Modular electric power generation system and method of use

• US 20070254196A1
• Filed: 04/28/2006
• Published: 11/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Richards, Randall, Chapman, James, Rytter, Noel, Debord, William
• Granted Patent: US 7,787,997 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 60/39.281
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 15/10 Adaptations for driving, or combinations with, electric generators
• CPC Class Codes: F02C 3/22 the fuel or oxidant being gaseous at standard temperature and pressure F02C3/28 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2220/75 equipment using fuel having a low calorific value, e.g. low BTU fuel, waste end, syngas, biomass fuel or flare gas
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2230/50 Building or constructing in particular ways
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2240/40 Use of a multiplicity of similar components
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2250/80 Size or power range of the machines

Abstract

A self-contained, modular electric power generation system includes a portable housing having a modular shell disposed substantially on a foundation, wherein the portable housing is configured to facilitate the transportation of the modular electric power generation system. The system also includes a power generator disposed substantially within the portable housing. The power generator is configured to collect fuel associated with a fuel source and convert at least a portion of the collected fuel to electrical energy. The system also includes a sensing device configured to be coupled to the fuel source. The sensing device is configured to monitor a fuel level associated with the fuel source and provide data indicative of the fuel level to a management console associated with the power generation system. The system also includes a controller coupled to the power generator. The controller is configured to monitor an amount of fuel consumed by the conversion process, and provide data indicative of the amount of fuel consumed by the conversion process to the management console.

Claims

1. A self-contained, modular electric power generation system, comprising:

a portable housing having a modular shell disposed substantially on a foundation, wherein the portable housing is configured to facilitate the transportation of the modular electric power generation system;

a power generator disposed substantially within the portable housing and configured to;

collect fuel associated with a fuel source; and

convert at least a portion of the collected fuel to electrical energy;

a sensing device configured to be coupled to the fuel source and configured to;

monitor a fuel level associated with the fuel source; and

provide data indicative of the fuel level to a management console associated with the power generation system; and

a controller coupled to the power generator and configured to;

monitor an amount of fuel consumed by the conversion process; and

provide data indicative of the amount of fuel consumed to the management console.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the management console is configured to:

analyze the data indicative of the fuel level and the amount of fuel consumed;

provide a request for additional power generation systems, if the fuel level exceeds the amount of fuel consumed; and

provide a request to reduce a power generation capability associated with a power generation environment, if the fuel level is below a predetermined threshold.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein reducing the power generation capability includes reducing a quantity of power generation systems associated with the fuel source.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein reducing the power generation capability includes reducing the amount of fuel consumed by the power generator.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the fuel includes methane gas and the fuel source further includes one or more of a landfill site, a subterranean fuel source, a mine site, an agricultural site, a natural gas system, or an enteric fermentation system.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the power generator is further configured to generate greenhouse gas credits based on an amount of methane consumed by the conversion process.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the power generator further includes a splitter fluidly coupled to the fuel source and configured to:

provide, in a first state, substantially all of the methane to an engine system for combusting the fuel to generate electric energy; and

provide, in a second state, substantially all of the methane to flaring device for combusting the fuel to prevent an environmental emission of the methane when the engine is inoperable.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the power generator is selectively coupled to at least one of an electric power storage device, an electric power transmission grid, or an electric power distribution grid and configured to produce three-phase, AC power.

9. A method for operating a modular power plant environment comprising:

providing one or more power generation modules in a power plant environment;

collecting, in the one or more power generation modules, fuel associated with a fuel source;

converting at least a portion of the collected fuel to electrical energy via a combustion process;

monitoring a fuel production level associated with the fuel source;

determining a fuel consumption rate associated with the power generation system; and

adjusting an operational aspect associated with the power generation modules based on one or more of the fuel production level or the fuel consumption rate.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the fuel includes methane gas and wherein determining a fuel consumption rate associated with the power generation system further includes:

calculating, based on the fuel consumption rate, an amount of methane converted into carbon dioxide during the conversion process;

determining a quantity of greenhouse gas credits based on the calculation; and

validating the quantity of greenhouse gas credits.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the fuel includes methane gas and the fuel source includes one or more of a landfill site, a subterranean fuel source, a mine site, an agricultural site, a natural gas system, or an enteric fermentation system.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein adjusting the operational aspects associated with the power generation modules includes:

providing, if the fuel production level exceeds a fuel consumption rate, one or more additional power generation modules to the power plant environment; and

reducing, if the fuel consumption rate exceeds the fuel production level by a threshold amount, one or more of a number of power generation modules or fuel consumption rate.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the reducing further includes:

reducing, if the fuel consumption rate exceeds the fuel production level by a first threshold amount, a fuel consumption rate associated with the power plant environment; and

reducing, if the fuel consumption rate exceeds the fuel production level by a second threshold amount, the number of power generation modules associated with the power plant environment.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the converting includes combusting the at least a portion of the collected fuel to produce electrical energy.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein converting includes combusting the at least a portion of the collected fuel using a flaring device.

16. A modular power plant environment comprising:

a fuel source;

at least one modular electric power generation system, each comprising;

a portable housing having a modular shell disposed substantially on a foundation, wherein the portable housing is configured to facilitate the transportation of the modular electric power generation system;

a power generator disposed substantially within the portable housing and configured to;

collect fuel associated with the fuel source; and

convert at least a portion of the collected fuel to electrical energy;

a sensing device configured to be coupled to the fuel source and configured to;

monitor a fuel level associated with the fuel source; and

provide data indicative of the fuel level to a management console associated with the power generation system; and

a controller coupled to the power generator and configured to;

monitor an amount of fuel consumed by the conversion process; and

provide data indicative of the amount of fuel consumed by the conversion process to the management console; and

the management console, coupled to the at least one power generation system associated with the power plant environment, configured to;

analyze the data indicative of the fuel level and the amount of fuel consumed; and

adjust an operational aspect associated with the power generation modules based on one or more of the fuel level or the fuel consumption.

17. The environment of claim 16, wherein the power generator is selectively coupled to at least one of an electric power storage device, an electric power transmission grid, or an electric power distribution grid and configured to produce three-phase, AC power.

18. The environment of claim 16, wherein the power generator further includes a splitter fluidly coupled to the fuel source and configured to:

provide, in a first state, substantially all of the fuel to an engine system for combusting the fuel to generate electric energy; and

provide, in a second state, substantially all of the methane to flaring device for combusting the fuel to prevent an environmental emission of the methane when the engine is inoperable.

19. The environment of claim 16, wherein the fuel includes methane gas and wherein the management console is further configured to:

calculate, based on the fuel consumption rate, an amount of methane converted into carbon dioxide during the conversion process;

determine a quantity of greenhouse gas credits based on the calculation; and

validate the quantity of greenhouse gas credits.

20. The environment of claim 16, wherein the management console is further configured to:

analyze the data indicative of the fuel level and the amount of fuel consumed;

provide a request for additional power generation systems, if the fuel level exceeds the amount of fuel consumed; and

provide a request to reduce a power generation capability associated with a power generation environment, if the fuel level is below a predetermined threshold.