Cogeneration process using augmented Brayton cycle
AssigneeUop LLC
InventorAllen H. Fink
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A cogeneration system which produces electrical power through the use of an augmented Brayton cycle is disclosed. A pressurized air stream from an industrial source, such as a petroleum refinery, is heated by indirect heat exchange against a turbine effluent stream and is then depressurized in a turbine which drives an electrical generator. Preferably, a high temperature gas stream which also is simultaneously depressurized in the same turbine is admixed into the heated air stream before the air stream enters the turbine. A portion of the air stream may be heated in a supplemental combustion zone rather than by heat exchange.
Claims9
A power producing cycle which comprised the steps of:
- (a) heating a feed air stream having a pressure above 15 psig and a temperature above 65.degree. C. by indirect heat exchange against at least a portion of a hereinafter characterized turbine effluent stream and thereby heating the feed air stream to a temperature above 370.degree. C.;
- (b) admixing the feed air stream and a high temperature gas stream and forming a power gas stream;
- (c) heating a second air stream in a combustion zone;
- (d) admixing said second air stream after heating with said high temperature gas stream prior to passage into a hereinafter characterized turbine;
- (e) depressurizing the power gas stream in a turbine and thereby producing the turbine effluent stream;
- and
- (f) cooling the turbine effluent stream by indirect heat exchange against the feed air stream of step (a).
A process for producing rotational energy which comprises the steps of:
- (a) dividing a first air stream having a pressure above 15 psig and a temperature above 65.degree. C. into a second air stream and a third air stream;
- (b) passing the second air stream into a combustion zone in which a combustible fuel is oxidized and thereby producing a combustion zone effluent stream having a higher temperature than the second air stream;
- (c) heating the third air stream by indirect heat exchange against at least a portion of a hereinafter characterized turbine effluent stream;
- and,
- (d) admixing the combustion zone effluent stream, the third air stream and a high temperature gas stream, depressurizing the resultant admixture in a turbine which delivers useful rotational energy and thereby producing the turbine effluent stream.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.