Patent Application
20140345288
The field of the invention relates generally to power systems and, more particularly, to a turbomachine assembly that may be used for recovering waste heat energy from a power system for power generation.
At least some known power systems use at least one machine that is coupled to a load for the generation of a power output. The machine may be a turbomachine, such as a turbine engine, that generates mechanical torque. The load may be an electrical system, such as an electrical generator or inverter, which converts the mechanical energy to electrical energy for the power output. The load may also be coupled to an energy storage device such that some of the power output may be stored for later use. For example, at least some known power systems provide bi-directional or multi-directional electrical energy or power flow, wherein the power output from the load may be transferred to the turbine engine to power the turbine engine or the power output may be delivered to, for example, the energy storage device for storage.
At least some known power systems generate relatively large amounts of waste heat energy. For example, the turbomachines that may be used with power systems include gas turbine engines that generate waste heat energy in the form of exhaust gases. Due to environmental concerns and/or laws that companies need to adhere to, power systems may be configured to recover and reuse the waste heat energy. For example, at least some known power systems use waste heat recovery systems or assemblies that include using the turbomachines to recover and reuse the waste heat.
However, using the turbomachines themselves to recover the waste heat can be complex. For example, externally located heat exchangers may need to be installed, along with the necessary externally located piping and control valves. Such installation may take a considerable amount of time and labor. Moreover, in some circumstances, the turbomachine may need to be dismantled and reassembled for the installation of the heat exchangers and piping.
In an exemplary embodiment, a turbomachine assembly for recovering waste heat is provided. The turbomachine assembly generally comprises a compressor section that is configured to generate a compressed fluid flow and to channel the compressed fluid flow within the turbomachine assembly. A turbine section is coupled to the compressor section via a rotating member such that a first portion of the rotating member is positioned within the compressor section and a second portion of the rotating member is positioned within the turbine section. The turbine section is in flow communication with the compressor section such that the compressed fluid flow is received by the turbine section. At least one heat exchanger is positioned at least partly within the turbine section. The heat exchanger is configured to receive waste heat and to transmit energy from the waste heat into the compressed fluid flow to increase at least one parameter, such as pressure, temperature, or flow rate, of the compressed fluid flow contributing to the generation of a power output.
In another embodiment, a power system is provided. The power system generally comprises a load apparatus that includes a load configured to convert mechanical rotational energy to electrical energy for a power output. The power system also includes a turbomachine assembly that is coupled to the load apparatus. The turbomachine assembly includes a compressor section that is configured to generate a compressed fluid flow and to channel the compressed fluid flow within the turbomachine assembly. A turbine section is coupled to the compressor section via a rotating member such that a first end portion of the rotating member is positioned within the compressor section and a second end portion of the rotating member is positioned within the turbine section. The turbine section is in flow communication with the compressor section such that the compressed fluid flow is received by the turbine section. At least one heat exchanger is positioned at least partly within the turbine section. The heat exchanger is configured to receive waste heat and to transmit energy from the waste heat into the compressed fluid flow so as to increase at least one parameter, such as pressure, temperature, or flow rate, of the compressed fluid flow and thereby facilitate the generation of the power output.
In yet another embodiment, a method of using a turbomachine assembly for recovering waste heat is provided. The method generally comprises providing a compressor section that is configured to generate a compressed fluid flow. A turbine section is coupled to the compressor section via a rotating member such that a first end portion of the rotating member is positioned within the compressor section and a second end portion of the rotating member is positioned within the turbine section. The turbine section is in flow communication with the compressor section. At least one heat exchanger is positioned at least partly within the turbine section. The compressed fluid flow is channeled from the compressor section to the turbine section. The heat exchanger is used to receive waste heat. Energy from the waste heat is transmitted, via the heat exchanger, into the compressed fluid flow to increase at least one parameter, such as pressure, temperature, or flow rate, of the compressed fluid flow contributing to the generation of a power output.
