Showing papers on "Power station published in 1976"

Pressurized high temperature fuel cell power plant with bottoming cycle

Abstract: A power plant for the generation of electricity utilizes high temperature fuel cells, such as molten carbonate fuel cells, as its main power supply. Part of the oxidant exhaust stream from the fuel cell is recycled through the fuel cell. Waste energy from the fuel cell in the form of exhaust gases, such as part of the oxidant exhaust, drives a turbocharger for compressing the oxidant used in the fuel cell. In a preferred embodiment the oxidant exhaust also is the source of energy for powering a bottoming cycle, such as a steam driven turbogenerator. Power plant efficiency is improved by making maximum use of the energy and heat generated within the system.

Thermal energy storage by means of reversible heat pumping

Abstract: A method is described for storing the offpeak electrical output of an electricity generating plant in the form of heat by using it to raise the temperature level of a quantity of stored heat retention material and recalling said stored heat during periods of peak power demand in the form of electrical power During low power demand periods hot water is drawn from a hot water storage means and cooled by flashing it at successively lower pressures The cold condensate is sent to a cold water storage means while the various flash vapors are fed to appropriate stages of a steam compressor driven by excess power drawn from the electricity generating station The steam which has been compressed by means of the excess electrical power is directed to heat exchanger means where it is used to heat a low vapor pressure (LVP) thermal energy retention material flowing from cold to hot storage means through the heat exchanger means By the practice of this invention, heat is transferred, by means of the steam compressor powered by excess electrical power, from hot water (˜ 210° F) to the LVP material raising its temperature from a cold storage temperature of about 190°-300° F to a hot storage temperature of about 450°-600° F The hot LVP material is stored at atmospheric pressure preferably under an inert gas atmosphere During peak energy demand periods, the process is reversed and the hot LVP material is used to generate steam which runs a turbine thereby producing electrical power from a generator

Solar-thermal power plant

Abstract: A solar-thermal power plant, comprises an open air circuit wherein the eftive heat obtained from solar energy is supplied to the air current between a compressor and an expansion machine. The construction includes a solar heater which is exposed directly to solar radiation and which is traversed by the air current and provides a means for the direct solar heating of the air current which is conveyed from the compressor to the expansion machine.

Energy conversion system for deriving useful power from sources of low level heat

Abstract: An energy conversion system for deriving useful power from the thermal gradients in the ocean (12), or from solar, geothermal, or other sources of low level heat, by using warm water to heat a confined working gas such as air whereby a pressure increase results due to warming the gas, arranging so that the expansion moves a piston (14) or other device to extract power, and then cooling the gas and compressing it back to initial conditions while directly or indirectly contacting it with cooler water to thereby decrease the work needed for recompression. Net useful work results from the difference between the work of expansion at higher temperature and the work of recompression at lower temperature.

Electric power plant using electrolytic cell-fuel cell combination

Abstract: High-temperature (1200-1500K) electrolysis of water and recombination of the products in a medium-temperature (530K) fuel cell achieve a practical efficiency exceeding 50%. A solid electrolyte is chosen for the electrolytic cell and in combination with the Bacon fuel cell, which offers high efficiency and automatic replenishing of water vapor into the cycle realizes a high-efficiency electrochemical cycle. Both high-temperature, gas-cooled reactors and conventional combustion processes may be used as heat sources. Unconventional heat sources, such as concentrated solar energy, can also be used. A regenerative counterflow heat exchanger and a waste-heat power plant serve as energy-conserving devices. An important feature of this cycle is the flexibility of operation that can be achieved by adding hydrogen storage. Switching among power-generating, load-averaging, and hydrogen-generating modes can then be done by simple gas-flow valves.

Characterization of Particulates from Power Plants

Abstract: The emphasis on participate control from industrial processes has been shifted recently towards fine particulates, having diameters less than 3 microns. There exists an urgent need for more scientific information of fine particle characterization.1,2 Coal and oil fired power plants are among the largest anthropogenic point sources of particulate matter.3 Limited knowledge is available on particle size distribution and trace metal composition in power plant emissions.4-7 The morphological properties of particle emissions have been largely neglected. In this report we present some information on particle characteristics for an oil-fired and coal-fired power plant.

System and method for operating a steam turbine and an electric power generating plant

Abstract: A programmed digital computer control system determines the turbine steam flow changes required to satisfy the speed and load demand made on the operation of a large electric power stream turbine for which substantially constant throttle pressure steam is generated. Load control is directed to plant electric power generation and it is based on feedforward valve positioning operation with feedback multiplication calibration for plant load and/or turbine speed error. Changes in the turbine operating level are limited by dynamic constraints applied by the computer.

Wind driven electric power plant

Abstract: A wind driven power plant for the generation of electric power comprising a rotor, a shield, and a fin mounted on a vertical, central shaft, the fin and shield adjustably interconnected via a cog and gear track arrangement affording variable relative alignment of the fin and shield to position the shield relative to the wind. A constant rotor rotation rate is achieved by varying the masking thereof by the shield to compensate for wind speed variations. A hydraulic rotation rate control system senses the rotation rate of the rotor and generates a signal permitting the adjustment of the relative orientation of the fin and the shield. The rotor is coupled to a conventional electric generator for the generation of electric power.

A Theory of Concentrators of Solar Energy on a Central Receiver for Electric Power Generation

Abstract: The modeling of the performance of large-area solar concentrators for central receiver power plants is formulated using a continuum field representation of ideal heliostat arrays that accounts for two governing factors: the law of reflection of light rays imposes steering constraints on mirror orientations; the proximity of mirrors creates shadow effects by blocking the incident and/or reflected solar radiation. The results of a steering analysis which develops the space-time characteristics of heliostats and of a shadow analysis which determines the local effectiveness of mirrors in reflecting solar energy to a central point are combined to obtain in closed analytical form the global characteristics of circular concentrators. These characteristics which appear as time profiles for mirror orientations, for effective concentration areas (i.e., reflected solar flux), and for concentration ratios, establish theoretical limits of performance against which actual or realistic solar power systems can be compared and assessed.

Method of optimizing the performance of a multi-unit power

Abstract: A method of optimizing the performance of a multi-unit power plant which produces both electrical and steam energy by determining the incremental efficiency of power boilers with various fuel inputs and thereafter determining the index of performance by taking into account cost factors and reallocating in the most optimum manner.

Control system for hydroelectric power station system

Abstract: In a control system for a hydroelectric power station system including upper and lower water reservoirs connected through a water channel, an intermediate water reservoir having a smaller storage capacity than those of the upper and lower reservoirs and provided on the water channel in cascade with the upper and lower reservoirs, and two power stations disposed between the upper and intermediate reservoirs and between the intermediate and lower reservoirs, respectively, the control system is arranged such that the water level of the intermediate reservoir is detected continuously and the detected value of the water level is used to correct the load instructions which are applied to the power stations for controlling outputs of the power stations whereby the water level of the intermediate reservoir is maintained substantially constant, while the power generation of the power stations is controlled so as to satisfactorily meet with the load instruction applied to the power system.

Aircraft with combination power plant

Abstract: By employing in-line gas turbine power plants in the nose and tail of a low profile highly streamlined aircraft, twin engine reliability is obtained with only a single engine frontal area combined with the employment of strakes rather than pipes for the nose engine exhaust, excellent fuel economy is obtained. While a nose mounted turboprop serves as the main power supply, a tail mounted turbojet with only a small fraction of the turboprop horsepower provides a supplementary power source during take-off or optionally to enhance cruise performance. Should the turboprop fail in flight the turbojet is capable of taking over at a reduced cruising speed. A fuel system common to both engines offers additional safety features and an improved method for effecting proper trim with either or both engines operative.

Geothermal energy as a source of electric power : thermodynamic and economic design criteria

Abstract: The resource base and its potential environmental impact are assessed. Power cycle and resource utilization efficiencies are described with empirical equations and correlations. Detailed cycle calculations performed with seven representative working fluids that were selected to illustrate a range of molecular properties are presented. Turbine and pump design criteria are discussed. An economic model is developed based on separate cost equations or correlations for the major power plant components and geothermal wells. It is concluded that geothermal power generating costs can compete with the present escalated fossil-fuel and nuclear generating costs, and that geothermal resources are large enough to have an impact on our energy economy. (MHR)

Gas turbine engine power plants for aircraft

Abstract: Gas turbine engine power plants sometimes are provided with thrust reversing equipment, the outlet of which is close to the power plant air intake. Such arrangements create re-ingestion problems. There is described herein an apparatus which either maintains the upstream portion of reversed flow in a given position with respect to the plane of the air intake or alternatively destroys the reversed flow entirely.

Turbine generator cycle for provision of heat to an external heat load

Abstract: A steam turbine power plant having associated therewith a closed loop flow arrangement for extracting heat from the power plant and supplying the extracted heat to an external heat load. Included within the flow arrangement is a predetermined number of heater elements, each of which extracts steam having a predetermined heating capacity associated therewith from a predetermined number of separate locations within the power plant. The heat so extracted is transferred to a heat transfer medium flowing at a predetermined flow rate within the closed loop arrangement. The extracted heat is exchanged to the heat load within a heat exchanger element connected within the flow arrangement. The amount of heat extracted from the power plant is functionally related to, and automatically limited by, the flow rate of the heat transfer medium within the closed loop arrangement. The flow rate of the heat transfer medium is itself functionally related to the flow rate of the motive fluid for the power plant.

Dependability of Wind Energy Generators with Short-Term Energy Storage

Abstract: Power fluctuations and power duration curves for wind energy generators, including energy storage facilities of a certain capacity, are compared to those of typical nuclear reactors. A storage system capable of delivering the yearly average power output for about 10 hours already makes the dependability of the wind energy system comparable to that of a typical nuclear plant.

Plant for generating and accumulating electric energy with the aid of wind power or solar energy

Abstract: Electric solar or windpowerplant with flywheel battery in which the electric generator is in the form of a d.c. generator, electrically connected to brushless d.c. motors switched in parallel which can also act as generators and each of which is coupled to a flywheel.

Pump starting system for sea thermal power plant

Abstract: In a turbine driven power generating plant of the type using for example a hydrocarbon or halocarbon as the working fluid operating on or near the surface of an ocean, warm surface water is used as a source of heat for a boiler and cold water pumped from substantial depths is used to condense the working fluid after it has been expanded through the turbine. An auxiliary power source for starting the water pumps of the main system includes a prime mover driving a compressor which in turn supplies a high energy working fluid to a turbine coupled to drive the water pumps. The turbine exhaust after being cooled in a heat exchanger by the cold water pumped from the ocean depths, is returned to the suction side of the compressor.

Wind powered electrical generating plant

Abstract: A multi-level support structure contains plural power driven turntables on each level and each turntable carries a plurality of wind powered electrical generator units which are pivotally secured to the turntable and electrically coupled in a power distribution system through slip ring elements. Each generator unit has a rudder or wind vane causing the driving blades to face the wind. The generating units are readily removable from their turntable supports for repair and replacement by functioning units. The plant may be sized for commercial or home application.

Dual slope temperature differential shutdown control for gas turbines

Abstract: The inlet air temperature and the exhaust gas temperature of a gas turbine power plant are monitored and are utilized as a determining characteristic in a power output stabilization control circuit. The control circuit is designed to change its response upon the attainment of a particular inlet air temperature threshold to conform to differing high and low temperature operating characteristics of the gas turbine power plant.

Fuel efficiency potential of a flywheel hybrid vehicle for urban driving

Abstract: The concept of a flywheel energy management power plant (FEMP) for automobiles, consisting of an internal combustion engine, an energy-storage flywheel, and a continuously-variable transmission (CVT), is found to have the potential of greatly increasing fuel economy in urban driving The improvement occurs because of two factors: (1) The engine is only run at or near its highest efficiency, and (2) the system allows efficient regenerative braking The design details of an experimental flywheel vehicle currently under construction are discussed This vehicle is projected by a complete simulation to achieve a 58% improvement in fuel economy over the EPA-CVS city driving cycle With further research and development, however, it is felt that a 100% improvement is feasible The flywheel concept is found very sensitive to component efficiencies, with the CVT being the most critical item in this regard

Use of power plant aggregate in bituminous construction

Abstract: Coal-fired power plant aggregates are the portion of the ash rejected by the stack and collected at the base as a waste product. Two aggregates are produced: boiler slag, a glaslike material, and bottom ash, ore commonly called cinders. Approximately 16 percent of the annual ash production is used, and the remainder is disposed of as a waste product. This paper discusses engineering properties of power plant aggregates. Although they behave in many ways as conventional aggregates, they also differ in many ways from conventional aggregates. Consequently, new or modified test methods and specifications are needed before power plant aggregates can be used routinely in highway construction. Both field and laboratory data are given for bituminous mixtures using power plant aggregates. Based on these data and on limited service records, power plant aggregates can be used successfully in bituminous mixtures. Boiler slags are best used as partial replacements in conventional mixtures. Bottom ash is best used "as is" in stabilized base or shoulder construction.

Ocean nuclear power equipment

Abstract: A temperature differential power plant is combined with a nuclear power plant and employs the temperature differential between hot water discharged from cooling the nuclear reactor, steam obtained from the nuclear reactor, and cold water taken in from an outside source such as the sea. The generated output and thermal efficiency of the entire power equipment is thereby increased; the temperature of the hot water discharged from cooling the nuclear reactor is decreased to aid in the recirculation thereof and eliminate hot water pollution; and, only the cold water taken in is discharged with its temperature being controllable so as not to create a cold water pollution problem. Temperature differential power plants can be used in stages with the hot water discharged from cooling the nuclear reactor passing successively from one stage to the next.

Waste energy source utilization circuit and method

Abstract: A switching circuit, typically a thyristor bridge, is connected to a source of waste energy. The source can be waste energy occurring as a by-product of man's activities such as waste heat energy, stored water, or the potential mechanical energy of elevated objects. The source provides d.c. power either directly or through conversion. The switching circuit is also connected to an a.c. load and across a.c. power mains energizing the load. The switching circuit is operable to periodically connect the waste energy source to the a.c. load in a power supplying manner. The a.c. mains impart suitable voltage and frequency characteristics to the electrical power so supplied. In the event the supplied power exceeds the power required by the a.c. load, the difference is taken by the a.c. power mains.

Control system of gas producing power plant

Abstract: PURPOSE:Change of fuel supply to power plant is decreased, by controlling gas producing raw materials, air and steam led to gas producing plant with master signal of output instruction

Review of the technology for wave power conversion

Abstract: Presented is a review of the technology of wave power conversion. Hundreds of patents have been issued on wave power conversion; these include propulsion schemes, buoy power supply devices, offshore power plants and shore-based power stations. Energy densification is a requirement before conversion, and schemes used for it have been resonance, accumulation with time and wave height amplification by converging channels or refraction. Variability of the mean power with time, presence of tide and the possibility of occasional onslaught by very high waves pose challenging problems.