U.S. patent application number 14/380057 was filed with the patent office on 2015-04-23 for variable speed gas turbine generation system and method.
This patent application is currently assigned to Regen Technologies Pty Ltd. The applicant listed for this patent is Velayudhan Nayar Chemmangot. Invention is credited to Velayudhan Nayar Chemmangot.
Application Number | 20150108759 14/380057 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49004847 |
Filed Date | 2015-04-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150108759 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chemmangot; Velayudhan
Nayar |
April 23, 2015 |
Variable Speed Gas Turbine Generation System and Method
Abstract
A power generation system comprises a heat collector, a turbine
generator system having a turbine and at least one doubly fed
induction generator, a heat exchanger, a gas holding tank, an
energy storage unit and a load. The heat collector is coupled to
and in fluid communication with the heat exchanger, which is in
turn coupled to the turbine of the turbine generator system. The
turbine is coupled to the doubly fed induction generator, which is
then coupled to the load. A controller is communicatively coupled
to the at least one doubly fed induction generator for maintaining
a constant electrical output and frequency. Depending upon the
electrical output load, the doubly fed induction generator can
operate in varying speeds to achieve efficiency. To enhance the
expansion of the gas, the turbine generator system can further
include a pre-heater for preheating the gas to be heated and
expanded by the heat exchanger.
Inventors: |
Chemmangot; Velayudhan Nayar;
(Willetton, AU) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Chemmangot; Velayudhan Nayar |
Willetton |
|
AU |
|
|
Assignee: |
Regen Technologies Pty Ltd
Canning Vale
AU
|
Family ID: |
49004847 |
Appl. No.: |
14/380057 |
Filed: |
February 20, 2012 |
PCT Filed: |
February 20, 2012 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/AU2012/000153 |
371 Date: |
December 3, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
290/52 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24S 21/00 20180501;
F01K 25/00 20130101; F01D 15/10 20130101; Y02E 10/40 20130101; F02C
9/16 20130101; F22B 1/006 20130101; F02C 1/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
290/52 |
International
Class: |
F01D 15/10 20060101
F01D015/10; F24J 2/00 20060101 F24J002/00 |
Claims
1. A power generation system comprising: a turbine generator system
comprising a turbine; at least one doubly fed induction generator
directly coupled to the turbine; a heat collector for receiving
heat energy to produce a heated fluid, the heat energy generated by
at least one of a heat source; a heat exchanger configured to
receive the heated fluid for heating and expanding a gas contained
therein, the expanded gas being communicated to the turbine for
converting the expanded gas into displacement motion for driving
the at least one of a doubly fed induction generator for generating
power therefrom; and a controller communicatively coupled to the at
least one doubly fed induction generator for maintaining the at
least one doubly fed induction generator at a constant electrical
output and frequency; wherein the at least one doubly fed induction
generator manages power provided to a load by based on the power
requirement of the load at the constant electrical output voltage
and frequency; wherein the turbine runs freely at speeds governed
by the heat transferred to the gas and the demand from the load at
the constant electrical output voltage and frequency.
2. The power generation system of claim 1, wherein the heat
collector comprises a solar collector system for receiving solar
thermal energy.
3. The power generation system of claim 2, wherein the solar
collector system comprises at least one solar collector for
converting the solar thermal energy into heat energy to heat up the
fluid.
4. The power generation system of claim 2, wherein the solar
collector system is a concentrated solar power (CSP) system.
5. The power generation system of claim 1, wherein the fluid is at
least one of oil, water, ammonia and Freon.
6. The power generation system of claim 1, wherein the at least one
heat source comprises at least one of biogas, biomass, natural gas,
methane and waste heat.
7. The power generation system as in claim 1, the turbine generator
system further comprising a pre-heater for preheating the gas to be
heated and expanded by the heat exchanger.
8. The power generation system as in claim 1, further comprising a
holding tank for containing the gas.
9. The power generation system as in claim 1 further comprising an
energy storage unit.
10. The power generation system as in claim 1, wherein the doubly
fed induction generator generates power at various speeds of
approximately 1,500 to 7,000 revolutions per minute.
11. The power generation system as in claim 1, wherein the heated
fluid operates at a temperature range of about 150.degree. C. to
300.degree. C.