The exemplary systems and methods described herein provide a turbomachine assembly for use in a power system that may be coupled to other components/machines within the power system and the turbomachine assembly is configured to recover waste heat from within the power system, such as from the attached machine, wherein the recovered waste heat can be used for power generation. The turbomachine assembly includes a compressor section that is configured to generate a compressed fluid flow and a turbine section that is in flow communication with the compressor section and configured to receive the compressed fluid flow. At least one heat exchanger is positioned at least partly within the turbine section, wherein the heat exchanger is configured to receive waste heat and to transmit energy from the waste heat into the compressed fluid flow to increase at least one parameter of the compressed fluid flow such that the waste heat contributes to the power output. Accordingly, the turbomachine assembly is configured such that waste heat can be relatively easily recovered by the turbomachine assembly and used in the process of power generation. By using a turbomachine assembly that is configured to recover and use waste heat, a user would not need to install externally located heat exchangers, along with the necessary externally located piping and control valves in order for the power system to be able to recover and reuse waste heat therein. Moreover, any existing machines within the system may not need to be taken apart or reassembled.
Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, machine 102 includes an intake section 103, a compressor section 104 coupled downstream from intake section 105, a combustor section 106 coupled downstream from compressor section 104, a turbine section 107 coupled downstream from combustor section 106, and an exhaust section 108. It should be noted that, as used herein, the term “couple” is not limited to a direct or immediately sequential mechanical, thermal, flow communication, and/or an electrical connection between components, but may also include an indirect mechanical, thermal, flow communication and/or electrical connection between multiple components or through components that are placed between the coupled elements.
Turbine section 107, in the exemplary embodiment, is coupled to compressor section 104 via a drive shaft 109. In the exemplary embodiment, combustor section 106 includes a plurality of combustors 110. Combustor section 106 is coupled to compressor section 104 such that each combustor 110 is positioned in flow communication with compressor section 104. Machine 102, in the exemplary embodiment, is coupled to a turbomachine assembly 112 and to a load apparatus 114. More specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, turbine section 107 of machine 102 is coupled to load apparatus 114 via a rotor shaft 111 and exhaust section 108 of machine 102 is coupled to a turbomachine assembly 112 via a fluid conduit 113.
In the exemplary embodiment, turbomachine assembly 112 includes a compressor section (not shown in
Turbomachine assembly 112 is coupled to load apparatus 114 via a shaft 115. Load apparatus 114, in the exemplary embodiment, includes a load (not shown) such as an electrical system, in particular a high speed electrical generator or inverter. More specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, load apparatus 114 can comprise the load apparatus described in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/682,313 entitled LOAD APPARATUS AND METHOD OF USING SAME (attorney docket no. 31938-6) filed Jan. 29, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Load apparatus 114 can be coupled to an energy storage device 116, such as a battery.
Power system 100 also includes a control system 117 that is coupled to each of load apparatus 114 and turbomachine assembly 112. Control system 117, in the exemplary embodiment, is configured to control the power output produced by load apparatus 114 and to control fluid flow within turbomachine assembly 112. In the exemplary embodiment, control system 117 includes a controller 120 that is operatively coupled to vary the operation of load apparatus 114 and turbomachine assembly 112, as a function of values determined from sensors (not shown) responsive to parameters such as flow rates, rotational speed, local pressures, torque, temperatures and the like, as well as rates of change of such parameters, according to a programmed control scheme or algorithm. More specifically, controller 120 may be coupled to, for example, at least one valve (not shown) in load apparatus 114 and at least one valve (not shown in
In the exemplary embodiment, controller 120 may be a real-time controller and may include any suitable processor-based or microprocessor-based system, such as a computer system, that includes microcontrollers, reduced instruction set circuits (RISC), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), logic circuits, and/or any other circuit or processor that is capable of executing the functions described herein. In one embodiment, controller 120 may be a microprocessor that includes read-only memory (ROM) and/or random access memory (RAM), such as, for example, a 32 bit microcomputer with 2 Mbit ROM and 64 Kbit RAM. As used herein, the term “real-time” refers to outcomes occurring in a substantially short period of time after a change in the inputs affect the outcome, with the time period being a design parameter that may be selected based on the importance of the outcome and/or the capability of the system processing the inputs to generate the outcome.
Controller 120, in the exemplary embodiment, includes a memory device 130 that stores executable instructions and/or one or more operating parameters representing and/or indicating an operating condition of load apparatus 114 and of turbomachine assembly 112. Controller 120 also includes a processor 132 that is coupled to the memory device 130 via a system bus 134. In one embodiment, processor 132 may include a processing unit, such as, without limitation, an integrated circuit (IC), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a microcomputer, a programmable logic controller (PLC), and/or any other programmable circuit. Alternatively, processor 132 may include multiple processing units (e.g., in a multi-core configuration). The above examples are exemplary only, and thus are not intended to limit in any way the definition and/or meaning of the term “processor.”
Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, controller 120 includes a control interface 136 that is coupled to turbomachine assembly 112 and to load apparatus 114. More specifically, control interface 136 is coupled to the valves within turbomachine assembly 112 and within load apparatus 114, and control interface 136 is configured to control an operation of the valves. For example, processor 132 may be programmed to generate one or more control parameters that are transmitted to control interface 136. Control interface 136 may then transmit a control parameter to modulate, open, or close the valves.
Various connections are available between control interface 136 and turbomachine assembly 112 and load apparatus 114. Such connections may include, without limitation, an electrical conductor, a low-level serial data connection, such as Recommended Standard (RS) 232 or RS-485, a high-level serial data connection, such as USB, a field bus, a PROFIBUS®, or Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1394 (a/k/a FIREWIRE), a parallel data connection, such as IEEE 1284 or IEEE 488, a short-range wireless communication channel such as BLUETOOTH, and/or a private (e.g., inaccessible outside power system 100) network connection, whether wired or wireless. PROFIBUS is a registered trademark of Profibus Trade Organization of Scottsdale, Ariz. IEEE is a registered trademark of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc., of New York, N.Y. BLUETOOTH is a registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc. of Kirkland, Wash.
In the exemplary embodiment, control system 117 also includes at least one sensor 137 that is coupled to load apparatus 104 and to controller 120. More specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, controller 120 includes a sensor interface 140 that is coupled to sensor 137. In the exemplary embodiment, sensor 137 is positioned in close proximity to, and coupled to at least a portion of load apparatus 114. Alternatively, sensor 137 may be coupled to various other components within power system 100. In the exemplary embodiment, sensor 137 is configured to detect the level of the power output being produced by load apparatus 114. Alternatively, sensor 137 may detect various other operating parameters that enable load apparatus 114 and/or power system 100 to function as described herein.
Control system 117 also includes at least two sensors 142 and 143 that are each coupled to turbomachine assembly 112 and to controller 120. In the exemplary embodiment, sensors 142 and 143 are each positioned in close proximity to, and coupled to at least a portion of turbomachine assembly 112 and to sensor interface 140. More specifically, sensor 142 is coupled to the compressor section and sensor 143 is coupled to the turbine section of turbomachine assembly 112. In the exemplary embodiment, sensors 142 and 143 are each configured to detect various operating parameters, such as temperature and/or flow rate, within the compressor section and the turbine section, respectively.
Sensors 137, 142, and 143 each transmit a signal corresponding to their respective detected parameters to controller 120. Sensors 137, 142, and 143 may each transmit a signal continuously, periodically, or only once, for example. Other signal timings may also be contemplated. Furthermore, sensors 137, 142, and 143 may each transmit a signal either in an analog form or in a digital form. Various connections are available between sensor interface 140 and sensors 137, 142, and 143. Such connections may include, without limitation, an electrical conductor, a low-level serial data connection, such as RS 232 or RS-485, a high-level serial data connection, such as USB or IEEE® 1394, a parallel data connection, such as IEEE® 1284 or IEEE® 488, a short-range wireless communication channel such as BLUETOOTH®, and/or a private (e.g., inaccessible outside power system 100) network connection, whether wired or wireless.
Control system 117 may also include a user computing device 150 that is coupled to controller 120 via a network 149. More specifically, computing device 150 includes a communication interface 151 that is coupled to a communication interface 153 contained within controller 120. User computing device 150 includes a processor 152 for executing instructions. In some embodiments, executable instructions are stored in a memory device 154. Processor 152 may include one or more processing units (e.g., in a multi-core configuration). Memory device 154 is any device allowing information, such as executable instructions and/or other data, to be stored and retrieved.
User computing device 150 also includes at least one media output component 156 for use in presenting information to a user. Media output component 156 is any component capable of conveying information to the user. Media output component 156 may include, without limitation, a display device (not shown) (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, or an audio output device (e.g., a speaker or headphones)).
Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, user computing device 150 includes an input interface 160 for receiving input from a user. Input interface 160 may include, for example, a keyboard, a pointing device, a mouse, a stylus, a touch sensitive panel (e.g., a touch pad or a touch screen), a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a position detector, and/or an audio input device. A single component, such as a touch screen, may function as both an output device of media output component 156 and input interface 160.
