Method of operating a stoichiometric exhaust gas recirculation power plant

A method for operating a power plant, comprising:

• compressing ambient air with at least one main air compressor to make a compressed ambient gas flow having a compressed ambient gas flow rate;
• delivering at least a first portion of the compressed ambient gas flow from the at least one main air compressor to a turbine combustor;
• mixing the at least a first portion of the compressed ambient gas flow with the at least a first portion of a recirculated gas flow and with a fuel stream, to form a combustible mixture in the turbine combustor;
• burning the combustible mixture in the turbine combustor to form the recirculated gas flow;
• driving a turbine connected to the turbine combustor using the recirculated gas flow, such that the turbine and a turbine compressor rotate and produce a turbine power;
• recirculating at least a portion of the recirculated gas flow through a recirculation loop, wherein the at least a portion of the recirculated gas flow is recirculated from the turbine to the turbine compressor;
• delivering a secondary flow through a secondary flow path, wherein the secondary flow path delivers at least a second portion of the recirculated gas flow from the turbine compressor to the turbine for cooling and sealing the turbine and thereafter into the recirculation loop;
• and venting an excess portion of the recirculated gas flow from a first vent or venting an excess portion of the compressed ambient gas flow from a second vent, wherein the first vent is located between an output of the turbine compressor and an input to the turbine compressor and the second vent is located between an of the at least one main air compressor and an input of the turbine combustor such that the compressed ambient gas flow is delivered to the turbine combustor at a first pressure that is greater than or substantially equal to a second pressure delivered to the turbine combustor from the turbine compressor.

A method for operating a power plant, comprising:

• compressing ambient air with at least one main air compressor to make a compressed ambient gas flow having a compressed ambient gas flow rate;
• delivering at least a first portion of the compressed ambient gas flow from the at least one main air compressor to a turbine combustor at a pressure that is greater than or substantially equal to an output pressure delivered to the turbine combustor from a turbine compressor of at least a first portion of a recirculated gas flow having a recirculated gas flow rate;
• mixing the at least a first portion of the compressed ambient gas flow with the at least a first portion of the recirculated gas flow and with a fuel stream in the turbine combustor to form a combustible mixture;
• burning the combustible mixture in the turbine combustor to form the recirculated gas flow, the recirculated gas flow driving a turbine connected to the turbine combustor;
• recirculating at least a portion of the recirculated gas flow through a recirculation loop, wherein the at least a portion of the recirculated gas flow is recirculated from the turbine to the turbine compressor;
• and venting an excess portion of the recirculated gas flow from a first vent or venting an excess portion of the compressed ambient gas flow from a second vent, wherein the first vent is located between an output of the turbine compressor and an input to the turbine compressor and wherein the second vent is located between an output of the at least one main air compressor and an input to the turbine combustor such that the compressed ambient gas flow is delivered to the turbine combustor at the pressure that is greater than or substantially equal to the output pressure delivered to the turbine combustor from the turbine compressor;
• wherein the power plant is operated at constant speed no-load.