Other

Abb Inc.

Douglas W P Smith

Shizhong Duan

A method of converting energy into electricity using a gaseous working fluid and an evaporative fluid comprises pressuring the working fluid () in a compressor (), heating the high-pressure working fluid () in a recuperator () using thermal energy in low-pressure working fluid () emerging from a turbine (), adding energy from an energy source () to increase the temperature and enthalpy of the working fluid (), expanding the working fluid () through the turbine (), using the turbine to generate electricity, and cooling the low-pressure working fluid () emerging from the turbine in the recuperator. The method further comprises lowering the temperature and increasing the mass of the high-pressure working fluid () after leaving the compressor (), and/or after leaving the recuperator (), by introducing the evaporative fluid () to produce evaporative cooling.

Method and apparatus for generating electricity

This invention provides a method of converting heat energy to a more usable form using an externally-heated Brayton cycle. Atmospheric air is used with water injection in a thermodynamic cycle that includes compression (), evaporative cooling (), recuperative heating (), evaporative cooling (), external heating () and expansion through a turbine (). Power capacity and overall efficiency are maximized by decreasing the temperature of working fluid entering recuperator () and heater () while increasing the mass flow through turbine (). Overall efficiency during turndown is maximized using a portion of low-pressure working fluid from the turbine in a three-chamber combustor wherein volume flow into the first chamber containing solid fuel determines the system energy, volume flow into the second chamber combines with partially combusted gases from the first chamber to achieve the optimum combustion temperature and volume flow into the third chamber blends with combustion gases from the second chamber to limit the hot gas to the maximum temperature allowed by the system equipment.

Hybrid Brayton cycle with solid fuel firing

An actuator for controlling the pressure of fluid, such as water or steam, from a fluid source to a flow controlling orifice. The actuator can be used to apply such fluids to the web of a papermaking machine. The actuator comprises a housing having a first inlet connectable to the fluid source and a second inlet connectable to a pressure source. A resilient bellows structure extends between the first and second inlets within the housing to define an internal region of the bellows structure in sealed communication with one of the first and second inlets and an external region of the bellows structure in sealed communication with the other inlet. The bellows structure expands or contracts within the housing depending on the difference in pressures between the internal and external regions of the bellows. A valve member adapted to move with the bellows structure is provided to open and close the first inlet to vary the flow of fluid from the fluid source and maintain a pressure related to a balance of forces of the bellows structures. An outlet from the housing in communication with the first inlet permits the exit of the flow of fluid to a flow controlling orifice. A pneumatic control signal provided to the second inlet controls expansion or contraction of the bellows structure to control the pressure and flow of water or steam from the outlet. In a variation, the actuator is equipped with an additional inlet that is connectable to a source of atomizing air for the fluid flow. The actuator is a compact and rugged unit with a minimum of moving parts to ensure reliable and efficient operation in the harsh working environment of a papermaking machine.

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Coquitlam, Canada

Douglas W P Smith