Title: Enhancing power cycle efficiency for a supercritical Brayton cycle power system using tunable supercritical gas mixtures

Abstract

Various technologies pertaining to tuning composition of a fluid mixture in a supercritical Brayton cycle power generation system are described herein. Compounds, such as Alkanes, are selectively added or removed from an operating fluid of the supercritical Brayton cycle power generation system to cause the critical temperature of the fluid to move up or down, depending upon environmental conditions. As efficiency of the supercritical Brayton cycle power generation system is substantially optimized when heat is rejected near the critical temperature of the fluid, dynamically modifying the critical temperature of the fluid based upon sensed environmental conditions improves efficiency of such a system.

Inventors:

Wright, Steven A.; Pickard, Paul S.; Vernon, Milton E.; Radel, Ross F.

Issue Date:

2017-08-29

Research Org.:

Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1377870

Patent Number(s):

9745899

Application Number:

13/204,150

Assignee:

National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F01 - MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL F01K - STEAM ENGINE PLANTS

F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F02 - COMBUSTION ENGINES F02C - GAS-TURBINE PLANTS

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F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F01 - MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL F01K - STEAM ENGINE PLANTS

F01K25/08 - using special vapours
F01K25/103 - {Carbon dioxide
F01K7/32 - the engines using steam of critical or overcritical pressure

F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F02 - COMBUSTION ENGINES F02C - GAS-TURBINE PLANTS

F02C1/10 - Closed cycles
F02C9/00 - Controlling gas-turbine plants

F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F22 - STEAM GENERATION F22B - METHODS OF STEAM GENERATION

F22B29/026 - {operating at critical or supercritical pressure}
F22B3/08 - at critical or supercritical pressure values
F22B35/086 - {operating at critical or supercritical pressure}

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02E - REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

Y02E10/46 - Conversion of thermal power into mechanical power, e.g. Rankine, Stirling solar thermal engines

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DOE Contract Number:  

AC04-94AL85000

Resource Type:

Patent

Resource Relation:

Patent File Date: 2011 Aug 05

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

42 ENGINEERING