Patent · US Expired

Method for Kalina combined cycle power plant with district heating capability

US6347520B1 · kind B1 · utility

48Cited by
9References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 6, 2001
Grant dateFeb 19, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 6, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02E20/14
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A method is provided for implementing a thermodynamic cycle with district water heating capabilities that combines a simplified Kalina bottoming cycle with a district water heating plant. The preferred method includes pressurizing, vaporizing and superheating a mixture working fluid (e.g., H2O/NH3) using gas turbine exhaust energy in a heat recovery vapor generator, expanding the working fluid in a turbine to produce power, and then transferring the working fluid thermal energy to the district water by condensing the working fluid in a single stage condenser. The method can also include systems that efficiently use excess thermal energy only when the district water heating demand is low, e.g., during summer months. The method according to the invention provides for economically significant increases in district water heating efficiency as compared to conventional Rankine cycles with district water heating, while decreasing the cost of both the Rankine and nominal Kalina cycles using multi-component working fluids.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.