Showing papers by "Westinghouse Electric published in 2003"

Advancing NMR sensitivity for LC-NMR-MS using a cryoflow probe: application to the analysis of acetaminophen metabolites in urine.

Abstract: Cryogenic cooling of the NMR radio frequency coils and electronics to give greatly enhanced sensitivity is arguably the most significant recent advance in NMR spectroscopy. Here we report the first cryogenic probe built in flow configuration and demonstrate the application to LC-NMR-MS studies. This probe provides superior sensitivity over conventional noncryogenic flow NMR probes, allowing the use of 100 μL of untreated urine (40% less material than previous studies that required preconcentration) and yet revealing drug metabolites hitherto undetected by LC-NMR-MS at 500 MHz. Besides the known sulfate and glucuronide metabolites, previously undetected metabolites of acetaminophen were directly observable in a 15-min on-flow experiment. Simultaneous MS data also provided knowledge on the NMR-silent functional moieties. Further, stop-flow LC-NMR-MS experiments were conducted for greater signal-to-noise ratios on minor metabolites. The cryoflow probe enables the NMR analysis of lower concentrations of metab...

Ceramic matrix composite gas turbine vane

Abstract: A hybrid vane ( 50 ) for a gas turbine engine having a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) airfoil member ( 52 ) bonded to a substantially solid core member ( 54 ). The airfoil member and core member are cooled by a cooling fluid ( 58 ) passing through cooling passages ( 56 ) formed in the core member. The airfoil member is cooled by conductive heat transfer through the bond (( 70 ) between the core member and the airfoil member and by convective heat transfer at the surface directly exposed to the cooling fluid. A layer of insulation ( 72 ) bonded to the external surface of the airfoil member provides both the desired outer aerodynamic contour and reduces the amount of cooling fluid required to maintain the structural integrity of the airfoil member. Each member of the hybrid vane is formulated to have a coefficient of thermal expansion and elastic modulus that will minimize thermal stress during fabrication and during turbine engine operation.

Intelligent communications, command, and control system for a land-based vehicle

Abstract: Method and communication system for a railroad train having at least one locomotive for automatically adjusting the communication system to provide effective communication of command data to control operation of the locomotive are provided. The system includes a transceiver on the locomotive. The system further includes at least one transceiver remote from the locomotive. A database (e.g., 18) may be provided for storing data relative to a plurality of communication schemes available to the communication system. A first monitor (e.g., 12) may be used for sensing a parameter indicative of the quality of the communications between the transceivers when the transceivers are operating under a first one of the available communication schemes and generating data indicative of communications quality. A processor (e.g., 16) in communication with the monitor and the database may be configured to select a second communication scheme when the quality of the communications provided by the first communication scheme is not satisfactory to ensure that the command data will be reliably communicated with respect to the locomotive.

Ceramic matrix composite turbine vane

Abstract: A ceramic matrix composite material (CMC) vane for a gas turbine engine wherein the airfoil member (12) and the platform member (14) are formed separately and are then bonded together to form an integral vane component (10). Airfoil member and the platform member may be bonded together by an adhesive (20) after being fully cured. Alternatively, respective joint surfaces (16,18) of the green body state airfoil member and platform member may be co-fired together to form a sinter bond (30). A mechanical fastener (38) and/or a CMC doubter (42) may be utilized to reinforce the bonded joint (40). A matrix infiltration process (50) may be used to create or to further strengthen the bond.

Lighting control system and method

Abstract: A control system for allowing remote control of a load. The control system includes a command controller for running a control program that provides a command signal. The command controller has a first wireless interface for transmitting the command signal on a first wireless network. A remote controller has a second wireless interface for receiving the command signals from the command controller via the first wireless network. The remote controller includes a controller for adapting the received command signals for communication on a second wireless network. The remote controller has a third wireless interface for transmitting the adapted command signals via a second wireless network to the load.

