US6526754B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Combined cycle power plant
Assignee: Ormat Technologies Inc
•
Filing: 1998-11-10
•
Granted: 2003-03-04
•
Expires: 2018-11-10
Abstract
Abstract A combined cycle power plant includes a gasifier for converting biomass material, low grade coal, etc., to combustible gases and producing heat, an internal combustion engine coupled to a generator for burning the combustible gases and driving said generator which produces power. The internal combustion engine rejects heat and produces hot exhaust gases. A vaporizer containing an organic fluid is responsive to the hot exhaust gases for vaporizing the organic fluid and producing vaporized organic fluid which is supplied to an organic vapor turbine coupled to a generator. The turbine expands the vaporized organic fluid driving the generator and producing expanded vaporized organic fluid which is condensed in a condenser. The condensate produced by the condenser is returned to the vaporizer. At least some of the heat rejected by the internal combustion engine is transferred the condensate.
Inventors
- 👤 Lucien Y. Bronicki
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 12:38
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01K; F01K23/00; F01K23/02; F01K23/06; F01K23/065; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E20/00; Y02E20/16; Y02E20/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 74
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
A combined cycle power plant comprising: a) a gasifier for converting biomass material to combustible gases and producing heat; b) an internal combustion engine for burning said combustible gases, said internal combustion engine rejecting heat and producing hot exhaust gases; c) a vaporizer containing an organic fluid and responsive to said hot exhaust gases for vaporizing said organic fluid and producing vaporized organic fluid; d) an organic vapor turbine for expanding said vaporized organic fluid and producing expanded vaporized organic fluid; e) a condenser for condensing said expanded vaporized organic fluid and producing organic fluid condensate; and f) a pump that returns said organic fluid condensate to said vaporizer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
109 words
A combined cycle power plant comprising: a) a gasifier for converting biomass material to combustible gases and producing heat; b) an internal combustion engine for burning said combustible gases, said internal combustion engine rejecting heat and producing hot exhaust gases; c) a vaporizer containing an organic fluid and responsive to said hot exhaust gases for vaporizing said organic fluid and producing vaporized organic fluid; d) an organic vapor turbine for expanding said vaporized organic fluid and producing expanded vaporized organic fluid; e) a condenser for condensing said expanded vaporized organic fluid and producing organic fluid condensate; and f) a pump that returns said organic fluid condensate to said vaporizer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A combined cycle power plant according to claim 1 including means for transferring at least some of the heat rejected by said internal combustion engine to said condensate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A combined cycle power plant according to claim 1 including means for transferring at least some of the heat produced by said gasifier to said condensate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
A combined cycle power plant according to claim 2 including a preheater interposed between said condenser and said vaporizer, and said means for transferring heat rejected by said internal combustion engine transfers heat to said preheater thereby preheating said condensate before it is returned to said vaporizer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
71 words
A combined cycle power plant according to claim 4 wherein said means for transferring heat includes a coolant jacket associated with said internal combustion engine and containing coolant which receives heat rejected by the internal combustion engine, and a radiator connected to said jacket, and means connecting said radiator to said preheater and said coolant jacket to said radiator for effecting coolant flow between said internal combustion engine and said preheater.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
A combined cycle power plant according to claim 3 including a heat exchanger associated with said gasifier, heat transfer fluid operatively associated with said heat exchanger, and means for exchanging said heat transfer fluid between said heat exchanger and a heater for heating said condensate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
A combined cycle power plant according to claim 2 wherein said condenser is air-cooled.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A combined cycle power plant according to claim 2 including means for transferring at least some of the heat produced by said gasifier to said condensate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
A combined cycle power plant according to claim 8 including a preheater interposed between said condenser and said vaporizer, and said means for transferring heat rejected by said internal combustion engine transfers heat to said preheater thereby preheating said condensate before it is returned to said vaporizer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
71 words
A combined cycle power plant according to claim 9 wherein said means for transferring heat includes a coolant jacket associated with said internal combustion engine and containing coolant which receives heat rejected by the internal combustion engine, and a radiator connected to said jacket, and means connecting said radiator to said preheater and said coolant jacket to said radiator for effecting coolant flow between said internal combustion engine and said preheater.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
45 words
A combined cycle power plant according to claim 10 including a heat exchanger associated with said gasifier, heat transfer fluid operatively associated with said heat exchanger, and means for exchanging said heat transfer fluid between said heat exchanger and a heater for heating said condensate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
A combined cycle power plant according to claim 1 including a generator coupled to said internal combustion engine.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
