Energy recovery turbocharger with integral motor/generator

Abstract

An energy recovery turbocharger applicable to a pressurized process applies pressurized product fluid to a turbine runner that is mechanically cooperative with a pump impeller configured to pressurize a reactant fluid. An integral motor/generator, which can be coupled to the runner or impeller shaft, or directly to the runner or impeller, is configured to add or remove torque or load as needed. A controller can regulate the runner and impeller at desired rotation rates by controlling the energy delivered to or withdrawn from the motor/generator. In embodiments, the controller comprises a variable frequency drive. The runner and impeller can be linked by a mechanical transmission, which can be adjustable by the controller, or fixed to a common shaft and constrained to rotate at the same rate. In embodiments the turbine includes variable pitch input guide vanes that are adjusted by the controller according to the runner rotation rate.