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INVENTION
Russian Federation Patent RU2140545

MODULAR POWER PLANT

MODULAR POWER PLANT

Name of the inventor: Nadav Amir (IL); Lucien I.Broniki
The name of the patentee: The format of Systems Inc.
Address for correspondence: 103735, Moscow, ul.Ilinka, 5/2, Soyuzpatent, patent attorneys Mitsu AV, EV Tomsk
Starting date of the patent: 1989.12.01

The modular power plant designed to produce energy by means of steam. The modular power plant, powered by geothermal steam source comprises a plurality of integrated power modules. Each module has a steam turbine operating on that source pair to form the heated exhaust of low pressure steam, steam condenser, containing an organic fluid for condensing the heat depleted steam to evaporate the organic fluid turbine operating on the organic fluid in a closed Rankine cycle capacitor organic fluid for condensing the heat depleted organic fluid in liquid, means for returning the recovered liquid to vapor condenser, an electric generator connected to the steam turbine and turbine operating on the organic fluid, steering control valve for controlling the flow of steam to the steam turbine and the amount of electricity produced by the generator. And each module has means controls the quantity of electricity produced by the generator unit in accordance with the electrical load of the power plant. Control is performed so that a decrease in the electric power plant load control valve of one module is adjusted to reduce the amount of electricity produced by them, and position control valves other modules remain unchanged for their work at nominal conditions. Furthermore, there is a means for collecting the heated exhaust steam from each module and to return it into the well. Such a design modular plant can improve its effectiveness and efficiency.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a power generation by steam, and more particularly to a modular power plant operating on geothermal steam source.

Water vapor is used to generate electricity for many years. In particular, in recent times as sources of energy are used in an increasing amount of geothermal sources of steam. Typically, for converting geothermal steam exiting wells into electric energy using the steam turbine.

Recently conducted more extensive use of this source of energy through the use of turbines operating in a closed organic Rankine cycle, and very often for power generation from these geothermal sources using a combination of steam turbines and turbine closed organic Rankine cycle, and in many cases, these sources contain noncondensable gases such as carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, etc., detrimental to the environment.

Known power plant operating on geothermal steam, comprising a steam turbine operating on a pair of source for the production of power and heat depleted steam low pressure, the condenser vapor containing an organic fluid for condensing the heat depleted steam to evaporate the organic fluid turbine , operating on an organic fluid closed loop Rankine for making the vaporized organic fluid and energy and hot spent vaporized organic fluid, an organic fluid condenser for condensing the heat depleted organic fluid in fluid return means resulting liquid in steam condenser, electric generator coupled to the turbine and a steam turbine operating on the organic fluid for producing and supplying electricity to the grid (US patent N 4542625).

In this power plant condenser water vapor, acting under pressure greater than atmospheric pressure is used to condense the spent steam discharged from the steam turbine and collect the non-condensable gases by applying an organic fluid which is vaporized for use in the turbine closed organic cycle Rankine. Subsequently, the condensate together with the non-condensable gas is pumped back into a reinjection well, whereby the release of gas is not produced in the free atmosphere. In such cases, commonly used one or more steam turbines to produce power from the geothermal steam exiting the wells with a larger number of separate closed organic turbines Rankine cycle, working at the exhaust steam discharged from the steam turbine. Thus, the power plant of this type requires a rather costly and the extensive distribution system having large diameter conduits for supplying the exhaust steam at a low pressure discharged from the steam turbine to the turbine closed organic Rankine cycle, and a rather complicated control system, because, for example, control exhaust steam should be carried out even in case of failure or malfunction of one or more turbines with an organic Rankine cycle. Moreover, breakdown or stopping of one or more turbines with an organic Rankine cycle or even a decrease in their performance, and typically causes a reduction in efficiency of the steam turbines as the organic fluid acts as a coolant steam condensers.

The basis of the invention is to provide a modular power plant, which through a simple and effective control system to reduce or eliminate the aforementioned drawbacks.

