Prime-mover dynamo plants – Electric control
Utility Patent
1999-09-07
2001-01-02
Enad, Elvin (Department: 2834)
Prime-mover dynamo plants
Electric control
C290S031000, C290S032000, C290S017000, C290S03800C, C290S04000F, C290S04000F
Utility Patent
active
06169332
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to turbine power generating systems including modular, distributed microturbine power generating units, which are operated at or near maximum turbine inlet temperature regardless of the load demand. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus to permit increases in the load on the system without increasing the turbine inlet temperature, and decreases in the load on the system without decreasing turbine inlet temperature.
The United States Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) which is the uniform research facility for domestic electric utilities, predicts that up to 40% of all new generation could be provided by distributed generators by the year 2006. In many parts of the world, the lack of electric infrastructure (transmission and distribution lines) will greatly expedite the commercialization of distributed generation technologies since central plants not only cost more per kilowatt, but also must have expensive infrastructure installed to deliver the product to the consumer.
Small, multi-fuel, modular distributed microturbine generation units could help alleviate current afternoon “brownouts” and “blackouts” prevalent in many parts of the world. A simple, single shaft microturbine allows for low technical skill maintenance and low overall cost, which would allow for widespread purchase in those parts of the world where capital is sparse. In addition, given the United States emphasis on electric deregulation and the world trend in this direction, consumers of electricity would have not only the right to choose the correct method of electric service, but also a new cost effective choice from which to choose. U.S. Pat. No. 4,754,607 to McKay, which is assigned to the assignee of the present invention, discloses a microturbine power generating system suitable for distributed generation and cogeneration applications.
To make these turbine power generating systems more commercially attractive to consumers, improvements are needed in areas such as increasing fuel-efficiency, reducing size and weight, lowering thermal signature, noise, maintenance, and to maximize lifecycle costs. For example, it is difficult to achieve a good fuel economy and acceptable emission rates, especially for turbines having fixed geometry inlets. The highest efficiency of a power generation unit is achieved through high-pressure ratios and high turbine inlet temperatures. Conventionally, maximum temperatures result only during full loading. However, at part-load conditions and idling, fixed geometry gas turbine units are typically run at reduced turbine inlet temperatures, thereby reducing their fuel efficiency.
It is an object of the present invention to run the turbine of a power generating system at or very near the maximum design temperature of the turbine inlet (regardless of whether the generator is running at full load, partial load, or idling) to maintain maximum efficiency.
It is an object of the present invention, in a turbine generating system, to increase the turbine speed and, hence, the power output, without increasing the temperature of the turbine inlet.
It is a further object of the invention, in a turbine generating system, to decrease the turbine speed and, hence, the power output, without decreasing the temperature at the turbine inlet.
Another object of the present invention is to utilize catalytic combustion in conjunction with a turbine, including a recuperated microturbine, which requires maintaining the temperature of the turbine inlet in a high, narrow temperature range, regardless of turbine speed.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The present invention maximizes thermodynamic efficiency of a microturbine power generating system by maintaining the turbine inlet temperature in a narrow band range, at or near the maximum design temperature of the turbine inlet. The present invention includes: a turbine power generating system including a turbine having a fixed inlet nozzle geometry; an energy storage device; and a controller for maintaining the turbine inlet at or near maximum turbine inlet temperature. The controller causes the energy storage device to deliver at least a portion of the load, when a load increase is demanded of the system, for a short period of time while the turbine is accelerated to a new higher speed. When a load decrease is required, the controller causes the energy storage device to temporarily absorb a load from the generator.
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O'Brien Patrick L.
Taylor Colin
Allied-Signal Inc.
Enad Elvin
Rafter John R.
Starr Ephraim
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