IP Library Granted Patent US 7,661,268
Granted Patent B2
US 7,661,268 · App. 11/812,899 · Granted Feb 16, 2010

Power plant

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,661,268
App. No.
11/812,899
Granted
Feb 16, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

During operation of a power plant, which basically comprises a gas turbogroup, a compressed air accumulator, an air turbine which is equipped with at least one generator, the compressed air which is extracted from the compressed air accumulator is directed through a heat exchanger which operates on the downstream side of the gas turbogroup, and is thermally conditioned there. This thermally conditioned compressed air then charges the air turbine for producing a quantity of electricity. Furthermore, the power plant is extended by a steam turbine, which in combined operation is operated with steam which is produced from the exhaust gases of the gas turbogroup.

Claims (18)

1. A power plant, comprising:

a gas turbogroup;

a steam turbine;

a compressed air accumulator

a separate air turbine; and

a flow divider, with an adjustable damper for exhaust gases of the gas turbogroup, arranged downstream of the gas turbogroup, which flow divider is equipped with at least two fluid flow paths, one of the flow paths being in communication with a steam generator and, downstream of the steam generator, being in communication with the steam turbine, and another of the two flow paths being in communication with a heat exchanger, the heat exchanger being in communication upstream with the compressed air accumulator and being in communication downstream with the air turbine.

2. The power plant as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the steam turbine and/or the air turbine is equipped with at least one generator.

3. The power plant as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the steam turbine and/or the air turbine is equipped with at least one compressor.

4. The power plant as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the compressor is connected by means of a clutch.

5. The power plant as claimed in claim 1 , wherein at least one tubular burner is arranged downstream of the flow divider in at least one of the two flow paths.

6. A method for operating a power plant having a gas turbogroup, a compressed air accumulator, a separate air turbine which is equipped with at least one generator and which is extended by a steam turbine, which in combined operation is operated with steam produced from exhaust gases of the gas turbogroup, wherein the method comprises:

directing compressed air which is extracted from the compressed air accumulator through a heat exchanger which operates on a downstream side of the gas turbogroup, for thermally conditioning the compressed air;

charging the air turbine with the compressed air for producing a quantity of electricity; and

using the exhaust gases of the gas turbo group, depending upon operating mode, for conditioning of a steam volume in a steam generator, or for thermal conditioning of the compressed air in the heat exchanger or both.

7. The method as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the compressed air from the compressed air accumulator, after flowing through the heat exchanger which operates downstream, is subjected to thermal conditioning by a tubular burner, before charging the air turbine.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the compressed air from the compressed air accumulator is thermally conditioned either in the heat exchanger or by means of the tubular burner or both.

9. The method as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the gas turbogroup, air turbine and steam turbine are operated each with a generator and a compressor, and wherein each compressor, individually or in combination is used for charging the compressed air accumulator with compressed air.

10. The method as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the exhaust gases are thermally conditioned by additional tubular burners.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Aug 17, 2016
From: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD
To: GENERAL ELECTRIC TECHNOLOGY GMBH
Reel/Frame 039714/0578 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 7, 2007
From: ALTHAUS, ROLF; KOLLER, MARTIN
To: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD
Reel/Frame 019657/0190 →