Single-Particle Fluorescence Spectrometer for Ambient Aerosols

Abstract: A fluorescence particle spectrometer (FPS) for real-time measurement of the fluorescence spectra of aerosol particles in the size range 1-10 w m diameter is reported The prototype FPS has a sufficiently high sample rate (from 5 to 28 l/min for 35 w m to 11 w m diameter particles) to measure aerosol within buildings at practical rates (from 1 up to 600 particle fluorescence spectra per minute) Previously reported bioaerosol prototype detectors for measurement of single particle spectra (Pan et al, Opt Lett , 24, 116-118 (1999); Hill et al, Field Anal Chem Tech , 3, 221-239 (1999)) were unable to sample the ambient environment; air containing particles had to be forced under pressure into a sample cell In addition, sample rates were so small (less than 001 l/min) as to be impractical for most applications The present design overcomes these deficiencies by the use of an airtight cell that highly concentrates micrometer-sized particles A virtual impactor first concentrates aerosol particles, whi

Cooling system for a tip of a turbine blade

Abstract: A turbine blade for a turbine engine having a cooling system in at least the tip portion of the turbine blade. The cooling system includes one or more vortex chambers in a tip section of the blade. The vortex chambers receive cooling fluids from metering slots that provide a pathway between internal cooling cavities of the blade and the vortex chambers. The cooling fluids may be exhausted through one or more film cooling holes. The vortex chambers, metering slots, and film cooling holes may include a tip cap attached to the tip section of the blade. At least a portion of the vortex chambers, metering slots, and film cooling holes may be formed from impressions in the tip cap or the turbine blade, or both.

Thermal barrier layer and process for producing the same

Abstract: A device operable in a temperature environment in excess of about 1000°C is provided. The device comprises a substrate and a ceramic thermal barrier layer deposited on at least a portion of the substrate. The layer is formed with a ternary or pseudoternary oxide having a pyrochlore or perovskite structure and a fugative material and having pores or other voluminous defects. The thermal barrier layer advantageously is abradable.

Platform Design for Customizable Products as a Problem of Access in a Geometric Space

Abstract: A product platform is a set of common components, modules or parts from which a stream of derivative products can be created. Product platform design is typically performed as redesign and consolidation of existing products to create more competitive product families by reducing part variety and standardizing components. The main disadvantage of such an approach is that the benefits of product platform design are achieved only after a number of parts have been designed and manufactured, with all the associated expenditure. A number of approaches, referred to as “top-down approaches”, have been proposed recently to design the platforms since the original design of the product families. However, current top-own approaches have two major limitations: (1) they do not enable multiple levels of commonality for different components and features, and (2) they have been applied to products that are variegated in one specification, whereas products are typically variegated in multiple specifications. This paper des...

A comparison of the daphnids Ceriodaphnia dubia and Daphnia ambigua for their utilization in routine toxicity testing in the Southeastern United States.

Abstract: U.S. regulatory agencies commonly require effluent toxicity testing with Ceriodaphnia dubia—a practice that has led to the criticism that this species and test protocol often does not reflect local taxa or site-specific conditions. Using an indigenous test species may produce a more realistic model of local effects and may minimize test endpoint variance due to regional differences in water quality. This study addressed the substitution of C. dubia with Daphnia ambigua for toxicity testing in the southeastern United States. This investigation determined that D. ambigua could be laboratory cultured with only minimal changes to established regulatory protocol and that the life-cycle characteristics of this species were conducive to traditional acute and chronic aquatic toxicity test methods used with other daphnids. Acute toxicity tests showed that D. ambigua was less sensitive to some toxicants (sodium chloride, copper sulfate, and sodium lauryl sulfate) but more sensitive to others (chlorpyrifos). Chronic tests with copper sulfate and sodium chloride resulted in lower EC50s for D. ambigua reproduction with both compounds. When exposed to low-alkalinity, low-pH stream waters typical of many southeastern United States watersheds, C. dubia demonstrated a significant reproductive depression in two of three streams tested, whereas D. ambigua experienced no chronic effect. These results suggest that D. ambigua may serve as a suitable surrogate for C. dubia as an toxicity indicator species in these types of receiving streams.

Repair of combustion turbine components

Abstract: A method of repairing a combustion turbine component having damage located at or near a cooling hole or hollow or geometrically complex portion of the component is provided. The method comprises forming a preparatory groove that extends from a surface of the component to the damaged area but does not extend to the cooling hole or hollow or geometrically complex portion of the component, the groove extending 40-90% the distance from the component to the damaged area; spraying a filler material into the groove with a micro-plasma torch at a current of less than 50 amperes; and filling the groove with the filler material such that the heated filler material substantially extends from the cooling hole or hollow or geometrically complex portion of the component to a surface of the component.

