Method of and apparatus for producing power

A method of generating power using synthetic gas comprising the steps of:

• a) providing equipment constructed and arranged to reform a hydrocarbon gas from a source into a synthetic gas using solar radiation, said equipment including a steam generator generating steam using heat from the reformer equipment;
• b) supplying hydrocarbon material feedstock to a reformer contained in said equipment, said hydrocarbon material feedstock produced by fuel producing apparatus by use of solar radiation;
• c) providing a gas turbine unit including a compressor for compressing air to produce compressed air, a combustor for combusting said synthetic gas and heating said compressed air to produce heated compressed air, and a turbine coupled to a generator and to said compressor for expanding said heated compressed air and producing power and hot exhaust gases;
• d) supplying said synthetic gas produced by said equipment to said combustor;
• e) vaporizing organic working fluid contained in an organic working fluid vaporizer responsive to said hot exhaust gases for producing organic working fluid vapor;
• f) expanding said organic working fluid vapor produced by said vaporizer in a vapor turbine and producing power and from which expanded organic working fluid exits;
• g) condensing said expanded organic working fluid in a condenser and producing organic working fluid condensate whereby said organic working fluid condensate is supplied to said vaporizer;
• and
• h) utilizing heat from solid fuel and ash remaining after said fuel producing apparatus has produced said hydrocarbon material feedstock by use of solar radiation in said vaporizer to also produce said working fluid vapor.

Apparatus for generating power using synthetic gas comprising:

• a) solar reformer equipment constructed and arranged to solar reform a hydrocarbon gas from a source into a synthetic gas, said solar reformer equipment including a steam generator generating steam using heat from the reformer equipment;
• b) supply means for supplying hydrocarbon gas or material feedstock to a reformer contained in said equipment, said hydrocarbon material feedstock produced by fuel producing apparatus by use of solar radiation;
• c) a gas turbine unit including a compressor for compressing air to produce compressed air, a combustor for combusting said synthetic gas and heating said compressed air to produce heated compressed air, and a turbine coupled to a generator and to said compressor for expanding said heated compressed air and producing power and hot exhaust gases;
• d) further supply means for supplying said synthetic gas produced by said equipment to said combustor;
• e) a vaporizer containing organic working fluid and responsive to said hot exhaust gases for producing organic working fluid vapor;
• f) a vapor turbine for expanding said organic working fluid vapor and producing power and from which expanded organic working fluid vapor exits;
• g) a condenser for condensing said expanded organic working fluid vapor and producing organic working fluid condensate, whereby said organic working fluid condensate is supplied to said vaporizer;
• and
• h) utilizing heat from solid fuel and ash remaining after said fuel producing apparatus has produced said hydrocarbon material feedstock by use of solar radiation in said vaporizer to also produce said organic working fluid vapor.