This object is achieved by providing a modular power plant operating on geothermal steam, comprising a plurality of integrated power modules each having a steam turbine operating on a pair of the source for power generation and heat depleted low pressure steam, steam condenser containing organic fluid to condense heat depleted steam to evaporate the organic fluid turbine operating on the organic fluid in a closed Rankine cycle for making the vaporized organic fluid and producing power and heat depleted vaporized organic fluid, an organic fluid condenser for condensing the heat depleted organic fluid in the liquid vehicle return the resulting liquid to a vapor condenser, an electrical generator coupled to the steam turbine and turbine operating on the organic fluid for producing and supplying electricity to the grid, adjustable control valve for controlling the flow of steam to the steam turbine and the quantity electricity produced by the generator, which, according to the invention, each module is provided with means value power control produced modulus generator control valves modules are adapted to their regulation control means in accordance with the electrical load of the power plant with regulation, by reducing the electrical load power plant, control valve of one module to reduce the value of electricity produced by them and maintaining unchanged the provisions of the control valves of other modules for their work at nominal conditions, and has the means to collect the hot exhaust steam from each module and for its return to the well.

Preferably, the pressure on the side of each pair of steam condenser module was greater than atmospheric.

It is advisable that there be a means for collecting non-condensible gases from the steam condenser module each pair, and a compressor for compressing the non-condensable gases collected and their return into the well.

It is desirable that the installation was arranged to return the non-condensable gases collected from the steam vapor condenser of each unit, in the same well, which returns the condensed organic waste heated fluid.

Possible that there be a means for mixing the non-condensable gases collected from the steam vapor condenser of each unit, with the heated condensed spent organic fluid before returning the condensed organic waste heated fluid into the well.

Useful organic fluid that was pentane. Thus, the present invention is suitable for operation on sources of geothermal steam and heat, and other sources such as steam available in industrial processes execution.

Since in the present invention the steam is distributed from a source in parallel to the various modules of the power plant is actually pressurized steam source itself, the diameter of the distribution piping is relatively small. Consequently, the size of the control valve and relatively small, so the cost of such facilities is considerably reduced. Further, since each power plant module comprising a steam turbine, a turbine, a closed organic Rankine cycle and preferably - one electrical generator, the present invention provides a high efficiency, a simple control operation and higher efficiency.

Embodiments of the invention are described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

on Figure 1 shows a known geothermal power plant;

at 2 is a block diagram of a geothermal power plant according to the present invention;

at 3 is a diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings, at Figures 1 , reference numeral 10 denotes an example of a conventional geothermal power plant for generating electric power from geothermal steam, wherein steam from well 11 flows via conduit 12 and control valve 13 to steam turbine 15. The turbine extracts working steam and drives generator 18 for supplying electricity to the electric mains through the protective subsystem 17 using control 14. Usually electric protection sub-system 17 includes circuit breakers and other protection means. and switching mechanisms are used. Pipelines 19a, 19b and 19c distribution release created for supplying exhaust steam exiting steam turbine 15 to steam condensers 27a, 27b, 27c using control valves 22a, 22b and 22c, controlled by control 25a devices, 25b and 25c, contained in the modules respectively 20a, 20b, 20c of the power plant with a closed organic Rankine cycle. Since the steam supplied to the power plant modules is a spent steam discharged from the steam turbine 15, its pressure is relatively low - typically a pressure of about 25 psi (1.76 kg / cm 2), the diameter of conduits 19a, 19b and 19c is relatively large, for example, it is approximately 140 cm, with valves 22a, 22b and 22c, and having a large size making such installations quite expensive. Capacitors 27a, 27b, 27c steam are preferably operated at above atmospheric pressures to facilitate the extraction of non-condensable gases contained in the steam from the system via compressor 26, with the condensate produced by condenser steam and compressed gases are injected into the reinjection well 45 by using pump 42. coils 28a, 28b, 28c, are available in the capacitors 27a, 27b and 27c containing organic fluid used to cool the condenser, and operate as vaporizers of the organic working fluid of the power plant modules, with a closed organic Rankine cycle , with the vaporized organic fluid produced in coils 28a, 28b, 28c, is fed to the turbines 30a, 30b and 30c, activating 35a generators, 35b and 35c, made for the generation of electric power supplied via switch gear and electric protection sub-system 34a, 34b and 34c to the electric grid. Pairs of the organic working fluid exiting 30a turbines, 30b and 30c, are fed to capacitors 36a, 36b and 36c of the fluid, which condenses and the condensed organic fluid is returned by pumps 38a, 38b and 38c to the coils 28a, 28b and 28c of the evaporator , completing its cycle. Cooling water contained in cooling water means (not shown) may be used to cool these condensers, or, if preferred, (not shown) of air supplied by air cooling means can be used for cooling with forced draft capacitors.