Apatite and Phillipsite as Sequestering Agents for Metals and Radionuclides

Abstract: Laboratory and greenhouse studies were conducted to quantify apatite and phillipsite (zeolite) sequestration of selected metal contaminants Results from the laboratory study were used to design the greenhouse study that used a soil impacted by a Zn-Pb smelter from Pribram, Czech Republic

Comparison of the "Sen" transformer with the unified power flow controller

Abstract: The independent control of active and reactive power flow in a transmission line is necessary for the transfer of bulk power along a desired path in the most economical way. A "Sen" transformer (ST) uses transformer and tap changers that are traditionally used to build a voltage-regulating transformer (VRT) and a phase angle regulator (PAR). The ST regulates the voltage at a point in the transmission line as a VRT does. Additionally, the ST provides an independent and bidirectional active and reactive power (P and Q) flow control in the transmission line as a voltage-sourced converter (VSC)-based unified power flow controller (UPFC) does. Although both the ST and the PAR use a comparable number of components, the ST provides an area of controllability in the P-Q plane similar to a UPFC, while the PAR provides a linear P-Q characteristic. The technology of transformer and tap changer is proven to be reliable and cost-effective when compared with the emerging technology of VSC. The new ST is adequate to provide independent control of active and reactive power flow in most utility applications.

A High-Efficiency Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Hybrid Power System Using the Mercury 50 Advanced Turbine Systems Gas Turbine

Abstract: The conceptual design of a 20 MWe-class hybrid power generating system that integrates a Siemens Westinghouse pressurized solid oxide fuel cell generator with a Mercury 50 gas turbine is discussed. The Mercury 50 was designed and developed by Caterpillar/Solar Turbines during the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Advanced Turbine Systems (ATS) program, and the hybrid system design concept was evaluated during a recently completed project that was part of the DOE high efficiency fossil power plant (HEFPP) program. While achieving a high power system efficiency by the hybrid cycle approach was important, the focus of the design study was to select the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) generator capacity such that the low specific cost of the ATS gas turbine and the high efficiency of the more expensive pressurized solid oxide fuel cell (PSOFC) generator would combine optimally to produce an attractively low cost of electricity (COE) for the overall power system. The system cycle and physical characteristics are described; power, efficiency, and emissions estimates are presented; and estimates of system cost and COE are provided. In addition, two bottoming cycle options (steam turbine and ammonia turbine) are described, and performance and cost projections for each are reviewed.

Biased wear resistant turbine seal assembly

Abstract: A biased, wear resistant seal assembly for sealing gas flow paths in a turbine system includes a planar shim (26) having transverse legs (32,34) at each end, a flattened leaf spring (38) to urge the shim (26) into sealing contact with the sealing surfaces (18, 24) of the turbine parts (10,12), and a shim protection material (46) to avoid wear to the shim (26) on the contact side (18). The shim protection material (46) can include one or more metal fiber cloth layers secured to the shim (26), for example, by seam welding to a pair of rails (52) or to the legs (32,34) of the shim (26).

Mapping of the Lateral Flow Field in Typical Subchannels of a Support Grid With Vanes

Abstract: Lateral flow fields in four subchannels of a model rod bundle fuel assembly are experimentally measured using particle image velocimetry. Vanes (split-vane pairs) are located on the downstream edge of the support grids in the rod bundle fuel assembly and generate swirling flow. Measurements are acquired at a nominal Reynolds number of 28,000 and for seven streamwise locations ranging from 1.4 to 17.0 hydraulic diameters downstream of the grid. The streamwise development of the lateral flow field is divided into two regions based on the lateral flow structure. In Region I, multiple vortices are present in the flow field and vortex interactions occur. Either a single circular vortex or a hairpin shaped flow structure is formed in Region II. Lateral kinetic energy, maximum lateral velocity, centroid of vorticity, radial profiles of azimuthal velocity, and angular momentum are employed as measures of the streamwise development of the lateral flow field. The particle image velocimetry measurements of the present study are compared with laser Doppler velocimetry measurements taken for the identical support grids and flow condition.

Multidirectional turbine shim seal

Abstract: A turbine seal closure mechanism for sealing an opening in a turbine component (12) or between one or more turbine components (12). The turbine seal (10) may include a main body (14) having a longitudinal axis (26) positioned transverse to the axial direction of the turbine and having at least one arm (22, 24, 36, 42, 44, 46) for sealing the main body (14) to a surface (16) of a turbine component (12) and configured to fit within a recess (20) in a turbine component (12). The turbine seal (10) may also have one or more arms (42, 44, 46) coupled to a side of the main body (14) opposite to the first side having arms (42, 44, 46) attached thereto for sealing the turbine seal (10) to another turbine surface (16).