12. A method of managing a power system, the method comprising:
heating a fluid in a heat collector; channeling the heated fluid to
a heat exchanger, the heat exchanger configured to receive the
heated fluid for heating up and expanding a gas contained therein;
communicating the expanded gas to a turbine for converting the
expanded gas into displacement motion for driving at least one of a
doubly fed induction generator for generating power therefrom;
maintaining the at least one doubly fed induction generator at a
constant electrical output and frequency by a controller; and
wherein the at least one doubly fed induction generator manages
power provided to a load based on the power requirement of the load
at the constant electrical output voltage and frequency; wherein
the turbine runs freely at speeds governed by the heat transferred
to the gas and the demand from the load at the constant electrical
output voltage and frequency.
13. The method of claim 10 further comprising: storing the gas in a
holding tank; preheating the gas; and channeling the gas to the
heat exchanger.
14. The method of claim 10, further providing the heat collector
with a solar collector system for receiving solar thermal
energy.
13. The method of claim 12, further providing the solar collector
system with at least one solar collector for converting solar
thermal energy into heat energy to heat up the fluid.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein the solar collector system is a
concentrated solar power system.
15. The method of claim 10, wherein the fluid is at least one of
oil, water, ammonia and Freon.
16. The method of claim 10, further providing an energy storage
unit.
17. The method of claim 10, wherein the doubly fed induction
generator generates power at speeds of approximately 1,500 to 7,000
revolutions per minute.
18. The method of claim 10, wherein the heated fluid operates at a
temperature range of about 150.degree. C. to 300.degree. C.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to efficient power generation
systems and method. The power generation system and method of this
disclosure are tailored to achieve power efficiency. By using at
least one doubly fed induction generator driven by a turbine of a
turbine generator system, power is generated at varying speeds,
which increases efficiency of the power generation system.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Power generation is achieved by use of generators which
supply alternating current (AC) power. In most configurations of
power generation systems, two or more generators are used to meet
the power demand. The AC power is converted to direct current (DC)
power by way of a bank of rectifiers. Additionally, these
rectifiers charge a bank of energy storage units that is used to
bridge the switching from one generator to another generator so as
to ensure a smooth supply of energy. The generators used in power
generation systems are varied based upon the fuel used to operate
the generators. Some examples of generators include nuclear powered
generators, diesel powered generators and those dependent upon
fossil fuels as the energy source.
[0003] In many applications of electrical generator systems, steady
state load demand is usually low relative to generator power
capacity. However, generators for use in power generation are
selected based upon their peak performance and this leads to an
`over-sized` generator most of the time. This in turn leads to
excessive usage of fuel which may have adverse effects on the
environment. Although there are solar energy based generators which
utilizes solar energy to generate power, these are not reliable as
the lack of adequate solar energy can result in the generators
operating at a lower efficiency.
[0004] Therefore, there is a need for power generation systems
which are reliable and at the same time, reduce adverse
environmental effects.
SUMMARY
[0005] One of the objects of certain exemplary aspects of the
present disclosure is to address the aforementioned exemplary
problems and/or to overcome the exemplary deficiencies commonly
associated with power generation systems as described herein.
Accordingly, provided and described herein are certain exemplary
embodiments of exemplary power generation systems and methods for
improving power generation efficiency.
[0006] According to one aspect of this disclosure, there is
provided a power generation system comprising a heat collector for
receiving heat energy to heat up a fluid. The heat energy is
generated by at least one of a heat source. The power generation
system further includes a turbine generator system comprising a
turbine and at least one doubly fed induction generator and a heat
exchanger configured to receive the heated fluid for heating and
expanding gas contained therein. The expanded gas is communicated
to the turbine for converting the expanded gas into displacement
motion for driving the at least one doubly fed induction generator
for generating power therefrom.
[0007] In another aspect of this disclosure, there is disclosed a
method of managing a power system. The method comprising: receiving
heat energy to heat up fluid in a heat collector; and channeling
the heated fluid to a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger configured
to receive the heated fluid for heating and expanding a gas
contained therein. The expanded gas communicated to a turbine for
converting the expanded gas into displacement motion for driving at
least one of a doubly fed induction generator for generating power
therefrom. The at least one doubly fed induction generator for
managing power provided to a load.
