DC bus to the motor/generator.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
143 words
61 . A turbogenerator system, comprising: a turbine; a compressor rotationally coupled to the turbine for rotating therewith to compress air; a recuperator fluidly coupled to the compressor and to the turbine for transferring heat from turbine exhaust to the compressed air; a catalytic combustor fluidly coupled to the turbine and to the recuperator for reacting fuel with the heated compressed air; a heater fluidly coupled to the turbine outlet for heating the turbine exhaust flow; a motor/generator rotationally coupled to the turbine for rotating therewith to produce power; a DC output bus for providing the power to a load; and a bi-directional motor/generator power converter connected between the motor/generator and the DC bus to automatically control system speed by varying the flow of power, after system startup, from the motor/generator to the DC bus and from the DC bus to the motor/generator.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
54 words
62 . The system of claim 61 , wherein the motor/generator comprises: a motor/generator connected between the turbine and the motor/generator power converter for transferring power from the turbine to the motor/generator power converter to reduce system speed, and for transferring power from the motor/generator power converter to the turbine to increase system speed.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
31 words
63 . The system of claim 62 , comprising: a fuel control system connected to the combustor for automatically controlling turbine temperature by varying a flow of fuel to the combustor.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
45 words
64 . The system of claim 63 , wherein the fuel control system comprises: a fuel control system connected to the combustor for automatically controlling the turbine temperature to a temperature selected in accordance with the system speed to which the system is being controlled.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
49 words
65 . The system of claim 63 , comprising: a bi-directional output power converter connected between said DC bus and the load for automatically controlling a DC bus voltage by varying the power applied from the DC bus to the load and from the load to the DC bus.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
38 words
66 . The system of claim 65 , comprising: a power controller operating the motor/generator power converter, the output power converter, and the fuel control system to automatically control turbine temperature, system speed, and a DC bus voltage.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
177 words
67 . A turbogenerator system, comprising: a turbine; a compressor rotationally coupled to the turbine for rotating therewith to compress air; a recuperator fluidly coupled to the compressor and to the turbine for transferring heat from turbine exhaust to the compressed air; a catalytic combustor fluidly coupled to the turbine and to the recuperator for reacting fuel with the heated compressed air; a heater fluidly coupled to the turbine outlet for heating the turbine exhaust flow; a passage disposed fluidly between the outlet of the recuperator exhaust side and the compressor inlet for passing the turbine exhaust exiting from the recuperator through the compressor to be compressed together with air; a motor/generator rotationally coupled to the turbine for rotating therewith to produce power; a DC output bus for providing the power to a load; and a bi-directional motor/generator power converter connected between the motor/generator and the DC bus to automatically control system speed by varying the flow of power, after system startup, from the motor/generator to the DC bus and from the DC bus to the motor/generator.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
177 words
67 . A turbogenerator system, comprising: a turbine; a compressor rotationally coupled to the turbine for rotating therewith to compress air; a recuperator fluidly coupled to the compressor and to the turbine for transferring heat from turbine exhaust to the compressed air; a catalytic combustor fluidly coupled to the turbine and to the recuperator for reacting fuel with the heated compressed air; a heater fluidly coupled to the turbine outlet for heating the turbine exhaust flow; a passage disposed fluidly between the outlet of the recuperator exhaust side and the compressor inlet for passing the turbine exhaust exiting from the recuperator through the compressor to be compressed together with air; a motor/generator rotationally coupled to the turbine for rotating therewith to produce power; a DC output bus for providing the power to a load; and a bi-directional motor/generator power converter connected between the motor/generator and the DC bus to automatically control system speed by varying the flow of power, after system startup, from the motor/generator to the DC bus and from the DC bus to the motor/generator.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
54 words
68 . The system of claim 67 , wherein the motor/generator comprises: a motor/generator connected between the turbine and the motor/generator power converter for transferring power from the turbine to the motor/generator power converter to reduce system speed, and for transferring power from the motor/generator power converter to the turbine to increase system speed.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
31 words
69 . The system of claim 68 , comprising: a fuel control system connected to the combustor for automatically controlling turbine temperature by varying a flow of fuel to the combustor.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
45 words
70 . The system of claim 69 , wherein the fuel control system comprises: a fuel control system connected to the combustor for automatically controlling the turbine temperature to a temperature selected in accordance with the system speed to which the system is being controlled.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
49 words
71 . The system of claim 70 , comprising: a bi-directional output power converter connected between said DC bus and the load for automatically controlling a DC bus voltage by varying the power applied from the DC bus to the load and from the load to the DC bus.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
38 words
72 . The system of claim 71 , comprising: a power controller operating the motor/generator power converter, the output power converter, and the fuel control system to automatically control turbine temperature; system speed, and a DC bus voltage.
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