# US 11,028,733 B2 · Coal plant supplementary air and exhaust injection systems and methods of operation > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,028,733 B2 - Document ID: US11028733B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/087,897 - Filed: 2017-03-23 - Published: 2020-09-24 - Granted: 2021-06-08 - Earliest claimed: 2016-03-23 - Assignees: Powerphase International, LLC - Applicants: Powerphase LLC - Inventors: Robert J. Kraft - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11028733B2 ## CPC - F01K 7/02: the engines being of multiple-expansion type (the engines being only of turbine type F01K7/16; the engines using steam of critical or overcritical pressure F01K7/32; the engines being of extraction or non-condensing type F01K7/34) - F01K 11/02: the engines being turbines - F01K 23/06: combustion heat from one cycle heating the fluid in another cycle - F01K 23/10: with exhaust fluid of one cycle heating the fluid in another cycle (F01K17/025 takes precedence) - F02C 3/30: Adding water, steam or other fluids {for influencing combustion, e.g. to obtain cleaner exhaust gases (F02C7/141, F02C7/30, F01D21/00, F01K21/04, F23D11/10 take precedence)} - F02C 3/34: with recycling of part of the working fluid, i.e. semi-closed cycles with combustion products in the closed part of the cycle - F02C 6/16: for storing compressed air - F02C 9/52: by bleeding or by-passing the working fluid - F22B 37/48: Devices or arrangements for removing water, minerals or sludge from boilers (cleaning water tubes, furnace tubes or the like of boilers F28G) {; Arrangement of cleaning apparatus in boilers; Combinations thereof with boilers} - Y02E 60/16: Mechanical energy storage, e.g. flywheels or pressurised fluids - F01K: STEAM ENGINE PLANTS; STEAM ACCUMULATORS; ENGINE PLANTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; ENGINES USING SPECIAL WORKING FLUIDS OR CYCLES (gas-turbine or jet-propulsion plants F02; nuclear power plants, engine arrangements therein G21D) - F02C: GAS-TURBINE PLANTS; AIR INTAKES FOR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS; CONTROLLING FUEL SUPPLY IN AIR-BREATHING JET-PROPULSION PLANTS (construction of turbines F01D; jet-propulsion plants F02K; construction of compressors or fans F04; generating combustion products of high pressure or high velocity F23R; using gas turbines in compression refrigeration plants F25B11/00) - F22B: METHODS OF STEAM GENERATION; STEAM BOILERS - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract The invention relates generally to electrical power systems or steam generator systems including generating capacity of a coal plant where specific emissions and power is improved with an alternately fueled engine driving one or more air processes. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A coal-fired energy system comprising: a coal-fired steam generator having a coal feed system and a main air feed system for producing heat to a boiler for producing steam; one or more steam turbines in fluid communication with the steam generator; piping for passing the steam between the steam generator and the one or more steam turbines; and, an auxiliary air compression system capable of providing compressed air for a soot blower of the coal-fired steam generator and comprising a compressor selectively coupled to an electric motor or a fueled engine; wherein coupling the compressor with the fueled engine enables the coal-fired steam generator to deliver a power load to an electrical grid that is greater than a power load delivered to the electric grid when the compressor is coupled to the electric motor. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The coal-fired energy system of claim 1, wherein the compressor is connected to the electric motor or the fueled engine by a clutch. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The coal-fired energy system of claim 1, wherein the coal-fired steam generator comprises the coal feed system in communication with a mixer, the mixer receiving an air supply from a main air blower, the mixer providing a coal-air mixture to a combustion zone of the boiler. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The coal-fired energy system of claim 1, wherein the main air feed system comprises a main air blower driven by a second fueled engine. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The coal-fired energy system of claim 1, wherein the auxiliary air compression system comprises a fueled engine providing shaft output power and heated exhaust, a multi-stage intercooled compressor selectively coupled to the fueled engine, and an electric motor also selectively coupled to the multi-stage intercooled compressor. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The coal-fired energy system of claim 5, wherein the fueled engine utilizes natural gas, biofuel, off-gas, diesel, or a fuel source other than coal. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The coal-fired energy system of claim 1, wherein the one or more steam turbines comprises a high pressure turbine, an intermediate pressure turbine, and a low pressure turbine. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The coal-fired energy system of claim 7, wherein the piping comprises a first supply line for directing steam to the high pressure turbine, a return line for directing steam from the high pressure turbine back to the boiler, and a second supply line for directing reheated steam from the boiler to the intermediate pressure turbine of the one or more steam turbines and a third supply line for directing low pressure steam from the intermediate pressure turbine to the a low pressure turbine. ### Claim 9 A method of operating a coal fired energy system comprising: operating a coal fired steam generator comprising a coal feed system and a main air feed system to provide a coal-air mixture as a heating source for a boiler for generating steam; operating an auxiliary air compression system comprising a compressor for providing an auxiliary supply of compressed air to a soot blower of the coal-fired steam generator, where the compressor is selectively coupled to a fueled engine or an electric motor; injecting the supply of compressed air along walls of the boiler to remove soot and ash buildup from the boiler; and, increasing the power load delivered to an electrical grid by the coal fired steam generator by decoupling the electric motor from the compressor and coupling the fueled engine to the compressor. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the main air feed system provides air to a mixer for mixing with pulverized coal prior to being injected into the boiler. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the auxiliary air compression system provides a supply of compressed air that is generated by the fueled engine providing shaft power to drive the compressor. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the auxiliary air compression system provides a supply of compressed air that is generated by the electric motor providing shaft power to drive the compressor. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein providing an auxiliary supply of compressed air to a soot blower is selectively controlled by an air injection valve. ### Claim 14 A method of operating a coal fired energy system comprising: operating a coal fired steam generator comprising a coal feed system and a main air feed system to provide a coal-air mixture as a heating source for a boiler for generating steam; operating an auxiliary air compression system comprising a compressor for providing an auxiliary supply of compressed air to a soot blower of the coal-fired steam generator, where the compressor is selectively coupled to a fueled engine or an electric motor; and, injecting the supply of compressed air along walls of the boiler to remove soot and ash buildup from the boiler; wherein the compressor is selectively coupled to the fueled engine or the electric motor to modify the power output of the coal fired steam generator based on a power output requirement. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the main air feed system provides air to a mixer for mixing with pulverized coal prior to being injected into the boiler. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the auxiliary air compression system provides a supply of compressed air that is generated by the fueled engine providing shaft power to drive the compressor. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the auxiliary air compression system provides a supply of compressed air that is generated by the electric motor providing shaft power to drive the compressor. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein providing an auxiliary supply of compressed air to a soot blower is selectively controlled by an air injection valve. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the compressor is selectively coupled to the fueled engine or the electric motor by clutches.