[0008] In another aspect of this disclosure, the power generation
system further includes a controller communicatively coupled to the
at least one doubly fed induction generator for maintaining the at
least one doubly fed induction generator at a constant electrical
output and frequency. Such an arrangement allows the at least one
doubly fed induction generator to manage the power provided to the
load based on the power requirement of the load at the constant
electrical output voltage and frequency. In this way, the turbine
may advantageously run freely at speeds governed by the heat
transferred to the gas and the demand from the load at the
aforementioned constant electrical output voltage and
frequency.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0009] Embodiments of the disclosure are described hereinafter with
reference to the following drawings, in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a power generation
system of this disclosure showing the heat collector, a turbine
generator system comprising a turbine and one doubly fed induction
generator, a heat exchanger, a controller, an energy storage unit,
a holding tank, a preheater and a load.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram showing a process of power
generation in accordance to the various embodiments of this
disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] Representative embodiments of the disclosure for addressing
one or more of the foregoing problems associated with conventional
power generation systems are described hereafter with reference to
FIGS. 1 and 2. For purposes of brevity and clarity, the description
herein is primarily directed to systems, devices, and techniques
for efficient power generation. This, however, does not preclude
various embodiments of the disclosure from other applications where
fundamental principles prevalent among the various embodiments of
the disclosure such as operational, functional, or performance
characteristics are required. In the description that follows, like
or analogous reference numerals indicate like or analogous
elements.
[0013] Embodiments of this disclosure relate to power generation
systems and/or methods for use in conjunction with electrical
grids. In particular, the power generation systems and/or methods
can be utilised in a telecommunication base station, remote mining
camp sites or one or more pumpjacks. The power generation system 10
comprises a heat collector 100, a heat exchanger 300 and a turbine
generator system 200 comprising a turbine 220 and at least one
doubly fed induction generator 240. The heat collector 100 is for
receiving heat energy to heat up a fluid. The heat energy is
generated by a heat source. In many embodiments, the heat exchanger
300 is configured to receive the heated fluid for heating and
expanding gas contained in the heat exchanger 300. The expanded gas
is then communicated to the turbine 220 for converting the expanded
gas into displacement motion for driving the at least one doubly
fed induction generator 240 for generating power therefrom.
[0014] The power generation system further includes a controller
280 for maintaining the at least one doubly fed induction generator
240 at a constant electrical output and frequency. Such an
arrangement allows the at least one doubly fed induction generator
240 to manage the power provided to the load 400 based on the power
requirement of the load 400 at the constant electrical output
voltage and frequency. In this way, the turbine 220 may
advantageously run freely at speeds governed by the heat
transferred to the gas and the demand from the load 400 at the
constant electrical output voltage and frequency.
[0015] The turbine 220 that drives the doubly fed induction
generator 240 further uses a low temperature expending gas that
operates at a low pressure. This facilitates power to be generated
by the at least one doubly fed induction generator 240 even at low
solar thermal levels. Due to its low operating pressures, auxiliary
infrastructure to manage any high temperature and high pressure is
not required. Additionally, complicated gearing systems to drive
the at least one doubly fed induction generator are not required
due to the low operating pressure such that the doubly fed
induction generator may be directly coupled to the turbine.
[0016] In many embodiments, the heat collector 100 comprises a
solar collector system for receiving solar thermal energy. The
solar collector system can comprise at least one solar collector
for converting the solar thermal energy into heat energy to heat up
the fluid. Depending upon embodiment details, the at least one
solar collector is a concentrated solar power system.
[0017] Although the description of this disclosure is directed to
use of a turbine for converting gas into displacement motion for
driving the at least one doubly fed induction generator, it should
be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art that other
types of turbines, such as a steam turbine can be used. Any
alterations and further modifications in the following described
embodiments, and any further applications of the principles of the
invention as described herein are contemplated as would normally
occur to one of ordinary skill in the art to which the disclosure
relates.
[0018] FIG. 1 shows a power generation system 10 according to
embodiments of this disclosure. The power generation system 10
comprises a heat collector 100, a turbine generator system 200
comprising a turbine 220 and at least one doubly fed induction
generator 240, a heat exchanger 300, a controller 280 and a load
400. The turbine 220 can be a gas turbine and/or a steam turbine.
Although this disclosure describes the use of one turbine 220, it
should be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art that
more than one turbine 220 can be used. In applications where more
than one turbine 200 is used, there can be a combination of gas and
steam turbines.
