Abstract:
Systems and methods for selectively producing steam from solar collectors and heaters, for processes including enhanced oil recovery. A representative system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a water source, a solar collector that includes a collector inlet, a collector outlet, and a plurality of solar concentrators positioned to heat water passing from the collector inlet to the collector outlet, a fuel-fired heater, a steam outlet connected to an oil field injection well, and a water flow network coupled among the water source, the solar collector, the heater, and the steam outlet. The system can further include a controller operatively coupled to the water flow network and programmed with instructions that, when executed, direct at least one portion of the flow through the solar collector and the fuel-fired heater in a first sequence, and direct the at least one portion or a different portion of the flow through the solar collector and the fuel-fired heater in a second sequence different than the first sequence.
Abstract:
A system and method are provided for storing electric energy in the form of thermal energy. A thermoelectric energy storage system includes a working fluid circuit for circulating a working fluid through a heat exchanger, and a thermal storage medium circuit for circulating a thermal storage medium. The thermal storage medium circuit includes at least one hot storage tank, an intermediate temperature storage tank, and a cold storage tank connected together via the heat exchanger. A proportion of the storage medium is redirected to or from the intermediate storage tank from or to the hot or cold storage tank, joining another proportion which flows directly between the cold and hot storage tank.
Abstract:
A system for preheating a heat recovery steam generator is provided. The system includes a tank and a heat exchanger. The tank contains a transferring medium. The heat exchanger is disposed in a flow path of a flue gas produced by a combustion chamber, and is fluidly connected to the tank such that the transferring medium flows through the heat exchanger and is heated by the flue gas. The transferring medium preheats one or more components of the heat recovery steam generator.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for selectively producing steam from solar collectors and heaters, for processes including enhanced oil recovery, are disclosed herein. A system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a water source, a solar collector that includes a collector inlet, a collector outlet, and a plurality of solar concentrators positioned to heat water passing from the collector inlet to the collector outlet, a fuel-fired heater, a steam outlet connected to an oil field injection well, and a water flow network coupled among the water source, the solar collector, the heater, and the steam outlet. The system can further include a controller operatively coupled to the water flow network and programmed with instructions that, when executed, direct at least one portion of the flow through the solar collector and the fuel-fired heater in a first sequence, and direct the at least one portion or a different portion of the flow through the solar collector and the fuel-fired heater in a second sequence different than the first sequence.
Abstract:
A method for producing a plug-in connector includes stripping a cable on a free end in a first and second region of a sheath of the cable, where a shield is disposed below the sheath on the cable. The method includes disposing a first electrically conductive spring element in the first region, and removing the sheath and the shield from the second region, thereby forming an end portion of the free end of the cable on which exposed wires of the cable are disposed. The method includes disposing contact elements on the exposed wires, and disposing a shield sleeve around the first electrically conductive spring element. The method includes fastening the shield sleeve on the sheath before and after the first electrically conductive spring element, and providing an insulating housing such that the insulating housing at least partially surrounds the shield sleeve and the free end of the cable.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for selectively producing steam from solar collectors and heaters, for processes including enhanced oil recovery, are disclosed herein. A system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a water source, a solar collector that includes a collector inlet, a collector outlet, and a plurality of solar concentrators positioned to heat water passing from the collector inlet to the collector outlet, a fuel-fired heater, a steam outlet connected to an oil field injection well, and a water flow network coupled among the water source, the solar collector, the heater, and the steam outlet. The system can further include a controller operatively coupled to the water flow network and programmed with instructions that, when executed, direct at least one portion of the flow through the solar collector and the fuel-fired heater in a first sequence, and direct the at least one portion or a different portion of the flow through the solar collector and the fuel-fired heater in a second sequence different than the first sequence.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein are various systems and methods for producing mechanical power from a heat source. The system may include a heat recovery heat exchanger, a turbine, a condenser heat exchanger, and a liquid circulating pump, etc. In other embodiments, a desuperheater or an economizer, or both, may be employed. In one illustrative embodiment, the system comprises a first heat exchanger adapted to receive a fluid from a heat source and a working fluid, wherein, when the working fluid is passed through the first heat exchanger, the working fluid is converted to a vapor via heat transfer with the fluid from the heat source, at least one turbine adapted to receive the vapor, and an optional economizer heat exchanger adapted to receive exhaust vapor from the turbine and the working fluid, wherein a temperature of the working fluid is adapted to be increased via heat transfer with the exhaust vapor from the turbine prior to the introduction of the working fluid into the first heat exchanger. The system further comprises a condenser heat exchanger that is adapted to receive the exhaust vapor from the turbine after the exhaust vapor has passed through the optional economizer heat exchanger and a cooling fluid, wherein a temperature of the exhaust vapor is reduced via heat transfer with the cooling fluid, and a pump that is adapted to circulate the working fluid to the optional economizer heat exchanger.
Abstract:
An arrangement for storing energy to cover peak-load conditions and serve as a stop-gap reserve in steam power plants. A live steam generator is connected to a steam turbine, and a storage vessel is provided with a steam cushion volume and a water content volume. The water content of the storage vessel is connected, on the one hand, to a single-or multi-stage secondary steam generator which is connected, in turn, on the steam side to the turbine by a working steam line. A hot-water return line connects the secondary steam generator on the water side to the feed water line and/or a compensation vessel connected to the feed water line. The steam cushion volume of the storage vessel is connected, on the other hand, by a steam line, to a point of the main steam cycle of the plant which is upstream of the entry point of the working steam line. In particular, the steam cushion is connected to the live steam line. The secondary steam generator may be in the form of one or several flash tanks or heat exchangers. It also may consist of several superheaters through which hot water flows.
Abstract:
A process for energy management includes actuating a closed cyclic thermodynamic transformation, first in one direction in a charge configuration/phase and then in the opposite direction in a discharge configuration/phase, between a casing for the storage of a working fluid other than atmospheric air, in gaseous phase and in equilibrium of pressure with the atmosphere, and a tank for the storage of the working fluid in liquid or super-critical phase with a temperature close to its own critical temperature. In the charge phase, the process accumulates heat and pressure. In the discharge phase, the process generates energy. The process includes actuating, with at least one part of the working fluid, at least one closed thermodynamic cycle, even at the same time as the charge phase or as the discharge phase; and heating the working fluid by means of at least one oxy-combustion within the closed thermodynamic cycle.
Abstract:
A process for energy management includes actuating a closed cyclic thermodynamic transformation, first in one direction in a charge configuration/phase and then in the opposite direction in a discharge configuration/phase, between a casing for the storage of a working fluid other than atmospheric air, in gaseous phase and in equilibrium of pressure with the atmosphere, and a tank for the storage of the working fluid in liquid or super-critical phase with a temperature close to its own critical temperature. In the charge phase, the process accumulates heat and pressure. In the discharge phase, the process generates energy. The process includes actuating, with at least one part of the working fluid, at least one closed thermodynamic cycle, even at the same time as the charge phase or as the discharge phase; and heating the working fluid by means of at least one oxy-combustion within the closed thermodynamic cycle.