The control 25a device, 25b and 25c modules are designed to control the amount of heat depleted steam reaching 20a modules, 20b and 20c of the power plant, and adjusting the opening degree of the control 22a flaps, 22b and 22c in accordance with the monitored power produced by generators 35a, 35b and 36c, and / or the pressure in the coils 28a, 28b and 28c with the vaporizing medium. Furthermore, these control devices provide control of the amount of source steam reaching steam turbine 15 via control valve 13. Therefore, when, for example, less power is to be supplied mains controlling signal devices give the control valves 22a, 22b and 22c to reduce the degree of opening, which causes reduction of exhaust steam supplied to steam condensers 27a, 27b and 27c, thus decreasing the pressure in the coils 28a, 28b and 28c evaporators. Therefore, the performance of the turbines 30a, 30b and 30c, intended for the organic vapor generator and interconnected with them decreases. In this case, the control device and appropriately reduce the quantity of source steam reaching steam turbine 15 by adjusting the opening of the control valve 13, reducing its operating pressure and hence decreases and steam turbine power. This is because the organic working fluid contained in each module with a turbine with an organic Rankine cycle, acts as a cooling medium of water steam condensers of steam turbine 15. Furthermore, if one of the units of the power plant, operating in a closed cycle organic Rankine , a fault occurs, for example, 20a module, and it does not operate, the control 25a device will close control valve 22a and, hence, carry out an appropriate regulation of the valve 13, causing a change in the amount of water vapor from the source reaching steam turbine 15, which leads to this turbine operate at a pressure different from the nominal value, and consequently to a lower efficiency.

Referring to FIG. 2 , then it numeral 50 designates apparatus according to the present invention for producing power from steam wherein distribution conduit 52 for parallel supplying geothermal steam exiting the wells 51 to steam turbines contained in a plurality of integrated power plant modules , with three such modules 55a, 55b and 55c. However, the present invention and can be applied to one power plant module, for example, the module shown in FIG. 3 . Source steam pressures in total approximately 150 psi (10.5 kg / cm 2). Here, for convenience, we refer to a module 66a of the power plant, comprising a hydraulic control valve 57a and steam turbine 60a, intended to produce steam from the source and perform the work by actuating the electric generator 65a through 61a shaft, wherein steam at 60a turbine expands. 57a of the valve operation is controlled by the control unit 56a. Capacitor 62a steam, which preferably operates at pressures greater than atmospheric pressure facilitating the separation of non-condensable gases contained in the water vapor created for condensing spent steam exiting steam turbine 60a, by cooling the steam with organic fluid applied to the condenser in being therein coil 67a. This arrangement avoids the need to use vacuum pumps. Compressor 59 is provided for compressing the non-condensable gases in the condenser 62a of steam, the compressed gases flowing into the outlet conduit 75, where, together with condensate formed by the condenser, through the use of the pump are fed 76 to reinjection well 80. Coil 67a and acts as an evaporator turbine with a closed organic rankine cycle with the organic working fluid contained in the coil being vaporized, and the vaporized fluid is supplied to the turbine 70a, destined for an organic vapor, where it expands and produces useful work by preferably also driving electric generator action 65a via shaft 68a. Preferably, an organic working fluid is pentane was used. However, there may be used, and other organic fluids such as freon, etc. Preferably electric generator 65a according to the capacities of steam turbine 60a and 70a to organic vapor turbine, the power generated by them should preferably be the sum of the individual capacities of the steam turbine and for organic vapor turbine. For example, the capacity of steam turbine 60a may be 1.5 MW with the capacity of the turbine 70a and organic vapor may be 1.5 MW in case the power generator 65a is 3 MW, permitting the simultaneous operation as a steam turbine and a turbine operating on the organic pair at full power. Although it is not shown, if preferred, can be installed clutch, located on the shafts 61a and 68a between the generator and the turbine, respectively, for the steam turbine and for organic vapor and and where preferably with separate electric generators. Created capacitor 72a organic fluid for condensing organic vapor exiting turbine 70a, the condenser being cooled by air supplied forced draft means (not shown) or, if preferred, by cooling water supplied to the condenser through suitable means (not shown). Pump 74a returns condensed organic fluid to coil 67a, completing the organic fluid cycle. Thus, the power unit 50 is a hybrid power plant comprising a portion which operates on geothermal steam and a portion which operates on an organic fluid.

