RE: GAS-L: Gas "topping" turbines

[Peter Singfield <snkm@btl.net>]

At 01:31 PM 1/29/2001 +0100, you wrote:
>Dear List,
>
>With respect to the Kalina cycle and "gas turbines", 
>
>I find:
>
****************snipped****************

>7) no good story yet as how to deal with the (unfriendly) ammonia atmosphere
>in which the full cycle operates. This has severe repercussions from an OSHA
>point of view and will require the full boiler+htex+turbine+condenser train
>to operate under a stringent technical and operational regime. This is not
>to be taken lightly! One reference quotes the working fluid as no less than
>70% ammonia concentration.
>

Hi Andries;

Yes - rather a complicated system to put into operation. A modern high
quality steam boiler is a "given". "Given" meaning it exists -- is produced
on a regular basis -- is economically feasible and is well "debugged".

We can certainly say the same of steam turbines designed for high quality
steam.

A topping turbine is simply that same device with the last few stages omitted.

Refrigerant turbines are also well developed.

Duel working fluids systems will bring the same increase in over all
efficiencies -- probably more so -- are simple to work with.

The only difference is though the systems exist independent of each other
-- no one has considered joining both together.

There is certainly no reason why it would not work. 

Further -- this style system would be extremely easy to proto-type. Simply
order the off the shelf components.

As example -- I took a look at:

http://www.heuristicengineering.com/

Heuristic Engineering Inc. Waste-Disposal /Energy recovery systems


Here we are shown a gasifier that can operate on up to 65% humidity biomass
as fuel.

I have already researched high quality steam boilers - gas fired. These are
also a "given" -- no problem ordering one up for any size or steam quality
-- and they are economical compared to other boilers of the same ratings.

The steam turbine is another "given" -- I know one manufacturer that can
supply in sizes from 100 kw to 10 megawatt.

The refrigerant cycle boiler/turbine is also an off the shelf item. Just
check out the Geothermal power industry.

To me -- this is a simple process to implement.

Yet I can not find any references to any such attempt to date.

For small scale applications -- say 50 kw and less.

A topping steam piston engine capable on operating with back pressure (I
have that design) coupled with a refrigerant working fluid steam piston
engine (I have that design as well)

I believe 30% over all efficiencies easily -- and possible breaking of 50%
efficiency level.

Flow diagram by text:

Biomass gasifier capable of using high humidity fuels. No complications of
drying fuel -- or even fuel "conditioning" -- such as pelletizing. Along
the lines of the first reference in this com -- 

http://www.heuristicengineering.com/ 
Heuristic Engineering Inc. Waste-Disposal /Energy recovery systems

But smaller scale.

Coupled to a very high steam quality gas fired boiler -- say 600 PSI with
1400 F super heat.

This powering a small steam piston engine which "tops" from 400 PSI 1400 F
(very superheated) to 250 PSI 400 F saturated steam as exhaust.

This exhaust steam "condensed" by refrigerant boiler (butane) operating at
just under 400 F. The exhaust from this would be warm water -- just above
ambient temperature. Plus waste heat from the butane condenser -- at around
20 F above ambient.

We have went over the math modeling. Under these conditions -- very high
over all efficiencies are possible.

This is how we can squeeze the most mechanical energy, for the least
investment, with the greatest reliability -- from heat energy. Small or
large scale systems.

A system of 500 to 1 megawatt can be based on turbines as I have a
manufacturer for both the steam and refrigerant working fluids in that size
range.

The refrigerant boiler is a standard industrial unit for building
centralized air conditioning systems -- another off the shelf item. That
includes the heat exchangers, circulation pumps and the cooling tower.

Everything exists -- it is simply a matter of connecting them together.
Some pipe fitting if you will.

This would be a small, fast, research project of minor investment. I feel
this would address all the present problems concerned with biomass
gasification.

Fuel conditioning, gas cleaning -- would no longer be required. Loss in
efficiencies in these processes would no longer be occurring.

Over all efficiencies greatly enhanced.

And from 500 kw to any size!!

What more??


Peter Singfield / Belize











>Andries Weststeijn
>
>The Gasification List is sponsored by
>USDOE BioPower Program http://www.eren.doe.gov/biopower/
>and PRM Energy Systems http://www.prmenergy.com
>
>Other Sponsors, Archives and Information
>http://www.nrel.gov/bioam/
>http://www.crest.org/renewables/gasification-list-archive
>http://solstice.crest.org/renewables/biomass-info/gasref.shtml
>http://www.crest.org/renewables/biomass-info/
>http://www.crest.org/renewables/biomass-info/carbon.shtml
>
The Gasification List is sponsored by
USDOE BioPower Program http://www.eren.doe.gov/biopower/
and PRM Energy Systems http://www.prmenergy.com

Other Sponsors, Archives and Information
http://www.nrel.gov/bioam/
http://www.crest.org/renewables/gasification-list-archive
http://solstice.crest.org/renewables/biomass-info/gasref.shtml
http://www.crest.org/renewables/biomass-info/
http://www.crest.org/renewables/biomass-info/carbon.shtml