Enhanced dry-cooling system and method for increasing power plant efficiency and output
AssigneeUniversity of Cincinnati
InventorRaj M. Manglik
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Abstract
The presently disclosed subject matter relates to enhanced dry-cooling systems and methods. More specifically, the presently disclosed subject matter relates to enhanced dry-cooling systems for increasing power plant efficiency and output. One embodiment of the present disclosure is directed to dry-cooling system for increasing power plant efficiency and output. The dry-cooling system comprises an air-cooled condenser and an air cooling system in fluid communication with the air-cooled condenser.
Claims28
A dry-cooling system for increasing power plant efficiency and output, the system comprising:
- a) an air-cooled condenser;
- and
- b) an air cooling system in fluid communication with the air-cooled condenser, said air cooling system comprising:
- (i) an air cooling loop, said air cooling loop comprising:
- an air cooler comprising a heat exchanger and in valve-controlled fluid communication with a source of ambient air;
- a thermal energy storage unit configured to contain a thermal energy storage material;
- and
- a system of valve-controlled conduits configured to cycle a heat transfer fluid between the heat exchanger and the thermal energy storage unit;
- (ii) a recharging loop, said recharging loop comprising:
- a second air cooler comprising a second heat exchanger and in valve-controlled fluid communication with a source of ambient air;
- the thermal energy storage unit;
- and
- a second system of valve-controlled conduits configured to cycle a second heat transfer fluid between the thermal energy storage unit and the second heat exchanger.
A dry-cooling method for increasing power plant efficiency and output, the method comprising:
- receiving steam from a steam source;
- air cooling the steam via a supply of air;
- transferring latent heat from the supply of air to latent heat of a first heat exchanger, thereby cooling the supply of air;
- transferring the latent heat of the first heat exchanger to stored latent heat of a thermal storage material;
- transferring the stored latent heat of the thermal storage material to latent heat of a second heat exchanger;
- dissipating latent heat from the second heat exchanger;
- wherein the steps of transferring latent heat from the supply of air to latent heat of a first heat exchanger and transferring the latent heat of the first heat exchanger to stored latent heat of a thermal storage material occur at a time when the ambient temperature is higher than the ambient temperature at the time the stored latent heat of the thermal storage material is transferred to latent heat of a second heat exchanger and the latent heat of the second heat exchanger is dissipated.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.