Pump control of closed cycle power generation system
First Claim
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1. A power generation system comprising:
- a closed cycle system comprising a working fluid flowing through, in sequence, a compressor, a first heat exchanger, a turbine, and a second heat exchanger in both a charge mode and a discharge mode;
a first pump configured to pump a first thermal fluid, at a variable flow rate based on a speed of the first pump, through the first heat exchanger and in thermal contact with the working fluid;
a generator driven by the turbine and configured to generate a quantity of electrical power;
a first control device operatively connected to the first pump and configured to control the speed of the first pump;
at least one sensor, wherein each sensor is configured to determine and report an operating condition; and
a controller in communication with the first control device and with the at least one sensor, wherein the controller is configured to receive the reported operating condition of each sensor and, based on at least one reported operating condition, direct the first control device to adjust the speed of the first pump.
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Abstract
Disclosed are systems and methods for pump control of a closed thermodynamic cycle system, such as a Brayton cycle. Operational parameters such as working fluid temperature, thermal fluid temperature, stream pressure, and power generation may be the basis for controlling a thermal fluid pump rate.
165 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A power generation system comprising:
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a closed cycle system comprising a working fluid flowing through, in sequence, a compressor, a first heat exchanger, a turbine, and a second heat exchanger in both a charge mode and a discharge mode; a first pump configured to pump a first thermal fluid, at a variable flow rate based on a speed of the first pump, through the first heat exchanger and in thermal contact with the working fluid; a generator driven by the turbine and configured to generate a quantity of electrical power; a first control device operatively connected to the first pump and configured to control the speed of the first pump; at least one sensor, wherein each sensor is configured to determine and report an operating condition; and a controller in communication with the first control device and with the at least one sensor, wherein the controller is configured to receive the reported operating condition of each sensor and, based on at least one reported operating condition, direct the first control device to adjust the speed of the first pump. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A power generation system comprising:
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a closed cycle system comprising a working fluid circulating through, in sequence, at least a hot-side heat exchanger, a turbine, a recuperative heat exchanger, a cold-side heat exchanger, and a compressor in both a charge mode and a discharge mode, wherein the compressor is driven by the turbine; a hot-side pump, wherein the hot-side pump pumps a first thermal fluid at a variable flow rate based on a speed of the hot-side pump, through the hot-side heat exchanger and in thermal contact with the working fluid; a generator driven by the turbine and configured to generate a quantity of electrical power; a first control device operatively connected to the hot-side pump and configured to control the speed of the hot-side pump; a first sensor configured to determine and report a first temperature at a working fluid outlet of the hot-side heat exchanger; a second sensor configured to determine and report a second temperature at a thermal fluid inlet of the hot-side heat exchanger; and a controller in communication with the first sensor, the second sensor, and the first control device, wherein the controller is operable to determine an approach temperature of the hot-side heat exchanger as a difference between the second temperature and the first temperature, and wherein first controller is configured to direct the first control device to increase the speed of the hot-side pump when the determined approach temperature is above a desired value. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. A method comprising:
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circulating a working fluid through a closed Brayton cycle system comprising a first heat exchanger, a turbine, a second heat exchanger, and a compressor, wherein the working fluid flows through, in sequence, the compressor, the first heat exchanger, the turbine, and the second heat exchanger in both a charge mode and a discharge mode; pumping a variable flow rate of a first thermal fluid through the first heat exchanger, wherein the first thermal fluid is in thermal contact with the working fluid; determining an operating condition of the closed Brayton cycle system; and adjusting the variable flow rate of the first thermal fluid based on the operating condition. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification