The Dow Chemical Company

Richard E Zachary

Keith R Plowman

Roger D Hudson

Marvin M Christensen

Andra P Dupont

An apparatus is provided for use in monitoring for destructive wet compression power augmentation-related casing distortions in an industrial gas turbine equipped with and employing wet compression power augmentation, in the form of a) an outer ring member having an inner diameter which exceeds the outer diameter of a gas turbine section downstream of the compressor, b) three or more structural members spaced substantially equally over the outer ring member's inner circumference and which extend radially inwardly in a common plane to define a central opening about the gas turbine, with the common plane defined by the three or more members being parallel to a plane including the outer ring member over its circumference and the outer ring member's center of mass and with one of the three inwardly-extending members being equipped at its inner end with a socket or ball element of a ball and socket joint, and c) a laser reflector positioned on the outer ring member.

Apparatus for monitoring wet compression gas turbine power augmentation-related casing distortions

A wet compression power augmentation apparatus and method for effectively adding a mass flow of nebulized water to a gas turbine by use of a spray rack group assembly having at least one spray rack water pipe and at least one spray rack water nozzle. Nebulized water mass flow is added in increments such that operationally-induced thermal stresses within the gas turbine are sufficiently minimized to preserve the structural integrity of the gas turbine. Monitoring of the temperature profile of fluid-cooled rotor blades in the turbine section with an optical pyrometer to detect clogging of cooling pathways in those rotor blades from impurities in the liquid added through the wet compression, monitoring of temperature in the gas turbine compressor inlet to guard against the possibility of icing, and use of a laser emitter and laser target measuring system mounted to the exterior of the gas turbine hosing to detect deformation in the housing of the gas turbine from associated cooling effects help enable safe use of the wet compression technique. Addition of steam in the compressor inlet to control the inlet air temperature and to thereby prevent ice-forming conditions in the compressor inlet and elsewhere extends the benefits of the wet compression technique to operation in cooler climates.

Method and apparatus for achieving power augmentation in gas turbines

A wet compression power augmentation apparatus and method for effectively adding a mass flow of water particles to a gas turbine preferably by use of a spray rack group assembly having at least one spray rack water pipe and at least one spray rack water nozzle. Water mass flow is added preferably in increments such that operationally-induced thermal transients within the gas turbine are sufficiently minimized to preserve the structural integrity of the gas turbine. Monitoring of the temperature profile of fluid-cooled rotor blades in the turbine section with an optical pyrometer to detect clogging of cooling pathways in those rotor blades from impurities in the liquid added through the wet compression, monitoring of temperature in proximity to the gas turbine compressor inlet to guard against the possibility of icing, a deformation measurement device, preferably a laser emitter and laser target measuring system mounted to the exterior of the gas turbine housing to detect deformation in the housing of the gas turbine from associated cooling effects of the wet compression technique, and periodic addition of heat and humidity, preferably steam, to the compressor inlet are disclosed.

An ion exchange membrane electrolyzer having at least one electrolytic cell containing a gas diffusion cathode, a current distributor, an anode supported by a wall of the electrolytic cell housing, and spacing means separating the current distributor which is in contact with said gas diffusion cathode from said ion exchange membrane wherein the force exerted by gas pressure applied to one face of the gas diffusion cathode is transmitted to said anode via said current distributor, and/or said spacing means, and said ion exchange membrane.

Membrane electrolyzer

An electrochemical cell having a hydraulically impermeable permselective membrane located between electrodes comprising at least one gas diffusion, laminar electrode having hydrophilic and hydrophobic layers and attendant current collector means is operated with greater efficiency by forcing the laminar, gas diffusion electrode against the current collector means so as to make and maintain electrical contact therebetween by means of gas pressure exerted against the hydrophobic side of the laminar, gas diffusion electrode opposite to that which faces the permselective membrane.

Electrochemical cell having gas pressurized contact between laminar, gas

A slight tube assembly, in combination with a sensing instrument, such as an optical pyrometer, for use in continuously monitoring the temperature of the first row of rotating blades in large gas turbines, particularly the type used in industry. Temperature data received by the pyrometer unit is fed to a control circuit, which regulates fuel input to the tubine to control the firing temperature. The key to obtaining reliable blade temperature data in the practice of this invention is the position of the sight tube in the turbine, which enables the pyrometer to 'view' the rotating blades along a direct line of sight that penetrates a hot gas duct, but not the turbine section of the engine.

Sight tube assembly and sensing instrument for controlling a gas turbine

A method for removing trapped gases such as air under a pond liner comprising partially filling the pond excavation under the liner with a liquid such as water thereby floating the liner on the liquid and collecting the trapped gases between the surface of the liquid and the liner, progressively filling the pond on top of the liner with another liquid such as water thereby forcing the trapped gases beneath the liner to the sides of the pond and venting the gases up the sides of the pond to the atmosphere, and draining away the liquid under the pond liner thereby settling the liner onto the bottom of the pond excavation.

Method for removing trapped gas under pond liners

Apparatus and method for the fusion processing of synthetic thermoplastic resinous materials, utilizing a first high-velocity stream of gas to transport the resinous material through an elongated passageway which directs the stream of gas and transported material onto a workpiece, thereby fusing the resinous material. The elongated passageway is defined by at least one wall having a plurality of foramina or pores through which a second stream of gas is directed to heat the resinous material to a fusion temperature and to provide a slip stream on the inner surface of the wall thereby preventing the resinous material from sticking to the surface. The first stream of gas may be heated to initiate or supplement the heating of the resinous material.

Fusion processing of synthetic thermoplastic resinous materials

A leak detecting apparatus comprises an opened-bottom box having a peripheral seal and a transparent top. Air is removed from the box by means of an ejector to provide a vacuum to inspect membrane for leaks and water pumped into the box to permit easy movement over membrane being tested.

Growing community of inventors

Clinton, LA, United States of America

Richard E Zachary