# US 4,392,346 A · Cogeneration process using augmented Brayton cycle

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- Number: US 4,392,346 A
- Document ID: US4392346A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 06/234,070
- Filed: 1981-02-12
- Granted: 1983-07-12
- Earliest claimed: 1980-07-22
- Assignees: Uop LLC
- Inventors: Allen H. Fink
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4392346A

## CPC

- F02C 6/10: supplying working fluid to a user, e.g. a chemical process, which returns working fluid to a turbine of the plant
- F02C 1/08: Semi-closed cycles
- F02C 3/28: using a separate gas producer for gasifying the fuel before combustion
- Y02E 20/14: Combined heat and power generation [CHP]
- 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)
- Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

## 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.

## Claims

### Claim 1

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).

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The process of claim 1 further characterized in that the high temperature gas stream is produced by one or more turbine-type gas generators.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The process of claim 1 further characterized in that the feed air stream is heated to a temperature of about 441.degree. to about 496.degree. C. by heat exchange against the turbine effluent stream.

### Claim 4

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.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The process of claim 4 further characterized in that the third air stream is heated to a temperature between about 441.degree. to about 496.degree. C. by indirect heat exchange.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The process of claim 4 further characterized in that the high temperature gas stream has a temperature between about 675.degree. C. and about 734.degree. C. and is produced in one or more turbine type gas generators.

### Claim 7 (depends on 4)

The process of claim 4 further characterized in that a multiplicity of compressed air streams are admixed to form the first air stream.

### Claim 8 (depends on 4)

The process of claim 4 further characterized in that the useful rotational energy delivered by the turbine is used to operate a compressor.

### Claim 9 (depends on 4)

The process of claim 4 further characterized in that the useful rotational energy delivered by the turbine is used to generate electricity.