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US 11,927,130 B2Granted
Pump control of closed cycle power generation system
AssigneeMalta Inc.
InventorsRaj Apte, Philippe Larochelle
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed are systems and methods for pump control of a closed thermodynamic cycle system, such as a Brayton cycle. Operational parameters such as working fluid temperature, thermal fluid temperature, stream pressure, and power generation may be the basis for controlling a thermal fluid pump rate.
Claims23
A method comprising:
- circulating a working fluid through a closed cycle system comprising a first heat exchanger, a turbine, a second heat exchanger, and a compressor, wherein the working fluid flows through, in sequence, the compressor, the first heat exchanger, the turbine, and the second heat exchanger in a discharge mode;
- pumping a variable flow rate of a first thermal fluid through the first heat exchanger, wherein the first thermal fluid is in thermal contact with the working fluid;
- generating a quantity of electrical power via a generator driven by the turbine;
- delivering electrical power generated by the generator to a grid system;
- monitoring a phase difference between the generated electrical power and a grid power at the grid system;
- using a controller, anticipating a change in energy to be made to the working fluid based on the phase difference and using the change in energy to determine an operating condition of the closed cycle system;
- and
- adjusting the variable flow rate of the first thermal fluid based on the operating condition.
5 more elements
A method comprising:
- circulating a working fluid through a closed cycle system comprising a first heat exchanger, a turbine, a second heat exchanger, and a compressor, wherein the working fluid flows through, in sequence, the compressor, the first heat exchanger, the turbine, and the second heat exchanger in a discharge mode;
- pumping a variable flow rate of a thermal fluid through the second heat exchanger, wherein the thermal fluid is in thermal contact with the working fluid;
- generating a quantity of electrical power via a generator driven by the turbine;
- and
- delivering electrical power generated by the generator to a grid system;
- monitoring a phase difference between the generated electrical power and a grid power at the grid system;
- using a controller, anticipating a change in energy to be made to the working fluid based on the phase difference and using the change in energy to determine an operating condition of the closed cycle system;
- and
- adjusting the variable flow rate of the thermal fluid based on the operating condition.
6 more elements
A method comprising:
- circulating a working fluid through a closed cycle system comprising a first heat exchanger, a turbine, a second heat exchanger, and a compressor, wherein the working fluid flows through, in sequence, the compressor, the first heat exchanger, the turbine, and the second heat exchanger in a charge mode;
- pumping a variable flow rate of a thermal fluid through the first heat exchanger, wherein the thermal fluid is in thermal contact with the working fluid;
- generating a quantity of electrical power via a generator driven by the turbine;
- delivering electrical power generated by the generator to a grid system;
- monitoring a phase difference between the generated electrical power and a grid power at the grid system;
- using a controller, anticipating a change in energy to be made to the working fluid based on the phase difference and using the change in energy to determine an operating condition of the closed cycle system;
- and
- adjusting the variable flow rate of the thermal fluid based on the operating condition.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.