Patent · US Active

Methods and apparatus for a combustion turbine fuel recirculation system and nitrogen purge system

US7721521B2 · kind B2 · utility

159Cited by
8References
7Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 7, 2005
Grant dateMay 25, 2010
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 21, 2028

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF23K2300/203
  • WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A method of operating a fuel system is provided. The method includes removing fuel from at least a portion of the fuel system using a gravity drain process. The method also includes channeling nitrogen into at least a portion of the fuel system to facilitate removing air and residual fuel from at least a portion of the fuel system, thereby mitigating a formation of carbonaceous precipitate particulates. The method further includes removing air and nitrogen from at least a portion of the fuel system during a fuel refilling process using a venting process such that at least a portion of the fuel system is substantially refilled with fuel and substantially evacuated of air and nitrogen. The method also includes removing air from at least a portion of the refilled fuel system using a venting process. The method further includes recirculating fuel within at least a portion of the fuel system, thereby removing heat from at least a portion of the fuel system and facilitating a transfer of operating fuel modes.

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