SUPERCRITICAL CARBON DIOXIDE POWER CYCLE CONFIGURATION FOR USE IN CONCENTRATING SOLAR POWER SYSTEMS
First Claim
1. A solar power generation system comprising:
- a working fluid circuit configured for. the flow of supercritical carbon dioxide therein;
a solar energy receiver in thermal communication with the working fluid circuit configured to provide for solar heating of the supercritical carbon dioxide within the working fluid circuit;
a power turbine in fluid communication with the supercritical carbon dioxide within the working fluid circuit;
a generator mechanically coupled to the power turbine;
a compressor turbine in fluid communication with the supercritical carbon dioxide within the working fluid circuit; and
a compressor mechanically coupled to the compressor turbine, wherein the compressor is further in fluid communication with the supercritical carbon dioxide within the working fluid circuit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and solar power generation systems including a working fluid circuit providing for the flow of supercritical carbon dioxide (S-CO2) therein. The methods and systems may also include a solar energy receiver in thermal communication with the working fluid circuit providing for solar heating of the S-CO2 working fluid; a power turbine in fluid communication with the S-CO2; a generator mechanically coupled to the power turbine; a compressor turbine in fluid communication with the S-CO2 and a compressor mechanically coupled to the compressor turbine such that the compressor is configured to compress the S-CO2 within a portion of the working fluid circuit. The methods and systems may optionally include a secondary power block in thermal communication with a primary power block. The methods and systems may optionally include thermal energy storage. Various embodiments may be implemented in a modular fashion and located on or within a solar energy tower.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A solar power generation system comprising:
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a working fluid circuit configured for. the flow of supercritical carbon dioxide therein; a solar energy receiver in thermal communication with the working fluid circuit configured to provide for solar heating of the supercritical carbon dioxide within the working fluid circuit; a power turbine in fluid communication with the supercritical carbon dioxide within the working fluid circuit; a generator mechanically coupled to the power turbine; a compressor turbine in fluid communication with the supercritical carbon dioxide within the working fluid circuit; and a compressor mechanically coupled to the compressor turbine, wherein the compressor is further in fluid communication with the supercritical carbon dioxide within the working fluid circuit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A solar power generation system comprising:
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a working fluid circuit configured for the flow of supercritical carbon dioxide therein; a solar energy receiver in thermal communication with the working fluid circuit configured to provide for solar heating of the supercritical carbon dioxide within the working fluid circuit; and a Brayton cycle power block in fluid communication with the supercritical carbon dioxide within the working fluid circuit. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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17. A method of generating electricity from solar energy comprising:
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providing a working fluid circuit having supercritical carbon dioxide flowing therein, the working fluid circuit being in fluid communication with; a solar energy receiver, a power turbine, a compressor turbine and a compressor; flowing supercritical carbon dioxide through the solar energy receiver causing the supercritical carbon dioxide to be heated with concentrated solar energy; flowing heated supercritical carbon dioxide from the solar energy receiver through the power turbine and the compressor turbine causing the power turbine to rotate and drive a generator to generate electrical current and causing the compressor turbine to rotate to drive the compressor; and flowing supercritical carbon dioxide from the power turbine through the compressor causing compression of the supercritical carbon dioxide.
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22. A method of generating electricity from solar energy comprising:
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providing a working fluid circuit having supercritical carbon dioxide flowing therein, the working fluid circuit being in fluid communication with; a solar energy receiver, and a Brayton cycle power block, flowing supercritical carbon dioxide through the solar energy receiver causing the supercritical carbon dioxide to be heated with concentrated solar energy; and flowing heated supercritical carbon dioxide from the solar energy receiver through the Brayton cycle power block to drive a generator to generate electrical current. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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Specification