Thus, as can be seen from FIG. 2 , when the device 50 is operated, steam is supplied from the well 51 through conduit 52, it is distributed to the different modules by the operation of the power plant control valves 57a, 57b and 57c, controlled control devices 56a, 56b and 56c. Since the steam is distributed to the power plant modules under pressure rather comparable with the pressure source of water vapor in the well 51 than at a relatively low pressure at the outlet of the steam turbine, which is the case in conventional use, an example of which is shown in FIG. 1 , the diameter of the distribution piping is relatively small, for example, it is approximately 50 cm when a pressure of about 150 psi is used (10.5 kgf / cm 2). In addition, thanks to the size of control valves 57a, 57b and 57c and is relatively small, thereby providing significant savings. Steam reaching steam turbines 60a, 60b and 60c, expands, does work and wherein when the shafts 61a, 61b and 61c drive the generators 65a, 65b and 65c, the electrical energy produced. Exhaust steam discharged from 60a turbines, 60b and 60c, is supplied to steam condensers 62a, 62b and 62c, where it condenses, the condensate and non-condensable gases collected in the condenser steam introduced into the well 80 through the conduit 75 using pump 76 wherein the non-condensable gases are compressed by compressor 59. Vaporized organic working fluid, formed in the coils 67a, 67b and 67c, is supplied to steam turbines 70a, 70b and 70c, where it expands, causing the turbines to rotate, with their power cables carry electric generators 65a, 65b and 65c, which furnishes the electric power to the electric grid via protection circuits and appropriate switch gears. Thus, 70a turbines, 70b and 70c for organic vapor and contribute to the power generators 65a, 65b and 65c, the shared electric generators and electric components such as shared switch gears providing improved economy and a greater convenience of operation. Heat depleted organic vapors exiting 70a turbines, 70b and 70c, are fed to capacitors 72a, 72b and 72c organic fluid where they condense, the condensate produced is supplied to the coils, respectively 67a, 67b and 67c of the evaporator, using 74a pumps, 74b and 74c.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 , the control 56a device, 56b and 56c control the level of electric power generated by the modules by controlling the power level 65a generators, 65b and 65c and the pressure in the coils 67a, 67b and 67c of the evaporator, but also appropriate adjustment of the amount of steam supplied to the modules energy installation by using valves 57a, 57b and 57c control the steam.

For example, during normal operation, if the control device indicates that the power grid must be made smaller current, the amount of water vapor from the source applied to only one power plant module, such as module 55a, may be reduced by appropriately adjusting its control valve, providing supplied by this module to the electric circuit of smaller capacity, at the same time allowing the other power plant modules to continue operating at their nominal values, maintaining their efficiency levels. Therefore, in this case, in module 55a control unit 56a causes a decrease in the degree of opening of the control 57a of the valve, allowing a smaller quantity of steam from source to steam turbine 60a, and thereafter the capacitor 62a steam reduces coil operating pressure 67a of the evaporator, causing a reduction in work done by the turbine 70a and organic vapor for a steam turbine 60a, therefore, the energy produced by the generator 65a, decreases. In addition, if one of the modules is not working due to a malfunction or of service, etc., idle control module is reduced to simply close its control valve, while the other modules continue to operate at their nominal values. Consequently, for the ongoing work at the steam turbines contained in other modules, will remain high efficiency. This is contrary to conventional power plants, an example of which is shown in FIG. 1 , where the closing operation of one of the modules 20a, 20b and 20c and would reduce the amount of steam supplied to steam turbine 15 in Fig. 1 , by partially closing valve 13 for the steam, which leads to a change in the operating pressure of the steam turbine relative to the nominal value and consequently reducing its efficiency. Thus, in the present invention by including a steam turbine together with the turbine closed organic Rankine cycle and preferably a single electric generator in each power plant module, achieves a relatively high efficiency, improved economy, and and a simpler machine control of the power producing, and there is only one steam control valve per module, and included the need for separate control valves for steam turbines and turbine with an organic Rankine cycle that occurred in the prior art. Furthermore, the presence of a steam turbine together with a turbine with an organic Rankine cycle integrated into each power plant module makes the construction of such power plants and their maintenance more convenient. The present invention saves, for example, large span structure to accommodate steam turbine were constructed according to the conventional prior art. Furthermore, if preferred, in a particular embodiment, pumps 74a, 74b and 74c may be mounted on a common shaft with the steam turbines and steam turbines for organic, permitting the automatic start turbines closed organic Rankine cycle. If preferable, in the present invention the modules can remain ready to supply the generated electricity to auxiliaries, enabling them to be connected to the electric grid almost immediately when called upon.

Although this embodiment designs relates to the use of geothermal steam, the present invention and suitable for its use with other heat sources such as industrial fluids and steam, the container is exposed to solar energy, waste heat from industrial processes for example flue gases, where, if necessary, an intermediate heat exchanger for heat transfer can be built from source to power plant module by generating steam.

Use of organic fluid in portion of the power plant with such types of heat sources provides a distinct advantage due to their thermodynamic properties, for example their relatively low boiling point, a minimum moisture vapor obtained upon expansion in the turbine, and relatively high levels of preheat (i.e. ratio of the number heat per unit time required to raise the temperature of the organic working liquid from the condenser temperature to the vaporization temperature, remaining in liquid form, the total amount of heat per unit time required to evaporate the working fluid) obtained when using appropriate organic fluids. Using the present invention may be particularly advantageous in cases where the use of apparatus containing flammable materials is forbidden. In such cases, part of the module in which the steam turbine, may be located in the forbidden areas, allowing the production of electric energy even in such places.

It is believed that the preferred embodiment of the above description of the invention are obvious advantages and improved results furnished by the method and apparatus according to the invention. It may be made various changes and modifications of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope set forth in the following claims.

It should be understood that the proposed invention applies not only to the power plant modules, and to a method of using these units of the power plant, as described above. Also, although possible to use several electric generators driven by turbines it is preferred in each power plant module to use a single generator positioned between the turbine and the steam turbine operating on the organic fluid in a closed Rankine cycle.

CLAIM

1. A modular power plant operating on geothermal steam source comprising a plurality of integrated power modules each having a steam turbine operating on steam for this source of energy and producing heat depleted low pressure steam, steam condenser, containing an organic fluid for the condensation heated exhaust steam to evaporate the organic fluid turbine operating on the organic fluid in a closed Rankine cycle for making the vaporized organic fluid and producing power and heat depleted vaporized organic fluid, an organic fluid condenser for condensing the heat depleted organic fluid a liquid means return the resulting liquid and capacitor couple an electric generator connected to the steam turbine and turbine operating on the organic fluid for producing and supplying electricity to the grid, adjustable control valve for controlling the flow of steam to the steam turbine and the quantity of electricity, produced by the generator, characterized in that each module is provided with means value power control produced modulus generator control valves modules are adapted to their regulation control means in accordance with the electrical load of the power plant with regulation, by reducing the electrical load power plant, the control valve of one module to reduce their quantities produced electricity and maintaining the provisions of the control valves neizmenimym other modules for their work at nominal conditions, and has the means to collect the hot exhaust steam from each module and for its return to the well.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the pressure on the steam vapor condenser outside of each unit greater.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that there are means for collecting non-condensible gases from the steam condenser module each pair and a compressor for compressing the non-condensable gases collected and their return into the well.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that it is configured to return the non-condensable gases collected from the steam vapor condenser of each unit, in the same well, which returns the condensed organic waste heated fluid.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that there are means for mixing the non-condensable gases collected from the steam condenser module each pair, with the heated condensed spent organic fluid before returning the condensed spent organic fluid to the well.

6. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 - 5, wherein said organic fluid is pentane.

print version
Publication date 13.01.2007gg