[0019] The power generation system 10 can be a constituent of a
power grid or a stand-alone system to provide electrical energy.
While the doubly fed induction generator 240 is the main source of
power to charge up the load 400, the power generation system 10 of
this disclosure is capable of operating in tandem with other
generators such as a variable speed DC generator to
provide/generate power. The doubly fed induction generator 240 is
also able to operate with other renewable energy sources to
generate power. For instance, a wind turbine can be integrated into
the power generation system 10 to generate energy to drive an
engine to operate the doubly fed induction generator 240. Depending
upon embodiment details, the power generation system 10 is capable
of operating with other power generation systems where renewable
energy sources can operate in tandem to charge up one or more
energy storage units. This can optimize charging of one or more
energy storage units 250 in that the doubly fed induction generator
240 can operate to charge up the one or more energy storage units
250 when the renewable energy sources are not in operation. For
instance, during windy conditions, a wind turbine can operate to
charge up the one or more energy storage units 250 and during times
when the wind conditions are not favourable, the doubly fed
induction generator 240 can operate to charge up the one or more
energy storage units 250.
[0020] To facilitate the operations of the power generation system
10, the heat collector 100 is coupled to and in fluid communication
with the heat exchanger 300, which is in turn coupled to the
turbine 220 of the turbine generator system 200. The turbine 220 is
coupled directly to the at least one doubly fed induction generator
240, which is then coupled to the load 400. The controller 280 may
further be communicatively coupled to the at least one doubly fed
induction generator 240. The load 400 can be a telecommunication
base station, remote mining camp sites or one or more pumpjacks.
Depending upon the electrical output load 400 such as the
availability of a telecommunication base station and/or remote
mining camp site, the at least one doubly fed induction generator
240 can operate in varying speeds to achieve efficiency. In some
embodiments, an energy storage unit 250 is coupled to the doubly
fed induction generator 240 for storing energy before the energy is
dissipated to the load 400.
[0021] The power generation system 10 generates electrical power by
collecting and/or concentrating energy to operate the turbine 220
to drive the at least one doubly fed induction generator 240.
Collection and/or concentration of energy can be by way of the heat
collector 100. The heat collector 100 receives heat energy
generated by at least one heat source to heat up a fluid contained
therein. The at least one heat source can further comprise at least
one of biogas, biomass, methane, waste heat or any other
combustible material that is able to produce heat. To increase
intensity of the heat energy, the heat collector 100 can operate
with a set of optics to converge the heat energy generated by the
at least one heat source. In some embodiments, the heat collector
100 comprises a solar collector system such as solar collectors for
receiving solar thermal energy. Further, the solar collector system
comprises at least one solar collector for converting the solar
thermal energy into heat energy to heat the fluid contained in the
heat collector 100. The solar collector system can be a
concentrated solar power system. The fluid in the heat collector
100 is at least one of oil, water, ammonia and Freon. In many
embodiments, the power generation system 10 further comprises one
or more fluid holding tanks 260 for storing and
supplying/channeling fluid to the heat collector 100.
[0022] The heat exchanger 300 is configured to receive the heated
fluid for heating and expanding gas contained therein. The gas used
is one that is easily expandable such as helium and/or hydrogen.
The expanded gas is communicated to the turbine 220 for converting
the expanded gas into displacement motion for driving the at least
one doubly fed induction generator 240 for generating power
therefrom. The at least one doubly fed induction generator 240
manages power provided to the load 400. In other words, the
pressurized/heated gas expands and facilitates movement of the
turbine 220 for driving the at least one doubly fed induction
generator 240. To enhance the expansion of the gas, the turbine
generator system 200 can further comprise a pre-heater 270 for
preheating the gas to be heated and expanded by the heat exchanger
300.
[0023] In many embodiments, the doubly fed induction generator 240
is driven by the turbine 220 that uses a low temperature expanding
gas that operates at low pressures. Due to its low operating
pressures, auxiliary infrastructure to manage any high temperature
and high pressure is not required. Additionally, complicated
gearing systems to drive the at least one doubly fed induction
generator 240 are not required due to the low operating pressure
such that the doubly fed induction generator 240 may be directly
coupled to the turbine 220.
