Integrated power generation and compression train, and method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10815882-B2
Application number	US-201615768187-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 17, 2016
Priority date	Oct 20, 2015
Publication date	Oct 27, 2020
Grant date	Oct 27, 2020

Abstract

Disclosed herein is an integrated power generation and load driving system, comprising in combination a multi-shaft gas turbine engine comprising a high-pressure turbine mechanically coupled to an air compressor; and a low-pressure turbine, fluidly coupled to but mechanically separated from the high-pressure turbine and mechanically coupled to an output power shaft wherein the output power shaft is connected to a shaft line an electric generator, mechanically coupled to the shaft line and driven into rotation by the gas turbine engine a rotating load, mechanically coupled to the shaft line and driven into rotation by the gas turbine engine a load control arrangement, configured for controlling at least one operating parameter of the rotating load to adapt the operating condition of the rotating load to process requirements from a process, whereof the rotating load forms part, while the low-pressure turbine and the electric generator rotate at a substantially constant speed.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An integrated power generation and load driving system, the system comprising in combination:
a multi-shaft gas turbine engine comprising a high-pressure turbine mechanically coupled to an air compressor; and a low-pressure turbine, fluidly coupled to but mechanically separated from the high-pressure turbine and mechanically coupled to an output power shaft; the output power shaft being connected to a shaft line;
an electric generator, mechanically coupled to the shaft line and driven into rotation by the gas turbine engine; and
a rotating load, mechanically coupled to the shaft line and driven into rotation by the gas turbine engine ; and
a load control arrangement, configured for controlling at least one operating parameter of the rotating load to adapt the operating condition of the rotating load to process requirements from a process, whereof the rotating load forms part, while the low-pressure turbine and the electric generator rotate at a substantially constant speed that is independent from the speed of high-pressure turbine.

2. The integrated power generation and load driving system of claim 1 , wherein the substantially constant speed of the low-pressure turbine of the gas turbine engine and of the electric generator is imposed by an electric frequency of an electric power distribution grid , whereto the electric generator is connected.

3. The integrated power generation and load driving system of claim 1 , wherein the load control arrangement is configured and arranged for adjusting one or more of the following parameters: a suction pressure of a working fluid processed by the rotating load a delivery pressure of the working fluid processed by the rotating load; a pressure ratio between a delivery side and a suction side of the rotating load; a working fluid flow rate through the rotating load; a rotation speed of the rotating load.

4. The integrated power generation and load driving system of claim 1 , wherein the rotating load is a turbomachine, where through a fluid from said process, whereof the turbomachine forms part, is processed.

5. The integrated power generation and load driving system of claim 1 , wherein the load control arrangement comprises one or more of the following: a by-pass valve arranged in parallel to the rotating load and connecting a delivery side and a suction side of the rotating load; a variable inlet guide vane arrangement; a throttling or laminating valve fluidly coupled to a delivery side of the rotating load; a variable speed coupling along the shaft line, between the electric generator and the rotating load, configured and controlled to modify the rotation speed of the rotating load, while the rotation speed of the electric generator remains substantially constant.

6. The integrated power generation and load driving system of claim 1 , further comprising a clutch between the electric generator and the rotating load.

7. The integrated power generation and load driving system of claim 1 , further comprising a turboexpander mechanically coupled to the shaft line, configured and arranged for receiving a pressurized working fluid from a source of pressurized working fluid and converting pressure energy of the pressurized working fluid into mechanical power available on the shaft line.

8. The integrated power generation and load driving system of claim 7 , wherein the turboexpander is mechanically coupled to the shaft line through a clutch.

9. The integrated power generation and load driving system of claim 1 , wherein the electric generator is devoid of a motor mode capability.

10. The integrated power generation and load driving system of claim 1 , wherein the electric generator is arranged between the gas turbine engine and the rotating load.

11. The integrated power generation and load driving system of claim 1 , wherein the rotating load is controlled to rotate at a substantially constant speed.

12. The integrated power generation and load driving system of claim 1 , wherein the rotating load is arranged between the gas turbine engine and the electric generator.

13. A method of operating an integrated power generation and load driving system, comprising: a gas turbine engine; an electric generator; a rotating load; a shaft line mechanically coupling the electric generator and the rotating load to the gas turbine engine; the method comprising the following steps:
rotating the gas turbine engine and the electric generator at a rotation speed, having a speed variation limited by a frequency variation admitted by an electric power distribution grid, whereto the electric generator is electrically coupled; and
controlling at least one operating parameter of the rotating load by means of a load control arrangement, to adapt the operating condition of the rotating load to process requirements from a process, whereof the rotating load forms part, without changing the rotation speed of the electric generator;
wherein the gas turbine engine is a multiple-shaft gas turbine engine comprised of at least a first shaft, mechanically connecting an air compressor to a high-pressure turbine, and a power shaft drivingly connected to a low-pressure turbine, fluidly coupled to but mechanically separated from the high-pressure turbine, and receiving partly expanded combustion gas therefrom; wherein high-temperature combustion gas generated in a combustor, which receives compressed air from the air compressor and fuel, is partly expanded in the high-pressure turbine to produce mechanical power for driving the air compressor, and partly expanded in the low-pressure turbine to produce mechanical power available on the shaft line.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the rotating load is a rotating turbomachine, and wherein an operating point of the turbomachine is controlled, in response to process requirements, by acting upon at least one of the following parameters: a suction pressure of a working fluid processed by the rotating load; a delivery pressure of the working fluid processed by the rotating load; a pressure ratio between a delivery side and a suction side of the rotating load; a working fluid flow rate through the rotating load; a rotation speed of the rotating load.

Assignees

• Nuovo Pignone Tecnologie Srl

Inventors

• Marcucci Daniele
• Bianchi Paolo
• Iurisci Giuseppe
• Milani Giuliano

Classifications

• F25J1/0285

  Combination of different types of drivers mechanically coupled to the same refrigerant compressor, possibly split on multiple compressor casings · CPC title

• F25J1/0287

  including an electrical motor · CPC title

• F02C3/103

  the compressor being of the centrifugal type · CPC title

• F05D2210/14

  Refrigerants with particular properties, e.g. HFC · CPC title

• F05D2220/766

  via a direct connection, i.e. a gearless transmission · CPC title