A combined cycle power plant according to claim 12 wherein said generator is also coupled to said organic vapor turbine.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
A combined cycle power plant according to claim 13 wherein said generator is interposed between said internal combustion and said organic vapor turbine.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
A combined cycle power plant according to claim 3 wherein said condenser is air-cooled.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
102 words
A method for producing power using a combined cycle power plant comprising the steps of: a) converting biomass material to combustible gases and producing heat using a gasifier; b) burning said combustible gases using an internal combustion engine, said internal combustion engine rejecting heat and producing hot exhaust gases; c) vaporizing water contained in a vaporizer responsive to said hot exhaust gases and producing steam; d) expanding said steam in a steam turbine and producing expanded steam; e) condensing said expanded steam in a steam condenser and producing steam condensate; and f) returning said steam condensate to said vaporizer using a pump.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
102 words
A method for producing power using a combined cycle power plant comprising the steps of: a) converting biomass material to combustible gases and producing heat using a gasifier; b) burning said combustible gases using an internal combustion engine, said internal combustion engine rejecting heat and producing hot exhaust gases; c) vaporizing water contained in a vaporizer responsive to said hot exhaust gases and producing steam; d) expanding said steam in a steam turbine and producing expanded steam; e) condensing said expanded steam in a steam condenser and producing steam condensate; and f) returning said steam condensate to said vaporizer using a pump.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 16 including transferring at least some of the heat rejected by said internal combustion engine to said steam condensate.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 16 including transferring at least some of the heat produced by said gasifier to said steam condensate.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method according to claim 17 including preheating said steam condensate using a preheater interposed between said condenser and said vaporizer and using heat transferred from heat rejected by said internal combustion engine to preheat said steam condensate before it is returned to said vaporizer.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 19 including effecting coolant flow from a coolant jacket having coolant that receives heat rejected by the internal combustion engine to said preheater to preheat said steam condensate before it is returned to said vaporizer.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 18 including heating said steam condensate in a heater using a heat transfer fluid operatively associated with a heat exchanger associated with said gasifier.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 17 including cooling said steam condensate using air.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 17 including transferring at least some of the heat produced by said gasifier to said steam condensate.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method according to claim 23 including preheating said steam condensate using a preheater interposed between said condenser and said vaporizer and using heat transferred from heat rejected by said internal combustion engine to preheat said steam condensate before it is returned to said vaporizer.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 24 including effecting coolant flow from a coolant jacket having coolant that receives heat rejected by the internal combustion engine to said preheater to preheat said steam condensate before it is returned to said vaporizer.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 25 including heating said steam condensate in a heater using a heat transfer fluid operatively associated with a heat exchanger associated with said gasifier.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 16 including coupling a generator to said internal combustion engine.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 27 including coupling said generator to said steam turbine.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 28 including interposing said generator between said internal combustion engine and said steam turbine.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 18 including cooling said steam condenser using air.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
114 words
A combined cycle power plant comprising: a) a gasifier for converting biomass material to combustible gases and producing heat; b) an internal combustion engine for burning said combustible gases, said internal combustion engine rejecting heat and producing hot exhaust gases; c) a vaporizer containing an organic fluid and producing vaporized organic fluid; d) an organic vapor turbine for expanding said vaporized organic fluid and producing expanded vaporized organic fluid; e) a condenser for condensing said expanded vaporized organic fluid and producing organic fluid condensate; f) a pump that returns said organic fluid condensate to said vaporizer; and g) wherein at least some of the heat produced by said gasifier is transferred to said condensate.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
114 words
A combined cycle power plant comprising: a) a gasifier for converting biomass material to combustible gases and producing heat; b) an internal combustion engine for burning said combustible gases, said internal combustion engine rejecting heat and producing hot exhaust gases; c) a vaporizer containing an organic fluid and producing vaporized organic fluid; d) an organic vapor turbine for expanding said vaporized organic fluid and producing expanded vaporized organic fluid; e) a condenser for condensing said expanded vaporized organic fluid and producing organic fluid condensate; f) a pump that returns said organic fluid condensate to said vaporizer; and g) wherein at least some of the heat produced by said gasifier is transferred to said condensate.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
34 words
A combined cycle power plant according to claim 31 wherein said vaporizer containing an organic fluid is responsive to said hot exhaust gases for vaporizing said organic fluid and producing said vaporized organic fluid.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