Tubular SOFC Hybrid Power System Status

Abstract: Power generation systems of exemplary efficiency can be configured through the synergistic thermal-hydraulic coupling of a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) generator module with a gas turbine engine electric generator. Analysis indicates that hybrid cycle power systems have the potential to achieve electrical generation efficiencies ranging from over 50% for 300 kWe atmospheric pressure hybrid systems to near 70% for pressurized fuel cell reheat gas turbine hybrid systems. Analysis results are reviewed. Siemens Westinghouse has fabricated two simple-cycle proof-of-concept designs for pressurized SOFC/micro gas turbine generator (PSOFC/MTG) hybrid systems. The efficiency horizon for simple-cycle PSOFC/MTG systems is 60%. The world’s first SOFC Pressurized Hybrid of 200 kWe capacity [PH200] was built for Southern California Edison (SCE) and is installed at the National Fuel Cell Research Center at the University of California – Irvine. The unit has operated for over 2000 hours with an indicated efficiency of 53%. Although operation has been troubled by SOFC stack nonconformance problems, this unit has demonstrated the technical feasibility of the PSOFC/MTG hybrid technology. Following the most recent stack repair, the unit was restarted in November, 2002. System operation and performance information is reviewed. A second proof-of-concept unit, a PH300 built for a consortium led by RWE, a German utility, is nearing completion and is scheduled for initial operation in early 2003, and another PH300 will be installed at an Edison S.p.A site in Italy later in 2003. PH300 project status information is presented.Copyright © 2003 by ASME

Bond enhancement for thermally insulated ceramic matrix composite materials

Abstract: A composite structure ( 62 ) having a bond enhancement member ( 76 ) extending across a bond joint ( 86 ) between a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) material ( 80 ) and a ceramic insulation material ( 82 ), and a method of fabricating such a structure. The bond enhancement member may extend completely through the CMC material to be partially embedded in a core material ( 84 ) bonded to the CMC material on an opposed side from the insulation material. A mold ( 26 ) formed of a fugitive material having particles ( 18 ) of a bond enhancement material may be used to form the CMC material. A two-piece mold ( 38, 46 ) may be used to drive a bond enhancement member partially into the CMC material. A compressible material ( 56 ) containing the bond enhancement member may be compressed between a hard tool ( 60 ) and the CMC material to drive a bond enhancement member partially into the CMC material. A surface ( 98 ) of a ceramic insulation material ( 92 ) having a bond enhancement member ( 96 ) extending therefrom may be used as a mold for laying up a CMC material.

Turbine blade tip clearance control device

Abstract: A sealing system for reducing a gap between a tip of a shrouded turbine blade and a stationary shroud of a turbine engine. The sealing system includes one or more seal lands extending from a shrouded turbine blade toward a stationary shroud of a turbine engine. During operation of the turbine engine, the seal lands straighten and extend towards the stationary shroud of the turbine engine, thereby reducing the leakage of air past the shrouded turbine blades and increasing the efficiency of the turbine engine. The sealing system may also include one or more protrusions extending from the stationary shroud towards the tips of the shrouded turbine blades.

Benchmarking and improvements of measurement techniques for local-time-averaged two-phase flow parameters

Abstract: Accurate measurements of local time-averaged two-phase flow parameters is of fundamental importance for the evaluation of two-phase flow models as well as for the development of closure relations used in the two-fluid model. For cross-calibration purposes, we compared the measurements of local-time-averaged two-phase flow parameters using a four-sensor conductivity probe developed by the TRSL (Thermal-hydraulics and Reactor Safety Laboratory) at Purdue University, and a four-sensor optical probe developed by the CEA (French Atomic Energy Commission). A system coupling methodology was also performed in order to isolate the effects of each instrumentation's components, i.e., probe, acquisition, thresholding, and processing effects. Experimental results have shown a reasonable agreement in the local void fraction, local bubble velocity, and local interfacial area concentration measurements comparisons. However, it is shown that particular attention must be given to the sensor probe design in order to get accurate measurements.