During operation, intake section 103 channels air towards compressor section 104 wherein the air is compressed to a higher pressure and temperature prior to being discharged towards combustor section 106. The compressed air is mixed with fuel and other fluids and ignited to generate combustion gases that are channeled towards turbine section 107. More specifically, fuel is injected into combustors 110, and into the air flow, such as natural gas and/or fuel oil, air, diluents, and/or Nitrogen gas (N2). The blended mixtures are ignited to generate high temperature combustion gases that are channeled towards turbine section 107. Turbine section 107 converts the thermal energy from the gas stream to mechanical rotational energy, as the combustion gases impart rotational energy to turbine section 107 and to the rotor disk assembly.
The mechanical rotational energy is converted to electrical energy via load apparatus 114 for a power output. Load apparatus 114 facilitates multi-directional power flow within power system 100 such that the power output from load apparatus 114 may be transferred to either machine 102 or to turbomachine assembly 112 to power each, or the power output may be delivered to, for example, energy storage device 116. For example, a user may initially input a predefined threshold value for a power output from load apparatus 114 via input interface 160. The predefined threshold value may be programmed with user computing device 150 and/or controller 120. As such, when the mechanical rotational energy is converted to electrical energy via load apparatus 114 for a power output, the output is detected by sensor 137. Sensor 137 then transmits a signal representative of the power output to controller 120.
Depending on whether the power output is less than, greater than, or equal to the predefined threshold, controller 120 will transmit a control parameter to the valve within load apparatus 114. For example, in the exemplary embodiment, if the power output exceeds the predefined threshold, controller 120 will transmit a control parameter to the valve such that electrical energy (i.e. power output) is channeled in a first direction 184 towards energy storage device 110 such that the power output may be stored for later use by power system 100. If the power output is below the predefined threshold, controller 120 may transmit a control parameter to the valve such that electrical energy is channeled in a second direction 186 towards machine 102 such that the power output may be used by machine 102 to generate more power or in a third direction 188 towards turbomachine assembly 112 such that the power output may be used by turbomachine assembly 112 to generate additional power.
Moreover, as explained in more detail below with respect to
Referring to
In the exemplary embodiment, referring to
In the exemplary embodiment, first end portion 208, middle portion 211, and second end portion 210 of rotor shaft 206 are formed integrally together such that rotor shaft 206 is a single unitary component. Alternatively, one or more of the components of rotor shaft 206 may be formed separate and removably or permanently coupled together. Each of the first end portion 208, middle portion 211, and second end portion 210 of rotor shaft 206 may be formed via a variety of manufacturing processes known in the art, such as, but not limited to, molding processes, drawing processes, or machining processes. One or more types of materials may be used to fabricate rotor shaft 206 with the materials selected based on suitability for one or more manufacturing techniques, dimensional stability, cost, moldability, workability, rigidity, and/or other characteristic of the material(s). For example, rotor shaft 206 may be at least partially formed from lightweight and rigid materials, such as an alumina material, a ceramic material, and/or a metal matrix composite material. The metal matrix composite material may include a first metal material and at least one other material, such as a second metal material and/or a ceramic compound. Alternatively, rotor shaft 206 may be formed of any suitable material that enables the turbomachine assembly 112 and/or power system 100 (shown in
In the exemplary embodiment, compressor section 202 is coupled to load apparatus 114 (shown in
Referring to
Referring to
In the exemplary embodiment, referring to
Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, at least one heat exchanger 259 is positioned within turbine section 204, wherein heat exchanger 259 is configured to receive waste heat, such as exhaust gases, from machine 102 and/or from turbomachine assembly 112. For example, heat exchanger 259 may be positioned adjacent to the cover portion opening such that exhaust gases being channeled to turbine section 204 from exhaust section 108 of machine 102 may be recovered by heat exchanger 259. Exhaust gases being generated by turbine section 204 may also be recovered by heat exchanger 259. In the exemplary embodiment, heat exchanger 259 may be any suitable type of heat exchanger known in the art, such as a compact heat exchanger that is configured to be received and positioned within turbine section 204.