28 words
A combined cycle power plant according to claim 31 including means for transferring at least some of the heat rejected by said internal combustion engine to said condensate.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
47 words
A combined cycle power plant according to claim 33 including a preheater interposed between said condenser and said vaporizer, and said means for transferring heat rejected by said internal combustion engine transfers heat to said preheater thereby preheating said condensate before it is returned to said vaporizer.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
72 words
A combined cycle power plant according to claim 33 wherein said means for transferring heat includes a coolant jacket associated with said internal combustion engine and contains coolant which receives heat rejected by the internal combustion engine, and a radiator connected to said jacket, and means for connecting said radiator to said preheater and said coolant jacket to said radiator for effecting coolant flow between said internal combustion engine and said preheater.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
45 words
A combined cycle power plant according to claim 31 including a heat exchanger associated with said gasifier, heat transfer fluid operatively associated with said heat exchanger, and means for exchanging said heat transfer fluid between said heat exchanger and a heater for heating said condensate.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
18 words
A combined cycle power plant according to claim 31 including a generator coupled to said internal combustion engine.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
20 words
A combined cycle power plant according to claim 37 wherein said generator is also coupled to said organic vapor turbine.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
24 words
A combined cycle power plant according to claim 38 wherein said generator is interposed between said internal combustion engine and said organic vapor turbine.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
112 words
A method for producing power using a combined cycle power plant comprising the steps of: a) converting biomass material to combustible gases and producing heat using a gasifier; b) burning said combustible gases using an internal combustion engine, said internal combustion engine rejecting heat and producing hot exhaust gases; c) vaporizing water contained in a vaporizer and producing steam; d) expanding said steam in a steam turbine and producing expanded steam; e) condensing said expanded steam in a steam condenser and producing steam condensate; f) returning said steam condensate to said vaporizer using a pump; and g) transferring at least some of the heat produced by said gasifier to said steam condensate.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
112 words
A method for producing power using a combined cycle power plant comprising the steps of: a) converting biomass material to combustible gases and producing heat using a gasifier; b) burning said combustible gases using an internal combustion engine, said internal combustion engine rejecting heat and producing hot exhaust gases; c) vaporizing water contained in a vaporizer and producing steam; d) expanding said steam in a steam turbine and producing expanded steam; e) condensing said expanded steam in a steam condenser and producing steam condensate; f) returning said steam condensate to said vaporizer using a pump; and g) transferring at least some of the heat produced by said gasifier to said steam condensate.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 40 wherein the step of vaporizing water contained in a vaporizer and producing steam is carried out using said hot exhaust gases.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 40 including transferring at least some of the heat rejected by said internal combustion engine to said steam condensate.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method according to claim 40 including preheating said steam condensate using a preheater interposed between said condenser and said vaporizer and using heat transferred from heat rejected by said internal combustion engine to preheat said steam condensate before it is returned to said vaporizer.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 43 including effecting coolant flow from a coolant jacket having coolant that receives heat rejected by said internal combustion engine to said preheater to preheat said steam condensate before it is returned to said vaporizer.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 40 including heating said steam condensate in a heater using a heat transfer fluid operatively associated with a heat exchanger associated with said gasifier.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 40 including coupling a generator to said internal combustion engine.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 46 including coupling said generator to said steam turbine.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 47 including interposing said generator between said internal combustion engine and said steam turbine.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 40 including cooling said steam condenser using air.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
131 words
A combined cycle power plant comprising: a) a gasifier for converting biomass material to combustible gases and producing heat; b) an internal combustion engine for burning fuel, said internal combustion engine rejecting heat and producing hot exhaust gases; c) a vaporizer containing an organic fluid and producing vaporized organic fluid; d) an organic vapor turbine for expanding said vaporized organic fluid and producing expanded vaporized organic fluid; e) a condenser for condensing said expanded vaporized organic fluid and producing organic fluid condensate; f) a pump that returns said organic fluid condensate to said vaporizer; g) wherein at least some of the heat produced by said gasifier is transferred to said condensate; and h) wherein at least some of the heat rejected by said internal combustion engine is transferred to said condensate.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
131 words
