Power plants – Utilizing natural heat – Geothermal
Patent
1979-08-06
1981-05-26
Swisher, S. Clement
Power plants
Utilizing natural heat
Geothermal
60646, F03G 704
Patent
active
042690307
ABSTRACT:
Fouling which occurs in the heat exchangers of a thermal energy conversion power plant causes the heat transfer between the circulating fluid and working fluid to be degraded, diminishing the efficiency of the plant. The invention provides for optimizing the net power level of the plant by perturbing the flow of circulating fluid individually to the heat exchangers to identify the direction of flow change which results in an increase in generated net power level and adjusting the flow of circulating fluid to each heat exchanger. This optimization may be carried out periodically. In another case, when temperature differential of the circulating fluid across at least one of the heat exchangers falls below a predetermined level, only the circulating fluid of the related heat exchangers need be altered to optimize the net power level generated by the plant. Heat exchanger fouling may cause the plant to be shut down for cleaning of the heat exchangers during a cleaning time interval succeeding each operational time interval. Another aspect of the invention provides for deriving a ratio of operating time interval to corresponding cleaning time interval which maximizes the net electrical energy produced by the plant.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4062189 (1977-12-01), Mager
patent: 4087975 (1978-05-01), Owens
Schron D.
Swisher S. Clement
Westinghouse Electric Corp.
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