Referring to
Nozzle ring 290, along with surface 292 and vanes 292, may be formed via a variety of manufacturing processes known in the art, such as, but not limited to, molding processes, drawing processes, or machining processes. One or more types of materials may be used to fabricate nozzle ring 290, along with surface 292 and vanes 292, with the materials selected based on suitability for one or more manufacturing techniques, dimensional stability, cost, moldability, workability, rigidity, and/or other characteristic of the material(s). For example, nozzle ring 290, along with surface 292 and vanes 292, may be at least partially formed from a metal material. Nozzle ring 290, along with surface 291 and vanes 292, can be a part of or an extension of turbine cover portion 250, in which case, nozzle ring 290 may be fabricated of the same material as turbine cover portion 250. Alternatively, nozzle ring 290, along with surface 291 and vanes 292, can be a separate component from turbine cover portion 250. Moreover, turbine section 204 may also include a heat isolating shield 300 that substantially circumscribes at least a portion of second end portion 210 of rotor shaft 206. In the exemplary embodiment, heat isolating shield 300 is positioned between nozzle ring 290 and turbine rotor 214. Heat isolating shield 300 may be fabricated from any suitable material, such as a sheet metal.
Turbomachine assembly 112 also includes a center section 260 positioned between compressor section 202 and turbine section 204. A housing assembly 262 substantially encloses at least a portion of center section 260 and is also positioned between compressor section 202 and turbine section 204. Housing assembly 262, in the exemplary embodiment, substantially circumscribes at least a portion of middle portion 211 of rotor shaft 206 and encloses components of center section 260 therein. For example, as discussed above, a combustor section (not shown) and/or energy sources (not shown) may be positioned within center section 260 and enclosed by housing assembly 262.
Housing assembly 262 may be formed via a variety of manufacturing processes known in the art, such as, but not limited to, molding processes, drawing processes, or machining processes. One or more types of materials may be used to fabricate housing assembly 262 with the materials selected based on suitability for one or more manufacturing techniques, dimensional stability, cost, moldability, workability, rigidity, and/or other characteristic of the material(s). For example, housing assembly 262 may be at least partially formed from a metal material.
In the exemplary embodiment, housing assembly 262 includes two conduits 270 extending from compressor section 202 to turbine section 204 such that fluid can flow through each of the conduits 270 and be channeled between compressor section 202 and turbine section 204. Housing assembly 262 also includes at least one regulating valve 272 that is/are each in flow communication with compressor section 202 and turbine section 204. More specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, housing assembly 262 includes two regulating valves 272 such that each regulating valve 272 is positioned within a separate conduit 270. Each regulating valve 272 is configured to be modulated such the respective conduit 270 may be opened, closed, or partially opened such that fluid flow may be controlled within each conduit. More specifically, each regulating valve 272 is configured to be modulated such that fluid flow may be directed in a first direction 280 towards compressor section 202 or in a second direction 282 towards turbine section 204.
While two regulating valves 272 are included within the exemplary embodiment, housing assembly 262 may have any number of regulating valves 272 that enables turbomachine assembly 112 and/or power system 100 to function as described herein. Moreover, the location of regulating valves 272 are not limited to center section 260. For example, regulating valve 272 may be positioned within compressor section 202. More specifically, in some embodiments turbomachine assembly 112 may not have center section 260 included therein. As such, turbomachine assembly 112 would include compressor section 202 and turbine section 204 positioned adjacent to compressor section 202, and at least one regulating valve 272 would be positioned within compressor section 202.
Moreover, as discussed above, turbomachine assembly 112 also includes two shaft bearings 216 such that one bearing 216 is adjacent to at least a portion of first end portion 208 of rotor shaft 206 and one bearing 216 is adjacent to at least a portion of second end portion 210 of rotor shaft 206. More specifically, each bearing 216 is positioned within center section 260 such that one bearing 216 is adjacent to at least a portion of first end portion 208 of rotor shaft 206 and one bearing 216 is adjacent to at least a portion of second end portion 210 of rotor shaft 206. While bearings 216 are positioned within center section 260, bearings are not limited to being positioned within center section 260. For example, as discussed above, in some embodiments turbomachine assembly 112 may not have center section 260 included therein. As such, turbomachine assembly 112 would include compressor section 202 and turbine section 204 positioned adjacent to compressor section 202, and one bearing 216 would be positioned within compressor section 202 and another bearing 216 would be positioned within turbine section 204.
