Hybrid generation with alternative fuel sources
View Patent ↗A generating facility is provided for generating electricity from both solar and non-solar energy sources. The solar generating portion of the facility includes capability to directly generate electricity from solar insolation, or to store the solar energy in a tangible medium, including stored heat, or solar generating fuel. The generating facility is configured to generate electricity simultaneously from both solar and non-solar sources, as well a solely from immediate solar insolation and from solar energy stored in a tangible medium. Additionally, the solar generating capacity may be segregated; such that separate spectra of solar insolation are used to capture heat for steam turbine based electrical generation, capture light energy for photovoltaic based electrical generation, and to grow biomass to generate a solar fuel.
1. A method of generating electricity, comprising;
providing a solar field having capability to capture heat and the capability to produce oxygen as a result of the growth of a solar biomass;
heating air with heat captured by the solar field and directing the heated air to a mixing valve located upstream from the power generating portion of a gas turbine;
directing the oxygen produced as a result of growth of a solar biomass to a combustion chamber located upstream of the power generating portion of the gas turbine, and combining the oxygen with fuel and air and combusting the mixture to form a heated gas;
directing the heated gas to the mixing valve;
combining the heated air and the heated gas in the mixing valve, and directing the mixture thereof into the power generating portion of a gas turbine and producing electricity therewith.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the mixing valve is configured and controlled to mix, by volume, 85 to 95% heated air and 15 to 25% heated gas as an input to the power generating portion of the gas turbine.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the solar biomass is algae.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the air is heated in a heat exchanger, the heat exchanger receiving solar heated fluid from a solar field and transferring solar heat therefrom into the air.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the mixture of solar heated air and heated gas has a temperature in excess of 900 degrees centigrade after mixing thereof.
6. An apparatus for the generation of electricity, comprising:
a solar field having at least one solar biomass growing unit and at least one fluid heating unit;
an air conduit, coupled to a supply of air and positioned and arraigned to direct air through a heat exchanger,
a solar heated fluid conduit, positioned and arraigned to direct a solar fluid heated in said solar field fluid heating units through said heat exchanger and thence to a mixing valve, thereby enabling heating of said air to a temperature in excess of 900 degrees centigrade;
an oxygen conduit, extending from said solar biomass growing unit to a combustion chamber, said combustion chamber also configured to receive fuel and air and combusting the oxygen, fuel and air to produce a heated gas;
a heated gas conduit extending from said combustion chamber to said mixing valve;
said mixing valve including an outlet ported to the power generating portion of a gas turbine engine; and
a generator connected to said power generating portion to generate electricity.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 , further including a compressor coupled to said air conduit and capable of compressing said air prior to said air reaching said mixing valve.
8. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein said compressor is located upstream of said heat exchanger.
9. The apparatus of claim 6 , further including an oxygen separator to separate oxygen from gaseous components in said solar biomass growing unit.
10. The apparatus of claim 6 , further including a controller capable of controlling said mixing valve to control the relative ratio of heated gas and heated air reaching the power generating portion of the gas turbine.