A combined cycle power plant comprising: a) a gasifier for converting biomass material to combustible gases and producing heat; b) an internal combustion engine for burning fuel, said internal combustion engine rejecting heat and producing hot exhaust gases; c) a vaporizer containing an organic fluid and producing vaporized organic fluid; d) an organic vapor turbine for expanding said vaporized organic fluid and producing expanded vaporized organic fluid; e) a condenser for condensing said expanded vaporized organic fluid and producing organic fluid condensate; f) a pump that returns said organic fluid condensate to said vaporizer; g) wherein at least some of the heat produced by said gasifier is transferred to said condensate; and h) wherein at least some of the heat rejected by said internal combustion engine is transferred to said condensate.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
34 words
A combined cycle power plant according to claim 50 wherein said vaporizer containing an organic fluid is responsive to said hot exhaust gases for vaporizing said organic fluid and producing said vaporized organic fluid.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
24 words
A combined cycle power plant according to claim 50 wherein said fuel burned in said internal combustion engine is comprised of said combustible gases.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
47 words
A combined cycle power plant according to claim 52 including a preheater interposed between said condenser and said vaporizer, and said means for transferring heat rejected by said internal combustion engine transfers heat to said preheater thereby preheating said condensate before it is returned to said vaporizer.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
72 words
A combined cycle power plant according to claim 52 wherein said means for transferring heat includes a coolant jacket associated with said internal combustion engine and contains coolant which receives heat rejected by the internal combustion engine, and a radiator connected to said jacket, and means for connecting said radiator to said preheater and said coolant jacket to said radiator for effecting coolant flow between said internal combustion engine and said preheater.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
45 words
A combined cycle power plant according to claim 50 including a heat exchanger associated with said gasifier, heat transfer fluid operatively associated with said heat exchanger, and means for exchanging said heat transfer fluid between said heat exchanger and a heater for heating said condensate.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
18 words
A combined cycle power plant according to claim 50 including a generator coupled to said internal combustion engine.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
20 words
A combined cycle power plant according to claim 56 wherein said generator is also coupled to said organic vapor turbine.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
24 words
A combined cycle power plant according to claim 57 wherein said generator is interposed between said internal combustion engine and said organic vapor turbine.
Claim 64
Independent Claim
126 words
A method for producing power using a combined cycle power plant comprising the steps of: a) converting biomass material to combustible gases and producing heat using a gasifier; b) operating an internal combustion engine, said internal combustion engine rejecting heat and producing hot exhaust gases; c) vaporizing water contained in a vaporizer and producing steam; d) expanding said steam in a steam turbine and producing expanded steam; e) condensing said expanded steam in a steam condenser and producing steam condensate; f) returning said steam condensate to said vaporizer using a pump; g) transferring at least some of the heat produced by said gasifier to said steam condensate; and h) transferring at least some of the heat rejected by said internal combustion engine to said steam condensate.
Claim 65
Independent Claim
126 words
A method for producing power using a combined cycle power plant comprising the steps of: a) converting biomass material to combustible gases and producing heat using a gasifier; b) operating an internal combustion engine, said internal combustion engine rejecting heat and producing hot exhaust gases; c) vaporizing water contained in a vaporizer and producing steam; d) expanding said steam in a steam turbine and producing expanded steam; e) condensing said expanded steam in a steam condenser and producing steam condensate; f) returning said steam condensate to said vaporizer using a pump; g) transferring at least some of the heat produced by said gasifier to said steam condensate; and h) transferring at least some of the heat rejected by said internal combustion engine to said steam condensate.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 59 wherein the step of vaporizing water contained in a vaporizer and producing steam is carried out using said hot exhaust gases.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 59 including supplying said combustible gases to said internal combustion engine for combustion therein.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method according to claim 59 including preheating said steam condensate using a preheater interposed between said condenser and said vaporizer and using heat transferred from heat rejected by said internal combustion engine to preheat said steam condensate before it is returned to said vaporizer.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 62 including effecting coolant flow from a coolant jacket having coolant that receives heat rejected by said internal combustion engine to said preheater to preheat said steam condensate before it is returned to said vaporizer.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 59 including heating said steam condensate in a heater using heat transfer fluid operatively associated with a heat exchanger associated with said gasifier.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 60 including coupling a generator to said internal combustion engine.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 65 including coupling said generator to said steam turbine.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 66 including interposing said generator between said internal combustion engine and said steam turbine.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 59 including cooling said steam condensate using air.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-03-03 | 2006-09-02 | 2007-03-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-03-03 | 2010-09-02 | 2011-03-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
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