Part load blade tip clearance control

Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to a turbine engine configuration and method for overcoming a turbine blade tip clearance problem that can arise when the turbine inlet temperature is maintained at a high level during part load operation of the turbine. Aspects of the invention relate to reducing rotor cooling air to a temperature below the design temperature level by using, for example, additional heat extraction devices or by reconfiguring or resizing existing heat exchanger devices. Upon exposure to the cooled air, the discs and blades of the turbine will shrink so as to provide a clearance between the blade tips and surrounding stationary support structure. The design rotor cooling air temperature can be from about 350 degrees Fahrenheit to about 480 degrees Fahrenheit. Aspects of the present invention can be used to decrease the rotor cooling air to about 150 degrees Fahrenheit at about 70 percent load.

Turbine blade having a vortex forming cooling system for a trailing edge

Abstract: A turbine blade for a turbine engine having one or more cavities in a trailing edge of the turbine blade for forming one or more vortices in inner aspects of the trailing edge. In at least one embodiment, the turbine blade may include one or more elongated cavities in the trailing edge of the blade formed by one or more ribs placed in a cooling chamber of the turbine blade. The elongated cavity in the trailing edge may have one or more orifices in the rib on the upstream side of the cavity. The orifice may be positioned relative to a vortex forming surface so that as a gas is passed through one or more orifices into the elongated cavity, one or more vortices are formed in the cavity. The gas may be expelled from the cavity and the blade through one or more orifices in an inner wall forming the pressure side of the turbine blade.

Using immersive virtual environments to develop and visualize construction schedules for advanced nuclear power plants

Abstract: Ongoing research aims to determine if a full-scale virtual reality mockup can be effectively used to reduce construction and maintenance costs of the next generation of nuclear power plants. A full-scale virtual mockup of Room 12306 of the Westinghouse AP1000 nuclear power plant provides the test bed for this research. Located in the auxiliary building, Room 12306 contains a number of construction modules and assemblies comprised of piping from 10 different fluid systems. The virtual mockup developed at Penn State is currently being evaluated for visualizing and testing the planned construction of Room 12306. Using the virtual mockup, the designer and contractor can evaluate, in 1:1 scale, a step-by-step installation sequence for the modules and piping assemblies for completeness and feasibility. Simulating a multiple-step installation sequence, the user can experience a human-in-the-loop, virtual construction of the yet-to-be-built space. Using software tools, the user may also interactively develop installation sequences by selecting modules and assemblies in the appropriate order. Two sets of experiments performed at Penn State ARL’s SEALab were used to determine the value added by using the virtual mockup to develop and visualize the construction schedule for Room12306. During the first experiment, two groups of Penn State construction management students were asked to use the virtual mockup and associated software tools to develop a construction sequence for Room12306 without any prior knowledge of the space. The groups were able to easily identify constructabilty issues and find opportunities for scheduling parallel activities, although they had no prior experience with the room. The second experiment asked two teams of experienced construction superintendents to develop a construction schedule for the space using drawings provided by the designer. The teams viewed and evaluated the schedules they developed in the virtual mockup. The teams used knowledge gained from this evaluation to develop an optimum schedule in the virtual mockup. The optimum schedule balanced the workload across three crews, resulting in a significant reduction in estimated construction time.

System and method for controlling water injection in a turbine engine

Abstract: A method for controlling the injection of water into the combustor (16) of a gas turbine (18) may include determining a flow rate of water to be injected into the combustor (16) and controlling (86) a centrifugal pump (20) with a variable frequency drive (40) to control the flow rate of water. The flow rate of water may be further controlled by controlling (88) a throttle valve (32) to control water flow through a recirculation line (28) of a water circuit (24) that directs the flow rate of water to the combustor (16). A system (10) for controlling the injection of water into the combustor (16) may include a water delivery circuit (24) for directing water from a water supply (12) to the combustor (16), a centrifugal pump (20) for pumping water through the water delivery circuit (24) and a variable frequency drive (40) for controlling a motor (42) driving the centrifugal pump (20). A system (70) may include a gas turbine (18), a combustor (16) integral with the gas turbine, a water circuit (24) for delivering a flow rate of water to a combustor (16) of the gas turbine, a variable frequency drive (40) for controlling a motor (42) driving the centrifugal pump (20) and a controller (72) configured to control the variable frequency drive (40) so that the centrifugal pump (20) produces a desired flow rate of water.