During operation of power system 100, machine 102 and at least some portions of turbomachine assembly 112 generate waste heat. More specifically, the combustion gases generated and used by machine 102 to power machine 102 may cause the emission of exhaust gases. More specifically, when fuel such as natural gas and/or fuel oil, air, diluents, and/or Nitrogen gas (N2), is injected into combustors 110 (shown in
Similarly, the use of burner 258 within turbine section 204 of turbomachine assembly 112 may cause the generation of exhaust gases from turbine section 204. For example, with regard to turbomachine assembly 112, air is channeled to compressor section 202 via inlet opening 240, wherein the air is compressed to a higher pressure and temperature. The air flows through channel 230 within flow path 232. At this time, bypass valve 223 is not obstructing flow path 232 such that the air can be channeled in second direction 236 towards center section 260. The compressed air may then be mixed with fuel and other fluids and ignited to generate combustion gases that are channeled towards turbine section 204. A combustor (not shown) within center section 260 or burner 258 may ignite the fuel mixture to generate expanding high temperature combustion gases that are channeled towards turbine section 204 such that turbine section 204 can convert the thermal energy from the combustion gas stream to mechanical rotational energy. This process within turbomachine assembly 112 may cause the emission of exhaust gases.
The exhaust gases emitted by machine 102 can be channeled from exhaust section 108, via conduit 113, to turbine section 204 of turbomachine assembly 112. Heat exchanger 259 can receive and recover the exhaust gases received from exhaust section 108 and/or the exhaust gases generated within turbine section 204. As additional compressed air is channeled from compressor section 202 to turbine section 204, energy from the waste heat recovered by heat exchanger 259 can be transmitted by heat exchanger 259 into the compressed air. When the waste heat is applied to the compressed air, the compressed air is energized. More specifically, at least one parameter of the compressed air is substantially increased. For example, the pressure, temperature, the velocity, and/or another aspect of the enthalpy of the compressed air is increased. Burner 258 may provide additional heat to the compressed air combined within the recovered waste heat to further energize the compressed air, such as increasing the temperature of the air.
The compressed air combined with the waste heat is channeled to nozzle ring 290, which channels the compressed air combined with the waste heat over turbine rotor 214. As fluid flow is channeled to turbine section 204, nozzle ring 290 channels the fluid flow over turbine rotor 214. In the exemplary embodiment, the shape and configuration of nozzle ring 290 can change the direction of the fluid flow as well accelerate the fluid flow. For example, vanes 292 may direct the fluid flow and facilitate accelerating the fluid flow that is channeled to turbine section 204. Vanes 292 direct the fluid flow to be channeled over blades 219 to facilitate rotating rotor 214 and shaft 206 such that mechanical rotational energy can be generated. The mechanical rotational energy is converted to electrical energy via load apparatus 114 for a power output. This additional power output may be transferred to either machine 102 or to turbomachine assembly 112 to provide additional power to each, or the power output may be delivered to, for example, energy storage device 116 (shown in
Moreover, the fluid flow within turbomachine assembly 112 may be controlled via control system 117 (shown in
As compared to known power systems that are configured to recover waste heat from within the system, the embodiments described herein provide a turbomachine assembly that facilitates an efficient solution to recovering waste heat that does not require a considerable amount of time and labor for installation and any existing machines within the system may not need to be taken apart or reassembled. More specifically, the embodiments described herein provide a turbomachine assembly for use in a power system that may be coupled to other components/machines within the power system and the turbomachine assembly is configured to recover waste heat from within the power system, such as from the attached machine, wherein the recovered waste heat can be used for power generation. The turbomachine assembly includes a compressor section that is configured to generate a compressed fluid flow and a turbine section that is in flow communication with the compressor section and configured to receive the compressed fluid flow. At least one heat exchanger is positioned within the turbine section, wherein the heat exchanger is configured to receive waste heat and to transmit the waste heat into the compressed fluid flow to increase at least one parameter of the compressed fluid flow such that a power output is generated by the waste heat. Accordingly, the turbomachine assembly is configured such that waste heat can be relatively easily recovered by the turbomachine assembly and used for power generation. By using a turbomachine assembly that is configured to recover and use waste heat, a user would not need to install externally located heat exchangers, along with the necessary externally located piping and control valves in order for the power system to be able to recover and reuse waste heat therein. Moreover, any existing machines within the system may not need to be taken apart or reassembled.
Exemplary embodiments of systems, apparatus, and methods are described above in detail. The systems, apparatus, and methods are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, but rather, components of each system, apparatus, and/or method may be utilized independently and separately from other components described herein. For example, each system may also be used in combination with other systems and is not limited to practice with only systems as described herein. Rather, the exemplary embodiment can be implemented and utilized in connection with many other applications.
Although specific features of various embodiments of the invention may be shown in some drawings and not in others, this is for convenience only. In accordance with the principles of the invention, any feature of a drawing may be referenced and/or claimed in combination with any feature of any other drawing.
This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.