[0024] The doubly fed induction generator 240 is capable of
generating power at various speeds including very low speeds of
approximately 1,500 to 7,000 revolutions per minute (rpm). Being
able to operate at low speeds suggest that the power generation
system 10 of this disclosure is capable of operating under low
solar thermal levels and low pressures. This increases efficiency
of the power generation system 10. The power generation system 10
can further be hybridized with any other renewable energy resources
enabling the whole hybrid system to be an ideal primary power
generation system.
[0025] Process of Efficient Power Generation
[0026] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram showing a process of efficient
power generation 500 in accordance to various embodiments of this
disclosure. The process of efficient power generation 500 comprises
the steps of storing gas in a holding tank 502, preheating the gas
504, receiving heat energy to heat a fluid in a heat collector 506,
channeling the heated fluid to a heat exchanger 508, channeling the
gas to the heat exchanger 510, heating up the gas in the heat
exchanger 512, communicating the heated gas to a turbine for
driving a doubly fed induction generator 514, maintaining the at
least one doubly fed induction generator at a constant electrical
output and frequency 516, generating power 518, and delivering
power to a load 520.
[0027] The process of efficient power generation 500 described
herein provides an efficient method of delivering power to the load
400. As described previously, the load 400 can be a
telecommunication base station, remote mining camp sites or one or
more pumpjacks.
[0028] The first process step 502 involves storing a gas in a
holding tank 260 and in some embodiments; the gas can be preheated
504 in a pre-heater 270 before the gas is channeled to a heat
exchanger 300. Thereafter, process step 506 involves receiving heat
energy to heat up fluid in a heat collector 100. The fluid in the
heat collector 100 is at least one of oil, water, ammonia and
Freon. As discussed previously, the heat collector 100 is coupled
to and in fluid communication with a heat exchanger 300. The heat
collector 100 receives heat energy generated by at least one heat
source to heat up the fluid contained therein. The at least one
heat source can comprise at least one of biogas, biomass, methane,
waste heat or any other combustible material that is able to
produce heat. In some embodiments, the heat collector 100 can
comprise a solar collector system and the solar collector system
can be a concentrated solar power system. The solar collector
system can comprise at least one solar collector for converting the
solar thermal energy into heat energy to heat up the fluid.
[0029] The heated fluid in the heat collector 100 is then channeled
to the heat exchanger 300. The heat exchanger 300 is configured to
receive the heated fluid for heating up and consequently expanding
gas contained therein. This is shown in process step 508.
Subsequently in process step 510, the expanded gas is communicated
to a turbine 220 for converting the expanded gas into displacement
motion for driving at least one doubly fed induction generator 240.
The at least one doubly fed induction generator 240 generates power
in process step 512 and subsequently, power is delivered to a load
400 in process step 514. Further, the at least one doubly fed
induction generator 240 is communicatively coupled to a controller
280 for managing power provided to the load 400 at a constant
electrical output and frequency. In this way, the turbine 220 may
run freely at speeds which are governed by the heat transferred to
the gas and the demand from the load at the constant electrical
output and frequency.
[0030] Thus, there has been shown and discussed various embodiments
of a power generation system and method which fulfils the
objectives and advantages sought thereof. Many changes,
modifications, variations, and other uses and applications of the
subject disclosure will, however, become apparent to those skilled
in the art after considering this specification together with the
accompanying figures and claims. The power generation system and/or
method, together with ensuing benefits are also applicable to
similar equipment in unrelated industries where such technology can
be implemented. All such changes, modifications, variations and
other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and
scope of the detecting device of this disclosure are deemed to be
covered by embodiments of this disclosure which is limited only by
the claims which follows.
[0031] In the foregoing manner, various embodiments of the
disclosure are described for addressing at least one of the
foregoing disadvantages. Such embodiments are intended to be
encompassed by the following claims, and are not to be limited to
specific forms or arrangements of parts so described and it will be
apparent to one skilled in the art in view of this disclosure that
numerous changes and/or modification can be made, which are also
intended to be encompassed by the following claims.
* * * * *