US6347520B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for Kalina combined cycle power plant with district heating capability
Assignee: General Electric Co
•
Filing: 2001-02-06
•
Granted: 2002-02-19
•
Expires: 2021-02-06
Abstract
Abstract A method is provided for implementing a thermodynamic cycle with district water heating capabilities that combines a simplified Kalina bottoming cycle with a district water heating plant. The preferred method includes pressurizing, vaporizing and superheating a mixture working fluid (e.g., H 2 O/NH 3 ) using gas turbine exhaust energy in a heat recovery vapor generator, expanding the working fluid in a turbine to produce power, and then transferring the working fluid thermal energy to the district water by condensing the working fluid in a single stage condenser. The method can also include systems that efficiently use excess thermal energy only when the district water heating demand is low, e.g., during summer months. The method according to the invention provides for economically significant increases in district water heating efficiency as compared to conventional Rankine cycles with district water heating, while decreasing the cost of both the Rankine and nominal Kalina cycles using multi-component working fluids.
Inventors
- 👤 Jatila Ranasinghe
- 👤 Raub Warfield Smith
- 👤 Robert William Bjorge
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 03:56
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01K; F01K25/00; F01K25/06; F01K25/065; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E20/00; Y02E20/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
A method for increasing the thermal efficiency of a combined cycle power plant using excess thermal energy to treat a municipal water source, comprising the steps of: a. vaporizing and superheating a multi-component working fluid by transferring thermal energy from a gas turbine exhaust to said working fluid in a heat recovery vapor generator; b. first expanding the working fluid through a high pressure turbine to produce electric energy and a heat source for a downstream regenerative economizer and a regenerative boiler; c. transferring thermal energy from the outlet of said high pressure turbine to said working fluid through said regenerative economizer and said regenerative boiler; and d. condensing said working fluid by transferring thermal energy to said municipal water source.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
121 words
A method for increasing the thermal efficiency of a combined cycle power plant using excess thermal energy to treat a municipal water source, comprising the steps of: a. vaporizing and superheating a multi-component working fluid by transferring thermal energy from a gas turbine exhaust to said working fluid in a heat recovery vapor generator; b. first expanding the working fluid through a high pressure turbine to produce electric energy and a heat source for a downstream regenerative economizer and a regenerative boiler; c. transferring thermal energy from the outlet of said high pressure turbine to said working fluid through said regenerative economizer and said regenerative boiler; and d. condensing said working fluid by transferring thermal energy to said municipal water source.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein said working fluid comprises a mixture of ammonia and water.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said working fluid becomes superheated as a result of the transfer of thermal energy from said gas turbine exhaust to said working fluid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising the step of expanding a portion of the vaporized working fluid exiting from said high pressure turbine through a second intermediate pressure turbine to produce additional electric power.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as recited in claim 4 further comprising the steps of condensing said vaporized working fluid from said intermediate pressure turbine through a condenser and recombining the resulting condensed working fluid with said working fluid.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
106 words
An apparatus for implementing a thermodynamic cycle to heat a district water supply comprising: a. a heat recovery vapor generator for vaporizing and superheating a multi-component working fluid; b. a high pressure turbine for expanding said working fluid to generate electric power; c. a regenerative boiler for cooling said working fluid on one side while vaporizing recycled working fluid on the other side; d. a regenerative economizer for cooling said working fluid on one side and heating said recycled working fluid on the other side; and e. a condenser for condensing said working fluid on one side and heating aid district water on the other side.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
106 words
An apparatus for implementing a thermodynamic cycle to heat a district water supply comprising: a. a heat recovery vapor generator for vaporizing and superheating a multi-component working fluid; b. a high pressure turbine for expanding said working fluid to generate electric power; c. a regenerative boiler for cooling said working fluid on one side while vaporizing recycled working fluid on the other side; d. a regenerative economizer for cooling said working fluid on one side and heating said recycled working fluid on the other side; and e. a condenser for condensing said working fluid on one side and heating aid district water on the other side.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 6 , wherein said regenerative economizer and said regenerative boiler consist of shell-and-tube heat exchangers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
73 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 6 further comprising a. an intermediate pressure turbine downstream from said high pressure turbine for further expanding said working fluid to generate additional electric power; b. a preheater for heating recycled working fluid on one side and cooling the intermediate pressure turbine exhaust on the other side; and c. a secondary condenser in series with said preheater for condensing said recycled working fluid using plant cooling water.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4753063A
Cited
US5029444A
Cited
US5095708A
Cited
US5450821A
Cited
US5440882A
Cited
US5649426A
Cited
US5822990A
Cited
US6173563B1
Cited
US6216436B1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-02-18 | 2005-08-20 | 2006-02-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-02-18 | 2009-08-20 | 2010-02-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-02-18 | 2013-08-20 | 2014-02-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |