US6832485B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method of and apparatus for producing power using a reformer and gas turbine unit
Assignee: Ormat Technologies Inc
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Filing: 2001-11-26
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Granted: 2004-12-21
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Expires: 2021-11-26
Abstract
Abstract In accordance with the present invention, apparatus is provided for producing power comprising a reformer for reforming a hydrocarbon material and producing syngas comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. Furthermore, the apparatus comprises a combustion chamber of a gas turbine unit that receives the syngas and combusts the syngas and produces flue gases comprising carbon dioxide and other gases that are supplied to the gas turbine contained in the gas turbine unit. In addition, the apparatus includes a bottoming cycle unit of a combined cycle power plant that produces power and from which combustion gases exit. A carbon dioxide separator is also included in the apparatus that receives combustion gases exiting the bottoming cycle unit and separates carbon dioxide from the other combustion gases. A compressor is provided that supplies the separated carbon dioxide to the reformer for reforming of the hydrocarbon material. Preferably, according to the present invention, the reformer comprises a solar reformer. In addition, the gas turbine unit includes a compressor that compresses air and also an electric generator coupled to the gas turbine that produces electricity.
Inventors
- 👤 Chaim Sugarmen
- 👤 Uriyel Fisher
- 👤 Zoltan Bihari
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 20:47
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02C; F02C1/00; F02C1/04; F02C1/08; C; C01; C01B; C01B3/00; C01B3/02; C01B3/32; C01B3/34; F02C1/05; F02C3/00; F02C3/20; F02C3/26; F02C3/28; F02C3/34; C01B2203/00; C01B2203/02; C01B2203/0205; C01B2203/0227; C01B2203/0238; C01B2203/08; C01B2203/0805; C01B2203/0811; C01B2203/0827; C01B2203/14; C01B2203/148; F05; F05D; F05D2220/00; F05D2220/70; F05D2220/72; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E20/00; Y02E20/16; Y02E20/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
A method for producing power comprising the steps of: (a) solar reforming a hydrocarbon material in a solar reformer for producing syngas comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide; (b) supplying said syngas to the combustion chamber of a gas turbine unit that combusts the syngas and produces flue gases comprising carbon dioxide and other gases that are supplied to the gas turbine contained in the gas turbine unit; (c) supplying the exhaust gases exiting said gas turbine to a bottoming cycle unit of a combined cycle power plant for producing power and from which combustion gases exit; (d) supplying said combustion gases exiting said bottoming cycle unit to a carbon dioxide separator that separates carbon dioxide from the other combustion gases; and (e) supplying the separated carbon dioxide to said solar reformer using a compressor for reforming of said hydrocarbon material.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
142 words
A method for producing power comprising the steps of: (a) solar reforming a hydrocarbon material in a solar reformer for producing syngas comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide; (b) supplying said syngas to the combustion chamber of a gas turbine unit that combusts the syngas and produces flue gases comprising carbon dioxide and other gases that are supplied to the gas turbine contained in the gas turbine unit; (c) supplying the exhaust gases exiting said gas turbine to a bottoming cycle unit of a combined cycle power plant for producing power and from which combustion gases exit; (d) supplying said combustion gases exiting said bottoming cycle unit to a carbon dioxide separator that separates carbon dioxide from the other combustion gases; and (e) supplying the separated carbon dioxide to said solar reformer using a compressor for reforming of said hydrocarbon material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein, at night time, said hydrocarbon material and said separated carbon dioxide are supplied to said combustion chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein, at night time, said hydrocarbon material and said separated carbon dioxide are supplied to said combustion chamber by way of said solar reformer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
135 words
Apparatus for producing power comprising: (a) a solar reformer for solar reforming a hydrocarbon material and producing syngas comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide; (b) a combustion chamber of a gas turbine unit that receives said syngas and combusts the syngas and produces flue gases comprising carbon dioxide and other gases that are supplied to the gas turbine contained in the gas turbine unit; (c) a bottoming cycle unit of a combined cycle power plant that receives exhaust gases exiting said gas turbine and produces power and from which combustion gases exit; (d) a carbon dioxide separator that receives combustion gases exiting said bottoming cycle unit and separates carbon dioxide from other combustion gases; and (e) a compressor that supplies the separated carbon dioxide to said solar reformer for reforming of said hydrocarbon material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
135 words
Apparatus for producing power comprising: (a) a solar reformer for solar reforming a hydrocarbon material and producing syngas comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide; (b) a combustion chamber of a gas turbine unit that receives said syngas and combusts the syngas and produces flue gases comprising carbon dioxide and other gases that are supplied to the gas turbine contained in the gas turbine unit; (c) a bottoming cycle unit of a combined cycle power plant that receives exhaust gases exiting said gas turbine and produces power and from which combustion gases exit; (d) a carbon dioxide separator that receives combustion gases exiting said bottoming cycle unit and separates carbon dioxide from other combustion gases; and (e) a compressor that supplies the separated carbon dioxide to said solar reformer for reforming of said hydrocarbon material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said combustion chamber receives at night time said hydrocarbon material and said separated carbon dioxide.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said combustion chamber receives at night time said hydrocarbon material and said separated carbon dioxide by way of said solar reformer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
133 words
Apparatus for producing power comprising: (a) a reformer for reforming a hydrocarbon material and producing syngas comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide; (b) a combustion chamber of a gas turbine unit that receives said syngas and combusts the syngas and produces flue gases comprising carbon dioxide and other gases that are supplied to the gas turbine contained in the gas turbine unit; (c) a bottoming cycle unit of a combined cycle power plant that receives exhaust gases exiting said gas turbine and produces power and from which combustion gases exit; (d) a carbon dioxide separator that receives combustion gases exiting said bottoming cycle unit and separate carbon dioxide from the other combustion gases; and (e) a compressor that supplies said separated carbon dioxide to said reformer for reforming of said hydrocarbon material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
133 words
Apparatus for producing power comprising: (a) a reformer for reforming a hydrocarbon material and producing syngas comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide; (b) a combustion chamber of a gas turbine unit that receives said syngas and combusts the syngas and produces flue gases comprising carbon dioxide and other gases that are supplied to the gas turbine contained in the gas turbine unit; (c) a bottoming cycle unit of a combined cycle power plant that receives exhaust gases exiting said gas turbine and produces power and from which combustion gases exit; (d) a carbon dioxide separator that receives combustion gases exiting said bottoming cycle unit and separate carbon dioxide from the other combustion gases; and (e) a compressor that supplies said separated carbon dioxide to said reformer for reforming of said hydrocarbon material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said reformer comprises a solar reformer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said gas turbine unit includes a compressor for compressing air.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said gas turbine unit includes an electric generator coupled to the gas turbine for producing electricity.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said compressor is driven by said gas turbine unit.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said hydrocarbon material comprises natural gas.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said hydrocarbon material comprises methane.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said hydrocarbon material comprises landfill gas.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said hydrocarbon material comprises biogas.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
188 words
Apparatus for producing power comprising: (a) a solar reformer for reforming a hydrocarbon material and producing syngas comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide; (b) a combustion chamber of a gas turbine unit that receives said syngas and combusts the syngas and produces flue gases comprising carbon dioxide and other gases that are supplied to the gas turbine contained in the gas turbine unit; (c) a bottoming cycle unit of a combined cycle power plant that receives exhaust gases exiting said gas turbine and produces power and from which combustion gases exit; (d) a carbon dioxide separator that receives combustion gases exiting said bottoming cycle unit and separates carbon dioxide and other combustion gases; (e) a compressor that supplies the separated carbon dioxide to said reformer for reforming of said hydrocarbon material; (f) a combustion apparatus that produces flue gases comprising carbon dioxide and other gases; and (g) a further carbon dioxide separator that receives said flue gases exiting said combustion apparatus and produces separated carbon dioxide and other flue gases wherein said separated carbon dioxide is supplied to said solar reformer for reforming of said hydrocarbon material.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
188 words
Apparatus for producing power comprising: (a) a solar reformer for reforming a hydrocarbon material and producing syngas comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide; (b) a combustion chamber of a gas turbine unit that receives said syngas and combusts the syngas and produces flue gases comprising carbon dioxide and other gases that are supplied to the gas turbine contained in the gas turbine unit; (c) a bottoming cycle unit of a combined cycle power plant that receives exhaust gases exiting said gas turbine and produces power and from which combustion gases exit; (d) a carbon dioxide separator that receives combustion gases exiting said bottoming cycle unit and separates carbon dioxide and other combustion gases; (e) a compressor that supplies the separated carbon dioxide to said reformer for reforming of said hydrocarbon material; (f) a combustion apparatus that produces flue gases comprising carbon dioxide and other gases; and (g) a further carbon dioxide separator that receives said flue gases exiting said combustion apparatus and produces separated carbon dioxide and other flue gases wherein said separated carbon dioxide is supplied to said solar reformer for reforming of said hydrocarbon material.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
152 words
A method of producing power comprising the steps of: (a) solar reforming a hydrocarbon material in a solar reformer for producing syngas comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide; (b) supplying said syngas to the combustion chamber of a gas turbine unit that combusts the syngas and produces flue gases comprising carbon dioxide and other gases that are supplied to the gas turbine contained in the gas turbine unit; (c) supplying the exhaust gases exiting said gas turbine to a means for extracting heat from said exhaust gases and producing heat depleted exhaust gases or combustion gases; (d) supplying said heat depleted exhaust gases or said combustion gases exiting said means for extracting heat from said exhaust gases to a carbon dioxide separator that separates carbon dioxide from the other combustion gases; and (e) supplying the separated carbon dioxide to said solar reformer using a compressor for reforming of said hydrocarbon material.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
152 words
A method of producing power comprising the steps of: (a) solar reforming a hydrocarbon material in a solar reformer for producing syngas comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide; (b) supplying said syngas to the combustion chamber of a gas turbine unit that combusts the syngas and produces flue gases comprising carbon dioxide and other gases that are supplied to the gas turbine contained in the gas turbine unit; (c) supplying the exhaust gases exiting said gas turbine to a means for extracting heat from said exhaust gases and producing heat depleted exhaust gases or combustion gases; (d) supplying said heat depleted exhaust gases or said combustion gases exiting said means for extracting heat from said exhaust gases to a carbon dioxide separator that separates carbon dioxide from the other combustion gases; and (e) supplying the separated carbon dioxide to said solar reformer using a compressor for reforming of said hydrocarbon material.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
152 words
Apparatus for producing power comprising: (a) a solar reformer for solar reforming a hydrocarbon material and producing syngas comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide; (b) a combustion chamber of a gas turbine unit that receives said syngas and combusts the syngas and produces flue gases comprising carbon dioxide and other gases tha are supplied to the gas turbine contained in the gas turbine unit; (c) a means for extracting heat from said exhaust gases that receives exhaust gases exiting said gas turbine and produces power and from which heat depleted exhaust gases or combustion gases exit; (d) a carbon dioxide separator that receives said heat depleted exhaust gases or said combustion gases exiting said means for extracting heat from said exhaust gases and separates carbon dioxide from the other combustion gases; and (e) a compressor that supplies said separated carbon dioxide to said solar reformer for reforming of said hydrocarbon material.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
152 words
Apparatus for producing power comprising: (a) a solar reformer for solar reforming a hydrocarbon material and producing syngas comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide; (b) a combustion chamber of a gas turbine unit that receives said syngas and combusts the syngas and produces flue gases comprising carbon dioxide and other gases tha are supplied to the gas turbine contained in the gas turbine unit; (c) a means for extracting heat from said exhaust gases that receives exhaust gases exiting said gas turbine and produces power and from which heat depleted exhaust gases or combustion gases exit; (d) a carbon dioxide separator that receives said heat depleted exhaust gases or said combustion gases exiting said means for extracting heat from said exhaust gases and separates carbon dioxide from the other combustion gases; and (e) a compressor that supplies said separated carbon dioxide to said solar reformer for reforming of said hydrocarbon material.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
84 words
The method according to claim 17 wherein the step of supplying the exhaust gases exiting said gas turbine to a means for extracting heat from said exhaust gases and producing heat depleted exhaust gases or combustion gases is carried out by supplying the exhaust gases exiting said gas turbine to a bottoming cycle unit of a combined cycle power plant that receives said exhaust gases exiting said gas turbine and produces power and from which said heat depleted exhaust gases or combustion gases exit.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said means for extracting heat from said exhaust gases comprises a bottoming cycle unit of a combined cycle power plant that receives said exhaust gases exiting said gas turbine and produces power and from which said heat depleted exhaust gases or said combustion gases exit.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2007-12-21 | 2008-06-21 | 2008-12-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-12-21 | 2012-06-21 | 2012-12-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-12-21 | 2016-06-21 | 2016-12-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |