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Driven starter pump and start sequence

  • US 9,410,449 B2
  • Filed: 12/11/2013
  • Issued: 08/09/2016
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2010
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method for starting a turbopump in a working fluid circuit, comprising:

  • circulating a working fluid in the working fluid circuit with a starter pump, the working fluid comprising carbon dioxide and the starter pump being in fluid communication with a first heat exchanger in thermal communication with a heat source;

    transferring thermal energy to the working fluid from the heat source in the first heat exchanger;

    expanding the working fluid in a drive turbine in fluid communication with the first heat exchanger, wherein the turbopump comprises the drive turbine operatively coupled to a main pump;

    driving the main pump with the drive turbine;

    diverting the working fluid discharged from the main pump into a first recirculation line disposed in the working fluid circuit, the first recirculation line having a first bypass valve arranged therein;

    closing the first bypass valve as the turbopump reaches a self-sustaining speed of operation;

    circulating the working fluid discharged from the main pump through the working fluid circuit;

    deactivating the starter pump and opening a second bypass valve arranged in a second recirculation line disposed in the working fluid circuit; and

    diverting the working fluid discharged from the starter pump into the second recirculation line.

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