ENERGY RECOVERY FOR HIGH POWER PUMPING SYSTEMS AND METHODS USING EXHAUST GAS HEAT TO GENERATE THERMOELECTRIC POWER
Embodiments of a power generation system and methods to be used in conjunction with a high-powered turbine engine are disclosed. The power generation system includes a turbine engine having an exhaust diffuser section installed on the exhaust duct of the turbine engine and a turbine engine exhaust stack assembly connected to the turbine engine exhaust diffuser section. An embodiment further includes thermo-electric generator (TEGs) sub-assemblies connected to the turbine engine exhaust stack assembly. In other embodiments electrical storage devices such as batteries are used.
1 . A hydraulic fracturing power generation system comprising:
a turbine engine;
a turbine engine exhaust diffuser section connected to the turbine engine; and
a thermoelectric power generation assembly including:
(a) a turbine engine exhaust stack assembly connected to the turbine engine exhaust diffuser section,
(b) a set of thermo-electric generator (TEG) sub-assemblies connected to the turbine engine exhaust stack assembly to generate electric power from exhaust gas expelled from the turbine engine, and
(c) a power storage and distribution source to store and distribute power generated from the set of TEG sub-assemblies.
2 . A method to generate thermoelectric power for a hydraulic fracturing trailer assembly having a high-power hydraulic fracturing generation assembly positioned thereon, the high-power hydraulic fracturing generation assembly including a high-power turbine engine, the method comprising:
operating the high-power turbine engine of the high-power hydraulic fracturing generation assembly when adjacent a fracturing well site so as to produce exhaust gas therefrom;
supplying the exhaust gas from the high-power turbine engine into a turbine engine exhaust stack assembly; and
generating thermoelectric power from a set of thermoelectric generation (TEG) assemblies responsive to heat from the exhaust gas in the turbine engine exhaust stack assembly so as to supply power to a power storage and distribution source associated with the hydraulic fracturing trailer assembly.
3 . The method as defined in claim 2 , further comprising operating a diesel engine alternator when connected to the set of TEG assemblies to enhance production and distribution of electrical power across the high-power hydraulic fracturing generation assembly.
4 . The method as defined in claim 3 , wherein the turbine engine exhaust stack assembly includes an exhaust stack housing and a TEG housing mount assembly, and wherein the set of TEG assemblies is mounted to the exhaust stack housing via the TEG housing mount assembly.
5 . The method as defined in claim 4 , further comprising controlling power levels associated with components of the high-power hydraulic fracturing generation assembly via the set of TEG assemblies.
6 . The method as defined in claim 2 , further comprising operating a solar energy recovery sub-assembly positioned to collect and generate power responsive to solar exposure, and wherein the set of TEG assemblies operates in conjunction with the solar energy recovery sub-assembly to enhance production and distribution of electrical power.
7 . The method as defined in claim 2 , further comprising operating an onboard electrical SCADA sub-assembly, and wherein the set of TEG assemblies operates to power the onboard electrical SCADA sub-assembly to enhance monitoring and operations of components and circuitry associated with the high power hydraulic fracturing generation assembly.
8 . The method as defined in claim 2 , wherein the set of TEG assemblies is used to charge a set of batteries that are used to power a turbine engine starter motor for starting the turbine engine.